DollarBreak is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation. Disclosure.
The content is for informational purposes only. Conduct your own research and seek advice of a licensed financial advisor. Terms.
11 Places to Find Free Online College Courses
edX
EdX is an open learning platform whose mission is to provide high-quality education to over 14 million learners worldwide, whether on campus or online.
It offers free online college courses by partnering with over 140 prestigious universities, including;
Boston UniversityMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard UniversityUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of Texas SystemBoston University Curtin UniversityDelft University of TechnologyAustralian National University
When you enroll, you’ll access over 3000 free courses such as;
Computer Science 101Introduction to Programming in C++Programming for the Web with JavaScriptIntroduction to Computer Science and Programming Using PythonMobile DevelopmentWindows 10 SecurityGame Development
Even though you won’t pay to access the courses, degrees and masters require learners to pay tuition fees.
Massachusets Information of Technology
Massachusetts Information of Technology was incorporated in 1861 and is a leader in science and technology innovation, education, and research.
It offers free audited online courses through the MIT OpenCourseWare platform.
Here you can find more than 2500 MIT courses and get the opportunity to be taught by educators from around the globe.
When you join the platform, you’ll access resources such as;
New coursesAudio and video lecturesOnline textbooksOpen library
However, even though the courses are free, you’ll need to pay up to $300 depending on the course to get a verified certificate.
MIT courses and duration
Columbia University
Columbia University is a 250 years old NewYork-based center of research that offers undergraduate and graduate programs for students, scholars, and professionals.
You can get free online courses from Columbia online portal and request a free audit or choose a verified certificate of up to $225.
Some of the courses you’ll find include;
Introduction to Corporate FinanceFree Cash Flow AnalysisStatistical Thinking for Data Science and AnalyticsRisk & ReturnLearning SuccessCrisis Resource ManagementMachine LearningAnalytics in PythonArtificial Intelligence
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and prestigious institutions of higher learning. It was founded in 1209 and offers both campus-based and online institutions.
It offers most of the courses via online platforms such as FutureLearn and edX.
Here is an example of the platforms where you can access the resources;
The courses can last up to 7 weeks and are small-sized to maximize the interaction between tutors and learners. You also have access to resources, including videos, quizzes, or assignments.
After the course, you can request a certificate and access the resources for up to 2 years.
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri has been around for over 160 years and offers degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
The MU extension is a virtual learning platform that enables users to access learning materials such as watching videos, doing assignments, and earn certificates after completing the course.
You must provide a valid email when enrolling in an online course. After completion, you’ll receive a code to enable you to access the course materials and examinations.
Examples of free courses include;
EMS Education Application Key Concepts for the Rural PractitionerSubstance Use Disorders in Missouri 101How PTAC Can Assist Your BusinessTAAC-In Competition with Imports?Size Doesn’t Matter to Survive; E-Commerce is a MustGrow Your Bottom Line through Global SalesImmunization Webinar Series 1Closing Your Business
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina is a global leader for innovation and research through courses and degree programs that prepare learners to excel in a changing economic environment.
The university offers up to 90 free online courses through Coursera for students, including;
Positive PsychologyIntroduction to Environmental Law & PolicyInfection Prevention in Nursing HomesThe Basic Science of Public Health
After joining, you can access the following resources;
Interactive quizzesOnline message forumsVideo lecture segments
Antioch College
Antioch College is a private Christian institution established in 1950. It offers courses in cooperative education, arts, humanities, science, social sciences, and language & culture.
Antioch College also offers free online courses for learners under the guidance of Ivy League professors.
You can access the lessons through Coursera, an open learning platform that connects students and universities. Even though you won’t earn a credit, you’ll receive a written confirmation that you’ve completed the class.
Stanford University
Stanford University opened its doors in 1891 and mainly offers medicine and engineering courses.
The institution offers a flexible way for learners to develop skills through its online platform.
You’ll find 69 free online courses, 44 of which offer free downloadable certificates or statements of accomplishment after completion.
The courses are offered by the faculties of Engineering, Humanities, Education, Medicine, and Computer Science and these include;
Algorithms: Design and AnalysisStatistical learningIntroduction to databasesDisaster Medicine TrainingPalliative Care AlwaysStatistics in MedicinePartnering with the Public and Patients in Medical ResearchIntroduction to the Natural Capital ApproachAmerica’s Poverty and InequalityWriting in the SciencesHow to Learn Math: For Students
The courses involve auto-grade quizzes, and you can complete them at your own pace. You’ll also get an opportunity to earn a special mention if you have high scores.
In addition to the online classes, the institution collaborates with other platforms to provide specialized content for students.
For example, you can access online courses in Coursera, EdX, Get Smarter, Great Learning, Kadenze, Open Classrooms, and 500 Startups.
University of the People
University of the People is a non-profit institution that offers tuition-free and accredited online courses.
It was founded in 2009, and upon getting accreditation in 2014, it has offered online education in partnership with other leading institutions such as;
Yale ISP Law School for ResearchNew York UniversityUniversity of California BerkeleyUniversity of Edinburgh
After being accepted into a program, you’ll only pay an assessment fee of $120 for an undergraduate and $240 for graduate school.
Examples of courses offered include;
Business AdministrationHealth ScienceComputer scienceEducation
Best Free Online Certification Providers
Besides universities and colleges, you can also get a valid certificate by enrolling on online platforms that provide free online courses. Most of these online portals partner with accredited universities to offer online courses.
1. Udemy
Udemy Summary
Wide target audience of learnersEarn passive income from your coursesGet your payments within 1 to 2 daysShort minimum course duration (30 min)
Udemy has been around for close to twelve years and hosts 50,000 plus courses in over 65 languages.
The platform allows tutors to develop and post courses that other people can access for free or at a fee of up to $199.
Examples of free courses in Udemy include;
A mini-course on Time ManagementIntroductory Photography CourseBest Practices for Working RemotelyChange Agility in the workplaceSecurity Awareness Campaigns
2. Coursera
Coursera is an online platform that collaborates with over 200 universities to provide accredited courses online.
You can access various courses, including video lessons, quizzes, and interactive sessions depending on the course.
Even though the courses are free, you may need to pay up to $300 to the respective university to earn a certificate.
Examples of free courses available on the platform include;
Machine LearningArt & DesignSocial SciencesData ScienceEducation & TrainingMathematicsScienceProgrammingPersonal developmentComputer Science
3. Udacity
Udacity offers online courses to over 160000 students from around the world. Some courses can cost up to $1000, whereas you can find free options.
There are over 200 free courses in Udacity. However, these don’t come with certificates.
The courses contain auto-graded quizzes and video courses.
The platform has up to 10 scholarship programs for several courses, including;
Artificial intelligenceBusinessCloud computingData ScienceProduct Management.
To apply for the scholarship program, you can fill the application on the website with your details.
4. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a networking platform for professionals, companies, or brands. In addition, there are over 16000 online courses that you can study anywhere or download for online viewing.
Examples of courses include;
Conflict managementCreating an Alliance with EmployeesEntrepreneurshipCareersProject managementGraphic design
You can access free courses by joining LinkedIn Learning’s free one-month trial. After the free trial, it’ll cost you $20 to $32 per month to access the resources.
The courses are interactive and contain videos and quizzes. After completion, you can attach the certificate to your profile or download it.