
Capella University
Capella University Overview
The aggregated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.
Capella University has 1.2 star rating based on 82 customer reviews. Consumers are mostly dissatisfied.
- Rating Distribution
Pros: Degree major, Financial disaster, Challenging courses.
Cons: Career services, Quality of faculty, Billing and customer service.Recent recommendations regarding this business are as follows: "Go elsewhere", "Don’t do it", "Don't enroll, look elsewhere", "SCAM- Do not trust this university", "Don’t waist your time".
The aggregated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.
Capella University has 1.2 star rating based on 82 customer reviews. Consumers are mostly dissatisfied.
- Rating Distribution
Pros: Degree major, Financial disaster, Challenging courses.
Cons: Career services, Quality of faculty, Billing and customer service.Recent recommendations regarding this business are as follows: "Go elsewhere", "Don’t do it", "Don't enroll, look elsewhere", "SCAM- Do not trust this university", "Don’t waist your time".
Most users ask Capella University for the refund as a solution to their issues.
Consumers are not pleased with Exchange, Refund and Cancellation Policy and Customer service. The price level of this organization is high according to consumer reviews.
Media from reviews










Is Capella University Legit?
Our analysis shows that Capella University is legit, safe for consumers to access and is not a scam. www.capella.edu follows necessary security procedures to protect its users. However, since some issues have been reported, it’s always a good idea to do your own checking of Capella University reviews to learn more about other consumers' experiences.
Incompetent Financial Aid
Financial aid is incompetent and unable to handle the smallest tasks. They dont answer phones and give the runaround when they do.
No empathy for their failure to resolve tasks and no follow up with resolution. I was supposed to receive a refund check and it never came and I spent 3 months going back and forth with this department.
They dont seem to take anything seriously. I almost considered leaving the school.
User's recommendation: Go elsewhere
This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified ReviewerCapella doesn't even deserve a Rate! Seeking Legal Counsel, interested in suing.
I am a current student at Capella University and am interested in proceeding with a class action lawsuit. I am a senior within my undergraduate class of General Psychology. I have been on the Dean's list at least ten times (I am not bragging, just giving context that I am not looking to sue because I was not doing what I was supposed to do). The entire time I have been part of Capella University, my financial aid has covered me up until the point they have shown why they are considered a for-profit school. Before my last spring semester started, I always checked my financial aid to ensure I had enough to cover what was supposed to be my last and final semester. So before my spring semester started, I noticed I was a bit short in my financial aid due to being under the recommended plan. Then, from my dashboard, I tried to accept the maximum amount, which was an estimate of $8,000 and some change. I noticed I was unable to do so, so then I requested Capella FAST (financial aid team) to assist with this matter. I was then told to write a letter in my handwriting to accept the amount I had left to use for my spring classes. I did this, and they emailed me back, stating they would accept the amount I was offered in aid.
The beginning of my spring semester started, and in the week I was supposed to receive my financial aid disbursement, I did not get it. The following week I got a notification that I was missing some documents. I was unsure about what I could have possibly missed because I stay on top of my financial aid. I saw an overpayment notice. I called Capella Financial aid team, and I was explained that I was overpaid in tuition for the previous fall semester. I asked how this happened when I was under a recommended plan, and I took the classes according to my planner. They said not to worry, everyone is dealing with overpayment at this time. I asked why, but got no real explanation for that, but I digress. So being confused, I started to investigate and found that according to the NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System), which generates SSCRs at the beginning of each month.
Reporting Overpayments to NSLDS: If a grant overpayment is the result of the student's withdrawal and a return of Title IV funds calculation, you must contact the student within 30 days of determining that the student withdrew (see Volume 5). You only report unresolved overpayments if they're due to student error.
Now, as I have stated, I have been under a recommended plan, so I did not accept more than what I am granted, so there is no way the error is on me unless, precisely if there was a failure of the financial aid team reporting to me from over 90 days. What I found interesting within the Capella policy is that your student account must be in good standing in order to receive your financial aid. So, do I find it a coincidence that the week I am supposed to receive my financial aid disbursement is when I get an overpayment notification?
To give context, I couldn't start my winter semester because I still owed from the summer, which I have been working to pay down my student balance (although, as I have stated, I have been getting financial aid the entire time, right?). Do I also find it interesting that no one from the financial aid team from December to March notified me about an overpayment in tuition until April? So fast-forward after begging and pleading to get my reaffirmation letter in a timely manner so I can get my disbursement while I am in almost the final weeks of my spring semester, which according to Capella financial aid, I was supposed to receive my reaffirmation letter three days from 4-24-24 only to get them to email me finally on 5-8-2024 with my affirmation letter attached.
I then sent it to my lender; it took three weeks. Even after some weeks, I was still not given an answer or my spring disbursement. Would you believe I called the FAST team only to be told I did not have a FAFSA on file, so therefore I did not have any financial aid available for my spring semester? To my surprise, shocked and confused, I logged into my FAFSA account, only to see that oh wait, I do have one since I reapplied for my FAFSA since November for my spring 2024-****. I called back and let them know this, and they then told me they would call me back about the issue. No call, no email, or smoke signal, bird, nothing from that. I was then, a week later, sent an email response that I was given an amount (estimated to $4,000 and change).
Again, livid, why? Well, according to my FAFSA report, I still had $8,000 available. Keep in mind I previously mentioned that is what I tried to request for that amount to which only to be told in another phone call no, that number is not right. The amount I am requesting for is not the correct number showing on my dashboard; there must be a 'system glitch'. So, I have money left in my unsubsidized loans, not just that, ohhh okay. Well, what do I have? Oh, you have really $6,000. That's not what I am seeing nor am I seeking, but hey, I just want to get done with this spring course to lead into my Capstone.
So I reluctantly agreed because I knew I would have to revisit that and get loan forbearance and possibly sue, but the objective was always to just finish. So I said I would go ahead and accept this underpayment as a means to get done with my degree. They emailed me back and said they would accept the $6,000 and some change on my behalf since I could not from my dashboard. Here's where things got from bad to worse. I received my disbursement late, and it wasn't what they agreed to accept. I was then given $4,000 in change. Notice how I stated before I was granted $8,000 in available funds, only to be told you have $6,000, only to be given $4,000 as a disbursement. Now with that being said, after 4 1/2 years of hard work, sacrifice, blood, sweat, and tears. After almost losing my life with my last baby boy during Covid. After fighting for my life from the ventilator, to being diagnosed with cancer and beating it. I stuck it through it all, only to be left currently in debt after finding out they overcharged in financial aid, after finding out they have been stealing my financial aid and now after all of that, still not being able to proceed into my Capstone because they have manipulated the system and penalized me for their mismanagement of funds; I am stuck fighting back tears and depression when all I wanted to do was be a proud college graduate.
Capella University is a proud schemer, thimblerig, thrives off swindling students into debt by any means. This school has no interest in helping students to go to the next level of their professional lives; this school is meant to take from you and leave you with nothing to show for. I will pursue a class action lawsuit, and I will win in the end. If anyone is interested or in the process, please email me at Ashums31@***.com.
- Horribleeeeeeeeeeeeee
Preferred solution: I want to sue for emotional distress, fraud, mismanagement of educational funds
User's recommendation: Please Avoid Capella University at Any Cost!!!!
This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer |Avoid Capella University! Deceptive and Unhelpful
My experience with Capella University was incredibly stressful and disappointing. When I enrolled, I was told that I was eligible for financial aid and that it would fully cover my tuition, meaning I wouldn't have to pay out of pocket.
However, when I had questions about my aid, I struggled to get a quick response from their unhelpful financial aid department. Because of the lack of communication, I made the responsible decision to withdraw from a class to avoid financial liability. Despite this, Capella failed to properly process my withdrawal, later claiming that I had never attended the class and was not eligible for financial aid, now billing me for a class I never took! Their lack of transparency, poor communication, and refusal to take responsibility make this institution a nightmare for students.
Instead of helping, they blame students for their own administrative failures. I ultimately chose to withdraw from the university entirely because I could not trust them. They should not be allowed to operate like this.
If you're considering Capella University, think twice; they are misleading, unhelpful, and only seem to care about money, not students. Avoid this school at all costs.
- Online
- Staff is unhelpful
- Subpar professors
Preferred solution: I would like for them not to bill be for class that I never took and withdrew from in a timely manner.
User's recommendation: Don't enroll, look elsewhere
Have em now, do t like at all
You cant even get in contact with anyone. Student services, admissions, academics, OACS@***.edu.
I sent 6 emails to a department over two months. Literally went to my coach and complained and then they reached out to the department and then the department reached out to me. You have a new coach every semester, which they brush off but its very difficult to get consistent advice. Hate em.
Now crap. N
When I get my degree, I will never be ba.
User's recommendation: Don’t do it

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer |Charged FULL semester when I took 2 months of classes
I'm continuing to reach out regarding these charges. I spoke with someone who basically told me that this was my problem and I should just "pay the bill and it will go away". I have now been sent to collections
I have continued to call in and ask for assistance and proof of the previous calls. They claims none of those calls ever happened.
Due to being pulled to work frontline in the hospital during COVID, I asked to be removed from classes. This was 2.5 weeks AFTER the start. I spoke with someone multiples times over the phone and they assured me this was resolved. When I realized I was still getting notifications that I was enrolled in classes, it was 2 months post.
I expected to pay for the two months of classes I was unaware I was in, but then I received a bill of $2,555 for the entire semester of classes. They have designed a system where you are required to pay for the entire semester of classes, regardless of if you took any of them. Mind you, I called multiple times to unenroll and was told they would do that. Surprisingly, they have no record of those conversations.
I have now been sent to collections for a semester of classes I never took.
Please, do not go here. The education is terrible on top of the scam they have created to take your money for no service provided.
- Not transparent with costs
- Terms and conditions
Preferred solution: Price reduction
User's recommendation: SCAM- Do not trust this university
This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified ReviewerDishonest, unrealistic, and useless instructors
I signed up for the PhD in advanced human behavior under the promise of a 5k scholarship. I'm halfway through my degree and still have not received a dime of it.
I was also approved for another 5k scholarship and was told it would be provided in October 2024, but this turned out to be untrue; the correct date is October 2025. Recently, I went on vacation intending to work in the evenings from my room. However, they decided to create a new log-in process that only allows me to log in from my desktop computer. I submitted assignments that were due a few days after I returned, only to be told that I'm receiving a zero for them.
Every single class I've taken has been in reference to marriage and family therapy, nothing to do with the degree title.
I'm going to end my time here and transfer my credit elsewhere. Don't fall for this scam!
- Online about it
- Expensive
- Lies about scholarships
- Useless instructors
Preferred solution: Leaving the initituion to go elsewhere
User's recommendation: Don’t waist your time

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified ReviewerCapella violates civil rights
I am a disabled person attending Capella University and in the first semester the instructor breached confidentiality by leaking my grades to the class in a group email. In the next class I filed a complaint about a woman instructor grading me unfairly and making us write about a controversial topic.
I asked advisors if it was okay to take off a semester and they said I would experience no issues with financial aid, however, all of the advisors lied to me by not explaining that I needed to be enrolled at least part time to remain eligible for financial aid. When I explained to the advisor that I thought a woman teacher had discriminated against me by grading unfairly, she became upset and wanted to end the call even though I was talking calmly and not being disruptive. Two weeks later the university sent me an email saying I committed disrespectful behavior that warranted my expulsion. At this point in the case my right to free speech is being grossly violated, and this is a negligent and egregious act against a disabled student, a violation of Civil rights.
There was a panel created against me by the school, but I was not provided with dates and times to join the meeting and no offer to meet with the panel to defend myself. I sent emails expressing I wanted to join the panel, but I never received a reply from the school. I feel an academic advisor has not only abused her powers, but she has violated a disabled person's civil rights.
Unjustly expelling me from the school and putting marks on my permanent record is another violation of conduct because I will carry these marks on my permanent record when I feel I have done nothing wrong and did not break any laws. I am being punished for complaining and this is going to ruin my financial aid and credibility with future employers.
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: Stay away from this school

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified ReviewerLast course
Capella does not follow up on complaints they are under staffed and thinks everyone is the same, everyone will accept being mistreated and overlooked, capella is currently trying to prolong my stay so I will have to pay more financial aide which I already reported and filed a complaint, I am being harassed by the only instructor in my department and no one has even checked our interactions. I asked for a grade appeal and was told we don't that
Now, I am struggling with minor things. I even hired a tutor, and still, minor issues are holding me back. I cannot drop the class because they only have one instructor for this course. I am in FlexPath and stuck because the school does not have a real chain of command.
Thus, your complaints and concerns fall on deaf ears. I suggest finding another school. I was supposed to do grad school with them, but now I am looking for another option.
They just lost $33,000 and hopefully any money anyone reading this would have spent. I have to return to work with a degree, and Capella is a waste of time.
- Work online
- Final course is harder than any of the others and you can not drop it
- No substitution
Preferred solution: They only have one instructor for the last course and she is not giving enough feedback, I want to have my papers evaluated by someone else.
User's recommendation: Pick another school not Capella
This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer |Capella scam
The university continually violates students' rights, and they fraudulently expel students for complaining about being discriminated against or graded unfairly.
- Deceptive practices all around at capella university
- Horrible people that will violate your civil rights
Preferred solution: Class action lawsuit
User's recommendation: Run for the hills

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified Reviewer |I was pretty much forced out
I was a student in the MSW program. It was okay at first.
The instructors were very strict. Then I got to the internship part. I struggled for over a year to find a place that would accept me because it was at the peak of COVID. Absolutely nobody helped me find placement, not even my internship liaison.
I begged several people on many occasions for more assistance with placement and I was always met with an emphatic 'no'. This caused me to enter the course late and I quickly fell behind. It eventually got so bad that there was no practical way to complete the required amount of hours. I became angry and slightly unprofessional in my email to school staff, which resulted in a suspension.
As punishment, I needed to give a 20-minute presentation to the school's higher-ups about how I need to behave better. I was willing to humiliate myself to get back into the program, but then I was told I still would not be receiving help with placement.
There was no reason to continue, so I left. I left very much in debt.
- Follow a concise
- Rigid syllabus
- Leniency does not exist
- Higher ups are unfeeling robots
- Expensive
User's recommendation: Stay away from MSW program
This is ridiculous
Capella University promotes its FlexPath program as a go at your own pace learning model, which is a primary reason many students choose this path. However, the requirement to wait up to two business days for professors to grade assignments directly contradicts this promise.
This inconsistency creates unnecessary delays, especially when not all professors adhere to this timeline.
It feels unfair to restrict students progress when the program is supposed to allow flexibility and self-directed pacing. This discrepancy undermines the trust in the programs advertised benefits and needs to be addressed for a truly flexible learning experience.
Resistancy
I ended up being stuck in Florida due to the storm/hurricane Deddie for 2 extra days. I reached out to the residency team and they responded after 3 days that they were aware of the storm and basically did not care to reimburse students that had to stay behind.
It was a terrible experience!!! And financially exhausting!!!
User's recommendation: Don't even bother.
Financial aid problems
I am currently enrolled in capella,started in November,was supposed to start in October. I should have known when I was told my educational statement was illegible when it was returned in the mail unopened that this school is fraudulent.
I got my first financial aid disbursements with no problem. This time I received nothing, I am getting charged everyday for classes I am not taking, and somehow I owe money. So far since January 24th, I have had 4 disbursements that should have been only 2,and they are small amounts.
I was told that my financial aid would cover everything, I do not understand the charges hat keep getting added, nor do I understand how I keep seeing my tuition, that these disbursements should have already covered since I am in the 5th week of class, keeps going up for the winter quarter. Can someone please tell me what to do before I am broke because of Capella.
User's recommendation: Do not enroll in Capella.
Universities, Colleges and Schools Expert Talks
Heartbreaking Ending
I was a student at Capella University, and completed all of my courses except the last two chapters of my final dissertation. The reason I could not finish my dissertation was a lack of participants in my research study.
One of my three advisors on my initial dissertation committee had advised me not to go ahead with my study fearing a lack of participants. The other advisors told me to go ahead with it. I chose to follow the majority to my detriment. When I went ahead with it, I had only one participant.
Then they told me I would have to start a new dissertation. I quit attending at that point. I had completed every course, my three residencies, and the entire dissertation process up to the last two chapters. When I later checked into coming back, they told me the time limit had elapsed, and I could not finish the program.
In the meantime, I had spent all of my money on the program and ended up with not even a second masters for my effort! I am sadly disappointed in Capella. I had wonderful experiences up to that point, but then I was not allowed to do anything to fix the situation and complete my PhD.
I had enjoyed every part of Capella and the entire learning experience, including the challenging classes and residencies. I really am unhappy that I was unable to graduate with my PhD.
- Challenging courses
- Excellent instruction
- Problem solving
- Graduation
- Poor communication
Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered
User's recommendation: Do not attend Capella!!!
This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ
Verified ReviewerNo response for my inquiry
I have not heard back from Capella University
Hello, I have not received a response from Capella University and would like some direction on how to proceed
Preferred solution: Answer to my inquiry for a name change on my diploma
PSA- long, however please read. Capella University So, as most of you know, I’ve been pursuing my doctorate of nurse practitioner degree through Capella. It’s been a long, heavy road. I recently
PSA- long, however please read.
Capella University
So, as most of you know, Ive been pursuing my doctorate of nurse practitioner degree through Capella. Its been a long, heavy road.
I recently just submitted a 70+ page project charter, which is somewhere between a dissertation and a thesis to keep it in easy, understandable terms.
That project charter was approved by two highly regarded professors with Capella University. In fact, it required a secondary review. I received 100% on my second iteration.
Not to mention two other professors had an opportunity to read my project. I cannot testify or verify the validity of whether they did that or not. However, Im guessing not, since this is the first time that this has been mentioned.
Once I was enrolled in the next class which is where I am stuck now, class 9901 I went from achieving 100% on everything that I turned in to not being able to pass this class. Not even close!
A four- five page paper that I can normally write in less than an hour I have failed six iterations. SIX!
Somehow, someway, my project charter got approved And Capella University just kept on collecting my money, and now I cant move forward.
I met with the department chair on Thursday along with my academic coach (Zoom), who has known all along what my intent has been. I should be done with this program right now.
However, Capella is a for-profit university, and they have me sitting in a state of stagnation, where I literally cannot do anything. I am three classes away from graduation and they just are now telling me that my project charter is likely not going to be approved by an independent review board.
Really, how the *** did I get this far!! More importantly, how did I get this far successfully with non stop compliments.
Now, the brakes are on, and I have to sit and wait for the department chair to decide what the next process looks like. Meanwhile, like I said, Im continuing to be in the same billing cycle, so I am paying to sit here and do nothing; when I could be done.
Im also now at risk of losing my preceptor And potentially my practicum site. Which would require me to start all over. AFTER NEARLY A YEAR !!!
Buyer, beware with a Capella University.
I had such good luck with them during my masters degree and now that Im on this flex path it literally is all about money in my opinion.
I am so beyond disappointed that I have no words to describe how I feel
#capellauniversity
#capellaflexpath
#TAKINGMYMONEY
#buyerbeware
#ismellalawsuit
#capellashameonyou
User's recommendation: BUYER BEWARE
About
, ,
Capella University was established by Dr. Harold Abel and Stephen Shank in 1991 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is a for-profit online university that offers 15 certificate programs with over 1050 online courses and graduate degree programs in 136 specialized areas of study. The university provides bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in such areas as business, education, psychology, information technology, public safety, public health and human services. The majority training the university provides through the Internet. Capella University engages in training of students in 50 states and 52 foreign countries. Capella University provides tuition options and other benefits to alliance programs participants, including up to 200 corporations, a quater of U.S. community colleges and public schools.

Capella University is ranked 104 out of 1277 in Universities, Colleges and Schools category
USA
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Capella details their policy very clearly on their website. There’s not any university that will refund you after 60 days.
Yes, you are correct if it were intact just 60 days. I took the class for 3 weeks, called to drop, was told it was handled and then continued to be enrolled for 2 months before I had to call again.
Have you ever worked in the front lines during a global pandemic?
Have a lot to say for someone who hasn’t done anything worthwhile with themselves. Capella doesn’t care about their students, they just want the money.
Being a frontline worker doesn’t has no bearing on your issue and certainly doesn’t make you better than anyone else. You seem to have a very high opinion of yourself for someone choosing an online university. Do better.
Is your job to post hate on comments? What a cool life you must live you angry troll. Do better and make something of yourself.