$99 a month
Sophia Learning
Self-paced, on-demand courses with ACE recommendations (Sophia also lists DEAC), up to two at a time. A free trial with no credit card, up to each course's first Challenge.
From sophia.org, checked 15 Nov 2026
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Sophia LearningUPI StudyBoth self-paced
Sophia Learning reviews: what to check first
People reading Sophia Learning reviews mostly want to know whether its courses count: Sophia says ACE has evaluated and recommended college credit for over 80 of its courses, and your college decides what it accepts (checked 15 Nov 2026). Sophia costs $99 a month, $299 every four months or $799 a year, for up to two courses at a time, with a free trial up to each course's first Challenge. UPI Study is a self-paced alternative: $99 a month covers as many courses as you like at once, with an NCCRS recommendation on all 90+ courses (ACE also on 22).
No limit on courses at once
UPI Study
90+ self-paced courses, NCCRS on every one and ACE on 22. Monthly, four-month and yearly plans, a single course, or Lifetime, paid once.
- Courses at once
- Sophia 2 · UPI Study no limit
- Recommended by
- Sophia ACE (also DEAC) · UPI Study NCCRS, some ACE
- Free trial
- Sophia, up to the first Challenge
The same gen eds at UPI Study
Side by side
| Sophia Learning | UPI Study | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $99, renews monthly | $99, as many courses as you like |
| Four months / a year | $299 / $799, renewing automatically | $279 / $495, or Lifetime, paid once |
| Courses at once | Up to two | No limit |
| Credit recommendation | ACE, on over 80 of its courses (also lists DEAC) | NCCRS on every course; ACE also on 22 |
| Pass mark | 70% or higher across Challenges, Milestones and Touchstones | 70 or more, and the final must be passed |
| Look before you pay | Free trial, no credit card, up to the first Challenge | Every syllabus free to read, no account needed |
| Partner schools | 115+, by its own count | Partner colleges, each with its own page |
Sophia's facts are from sophia.org (checked 15 Nov 2026); its prices exclude applicable tax. UPI Study's are from our catalog, plans and course rules. UPI Study's monthly, four-month and yearly plans are for US students and students of partner colleges; anyone can buy a single course.
Which one fits you?
Sophia Learning if
- Your college is one of Sophia's 115+ partner schools
- Your college takes ACE or DEAC recommendations
- Two courses at a time is enough
- You want a free trial before you pay
UPI Study if
- You want more than two courses at once
- You'd rather pay once, or buy one course
- Your college works with NCCRS recommendations
- You want 2-credit Anatomy and Physiology labs
Questions, answered
How much does Sophia Learning cost?
Sophia lists $99 a month, $299 every four months or $799 a year, each renewing automatically, with tax extra. It says there are no course registration fees or extra fees for materials or textbooks. UPI Study is $99 a month, $279 for four months or $495 a year, and also sells single courses and Lifetime.
Who recommends credit for Sophia courses?
Sophia says ACE has evaluated and recommended college credit for over 80 of its courses, and it also lists DEAC-recommended courses. Every UPI Study course carries an NCCRS recommendation and 22 also carry ACE; ACE vs NCCRS explains the difference.
How many Sophia courses can I take at the same time?
Up to two: Sophia says you can take as many courses as you want, up to two at a time. At UPI Study every plan lets you take as many courses as you like at once, with no limit.
Is Sophia Learning legit?
Sophia is a real course provider: it says ACE has evaluated and recommended college credit for over 80 of its courses, and it lists 115+ partner schools. A recommendation turns into credit only when your college accepts it, so check with yours before you start. To pass, Sophia asks for 70% or higher across Challenges, Milestones and Touchstones.
Can I try Sophia for free first?
Yes: Sophia's free trial needs no credit card, has no time limit, and goes up to the first course Challenge. UPI Study has no free trial, but every course's syllabus is free to read, with no account needed.
What happens to Sophia courses if I cancel?
Sophia says your completed courses won't disappear if you cancel your membership, and that a completed course never expires. At UPI Study, a single course you buy comes with lifetime access to it.
Does Sophia include tutoring?
Sophia lists learner support by phone, email or online chat, and tutoring services, with its plans. Check what each course offers on Sophia's own pages.
How is UPI Study different from Sophia?
UPI Study has no limit on courses at once, where Sophia allows two, and you can pay once with Lifetime or buy a single course. Every UPI Study course carries an NCCRS recommendation (22 also ACE), and its Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (NCCRS only) carries 2 semester hours. The final exam is proctored online: lightly, with no camera, if you already have 70% before it.
Will my college accept Sophia credit?
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Sophia also tells students to contact their registrar about the school's transfer credit policy, and it lists 115+ partner schools. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar whether it takes ACE or NCCRS recommendations.
Where these credits can go
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Plus many more partner colleges and ACE and NCCRS cooperating colleges.
Find My College →Keep exploring
- StraighterLine reviewsWhat to check before you enrol
- Sophia vs StraighterLineThe two side by side
- Sophia vs Study.com vs UPI StudyPrices compared
- ACE vs NCCRSThe two credit recommendations
Check your college first
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Sources (2)
- Sophia Learning: Plans and pricing (checked 15 Nov 2026) https://www.sophia.org/plans-and-pricing/
- Sophia Learning: home page (checked 15 Nov 2026) https://www.sophia.org/
- NCCRS: UPI Study's credit recommendations https://www.nationalccrs.org/organizations/upi-study-inc
UPI Study facts are from our course catalog, syllabi and course rules. Sophia Learning is named here only to compare; it is a trademark of its owner and is not connected with UPI Study; its facts are as its own pages stated them.
Updated