History of University of Phoenix in Timeline

University of Phoenix (UoPX) is a private, for-profit institution based in Phoenix, Arizona, established in 1976. It provides a range of academic programs, awarding certificates and degrees from the associate to doctoral levels. UoPX holds institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and implements open enrollment for numerous undergraduate programs. Phoenix Education Partners owns the university.

1978: Regional Accreditation

The University of Phoenix has been regionally accredited since 1978 by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

2000: Reliance on Contingent Faculty

Around the year 2000, approximately 97 percent of University of Phoenix instructors taught part-time. This reliance on part-time faculty has been criticized by regulators and academic critics.

2010: Recruiting Tactics

Prior to 2010, the University of Phoenix used high-pressure sales tactics, including assertions that classes were filling fast, by admissions counselors who are paid, in part, based on their success in recruiting students.

September 21, 2012: Start Date for Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

September 21, 2012, marks the beginning of the eligibility period for borrowers at the University of Phoenix who would later receive federal student loan debt cancellation under the Biden administration's initiative announced on September 20, 2023.

2012: Start of Military Recruitment Tactics Investigation Period

The year 2012 marks the beginning of the period investigated by the California Attorney General regarding the University of Phoenix's military student recruitment tactics, which concluded with a settlement in April 2024.

December 31, 2014: End Date for Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

December 31, 2014, marks the end of the eligibility period for borrowers at the University of Phoenix who would later receive federal student loan debt cancellation under the Biden administration's initiative announced on September 20, 2023.

2015: End of Military Recruitment Tactics Investigation Period

The year 2015 marks the end of the period investigated by the California Attorney General regarding the University of Phoenix's military student recruitment tactics, which concluded with a settlement in April 2024.

2016: Student Loan Default Rate

In 2016, a Brookings Institution study estimated the University of Phoenix's five-year student loan default rate at 47 percent.

2017: Federal Pell Grant Recipients

In the 2017–18 award year, 51,990 University of Phoenix students received the Federal Pell Grant.

2019: Class Action Lawsuit Filed

In 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed by over 200,000 student borrowers alleging fraud against the University of Phoenix, among other institutions.

March 2020: VA Suspends G.I. Bill Funds for UoPX

In March 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the suspension of certification for G.I. Bill funds for new students at the University of Phoenix, citing deceptive recruiting practices.

July 2020: VA Withdraws Sanctions Threat

In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs withdrew its threat of sanctions against the University of Phoenix.

2020: Student Funding Sources

In 2020–21, 1,316 students used Department of Defense Tuition Assistance and 7,380 students used G.I. Bill funds at the University of Phoenix.

2021: Apollo's Investment Gains and American Rescue Plan Aid

In 2021, Bloomberg reported that Apollo's higher education investment in University of Phoenix had gained about 50 percent in value, increasing from $634 million to $956 million. Additionally, UoPX received $3.4 million in aid through the American Rescue Plan.

2021: Campus Closures Continue

In 2021, the University of Phoenix continued to close campuses, including those in Atlanta and Salt Lake City. The Phoenix, Arizona campus remained the only location accepting new in-person students.

2021: Acquisition Proposals

Since 2021, multiple acquisition proposals were made for the University of Phoenix, including those by Tuskegee University, UMass Global, the University of Arkansas System, and the University of Idaho.

July 2022: Student Body Ethnic Composition

According to the College Scorecard, as of July 2022, the University of Phoenix student body's ethnic composition is 39 percent unknown, 26 percent white, 20 percent black, 11 percent Hispanic, 2 percent multiracial, with 1 percent each for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

August 2022: Settlement Approved in Fraud Lawsuit

In August 2022, a settlement was approved in the class action lawsuit, acknowledging "substantial misconduct" by schools listed, including the University of Phoenix.

April 2023: Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Settlement

In April 2023, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the settlement in the class action lawsuit against University of Phoenix, allowing debt cancellation to proceed.

May 2023: University of Idaho Acquisition Announcement

In May 2023, the University of Idaho initially announced a deal worth $685 million to acquire the University of Phoenix.

September 20, 2023: Student Loan Debt Cancellation

On September 20, 2023, the Biden administration canceled nearly $37 million of federal student loan debt for more than 1,200 borrowers who were enrolled at the University of Phoenix between September 21, 2012, and December 31, 2014.

2023: Student Employment Rate

According to the university's 2023 annual academic report, more than 78% of its students are employed while attending the school.

April 2024: Settlement with California Attorney General

In April 2024, the University of Phoenix and California Attorney General Rob Bonta resolved an investigation into the university's use of military student recruitment tactics from 2012 through 2015 via settlement. The university agreed to pay out $4.5 million in penalties and other fees.

2024: Washington Monthly Ranking

The University of Phoenix was ranked 360th out of 438 schools in the 2024 Washington Monthly list of national universities.

June 2025: Purchase Abandoned

In June 2025, the purchase of UoPX was abandoned after the University of Idaho reimbursed University of Phoenix for legal fees related to exploring the purchase and paid an additional $15 million to the school for seeking an IPO.

August 29, 2025: Initial Public Offering Filing

On August 29, 2025, AP VIII Queso Holdings LP, the new parent company of the University of Phoenix, filed for an initial public offering. The company announced its name would change to Phoenix Education Partners Inc. before the closing of the offering, and the entity will be traded under the ticker symbol PXED.