Looking to make real progress toward your college degree without paying high tuition? StraighterLine offers a flexible, affordable way you can earn transferable college credits online, before ever enrolling in a traditional college.
With self-paced courses, predictable pricing, and credits recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), we make it possible for learners with a bit of motivation to complete as many as 12–15 college credits (about one semester) in just a few months. And the best part? It’s all at a monthly cost well below what most colleges charge for a single course.
Let’s explore exactly how students can use StraighterLine to earn a semester’s worth of college credit efficiently, all for less than $350 per month.
How Much is a Semester of College Credit?
At most colleges, a full-time semester is defined as:
12–15 credit hours
Typically 4–5 courses
Completed over 15–16 weeks
StraighterLine courses are generally worth 3 credit hours each, meaning that completing four courses is 12 credits, or roughly the same workload as a traditional full-time college semester.
The major difference with StraighterLine is that our courses are self-paced! That means students can progress on their own schedule. Instead of being tied to a fixed semester calendar, you can move through the material as quickly as you’re able, often finishing a semester’s worth of college creditsin far less time than the typical 15–16 weeks.
How to Earn Affordable Online College Credit with StraighterLine
Step 1: Enroll in StraighterLine (No College Enrollment Required)
StraighterLine is not a college or university. Instead, we provide online college-level courses that have been reviewed and recommended for credit by ACE, a trusted organization used by many colleges to evaluate transfer credit. You can learn more about ACE here.
To get started, all you need to do is:
Create a StraighterLine account
Choose a membership plan
Select courses that will apply to your degree program.
There are no admissions requirements, no application essays, and no long-term commitment.
Step 2: Choose Transfer-Friendly General Education Courses
If you want to earn a semester’s worth of college credits, a great place to start is with general education courses, since these are the most widely accepted and transferable across colleges and universities. Gen ed courses are often required regardless of major, making them a smart starting point for students who plan to transfer credits or are still exploring their academic path. Some of the most popular StraighterLine courses include:
English Composition I (3 credits)
College Algebra or Statistics (3 credits)
Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
U.S. History I or US History II (3 credits)
These courses align with requirements at many colleges and universities, especially for transfer students.
Tip: Before enrolling, you should always confirm with your intended college which StraighterLine courses will apply to your degree.
Step 3: Plan Your Pace to Keep Monthly Costs Low
StraighterLine’s pricing is designed to reward students who can work efficiently. That’s what makes it possible to complete a semester of college credits for less than $350 per month!
Because our courses are self-paced and often worth 3 credits each, when you complete 1-3 courses per month, you can earn 12 or more transferable credits — the equivalent of a full college semester — while paying a predictable monthly subscription and low per-course fees. Our pricing structure is designed with flexibility and predictability in mind.
Our Membership Plan
Pay As You Go
Membership: ~$99
Course price: ~$79 per course
Total per month:
1 course: $178
2 courses: $257
3 courses: $336
Students who move faster or take advantage of promotions can reduce the effective monthly cost even further. If you’re really motivated, you can save even more time and money by completing multiple courses per month.
No matter which plan you choose, our courses are priced significantly below the cost per credit hour at most colleges — a difference that can add up to thousands in savings over the course of a degree.
Step 4: Complete Courses at Your Own Speed
StraighterLine courses are entirely self-paced, giving you full control over how quickly you move through the material. This means that as soon as you demonstrate mastery of a topic, you can move forward — no need to wait for classmates or for a new week to unlock content.
StraighterLine students also benefit from:
No weekly deadlines
Lessons and assessments available immediately
Ability to accelerate through familiar material
Digital textbooks and course materials included at no extra cost
Academic advising and 24/7 on-demand tutoring
Most courses include:
Online lessons
Quizzes
Midterms and final exams
This flexible structure makes it possible for you to complete courses efficiently while still meeting academic standards. Once you complete the course with a passing score (typically 70% or higher), you’re ready to transfer it over to your degree program.
Step 5: Earn Credit and Request Your Transcript
After completing a course, StraighterLine makes it easy to transfer your credit. This is especially true if your school is one of our 180+ partners or any of the 3,000 colleges and universities that accept StraighterLine credit. Here’s how transferring college credits works.
Once you've completed your course, it will appear on your StraighterLine record
Credit is documented through ACE
You request an official ACE or StraighterLine transcript — ask your school which they prefer
We'll then send your transcript to your college or university for you
StraighterLine college credits:
Directly transfer to 180+ partner colleges
Are accepted by 3,000+ institutions overall, depending on school policy
It’s important to remember that credit decisions are determined by the receiving institution, so we recommend getting in touch with an enrollment advisor before getting started.
Comparing StraighterLine to Traditional College Costs
At many colleges, a single 3-credit course can cost $1,000–$3,000+ while a full semester may cost more than $15,000 at public universities. Private colleges often cost significantly more. Over the course of your degree, that can add up to a lot of debt.
With StraighterLine, students can often earn the same number of credits for a fraction of the cost, especially when courses are completed efficiently. Even transferring just a few courses can result in meaningful savings over the life of a degree!
Earn College Credit Fast, Save Thousands on Tuition
StraighterLine makes it easy to earn a semester’s worth of college credit for less than $350 and transfer them to a traditional college. By choosing the right courses, setting a realistic pace, and confirming transfer policies early, students can make steady progress toward a degree while keeping monthly expenses manageable.
Ready to get started? Get in touch with a StraighterLine enrollment advisor to explore how our courses can fit into your degree plan.
FAQs
How do I know if my school accepts StraighterLine credit?
StraighterLine partners with 180+ colleges and universities. Even if your school isn’t listed as a partner, more than 3,000 schools have accepted StraighterLine credit. Take a look at our colleges page to find details about your school.
What if my school isn’t a StraighterLine partner?
StraighterLine courses are ACE-recommended, which means many colleges evaluate and accept them as transfer credit even without a formal agreement. Approval will ultimately depend on your school’s transfer credit policies, so it’s recommended to confirm before enrolling.
Can I really earn a semester’s worth of college credit with StraighterLine?
Yes. Most StraighterLine courses are worth 3 college credits, so completing four to five courses equals 12–15 credits, or about one traditional college semester. Because courses are self-paced, motivated students often finish this amount of credit in just a few months.
Do I need to be enrolled in a college to take StraighterLine courses?
No. StraighterLine does not require college enrollment to get started. You can take courses, earn credit recommendations through ACE, and then transfer those credits once you enroll at a college or university.
Will my college accept StraighterLine credits?
StraighterLine credits are recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) and are accepted by 3,000+ colleges and universities, including 180+ partner schools. Because transfer policies vary, it’s always best to confirm with your school — or talk with a StraighterLine enrollment advisor —before enrolling.
How much does it really cost to earn college credit with StraighterLine?
Students pay a monthly membership (~$99) plus low per-course fees (~$79 per course). By completing 1–3 courses per month, many students can earn a semester’s worth of credit for less than $350 per month, far below the cost of traditional college tuition.
How fast can I complete a StraighterLine course?
Courses are 100% self-paced, meaning you can move as quickly as you’re able. There are no weekly deadlines, and all lessons and assessments are available immediately. Some students finish a course in weeks, especially if the material is familiar.
What happens after I finish a course?
Once you complete a course with a passing score (typically 70% or higher), it appears on your StraighterLine record. You can then request an official ACE or StraighterLine transcript, which StraighterLine sends directly to your college for transfer evaluation.
