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 an 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 offer a couple of alternatives for you - if you're unsure about Study.com, do keep in mind that there are better options to pick from. DataCamp, Udemy and Udacity are a couple of them, but there are many more! That said, let’s start from the top and talk about what is Study.com.

Verdict at a glance: Study.com is one of the oldest online learning providers that offers a variety of courses and other useful features for students and teachers alike. It has decent course quality, easy-to-navigate user interface, and even provides scholarships. However, it has a very old-school platform design and its certificates are not accredited.

What is Study.com?

Study.com, just like its many other competitors, is a MOOC-providing platform. MOOC stands for Massive Open Online Courses. This means that Study.com hosts a variety of different courses on many different topics, ranging from HTML to money management, and more. It also means that it's available to anyone and everyone willing to pay a certain price.

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 22 years old should probably say a lot about the company’s knowledge and experience in the field. Currently, Study.com provides its services to more than 30 million students per month.

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

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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… well, generic. If you were to close your eyes and imagine a randomly-generated landing page of a course-providing platform, you would probably get pretty close to what you see on Study.com.

I must say, though, it's not the most visually appealing website I've seen. However, this isn’t necessarily 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 install 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.

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 don’t mind the visual side of the platform, and are 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 some more experienced students learn what they desire.

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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 MOOC-providing websites offer various features to their students.

Whether it be guaranteed employment, 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, both financially and emotionally. With that said, let’s take a look at some Study.com reviews when it comes to the additional features that the platform provides.

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, or a highschooler - 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.

By the way, Study.com works with a huge number of different colleges and universities all around the US (over 1,500, to be more precise). This means that students can rest assured that both the information provided in the courses and the credits that the site grants are going to be legitimate.

Moreover, if you need a tutor for basically any topic, you can find them on Study.com, too. Once you pick a tutor, you get one-on-one, private sessions with flexible scheduling. 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, projects 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 plans that provide full course coverage. It also includes nifty features, like gial tracking and progress reporting, automatic grading, on-deman 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 sum 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.

The scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,000. Just make sure to read the eligibility criteria before applying for a scholarship on Study.com.

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Study.com Review: CONS

Now that we've discussed the pros, let's make this a full-fledged Strudy.com review by also addressing its cons.

Old-School Platform Design

One thing that I can immediately tell you is that I can see why some people question is Study.com legit. I’ve seen users point this out in their Study.com reviews, but I didn’t think that it would actually be that bad. I am, of course, talking about the thumbnails of the courses.

Honestly, they have to be some of the worst ones I’ve seen to date - generic stock photos, wrong aspect ratios, every other thumbnail looks stretched and distorted.

I’m honestly trying to think of a redeeming quality, but there are none - it doesn't look good, and there are no excuses for this. Seriously, it takes like two or three minutes to find or adjust a photo for it to match the parameters of the thumbnail slot, it's not rocket science.

The course pages and the overall platform design also leave a lot to be desired. Now I understand why some Study.com reviews question is Study.com worth it - the pages are very simple, and not in a good way. It seems like once Study.com was created in 2002, not much thought was put into improving its design and simply making it up-to-date.

Of course, this might not be a huge disadvantage for everyone. But, let's be honest, outdated website often look a bit sketchy (while we know that Study.com is legit, it might not seem like that at the first glance).

Non-Accredited Certificates

Now, 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. Unfotunately, they're not.

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

If you're looking for accredited certificates, though, you should check out edX or Coursera.

Study.com Pricing

As you’ll probably notice from a significant amount 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.

First of all, 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:

• Study Premium Edition - $59,99 per month
• Test Prep Edition - $59,99 per month
• College Saver Edition - $235 per month
• Classroom Teacher - $29,99 per month
• Group licenses for schools or Working Scholars® - contact Study.com for the pricing

Do note that, in the past, there were actually five plans, and they were called a bit differently: the Basic plan ($39,99 per month), the Premium plan ($59,99 per month), the College Accelerator plan ($199,99 per month), the Teacher Edition plan ($59,99 per month), and the Enterprise Solutions plan, which had a situation-dependant payment.

However, it seems that all these plans were renamed, and their prices were changed, too. What do you get with the current plans?

First of all, the Study Premium Edition plan seems to combine what the Basic and the Premium plans used to offer. This includes a variety of short courses that you can take if you just need some extra help with a class or a subject, as well as individual coaching, personalization, additional study materials, etc.

The Test Prep Edition plan offers full test coverage for realistic exam practice, over 88,000 test prep video lessons, as well as various quizzes and practice tests.

With the College Saver Edition (just like with the previous College Accelerator plan), Study.com offers its users the ability to earn college credit on their site. They advertise this by stating that you’ll have the ability to gain the credits that you require, all for a “fraction of the price” that you would pay for traditional universities in the real world.

The company states that there are more than 220 different courses to choose from, all of which provide credit that is transferrable to over 1,500 universities and colleges.

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.

Lastly, when it comes to the group license for schools, there are two types – K-12 and the Higher Ed plans. I will not go into detail about their offerings, you can see what they offer in more detail on Study.com. As for Working Scholars®, there are programs for enterprises, programs for cities, and the philanthropic fund. Again, you can find more information about all these on their website.

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 MOOC-providing 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 their 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's who takes the same course.

However, if we take a look at the majority of Student.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, people seem to be content with what they get.

Speaking about my experience, I must say that I do prefer websites that are more aesthetically pleasing. Though, I did like that different sections of the page (Overview, Syllabus, Credits, Exams) are presented by clicking on them, and not jampacked into a single, scrollable page.

Still, while Study.com is truly easy to use, I've found it hard to want to continue learning on it because of the whole old-school type of vibe. After all, once you start using fun and exciting learning platforms like DataCamp, it's hard to go back to the basics.

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.

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.

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 them highly respected by employers.

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, but some people might be swayed away by a couple of controversies that it has already experienced.

If you're one of these people, you should be aware of the fact that there are alternative platforms for you to explore - ones that might actually match your wants and needs. DataCamp, Udacity, and edX are a few of the most popular options.

Scientific References