Cheapest Ways to Earn College Credits Online (That Actually Transfer)

Let’s be honest—college is expensive. And with tuition rising every year, families are looking for smart ways to cut costs without hurting transferability, GPA, or future options.

Here’s the good news:
There are several legit, accredited ways to earn college credit online for cheap—and many of them transfer to major universities, including Clemson, USC, College of Charleston, and hundreds nationwide.

If you want to save money, graduate early, or lighten your college course load, this guide is your new best friend.

🎓 1. CLEP Exams — The $93 Shortcut Everyone Should Know

Cost: $93 per exam (often $0 with Modern States)
Credits Earned: 3–6 per exam
Transferability: Strong nationwide
Speed: Days or weeks

CLEP is the most underrated college credit program available.

Take an exam → score 50+ → earn 3–6 credits.
No semester, no textbook fees, no GPA risk.

Best CLEPs to start with:

• Psychology

• Sociology

• College Composition

• College Algebra

• US History I or II

Bonus: In South Carolina, most state universities accept CLEP for general eds.

📘 2. Sophia Learning — $99/month for Unlimited Classes

Cost: $99/month subscription
Credits Earned: Unlimited (self-paced)
Transferability: Excelsior, UMGC, SNHU, and many state universities
Speed: As fast as you can finish

Sophia Learning is one of the fastest-growing alternative credit providers.

You can complete courses in:

• English Composition

• Algebra

• Environmental Science

• Intro to Business

• Psychology

• Communication

Some students finish 6–12 credits in a month.

Why it works:
The courses are ACE-approved, which many universities accept as transfer credit.

🔗 3. StraighterLine — $99/month + $59 per course

Cost: $99 membership + $59/course
Credits: 3–6 per course
Transferability: 150+ partner colleges + ACE transfer
Speed: Self-paced

StraighterLine is great for students who want inexpensive gen-ed credits from a provider many universities already recognize.

Popular courses include:

• College Algebra

• Business Ethics

• US History

• English Composition

• Anatomy & Physiology

Pro Tip: StraighterLine is often accepted for nursing prerequisites.

🏫 4. Online Dual Enrollment Through Local Colleges

Cost: Free–$300 per course (varies by state/district)
Credits: 3–4 per class
Transferability: Strong in-state
Speed: Semester-based

South Carolina offers excellent, affordable online dual enrollment through:

• Greenville Tech

• Spartanburg Community College

• Tri-County Tech

• Technical College of the Lowcountry

For SC students using LIFE or Palmetto Fellows, these credits can stack beautifully with future scholarships.

💡 5. ASU Universal Learner Courses

Cost: $25 to start, $400 to transcript only after passing
Credits: 3–4 per course
Transferability: Very high (public universities love ASU credits)
Speed: Term-based

This is one of the safest and most widely accepted online credit options.

Classes include:

• Calculus

• Microeconomics

• Astronomy

• Art History

• Computer Science

You only pay the $400 if you want the credits transcripted.
If not, it was basically a $25 class.

🌎 6. TEL Learning

Cost: $67/credit hour
Credits: 3–4 per course
Transferability: Through partner colleges
Speed: Self-paced

TEL works with accredited universities to offer low-cost gen-eds like:

• English Comp

• Biology

• Intro to Business

• College Algebra

Less known, but strong for homeschool and independent learners.

🎧 7. Modern States — FREE Prep + Free CLEP Voucher

Cost: $0
Credits: CLEP-based
Transferability: High

Modern States reimburses your CLEP exam cost when you complete their FREE prep course.

This is literally the cheapest path to college credit that exists.

Students can earn 3–12 credits for $0.

🧮 What Credits Should You Target First?

To maximize transferability, start with general education courses:

• English Composition

• Speech

• College Algebra

• Statistics

• Psychology

• Sociology

• US History

• Environmental Science

These transfer to almost every college in America.

⚠️ What to Watch Out For

Before enrolling in any program, check your target college’s transfer policy:

• Do they accept ACE/NCCRS credits?

• Do they accept CLEP?

• Is there a max number of credits allowed?

Some private universities are more strict, while public universities are often generous.

🧭 Final Thoughts from College Refocus

College shouldn’t bankrupt families.
Earning credits early is one of the smartest, most empowering strategies for students who want:

• Faster graduation

• Lower tuition

• Stronger academic confidence

• More freedom to explore majors

And the best part?
You can stack these options—CLEP + Sophia + dual enrollment—to cut $5,000… $10,000… sometimes $20,000 off your degree.

Your future self will thank you.

🎯 Call to Action

Want a customized “Credit-Transfer Game Plan” for your major and college list?
📅 Book a Strategy Session with College Refocus and we’ll map out the exact cheapest credits to earn before freshman year.