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People reading StraighterLine reviews mostly want to know whether its courses count: StraighterLine says its courses are recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), and your college decides what it accepts (checked 15 Nov 2026). Its monthly plan is $99 plus a one-time fee for each course, one course at a time, with 10 hours of tutoring per course and no transcript fees. 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).
ACE-recommended courses, one at a time on the monthly plan, or 27 popular courses on its four-month and yearly plans for new students. 10 hours of tutoring per course and no transcript fees.
From straighterline.com, checked 15 Nov 2026
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.
| StraighterLine | UPI Study | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $99 plus a one-time fee per course ($79 for English Composition I) | $99, as many courses as you like |
| Four months / a year | $699 / $1,499, for 27 popular courses (new students) | $279 / $495, as many courses as you like |
| Courses at once | One (monthly plan) | No limit |
| Credit recommendation | ACE | NCCRS on every course; ACE also on 22 |
| Pass mark | 70% or higher, for the credits to be eligible for transfer | 70 or more, and the final must be passed |
| Transcript | No transcript fees | A fee applies; UPI Study emails it to your college |
| Look before you pay | Free preview, no credit card | Every syllabus free to read, no account needed |
StraighterLine's facts are from straighterline.com (checked 15 Nov 2026), UPI Study's 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.
StraighterLine's monthly plan is $99 plus a one-time fee for each course ($79 for English Composition I), one course at a time. Its four-month ($699) and yearly ($1,499) plans cover 27 popular courses and are for new students. UPI Study is $99 a month, $279 for four months or $495 a year, with no limit on courses at once.
The American Council on Education (ACE): StraighterLine says its courses are recommended by ACE, and it lists ACE code OOSL-0005 for English Composition I. Every UPI Study course carries an NCCRS recommendation and 22 also carry ACE. UPI Study's English Composition 1 is NCCRS only, so if your college takes ACE only, StraighterLine's course is the one that fits.
One at a time on its monthly plan: StraighterLine says you take as many courses as you need, one at a time. Its four-month and yearly plans cover 27 popular courses. At UPI Study every plan lets you take as many courses as you like at once.
StraighterLine is a real course provider: it says its courses are recommended by ACE, and it lists 180+ partner schools. A recommendation turns into credit only when your college accepts it, so check with yours before you start. StraighterLine says a course must be finished with 70% or higher for its credits to be eligible for transfer.
No: StraighterLine lists zero transcript fees and complimentary transcript delivery. UPI Study's transcript has a fee, and UPI Study emails it to your college.
By its pricing page: digital textbooks and course materials, 10 hours of tutoring per course, 24/7 on-demand tutoring and academic advising. Lab kits are not included. StraighterLine also teaches courses UPI Study doesn't, such as Microbiology and Introduction to Nutrition.
StraighterLine offers a free preview with no credit card. UPI Study has no free trial, but every course's syllabus is free to read, with no account needed, so you can see what a course covers before you pay.
UPI Study's plans cover as many courses as you like at once, with no fee per course, 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.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. StraighterLine itself says to confirm your school's transfer policies before enrolling in a course, and it lists 180+ partner schools. Search your school in Find My College and ask your registrar whether it takes ACE or NCCRS recommendations.
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 →ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
UPI Study facts are from our course catalog, syllabi and course rules. StraighterLine 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.
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