10 Free Online STEM Courses in 2025

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects include skills used across nearly every industry. Free online STEM programs allow adult learners to participate in interactive, self-paced courses to gain new skills for personal and professional development.

Online STEM learning can help prepare students to advance their current career path or start a new one. Students can find learning experiences from the best STEM colleges online as well as companies, including IBM.

Best Free STEM Classes Online

STEM subjects are taught in free online courses from top universities and companies. In addition to hard skills, such as computer programming, learners can also develop soft skills, including problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and more. These courses can lay the foundations for STEM careers or provide learners with new skills to use in non-STEM fields.

1. Data Science: Machine Learning

Data science and machine learning are essential pieces of developing artificial intelligence algorithms. Coursework is offered through Harvard and can be completed for free for personal development, but there is a paid certificate option. Learners participate in a self-paced, hands-on project to learn the basic skills needed to build algorithms and datasets for AI.

2. CS50x 2025

CS50x is the free online version of Harvard's largest course. This introductory program covers the basics of computer science with a primary focus on programming languages. Students will work with SQL, C, Python, and more. Although students won't qualify for credit at Harvard, CS50X uses the same course materials and instructors as the credited class does.

3. Introduction to Medical Terminology

Medical terminology is an important skill for learners pursuing life science or medical education. This free course on the Alison learning platform is designed to help beginners broaden their medical vocabulary. The knowledge taught in this program can benefit beginners or adult learners looking to brush up on previously learned knowledge.

4. Introduction to Engineering Mechanics

The Georgia Institute of Technology, also called Georgia Tech, offers Introduction to Engineering Mechanics in partnership with Coursera. This five-module course takes most learners around 14 hours to complete, but all work is self-paced. Online learning is delivered through videos and reading assignments designed by Georgia Tech professors.

5. C Programming: Language Foundations

C is one of the most common programming languages around the world. Dartmouth's program teaches the fundamentals of C, which lays the foundation for learning more advanced programming languages. Students with no programming experience are recommended to take the course C Programming: Getting Started for Complete Beginners first. This program can be completed for free, but students looking to earn a certificate will need to pay a fee.

6. Introduction to Cloud Computing

IBM designed this course to cover the basics of cloud computing. Learners will look into cloud computing providers including Microsoft, Amazon, and more. Study material focuses more on the vocabulary and foundational information around cloud computing, as opposed to programming. This free course is the first part of a larger certificate program offered by IBM.

7. Blood and the Respiratory System

Blood and the respiratory system are two of the most important parts of human anatomy and life sciences. This program from the Open University includes approximately 10 hours of coursework adapted from the larger Human Biology program offered at Open University.

8. Fundamentals of Biology

MIT offers this online Fundamentals of Biology course. Learners will study four different units including biochemistry and genetics. MIT faculty is responsible for the video lectures and assessments allowing students to receive a high-quality education without paying tuition.

9. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python

Python is one of the most important programming languages for modern computer science. MIT instructors designed this course to cover the basics of Python 3.5 for beginners with no experience, but it can help programmers used to previous versions of Python learn the newer version.

10. Classical Mechanics

Classical Mechanics is the first course in MIT's physics degree. Learners will study the fundamental concepts of physics, including kinetic energy, Newton's laws, and more. The material is delivered over twelve weeks, with three sessions of pre-recorded videos and coursework each week.

Our Selection Criteria

As STEM skills become more necessary in a variety of industries, the availability of free online STEM courses has increased. We selected these programs based on a set of strict criteria to ensure you learn STEM skills from high-quality providers without paying high tuition rates.

• Free (or offers financial aid): We selected programs that are either offered at no cost or have financial aid that can cover the course's costs. The selected programs only require payment to access certificates after completion, but all coursework can be audited free of charge.
• Fully online: None of these programs have any on-campus or learning center requirements. Additionally, these courses are self-paced, allowing learners to take control of their educational schedules.
• In-demand STEM skills: We chose courses that reflect some of the most in-demand STEM skills, including computer science, machine learning, and life sciences.

Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

The STEM fields include a wide array of careers ranging from education to programming to healthcare. Many of these careers have seen rapid expansion in recent years based on the rise of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. In addition to traditional STEM careers, other industries have begun incorporating more technology-based roles.

Some of the most common STEM careers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, include:

• mechanical engineer
• computer network architect
• aerospace engineer
• software developer
• STEM educator
• chemical engineering
• cybersecurity professionals

These careers will require a minimum of an undergraduate degree, but free online courses can play a key part in your career path. Learners can use these courses to develop individual skills to complement their previously earned degrees without having to pay for additional college courses. These programs also allow students to try out a field of study without financial risk, which is a valuable feature for young people trying to decide on a career.

Benefits of Taking Free Courses in STEM

There are many benefits to taking free online STEM courses. These benefits will vary based on your individual goals, but some of the most common benefits include the following:

• no cost professional development
• providing an easy way to refresh previously learned skills
• helping students sample subjects
• flexible learning experiences

How To Find Free Online STEM Courses

There are many ways to access free online STEM courses, including learning platforms and universities. Some of the most popular courses are available through third-party learning platforms, like edX, Coursera, and Alison. These platforms host courses developed by businesses and universities and allow students to learn without having to go through a college admission process.

Although many colleges and universities partner with these platforms, some courses are offered through proprietary OpenWare platforms. Some of the world's top universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and MIT, offer free open courses based on the courses in their degree programs. If you're looking for courses from a specific university, you should be able to apply filters to the school's course catalog to find their free courses.

Explore STEM Education Programs for Online Learners Today

We make it easy to find free online STEM courses. Read our school profiles to learn about providers as well as our articles about the best courses to take. Once you've identified courses you'd like to take, use our resources to reach out and start enrolling today.