PXED

Phoenix Education Partners, Inc.

One of the largest online universities in the US, the University of Phoenix serves working adults with career-focused degree and certificate programs. It was founded in 1976 by John Sperling, a San Jose State professor who wanted higher education to fit around jobs and family, and opened its first class with just eight students. It became one of the first universities to offer programs fully online, and its parent company, Phoenix Education Partners, went public in 2025.