$99 a month
Sophia
Self-paced courses with ACE recommendations (also DEAC), up to two at a time, and a free trial up to each course's first Challenge.
From sophia.org, checked 15 Nov 2026
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SophiaStraighterLineUPI StudySelf-paced, all three
Sophia vs StraighterLine: which fits your credits?
Sophia vs StraighterLine comes down to pace and price: Sophia is $99 a month for up to two courses at a time, and StraighterLine is $99 a month plus a one-time fee for each course, one at a time (checked 15 Nov 2026). Both say ACE recommends credit for their courses, and StraighterLine adds 10 hours of tutoring per course. UPI Study is a third, self-paced choice: $99 a month for as many courses as you like, with an NCCRS recommendation on all 90+ courses (ACE also on 22).
$99 a month + a course fee
StraighterLine
ACE-recommended courses, one at a time on the monthly plan, with 10 hours of tutoring per course and no transcript fees.
From straighterline.com, checked 15 Nov 2026
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 · StraighterLine 1 · UPI Study no limit
- Lowest yearly price
- UPI Study, $495
- Free look first
- Sophia trial · StraighterLine preview
The same gen eds at UPI Study
Side by side
| Sophia | StraighterLine | UPI Study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $99 | $99 plus a fee per course | $99 |
| Four months | $299 | $699 (27 popular courses) | $279 |
| A year | $799 | $1,499 (27 popular courses) | $495 |
| Courses at once | Up to two | One (monthly plan) | No limit |
| Credit recommendation | ACE (also lists DEAC) | ACE | NCCRS on all; ACE also on 22 |
| Pass mark | 70% across its assessments | 70% for transfer | 70; the final must be passed |
| Free look first | Free trial to the first Challenge | Free preview, no credit card | Every syllabus free to read |
| Partner schools | 115+, by its own count | 180+, by its own count | Partner colleges, each with its own page |
Sophia's and StraighterLine's facts are from their own pages (checked 15 Nov 2026); Sophia's prices exclude 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 if
- Two courses at a time suits you
- You want a free trial first
- Your college is a Sophia partner
StraighterLine if
- You want tutoring hours with each course
- You need Microbiology or Nutrition
- Your college is a StraighterLine partner
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
Questions, answered
Is Sophia or StraighterLine cheaper?
Month to month, Sophia's $99 covers up to two courses, while StraighterLine's $99 adds a one-time fee for each course ($79 for English Composition I). For four months it is $299 against $699, and for a year $799 against $1,499; StraighterLine's longer plans cover 27 popular courses, for new students. UPI Study is $99, $279 or $495, with no limit on courses at once.
Do Sophia and StraighterLine courses carry ACE recommendations?
Yes, by their own pages: Sophia says ACE has evaluated and recommended college credit for over 80 of its courses (it also lists DEAC), and StraighterLine says its courses are recommended by ACE. Every UPI Study course carries an NCCRS recommendation and 22 also carry ACE.
Can I take more courses at once with Sophia or StraighterLine?
Sophia allows up to two courses at a time; StraighterLine's monthly plan, one at a time. UPI Study has no limit on any plan, so you can start several courses together and switch between them.
Which has a free trial, Sophia or StraighterLine?
Sophia has a free trial with no credit card and no time limit, up to the first course Challenge. StraighterLine offers a free preview, also with no credit card. UPI Study has no free trial; every course's syllabus is free to read, with no account needed.
What pass mark do Sophia and StraighterLine need?
Both ask for 70%: Sophia across all Challenges, Milestones and Touchstones, and StraighterLine to make your credits eligible for transfer. UPI Study's pass mark is 70 too, and its proctored final must be passed.
Does Sophia or StraighterLine include tutoring?
StraighterLine lists 10 hours of tutoring per course plus 24/7 on-demand tutoring. Sophia lists learner support by phone, email or online chat, and tutoring services. Both say course materials are included.
Where does UPI Study fit next to Sophia and StraighterLine?
UPI Study fits when you want several courses at once, would rather pay once with Lifetime or buy a single course, or your college works with NCCRS recommendations; its Anatomy and Physiology I Lab (NCCRS only) carries 2 semester hours. StraighterLine teaches courses UPI Study doesn't, such as Microbiology and Introduction to Nutrition.
Will my college accept Sophia or StraighterLine credit?
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Sophia tells students to contact their registrar about the school's transfer credit policy, and StraighterLine to confirm the school's transfer policies before enrolling. 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 Learning reviewsWhat to check first
- Sophia vs Study.com vs UPI StudyFour providers' prices
- 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 (4)
- 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/
- StraighterLine: Pricing (checked 15 Nov 2026) https://www.straighterline.com/pricing/
- StraighterLine: English Composition I (checked 15 Nov 2026) https://www.straighterline.com/online-college-courses/english-composition-i/
- 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 and StraighterLine are named here only to compare; each is a trademark of its owner and is not connected with UPI Study; their facts are as their own pages stated them.
Updated