Study.com Review

If you’re looking for an online course provider, you might encounter multiple user Study.com reviews in your search. After all, it’s one of the more well-known e-learning platforms out there. Thus, I'll take a look at Study.com and give you my own honest review, too.

You'll first find out what is Study.com (we can’t really make a Study.com review without establishing some sort of understanding about the company, now can we?), and then we’ll check out some of the popular things people seem to search for in Study.com reviews - features, prices, course quality, etc.

I'll also compare Study.com to some alternative learning platforms at the end, just to see what makes it stand out in the market.

What is Study.com?

Study.com, just like its many other competitors, is an online learning platform that has a variety of different courses on many different topics, ranging from math to computer science, and more.

Study.com was established all the way back (and it’s a long way) in 2002, in California. The fact that the platform is more than two decades old should probably say a lot about the company’s knowledge and experience in the field.

Now that you have a basic premise of what Study.com is and what the company does, we can jump straight into my detailed Study.com review.

Study.com Review: PROS

For me, the best way to review a platform is through the prism of pros and cons, so this is exactly what I'll do in this Study.com review. Let’s start with the pros and talk about just how easy it is to use and navigate the platform.

Easy to Use

A website's usability is going to be the first thing (or one of the first things) that you’ll notice when you search for the company online and enter its homepage. First impressions matter - this is why a lot of websites have very flashy and fun-to-use front pages, but as soon as you navigate further into the site, you’re left heavily disappointed.

Even if we discount the effect that a first impression might have on your outlook on the site, the actual usage of the platform matters a lot when you decide to not only stay, but also use the services that the platform provides.

Things like the friendliness of the UI, how easy it is to navigate and find your way around the site, and where certain things are can be the points that determine your overall experience with the site. With all of that said, let’s take this Study.com review from the top, and take a look at the front page of the website.

If you were to look at some of the user Study.com reviews found online, you would find that a lot of them stress the simplicity of the site’s main landing page. I guess I’ll have to echo these Study.com reviews - this was also the very first thing I noticed upon entering the site.

In it, you will find all of the main features that you might expect - a search bar, course categories, a section dedicated to popular courses, some promotions, partner lists, and so on.

Honestly, the page is very generic when it comes to learning websites. If you were to close your eyes and imagine a landing page of a course-providing platform, you would probably get pretty close to what you see on Study.com.

However, this isn’t a bad thing - the very first thought that popped into my head when I first saw the page was “legitimacy”.

Why so, you might ask? Well, the website looks serious - no flashy pop-ups, no annoying banners, none of that! People who wonder is Study.com legit will probably be quite satisfied with what they see, since the front page of the platform does instill some confidence about the site.

You can choose to find a course that you’re interested in by either typing a keyword in the search bar or navigating through the topic list located at the top of the main page. Not a lot of Study.com reviews mention this, but there’s an interesting way that you can sort and filter courses.

You have the commonly encountered filters, such as Education Level and Subjects, but the interesting one is called Goals. Just something that I thought was quite unique and handy.

All in all, even though some of the aesthetic parts of the platform might not be the best, the UI works fine and doesn’t really give you any trouble. I also haven’t experienced any technical difficulties while navigating the platform - everything works the way it’s supposed to.

If you're still wondering is Study.com worth it, let’s move on and talk about the quality of the content.

Good Content Quality

Among the most important aspects of any online education platform’s success, the quality of the content that such a platform provides should always be one of the main points of attention when searching for courses online.

A proper e-learning platform will have approved courses that are led by professional instructors and are up-to-par in both technical quality (proper sound, clear visuals) and the quality of the information provided within the course.

When it comes to the quality of Study.com courses, you will find a lot of Study.com reviews that are rather positive. People say that both the quality of the course itself and everything around it is good, and that they are having a pretty pleasant experience overall.

On the flip side, however, it is worth knowing that since the platform hosts a huge assortment of courses, it’s difficult to generalize and say that “all of the courses are great”. For example, some Study.com reviews say that, even though the courses are alright, the information that they provide is very basic and won’t really help more experienced students learn what they desire.

Various Features for Students and Teachers

So, you have your courses. That’s great, but it’s hardly enough when it comes to keeping a user’s attention focused on the platform - this is where additional features come in. Many different online learning platforms offer various features to their students. Whether it be higher chances of getting employed, interactive learning, individual projects, or anything else of that nature, additional features help to both retain a student’s attention and keep them invested in the site.

When it comes to Study.com, for one, there is the Test Prep section of the platform. Here, Study.com offers its users the ability to prepare for certain tests and examinations. You have the chance to learn at your own pace, which is always a nice added feature.

It’s cool that you’ll be able to learn and prepare whether you’re a college or university student, a high schooler, or an adult learner seeking professional certification - Study.com has programs for everyone.

Secondly, you can easily earn college credit through Study.com. There are over 220 courses that are even recommended by ACE and NCCRS. If that doesn't answer the question, "Is Study.com legit?", I don't know what does. Besides, once you complete these courses, you can easily transfer the credit to your school completely for free.

Moreover, if you need a tutor for basically any topic, you can find one on Study.com, too. Students can use AI-powered tutoring assistance or schedule one-on-one, private sessions with an online tutor. There is flexible scheduling, and the best part is that Study.com has tutors available 24/7. So, if you're a night owl, you'll be able to learn even at night.

Now, Study.com is not only for students, it's also for teachers. There are over 100,000 video lessons and teaching resources they can use for enhancing their teaching techniques. The teaching resources include lesson plans, fun activities, project ideas, and much more.

Besides that, teachers can create classrooms and assign homework or other tasks in the Study.com platform, and they also get an online grade book and dashboard for monitoring student work.

Lastly, Study.com also provides a great platform for homeschool. It provides extensive homeschool resources with full course coverage, and students can even take advantage of dual enrollment to get a head start on earning college credit. It also includes nifty features, like goal tracking and progress reporting, automatic grading, on-demand help from experts, and certificates of completion, of course.

Scholarships

Another pro that is mentioned in several user Study.com reviews is its student scholarships. Study.com provides a variety of academic awards and scholarships for students, which all add up to offer over $50,000. These scholarships are made for students from various backgrounds and identities, as well as those having various academic goals.

For example, it provides scholarships for transfer students, LGBTQ+ students, women in STEM, single parents, moms, adult learners, military spouses & children, business students, homeschool students, and many others.

As you can see, these scholarships are not only made for those who do not have access to education; they are made for everyone.

Updated Platform Design

In the past, I could see why some people questioned whether Study.com is legit. I’ve seen users point out in their Study.com reviews that the thumbnails of the courses were quite disappointing. They had generic stock photos, wrong aspect ratios, and every other thumbnail looked stretched and distorted.

While you might still find a few such cases, and the stock images are still in place, Study.com seems to have stepped up in making its website more visually appealing.

The course pages and the overall platform design have also improved. They did keep the same style and color scheme, so no revolutionary platform revamp, but now they have a clean and improved, professional-looking website design. The pages are simple, but in a good way.

So, if you're not after some unconventional, flashy online learning website, Study.com is worth it, for sure.

Did you know?

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Study.com Review: CONS

Now that we've discussed the pros, let's make this a full-fledged Study.com review by also addressing its drawbacks. Though I'd say there's currently only one notable point.

Non-Accredited Certificates

Like any other renowned online learning platform, Study.com provides certificates of completion. It even offers an option to earn school credit. So, this might make you think that Study.com certificates are accredited. Unfortunately, they're not.

Study.com does not offer accredited certificates. However, as mentioned before, it has more than 200 courses that provide you with school credit and are recommended by ACE and NCCRS, which many accredited universities will accept as transfer credit.

Study.com Pricing

As you’ll probably notice from a significant number of Study.com reviews online, pricing is a really touchy subject for the platform and its users. Let’s take a look at why that is.

There isn’t really a “free trial” or any free courses on the site (at least none that I could find) - the whole platform is subscription-based. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee, though.

That said, as you’ve probably understood from the previously discussed features, there should be several different plans that you can subscribe to. There are five, to be exact, and the pricing goes as follows:

Table: Study.com subscription pricing

What do you get with the current plans?

The Study Premium Edition can help students who need extra help or who want to learn beyond the classroom. It includes access to thousands of video lessons, homework help questions, tutors and other study materials.

The Test Prep Edition offers full test coverage for realistic exam practice, ranging from entrance exams like the SAT to professional teacher certification exams like the Praxis. Study.com’s test prep resources include complete study guides, short video lessons, practice questions and tools like flashcards.

College Saver/Starter memberships are for students looking for a flexible, low-cost way to earn transferable college credit. College Starter is $95 a month and includes access to common lower-division courses. Students in this plan can enroll in two courses at a time and earn unlimited credit each month.

With College Saver, which is $235 a month, students have access to all of Study.com’s 220+ courses, including upper and lower division courses, can enroll in three courses at a time and can also earn unlimited credit.

Study.com’s college credit courses are self-paced with short video lessons. Courses have been updated to make them more stress-free for students by removing final exam proctoring and making finals open book.

Furthermore, the Classroom Teacher plan allows teachers to access and provide their students with courses both in and out of the classroom using all of the teacher-focused features. This includes video lessons, lesson plans, activities, quizzes, automatic grading and reporting, and much more.

Now, I've mentioned before that the pricing is a touchy subject in several user Study.com reviews. Why? The prices of the current plans do seem alright. While definitely not the best, some of them are even on the lower side of things compared to other e-learning platforms. So, what’s the catch?

Well, some Study.com reviews claim that the platform bills them even after they cancel their subscription plans. This is a pretty serious accusation in of itself, but it’s not even the main one.

If you were to look online, you’d probably find Study.com reviews that claim that the site is selling its personal information to various profit-seeking universities in the US. While this isn’t a sign of fraud or a scam in itself, it’s still something that you, as a potential paying user, should keep in mind.

Learning Experience

Let's proceed this Study.com review by taking a final look at the overall user learning experience on the platform. This is also a good point to analyze for people who wonder is Study.com legit - the experience that you receive is a good indicator of whether or not it is worth trusting the platform, long-term.

It’s really tough to objectively measure the learning experience of a user, though - many different people will experience many different things, and the experience that you have with a course can be quite literally opposite to that of another person who takes the same course.

However, if we take a look at the majority of Study.com reviews found online, we can see that most people are quite satisfied with their experience with the platform. The courses are relevant, the learning process is fluid, discounting a few minor hiccups here and there, and people seem to be content with what they get.

I also liked that different sections of the page (Overview, Syllabus, Credits, Exams) are presented by clicking on them, and not jam-packed into a single, scrollable page.

Alternatives to Study.com

Speaking of other learning platforms, here are a few great alternatives to the platform I've already mentioned in my Study.com review once or twice.

DataCamp

DataCamp is a leading online learning platform specializing in data science, AI, and programming. Established in 2013, it offers over 400 courses that cater to various skill levels, from beginners to professionals.

With a focus on data and technology-specific fields, DataCamp provides a user-friendly interface, interactive learning paths, and hands-on exercises to ensure practical understanding and skill development. The platform also offers structured learning tracks for specific career goals, along with non-accredited but industry-recognized certificates.

Unlike Study.com, which offers a broader range of academic subjects, DataCamp is tailored specifically for those looking to excel in data science and analytics. It stands out with its practical, real-world project-based learning, gamified experience points system to keep learners motivated, flexible pricing plans, and aesthetically pleasing design.

Whether you are an individual looking to enhance your data skills or a business aiming to upskill your team, DataCamp will surely provide you with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience that can help you achieve your professional goals.

📚 Read More: DataCamp Review

Udacity

Udacity is one of the most popular MOOC-based e-learning platforms that offers a broad range of courses primarily focused on technology, business, and data science. Renowned for its Nanodegree programs, Udacity equips learners with practical skills in high-demand fields, featuring industry-relevant content developed in collaboration with top companies.

The platform provides a subscription-based model that includes access to the entire course catalog, along with free courses and extensive career services to ensure student success.

With intuitive website navigation, hands-on coding interfaces, and the innovative Udacity GPT chatbot for personalized support, Udacity stands out as an excellent alternative to Study.com for those seeking specialized, practical, and innovative education in tech-driven domains.

📚 Read More: Udacity Review

edX

If you’re searching for university-level online courses, edX is an outstanding alternative to Study.com. Established by Harvard and MIT, edX partners with over 160 prestigious institutions to deliver a comprehensive array of courses.

This online learning platform stands out by offering flexible learning paths that cater to various needs, whether you're looking to audit courses for free or pursue verified certificates that hold substantial value in the job market.

edX also offers a diverse range of programs, including MicroMasters and MicroBachelors, which provide a modular approach to higher education. Additionally, edX even provides complete bachelor's, master's, and even doctorate degrees entirely online, ensuring that students receive the same rigorous education as on-campus counterparts.

By the way, one of edX’s key advantages is its provision of accredited certificates. These certificates, endorsed by top universities and industry leaders, add tangible value to your resume, making you highly respected by employers.

📚 Read More: edX Review

Sophia Learning

Sophia Learning is an online platform that focuses on affordable, flexible college-level courses designed mainly for general education. For a flat monthly fee of $99, students can access more than 70 lower-division courses and complete them at their own pace, usually with open-book quizzes and unproctored exams.

The credits are ACE-recommended and can be transferred to 1,000+ institutions, with a growing number of universities having formal partnerships to accept them. Because Sophia’s catalog includes only a handful of upper-division classes, it works best for students who want to cover introductory or general requirements before transferring.

However, do note that Study.com offers a broader path for those who need both lower- and upper-division credits. With more than 220 ACE or NCCRS-approved courses and acceptance at over 1,500 schools, it expands opportunities beyond the basics into specialized or major-related subjects.

Its pricing is similar, starting at about $95 per month, and assessments are also open book and not proctored, so the experience feels equally flexible. The key difference is the scope: while Sophia is good for inexpensive general education credits, Study.com provides greater long-term value for students aiming to transfer a larger portion of their degree.

Pros

• Easy to use with a learn-by-doing approach
• Offers quality content
• Gamified in-browser coding experience

Main Features

• Free certificates of completion
• Focused on data science skills
• Flexible learning timetable

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Pros

• High-quality courses
• Nanodegree programs
• Student Career services

Main Features

• Nanodegree programs
• Suitable for enterprises
• Paid certificates of completion

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Pros

• A wide range of learning programs
• University-level courses
• Easy to navigate

Main Features

• University-level courses
• Suitable for enterprises
• Verified certificates of completion

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Conclusions

All in all, if you’re wondering is Study.com worth it, there isn't really a simple “yes” or “no” answer. It depends on your expectations, financial situation, goals, and many other things. The platform does provide quality content to its users via more than 220 ACE or NCCRS-approved courses and acceptance at over 1,500 schools.

However, some people might be swayed away by the fact that it doesn't provide accredited certificates. If you're one of these people, you should be aware of the fact that there are alternative platforms for you to explore - edX and Coursera are a few of the most popular options.