General meaning of group of people:
* Group
* Team
* Band
* Clique
* Circle
* Assembly
* Crew
* Set
* Company
* Gathering
* Congregation
Specific to a group sharing a common characteristic:
* Class (e.g., graduating class)
* Generation
* Peer group
* Demographic
* Segment
Specific to a group working together:
* Squad
* Posse
* Brigade
* Troop
Formal, academic use:
* Comrades
* Associates
* Fellows
Ultimately, the best alternative depends on the specific meaning you want to convey and the context in which you are using the word.