What is the cheapest college course? Top low-cost options in 2025

When you’re trying to get a college education but don’t have thousands to spend, the question isn’t just what is the cheapest college course-it’s how can you actually get credit that matters without going broke.

Let’s cut through the noise. There are real, accredited, low-cost college courses available right now-not just free videos or certificate programs that don’t count toward a degree. Some cost less than $50. Some are free if you don’t need a certificate. And yes, you can use them to build real college credits.

Free college courses that give you real credit

Not all free courses are created equal. Many platforms like Coursera and edX offer free access to course materials-lectures, readings, quizzes-but charge $50-$100 to get graded work and an official transcript. But there’s a smarter way.

Some universities let you audit courses for free and still earn credit if you pay only for the official assessment. For example, the University of the People (UoPeople) is a tuition-free, accredited online university. You don’t pay for classes, but you pay a $120 assessment fee per course. That’s it. No textbooks. No subscription fees. You can take up to 10 courses per year for under $1,200 total if you’re aiming for an associate’s degree.

Another option: Community colleges in the U.S. offer online courses for as low as $80 per credit hour. A 3-credit course? Around $240. Some states like California and Oregon have programs that let residents take one free online course per term through their state’s community college system. In Texas, Lone Star College offers online courses for $89 per credit hour for residents.

How to find the absolute cheapest course

Here’s how to hunt down the lowest price without falling for scams:

1. Look for non-credit courses if you only want knowledge. These are often free on platforms like MIT OpenCourseWare or Khan Academy.
2. If you need credit, search for credit-bearing courses at public community colleges. Filter by “online” and “in-state tuition.”
3. Check for “pay-what-you-can” or “fee waiver” options. Many schools offer these if you show financial need.
4. Avoid platforms that lock you into subscriptions. Stick to one-time payment models.
5. Use the California Community Colleges Online Education Initiative-they list all free or low-cost online courses with transferable credit.

One real example: In 2024, a student in Florida took an online psychology course through Miami Dade College for $117 total. That included everything-textbook access, assignments, and a transferable credit that later counted toward their bachelor’s at a state university.

What counts as a “college course”?

Not every online class is a real college course. Here’s what to look for:

• It’s offered by an accredited institution (check the U.S. Department of Education’s database or equivalent in your country).
• You can get a transcript with a grade and credit hours.
• The course appears on a course catalog with a course code (like PSY101 or MATH105).
• It’s eligible for credit transfer to other schools.

If you’re outside the U.S., check your country’s national education authority. In Australia, TAFE NSW offers online courses with credit toward diplomas for under $200 per subject. In Canada, Athabasca University lets you take single courses for about $600 CAD-less than most private online providers.

Top 5 cheapest college courses in 2025

Here are actual courses you can enroll in right now, with prices as of December 2025:

Notice something? The cheapest courses are often general education requirements-Psychology, Math, English, Business. These are the same courses you’d take in your first year of college. Taking them cheaply now saves you thousands later.

Hidden costs you might miss

Even if the course is $50, watch out for:

• Textbook fees-Some schools charge $80+ for digital access codes. Look for courses that use free Open Educational Resources (OER).
• Proctoring fees-Some schools charge $25-$50 to monitor your final exam remotely. Avoid them if possible.
• Transcript fees-Getting an official transcript can cost $10-$25. Budget for it.
• Technology requirements-You need a reliable computer and internet. Some schools offer free loaner laptops if you qualify.

University of the People uses only free textbooks. So do most TAFE NSW and community college courses in the U.S. That’s a huge saving.

Can you use these courses to get a degree?

Yes. Thousands of students do it every year. Here’s how:

1. Take 1-2 low-cost courses to test if you like online learning.
2. Apply those credits toward a degree program later. Most universities accept up to 60 credits from community colleges or accredited online providers.
3. Transfer into a bachelor’s program with 1-2 years already done. That cuts your total cost by 40-60%.

For example, a student in Georgia took five $100 courses through Georgia State University’s online extension program. Later, they transferred into the University of Georgia’s business program. They saved $12,000 on tuition alone.

What if you’re not in the U.S.?

You don’t need to be American to take these courses. Most U.S. community colleges accept international students for online courses. You’ll pay out-of-state tuition, which is higher-but still under $400 per course.

In Australia, TAFE offers online diplomas for under $1,500 total. In the UK, the Open University lets you take single modules for £1,500 (around $1,900), but you can pay in installments. In India, NPTEL courses from IITs are free, and you can pay ₹500 (under $6) for a verified certificate.

The key is: credit matters more than where it comes from. If the institution is accredited and the course appears on a transcript, it counts.

Start here: Your 3-step plan

If you’re serious about the cheapest path to college credit, follow this:

1. Find one course-Go to California Community Colleges Online or University of the People and pick a course you need for your future degree.
2. Enroll and pay only what’s required-Skip the certificate if you don’t need it yet. Focus on getting the credit.
3. Save your transcript-Even if you don’t enroll in a full degree now, keep the official record. It’ll be worth more later.

You don’t need to go back to school full-time. You don’t need to borrow money. You just need to take one step-right now.