New students will know their full per-course cost before they enroll and keep it through program completion; current enrolled students’ tuition remains locked under the University’s long-standing Tuition Guarantee 

PHOENIX, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix today announced its Locked-In Pricing Guarantee, which gives new students one price per course, covering both tuition and the resource fee, locked from enrollment through completion in their enrolled program. The guarantee builds on the Tuition Guarantee the University introduced in 2018, which has locked tuition for enrolled students for nearly a decade.

The guarantee takes effect with the University’s updated pricing on Nov. 2, 2026. For new students, tuition will increase 7% and the resource fee will increase $10 per course, presented as a single all-in, locked-in price per course. For current students’ their tuition in their enrolled program remains unchanged under the Tuition Guarantee; and their resource fee will increase $10 per course, its first increase in nearly a decade. [Active-duty military graduate tuition rates will update Jan. 4, 2027.]

The price update responds to rising operating costs and expands students’ access to learning technologies, including Microsoft^® Copilot^® through each student’s Microsoft 365^® account.

“Price transparency should be the norm in higher education. At University of Phoenix, it has been our practice for nearly a decade,” said Chris Lynne, president, University of Phoenix. “When we update pricing, we do it the way we always have— in plain terms, published in advance and with a price students can count on. The Locked-In Pricing Guarantee takes that commitment further. New students will see one all-in price before they enroll, and it’s the price they keep through program completion. Working adults value knowing the full cost, up front, so they can plan for it, without surprises, and finish what they started while living their busy, full lives.”

One price, known up front, kept through graduation
Under the Locked-In Pricing Guarantee, before enrolling, new students will see one all-in per-course price for tuition and resource fees for their enrolled program. That price includes tuition and the resource fee, which covers course electronic textbooks and materials, support resources, and AI tools, so students aren’t left to add up separate charges to understand what a course will cost. It’s one price, all-in and locked. The price stays the same from their first course through the completion date of their enrolled program, giving students a fixed number to plan around for the length of their degree.

Current and upcoming tuition and fees are published in the University’s Academic Catalog, in each student’s web account and at phoenix.edu.

Students are asking for certainty and transparency
The University’s approach aligns with what students and families say they want. In The Price Transparency Imperative, an April 2026 report from Strada Education Foundation based on a nationally representative survey of more than 5,000 people, the top-ranked affordability solutions were cost transparency (68%) and a price guarantee (65%), and 62% also prioritized a single, all-in price. Among prospective adult learners, cost and affordability were the most-cited factors in choosing where to enroll.

Preparing students for work in the age of AI
The resource fee includes course electronic textbooks and materials, Microsoft 365^®, access to Microsoft^® Copilot^® and AI learning resources, the University Library, virtual tutoring, the Centers for Math and Writing Excellence and virtual science labs. Students also receive guidance on responsible AI use through the University’s Center for AI Resources. The University recently published a white paper about its approach to AI implementation, detailing the AI pillars framework and resources for students.

“Employers increasingly expect people to use AI well, and our students are building that capability while they learn,” said John Woods, Ph.D., provost and chief academic officer of University of Phoenix. “Putting these tools in courses helps students study more efficiently and practice the skills they’re already being asked to use at work.”

Ways to lower the cost of a degree
A locked price tells students what each course will cost. The University also helps students potentially reduce how many courses they need to take. Over the past eight years, University of Phoenix has applied more than 7 million transfer credits, helping students save an estimated $3 billion in tuition and fees by avoiding repeated coursework.

Other ways eligible students can reduce the time and cost of a degree include:

• Credit for prior learning (CPL). Students may earn credit for relevant learning and experience through Prior Learning Assessment, national testing programs and military service. In fiscal year 2024–2025, students whose degree programs included CPL saved an average of $5,408 in tuition.
• Alternative credit providers. Eligible students can complete coursework through an alternative credit provider such as Study.com or StraighterLine that may count toward degree requirements.
• Scholarships. The Transfer Student Scholarship provides up to $3,000, applied over 20 courses, for qualified new bachelor’s degree students who transfer 12 to 60 credits and maintain eligibility requirements. The University’s Scholarships and Savings Guide helps students find additional opportunities.
• Employer tuition benefits. Upgrade skills and pursue a degree with the support of one’s employer through the University’s flexible education options for employees and members of 2,300+ organizations in healthcare, information technology, retail, financial services and many other industries.
• Savings Explorer^®. Prospective students can use this tool to explore options based on their experience and see what students with similar backgrounds have saved.

Full tuition and fee information and program completion deadlines are available in the University’s Academic Catalog and at phoenix.edu.

About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life^® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

Microsoft, Copilot, and Microsoft 365 are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

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SOURCE University of Phoenix