Coursera is one of the most reputable online learning platforms out there, offering thousands of online courses from top universities for just about everything you could ever want to learn. And with a ton of free courses (see our guide to the best free Coursera courses) as well as premium paid course offerings with certifications, guided projects, specializations, and more, it’s also one of the more economical course sites I’ve come across.
With Coursera, students can learn in topics like business management, human resources, finance, computer science, coding, personal development, data science, time management training, voice over training, Microsoft Office training, Excel classes, acting classes, Javascript, React, Azure, teaching, Linux, social media marketing, music, and a whole lot more.
Admittedly, Coursera’s pricing structure can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re brand new to the platform. While you can technically audit any course on the platform for free, you’ll have to pay for access if you want to earn certificates for completing a class or if you want access to certain projects or other extra materials.
So what is the difference between each of the Coursera plans? Continue reading to find out the details, including prices, features, details, and more.
How Much Does Coursera Cost?
Coursera pricing varies depending on the plan you choose. There are free courses, individual courses/professional certificates available for purchase from between $39 to $99 a month, and a $59/month subscription plan that offers complete access to 7,000+ courses. There are also many online certificate courses you can take to build valuable in-demand skills.
Coursera also offers payment plans suitable for a ton of different budgets. There are plans for single learning, ongoing learning, and a team environment for businesses and organizations.
The main differences between the plans offered by Coursera are the number of courses offered and what sort of certification the student finishes with.
Compare some of the popular Coursera plans below with our chart and continue reading to find all of the details. It’s important to note that there are a large number of courses that are available for free. This is simply referred to as “auditing” a course. Upon completion, the student will not get a certificate, but if the membership is updated, they will.
Coursera Key Features
- Interactive course content
- Learning paths
- Comprehension checks
- Assessments
- High-quality video content
- Courses taught by experts
- Professional certificates for bolstering your resume
- Progressive learning
- Flexible timetables – learn at your own pace
- Easy to use
- Simple and clean platform
- High-quality content
- Financial aid option
- Amazing learning experiences
Coursera Free Courses
First, let’s talk about Coursera’s free courses. Coursera lets you audit just about every class they offer at no cost at all.
That means you can review the lectures and learn new skills without having to pay for a subscription.
Free courses give you access to the lectures and readings associated with the course but do not provide certification or credit of any kind.
I have found that some projects and course materials may also not be available in the free version.
More importantly, if you want to earn professional certificates for completing the free classes, you’ll have to pay a fee.
Coursera’s free classes are great for those who are interested in learning for the sake of learning. If you’re looking for a way to learn something new without having to pay for it, these classes are ideal.
They’re also great if you have a limited budget and can’t afford to pay for the full course. However, they may not be the best option if you need certification as that requires paying a fee.
Coursera Professional Certificate Programs – $39-$99/month
Coursera’s Professional Certificate programs are designed for those focused on a single job-related skill.
Typically, a Professional Certificate program or Specialization will be made up of a series of related courses, and are often designed for the student to work their way through over the span of a few months. You pay the subscription price for the Certificate program for the entire duration until you complete it.
Upon completion of the Coursera learning program, students are given a certificate for the course/learning track they completed.
This plan is best for those who want to learn a specific skill and then be finished.
Coursera Plus (Monthly – $59/mo, Annual-$399/year)
Coursera Plus gives students unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses taught by experts. This is great for those who want to continue taking classes in various subjects on an ongoing basis as it saves money over purchasing individual classes/certifications.
Coursera Plus gives students access to nearly all of the online courses that Coursera offers.
In addition, 15 professional certificate programs are recognized by major industry leaders like Google.
You can pay on a monthly basis for $59 each month, or save a bundle by paying for a full year upfront at just $399. You can try Coursera Plus free for one week.
Coursera Plus is a great pick for students who want to continue learning. Students can learn an abundance of industry-required skills for a low monthly price.
Click here to try Coursera Plus free for 7 days.
Coursera Team – $399/user/year
Coursera Team is perfect for employers that want to give their employees room to grow and learn. It’s a great way to empower employees to take ownership of their careers and skills.
Coursera Cost Q&A
Does Coursera offer a free trial?
Yes, Coursera offers a free trial for each plan, including a free 7-day trial for the Coursera Plus subscription.
What forms of payment does Coursera accept?
Coursera accepts Visa and Mastercard.
What are the most popular courses on Coursera?
Keep in mind that Coursera offers thousands of courses, and the following are just a handful of what they offer!
- The Science of Well-Being – Yale University
- Psychological First Aid – John Hopkins University
- Social Psychology, Wesleyan University
- Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills, University of Michigan
- Machine Learning – Stanford University
- Creative Writing Specialization – Wesleyan University
Does Coursera offer various payment plans?
Yes, they do! Coursera offers payment plans for single-study courses and plans to give students access to all the courses. There are monthly payment terms and annual.
What categories can a student find courses in?
Students learning with Coursera can find courses in a large variety of categories. Thousands of courses can be found in the following categories:
- Date science
- Business
- Computer science
- Information Technology
- Language Learning
- Health
- Personal Development
- Physical Science and Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Arts and Humanities
- And more
Does Coursera have a refund policy?
Yes, within specific terms and conditions, Coursera does offer a refund policy.
Can you begin a Coursera course at any time?
Yes, you can! Once you’re enrolled, you can begin learning at any time.
Can you put a Coursera professional certificate on a resume?
Yes, you absolutely can! The education portion of the resume is where you can list your certifications from Coursera. It’s a great way to show off your job relevant skills and training.
What type of workload can a student expect?
With Coursera, a student can expect weekly learning exercises, quizzes, exams, tests, online lectures, and more. The learning is spread through in a dynamic and enriching way.
Is Coursera flexible?
Coursera is flexible. Take Coursera courses on your own schedule and dive into the learning on your own time. Choose from a variety of courses and learning paths. Coursera has many options to customize and make the students’ learning experience unique.
Does Coursera offer a plan for businesses?
Yes, Coursera does. It’s the perfect tool for transformative growth in employees’ careers. In addition, Coursera can be a fantastic tool for businesses and support ongoing learning and career development.
Does Coursera offer a discounted plan for students?
Coursera has special features for university and college students. Unlimited guided projects, earn recognized certificates, and more is what Coursera has for post-secondary students. Make sure you visit their website for further information about this.
Coursera Pricing Compared to Other Online Learning Sites
You might be wondering how Coursera’s fees compare to other popular course websites, like Skillshare or LinkedIn Learning.
Let’s take a look:
- Skillshare — $165 per year or $32 a month
- LinkedIn Learning — $39.99 for month-to-month or $240 for an annual membership
- Masterclass — $120-$240 a year, no monthly plans available
- Udemy — Individual courses sell anywhere from $19.99 to $199 each
- Udacity — $249 a month or $2,390 a year
With the ability to audit classes for free or paid premium subscriptions ranging from $39 to $99 a month, Coursera is a solid value when compared to other major players in the online course marketplace.
Looking for more info on how Coursera pricing compares to other online learning sites? Check out these guides:
- Brilliant.org pricing guide
- CreativeLive pricing guide
- Domestika pricing guide
- Edureka pricing guide
- edX pricing guide
- FutureLearn pricing guide
- LinkedIn Learning pricing guide
- Masterclass pricing guide
- Mindvalley pricing guide
- Nas Academy pricing guide
- Pluralsight pricing guide
- Skillshare pricing guide
- Udacity pricing guide
- Udemy pricing guide
Is Coursera Worth It?
As someone who’s used just about every course platform out there, I think Coursera is definitely worth it for those looking to gain access to high-quality, university-level courses from prestigious institutions around the world.
With the option to audit any class for free, learners have a unique opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects without any financial commitment. And for those seeking to enhance their resume, learn new skills, or even earn a degree, the investment of $39 to $99 a month for certificates and other premium features is still a real value.
The platform’s flexibility, coupled with the ability to learn at your own pace and access materials from anywhere, makes Coursera a compelling choice for both personal and professional development.
Don’t forget to check out the free 7-day trial for Coursera Plus.
Have questions about Coursera pricing and plans? Let me know by commenting below!
