Looking for an affordable way to earn college credit online? Two names you’ve probably come across are StraighterLine and Sophia Learning. Both offer flexible, low-cost courses that can save you time and money on your degree—but the experience and approach are quite different. This guide breaks down StraighterLine vs. Sophia. We'll take a deep dive into course offerings, credit transfer, pricing to help you figure out which platform is the best fit your learning style, budget, and goals.
TL;DR: StraighterLine vs. Sophia
- Number of Courses: StraighterLine and Sophia both offer 70+ online college courses
- Partner Schools: StraighterLine Courses transfer to 180+ partner schools and credits are accepted by 3,000+ colleges and universities. Sophia courses are accepted by 1,000+ colleges and universities.
- Pricing: StraighterLine courses start from $99 membership + $79 per course, while Sophia's pricing is $99 for membership with courses included.
- Support Services: StraighterLine courses include academic advising, 24/7 tutoring, tech support while some Sophia courses include tutoring and learning coaches.
- ACE Recommended: Both StraighterLine and Sophia are ACE-recommended.
| StraighterLine | Sophia Learning | |
| Number of Courses | 75+ | 70+ |
| Partner Schools | 180+ partner schools and credits accepted by 3,000+ colleges and universities | 70+ partner schools and credits accepted by 1,000+ colleges and universities |
| Pricing | $99 membership + $79, but free to enroll in as many courses as you want | $99 membership + all courses included in membership (limited to two courses at a time) |
| Support Services | All courses include academic advising, 24/7 tutoring, tech support | Some courses include tutoring. All include learning coaches who may provide guidance or academic advising. |
| ACE Credit Recommendation | Yes | Yes |
StraighterLine vs. Sophia: How Many Courses Do We Offer?
When it comes to comparing StraighterLine vs. Sophia course offerings, both offer 70+ online college courses.
At StraighterLine, we're dedicated to giving our students plenty of course offerings. That's so you have more opportunities to earn college credits online and get those gen ed requirements out of the way! Some examples of StraighterLine courses include:
In particular, students have rave reviews for the General Calculus I and II, Western Civilization, Introduction to Communication, and American Government online courses they took through StraighterLine.
If you're still looking for support before starting your degree program, StraighterLine also offers three online college prep courses to help set you up for academic success:
StraighterLine also offer classes in Health Sciences for students planning a career in a healthcare-related field such as nursing or healthcare administration.
Take a look at our full list of courses here.
Where Can I Use My Credits From Sophia vs. StraighterLine?
We want to make sure your hard work pays off, so let's talk more about transferring the credits you earn from your online courses. Both StraighterLine and Sophia allow you to transfer, but how do they compare? Let’s break it down.
Partner Schools
Partner schools are the colleges and universities that accept your credits directly, guaranteeing easy credit transfer toward your degree. When comparing StraighterLine vs. Sophia, both have agreements with partner schools, but StraighterLine has more.
StraighterLine has a network of more than 180 schools that guarantee credits transfer from courses (including Liberty University, Rasmussen University, Purdue Global University, Baker College, and Grambling University). It's among the largest networks of any online college course provider — a collaboration which expands the possibilities for direct credit transfer.
Sophia also has an extensive network of partners, with 70+ colleges and universities guaranteeing credit transfer from their courses.
Non-Partner Schools
If your school isn’t listed as a partner college with Sophia or StraighterLine, there still may be a path to earning college credit. Both StraighterLine and Sophia regularly have courses accepted at non-partner colleges through ACE Learning Evaluations — the American Council on Education's credit recommendation program.
All of StraighterLine’s courses have been recommended for credit through ACE and have been accepted at more than 3,000 colleges and universities.
Sophia’s courses are also ACE-recommended, and have been reviewed for credit at more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Sophia vs. StraighterLine: Comparing Costs
Cost is one of the biggest considerations when choosing an online education program. When comparing costs of StraighterLine vs Sophia, both offer students the opportunity to earn college credit conveniently, while saving significantly on the cost of higher education.
StraighterLine's Membership Plan
StraighterLine gives you the chance to preview one of our courses for free, see sample course material, and get an experience with the online learning experience.
Once you decide to study with us, you’ll pay for individual courses starting at $79 per class plus $99 per month for membership. With your membership, you’re never limited in the number of courses you can take at one time. These fees also cover all course materials, eTextbooks, and access to our 24/7 tutoring services.
Preview StraighterLine for Free
Sophia's Membership Plan
Sophia offers you the chance to try the first unit of one class for free. Should you decide to continue, you’ll need to sign up for a Sophia membership.
Monthly memberships start at $99 per month, $299 per four months, or $599 if you pay for a full year upfront. With that, you can sign up to take as many classes per month as you’d like, but can only be active in up to 2 classes at a time. Your membership costs will cover everything you need for your classes, including eTextbooks.
Learning Styles: StraighterLine vs. Sophia
What about the different learning styles of Sophia vs. StraighterLine?
StraighterLine is designed to offer you the same curricula you’ll find at leading universities combined with the traditional learning experience in a unique and modern way. That said, both programs provide fully online, asynchronous classes that can be taken on your own time at your own pace. Additionally, they both let you track your progress and offer a mixture of assignments, quizzes, and exams.
StraighterLine vs. Sophia Course Approvals & Recommendations
Neither StraighterLine nor Sophia Learning are accredited, as they do not grant degrees themselves. Accreditation is reserved for traditional colleges and universities is granted through authorized educational bodies.
Instead of formal accreditation, StraighterLine and Sophia offer online courses that have been recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) — a highly respected nonprofit organization whose membership includes over 1,600 accredited colleges, universities, and higher education associations.
ACE plays a key role in research, advocacy, and the creation of initiatives that influence public policy and support the advancement of higher education. Because of this endorsement, academic advisors and institutions recognize StraighterLine and Sophia courses as legitimate for credit transfer.
For StraighterLine, the only courses not ACE-recommended are the College Prep courses, which are non-credit courses. StraighterLine was also selected for the U.S. Department of Education’s EQUIP Program, an initiative that allowed students in nontraditional programs to access federal financial aid.
Similarly, Sophia Learning courses carry ACE recommendations, making them widely transferable. ACE’s review ensures that courses meet college-level learning standards, so when you present a Sophia course to your institution, it’s recognized as a credible option for earning credit.
Student Support Offered at Sophia vs. StraighterLine
As you embark on your online learning journey, you’ll need support. That support can come in the form of advisors, tutors, or student services.
Student Support with StraighterLine
Student success is our number one priority at StraighterLine. That means providing student support at all levels of learning and for all types of learners:
- Student advisors are available 7 days a week via phone or live chat to help you with non-academic issues
- 10 hours of online tutoring and writing lab services are available for all courses at no extra cost
- Enrollment Counselors are available via live chat to help you navigate your learning path
Student Support with Sophia
Sophia has learning coaches that students can access by phone, email, or online chat during the week and on weekends, as well. Students also have access to up to 10 hours of tutoring with no additional fee.
Sophia vs. StraighterLine Requirements: What to Expect
When comparing Sophia vs. StraighterLine, students often want to know what each platform requires to get started, complete courses, and transfer credits successfully. Both options are designed to make earning college credit online simple and affordable, but their course formats and policies are a bit different.
Enrollment Requirements
Getting started with Sophia or StraighterLine is easy—neither platform has traditional admissions steps. You don’t need transcripts, entrance exams, or prior college experience to enroll. However, if you plan to transfer credits toward a degree, make sure your chosen college accepts ACE-approved coursework, as both Sophia and StraighterLine use this standard for credit recognition.
Technical and Course Requirements
Because both Sophia and StraighterLine are completely online, all you need is dependable internet and a computer or tablet. Sophia’s courses are self-paced and assessment-based, while StraighterLine includes graded assignments, quizzes, and finals.
Credit Transfer Requirements
Before enrolling, it’s smart to review your school’s transfer credit policies. StraighterLine partners directly with 180+ colleges, while Sophia Learning works with more than 70+ universities and also offers ACE-recommended courses accepted at many additional schools. Always request an official transcript once your course is complete to streamline credit transfer.
Bottom Line
When it comes to Sophia vs. StraighterLine requirements, both platforms offer low-cost, low-barrier paths to college credit. Sophia is ideal for students who prefer flexible, no-exam learning, while StraighterLine appeals to those comfortable with more structured, exam-based courses. Either way, you can start learning and earning transferable credit right away—no admissions paperwork required.
Make the Right Choice with StraighterLine
There you have it! A complete comparison of StraighterLine vs. Sophia.
While both programs provide a flexible, affordable alternative to traditional college, StraighterLine often stands out as the better choice because it offers a wider network of partner schools for guaranteed credit transfer, more structured courses, and robust support through tutoring and academic advising.
We've got more than 75 courses in 10 subjects, so you’re guaranteed to find a class (or several!) that fit your needs. We'll support you every step of the way, and when you’re ready, the credits you earn are transferable to 180 +partner schools, plus thousands of others that accept ACE credit! Don’t wait another minute to start your online learning journey with StraighterLine. Start exploring our classes to find out how you can earn the college credits you need for success.
FAQs
Are StraighterLine and Sophia courses accredited?
No. Neither StraighterLine nor Sophia is accredited because they are not degree-granting institutions. That said, both have courses recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE), which many accredited colleges and universities accept!
How quickly can I complete a course on each platform?
Both StraighterLine and Sophia allow you to quickly complete your courses for college credit. Many StraighterLine students finish courses in just a few weeks, depending on how intensively they study.
What if I need extra help with course material?
StraighterLine’s membership includes 24/7 on-demand tutoring and academic advising at no additional cost. Some Sophia courses also offer tutoring or learning coaches who can support with your learning.
How do I transfer my credits to my college or university?
- StraighterLine has direct transfer agreements with 180+ partner schools. For non-partner schools, 3,000+ colleges have accepted StraighterLine credits. You can request free transcript delivery once you finish your course. Take a look at our partners here.
- Sophia has direct transfer agreements with 70+ schools and 1,000+ other institutions have accepted credits from Sophia.
