Academic programs of UOS have been set to support the necessities of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Hence, UOS functions as a think-tank in formulating and supporting the major policy goals of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, along with basic research and education.

In 2012, the mayor of Seoul, Park Won-soon, implemented a campaign promise, "Half-priced tuition" as soon as he started his term.

[3] Because the Seoul Metropolitan Government supported 70% of the annual budget, UOS is one of the best value public universities.

Many UOS students think that they take a lot of financial and educational benefits from the Seoul government, so they feel obligated to participate in social work.

UOS Open University provides a broad range of education programs including languages, technologies, Seoul Study[clarification needed], and various cultural activities.

[23] UOS was reported the best value public university in Korea,[24] with high financial investment and scholarship amount per student.