About William Peace University
William Peace University was founded in 1857 under the name of Peace Institute and offered education for boys and girls in primary grades and to women from high school to college. By 1940 the school had evolved into Peace College and offered an academic program for young women that consisted of the last two years of high school and the first two years of college. Then in the mid-1990s, four-year status was granted and coeducation classes were created. Recently in 2011, the name was changed to William Peace University. As a private institution of higher education, William Peace University is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Their stated mission is “to prepare students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. Rooted in the liberal arts tradition, our students develop an appreciation for life-long learning, a focus on meaningful careers, and skills for ethical citizenship.”
WPU offers undergraduate degrees in the academic areas of arts, business, education, social sciences, and sciences. For students who have a hectic schedule and may not be able to fit in traditional in-class learning, William Peace University offers a distance learning program through the Department of Adult and Professional Studies where degrees can be completed entirely online. WPU online degrees offer:
- Flexibility
- Convenience
- Affordability
Earn your online degree at an accelerated pace along with a growing number of other students.
Accreditation & Licensing
William Peace University is accredited by:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Type:
4-year, Private not-for-profitHighest Level Offered:
Bachelor's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Presbyterian Church (USA)Enrollment:
Undergraduate: 1,075 ; Graduate: Not applicablePercent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 40% ; Graduate: Not applicableGraduation Rate:
45%Transfer Rate:
38%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$46,643Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$22,250Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
81%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$22,185Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesCredit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by William Peace University
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Business
Criminal Justice, Safety & Law
Psychology & Human Services
At William Peace, small classes can help you keep a steady pace to finish. Students often say classes are easy to navigate and courses are intuitive.
Cost matters here. Some students feel the school is expensive, so aid can make a big difference over time. Build a clear credit plan early, since class choices and course order can affect your finish time.
If you want a personal learning setup and a focused plan, this school can work well. Pair that close classroom experience with a cost and time plan from day one.
At William Peace University, support feels direct and personal in daily classes. Small class sizes make it easier to get quick help and clear follow-through from professors.
Students describe faculty as kind, accessible, and invested in student success. Teachers push understanding while staying encouraging, so grading and expectations feel steady.
Advising can be clearer on which classes to take next. When students need help, professors are a reliable first stop for guidance and progress.
Online learners who want close instructor contact may like William Peace. Classes are small. Professors are easy to reach. The tone is encouraging and personal.
Coursework is clear but not easy. Courses are intuitive and test understanding. Class discussions are immersive, not passive. That structure supports adults who need steady pace and direct support while balancing work and life.
William Peace University is at its best in the classroom. Small class sizes shape daily learning. Professors are easy to reach and quick to encourage students. Classes rely on discussion, so students stay involved and get direct feedback.
Coursework is clear to follow, but it still pushes students to think. The pace is serious, and classes build useful skills for work and life after college. Students who want close faculty support and real academic challenge can find both here.
Some students may need more guidance when planning required courses, and options can feel limited in some areas. Even so, the school offers a personal learning setting with strong teaching and meaningful rigor.
William Peace University is at its best in the classroom. Small classes shape daily learning. Professors are kind, supportive, and easy to reach. Students get direct contact with faculty.
Courses are clear to follow but still demanding. Classwork pushes students to think, not just memorize. Cost can be a harder part of the experience. Many families see the price as high.
Aid and planning can feel uneven at times. Guidance on required classes may not always feel clear. Some students may also want more course options. Overall, this school fits students who want close faculty support and real academic challenge. It may be a less natural fit for students focused on a lower-cost path.
William Peace University is at its best in the classroom. Small classes shape daily learning. Professors are kind, supportive, and easy to reach. Students get direct contact with faculty.
Courses are clear to follow but still demanding. Classwork pushes students to think, not just memorize. Cost can be a harder part of the experience. Many families see the price as high.
Aid and planning can feel uneven at times. Guidance on required classes may not always feel clear. Some students may also want more course options. Overall, this school fits students who want close faculty support and real academic challenge. It may be a less natural fit for students focused on a lower-cost path.
Frequently Asked Questions About William Peace University
Is William Peace University accredited?
Yes. William Peace University is institutionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many online programs does William Peace University offer?
William Peace University offers 5 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does William Peace University offer?
William Peace University offers bachelor's-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at William Peace University?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is William Peace University expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, William Peace University falls into GetEducated’s $$$ tuition tier, which points to a higher tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at William Peace University?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask William Peace University first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is William Peace University military friendly?
William Peace University shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from William Peace University through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for William Peace University applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official High School Transcript/GED Score. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does William Peace University accept life experience credit?
William Peace University does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are William Peace University programs fully online or mixed?
William Peace University programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does William Peace University offer?
William Peace University has online program options in areas such as Business, Art & Liberal Arts, Criminal Justice, Safety & Law, and Psychology & Human Services; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at William Peace University?
For programs with both totals published, in-state and out-of-state tuition totals are typically the same.
Do any William Peace University programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at William Peace University?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For William Peace University, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare William Peace University programs?
Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a William Peace University program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
William Peace University is featured in 5 of our ranking reports!
GetEducated continually compiles custom ranking reports to give you a complete snapshot of schools, degrees, tuition, and a detailed report on thousands of job categories throughout the entire education industry.
We provide these comprehensive ranking reports to you, for free. Click on any report below to learn more about how we ranked this school.
Geographic and Educational Overview
William Peace University is located in North Carolina
North Carolina at a Glance:

Top Majors in North Carolina:
Top Incentives in North Carolina:
- NC Need Based Scholarship: Up to $4,200 annually
- NC Education Lottery Scholarship: Up to $3,000 annually
- NC Community College Grant: Up to $2,800 annually
Top Career Pathways in North Carolina:
- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($75,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Developer ($115,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($160,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Security+, Azure
- Entry Level: Research Associate ($60,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Researcher ($95,000)
- Senior Level: Research Director ($145,000+)
- Required Education: BS Biotechnology
- Certifications: PMP, Quality Systems
- Entry Level: Clinic Manager ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Healthcare Administrator ($95,000)
- Senior Level: Hospital Director ($150,000+)
- Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
- Certifications: ACHE, CMPE






