10 Best Colleges That Accept Study.com Credits 2026

For adult learners looking to finish a degree faster and at a lower cost, Study.com has become one of the most popular alternatives to traditional college coursework. Its self-paced format allows students to earn transferable college credit on their own schedule, often for a fraction of the cost of tuition.

However, not all colleges treat Study.com credits the same way. Some schools make it easy to transfer large blocks of credit and apply them directly toward degree requirements, while others limit how many credits count or restrict how they can be used. Below, we highlight colleges that consistently stand out for accepting Study.com credits and helping students turn those credits into an accredited degree.

How Study.com Credits Work at Colleges

Study.com courses are recommended for college credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), both of which evaluate learning outcomes and assign credit recommendations. Colleges that accept ACE-recommended credit may allow Study.com courses to transfer as lower-division or, in some cases, upper-division coursework.

That said, accepting ACE credit does not guarantee that every course will apply cleanly to your major. Many colleges limit how many alternative credits you can transfer, require a certain number of credits to be completed in residence, or restrict how credits apply to core and major requirements.

Best Colleges for Using Study.com Credits

Each school below offers a different balance of flexibility, structure, and institutional support. Together, they represent some of the strongest options for students who want to maximize Study.com credits without unnecessary roadblocks.

1. Excelsior University

Excelsior University is often considered the gold standard for students who want to transfer a large number of alternative credits. The university is built around degree completion and has long accepted ACE-recommended credits from providers like Study.com.

Students can transfer in up to 113 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, which means Study.com can cover nearly all general education and elective requirements. This makes Excelsior especially appealing for motivated learners who want to complete only the final capstone or remaining coursework directly through the university.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 113 credits
• Degree formats offered: online associate and bachelor’s degrees

2. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is a public university in New Jersey known for serving adult learners and military-affiliated students. It has one of the most transparent and well-documented transfer credit systems in higher education.

TESU provides detailed transfer equivalency guides for Study.com courses, allowing students to plan their degree path before enrolling. Depending on the program, students may be able to transfer between 90 and 114 credits, making TESU a strong option for those who want certainty about how their Study.com credits will apply.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: 90 to 114 credits, depending on the program
• Degree formats offered: online associate and bachelor’s degrees

3. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is a Connecticut public college that specializes almost exclusively in degree completion. The school is especially friendly toward ACE-recommended credits, including those earned through Study.com.

Charter Oak allows students to build a large portion of their degree using alternative credit sources, then complete the remaining requirements through the college. Its straightforward policies and advisor support make it a popular choice for students who already have a significant number of nontraditional credits.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 90 credits
• Degree formats offered: online associate and bachelor’s degrees

4. Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a leader in competency-based education and has one of the most structured transfer relationships with Study.com. The university maintains formal Transfer Pathways agreements that map specific Study.com courses directly to degree requirements, especially in business, information technology, and education.

Because WGU measures progress by demonstrated competency rather than seat time, Study.com credits can help students satisfy prerequisites before enrolling and move more quickly through their degree once admitted. This model works especially well for self-directed learners who want to minimize redundant coursework.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: varies by program, often a substantial portion of the degree
• Degree formats offered: competency-based bachelor’s and master’s degrees

5. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is one of the largest nonprofit universities serving adult and online learners. The school accepts up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree, including ACE-recommended credits from Study.com.

SNHU’s streamlined transcript evaluation process makes it relatively easy for students to understand how their credits apply. While not every Study.com course will count toward major requirements, many general education and elective credits transfer smoothly.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 90 credits
• Degree formats offered: online associate and bachelor’s degrees

6. Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University (CSU) Global is a public, fully online university designed specifically for working adults. The school is known for being transfer-friendly and accepting a wide range of ACE-recommended credits, including those from Study.com.

CSU Global allows students to transfer up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree, making it a strong option for learners who want a public university credential with modern, flexible policies. Its clear residency requirements also help students plan exactly how many credits they need to complete through the institution.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 90 credits
• Degree formats offered: online bachelor’s and master’s degrees

7. University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) is a public university built specifically for adult learners, including military-affiliated students and working professionals. UMGC accepts up to 90 transfer credits and has one of the most transparent ACE credit policies among large public institutions.

Study.com credits commonly apply toward general education and elective requirements, making UMGC a strong choice for students who want a recognizable public university credential with clear transfer rules. Its advising and credit evaluation processes help reduce uncertainty before enrollment.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 90 credits
• Degree formats offered: online associate and bachelor’s degrees

8. Arizona State University 

Arizona State University (ASU) Online offers a wide range of online bachelor’s degree programs and maintains a robust transfer credit evaluation system. While ASU is more selective than some degree-completion-focused schools, it does accept ACE-recommended credits from providers like Study.com.

Students can typically transfer up to 64 lower-division credits, which can substantially reduce the time and cost required to complete a degree. ASU’s online tools allow students to preview how their credits may apply before enrolling, which helps with long-term planning.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 64 lower-division credits
• Degree formats offered: online bachelor’s degrees

9. Liberty University

Liberty University is one of the largest private universities offering online degree programs. The university allows students to transfer up to 75% of a bachelor’s degree, which is roughly 90 credits, from outside sources such as Study.com.

Liberty’s transfer policies make it possible to apply Study.com credits toward general education and electives, while completing major-specific coursework through the university. This balance appeals to students who want flexibility paired with a structured academic environment.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: up to 90 credits
• Degree formats offered: online associate and bachelor’s degrees

10. University of Maine at Presque Isle

University of Maine at Presque Isle has gained attention for its YourPace program, which combines affordability with accelerated course formats. The program allows students to transfer in a significant portion of their degree before completing the remaining coursework in eight-week sessions.

Study.com credits can be used to cover many general education and elective requirements, helping students move quickly into the YourPace curriculum. This option works well for students who want both low tuition and a fast path to degree completion.

• Maximum transfer credits accepted: varies by program, often a large portion of the degree
• Degree formats offered: online bachelor’s degrees through YourPace

How We Rank Schools

The colleges on this list were selected based on how well they support students who use Study.com credits as part of a degree completion strategy. Rather than focusing on brand recognition alone, we prioritized schools that make credit transfer practical and transparent.

Key factors include:

• the maximum number of Study.com or ACE credits accepted
• clarity and consistency of transfer policies
• flexibility for adult and online learners
• the ability to apply credits directly toward degree requirements

How Many Study.com Credits Should You Earn Before Transferring?

One of the most common questions students ask is how far they should go with Study.com before enrolling in a college. While it can be tempting to earn as many credits as possible, earning credits strategically is far more important than simply earning the maximum number.

Focus First on General Education and Electives

For most transfer-friendly colleges, general education and elective credits are the easiest to apply toward a degree. These requirements tend to be consistent across institutions and majors, making them a safe place to start.

Study.com is especially effective for:

• general education courses like math, science, history, and social science
• introductory business or IT courses
• free electives that do not need to match a specific major

Completing these requirements early can significantly reduce both time and cost once you enroll.

Know the School’s Transfer Credit Limits

Every college sets a cap on how many alternative or transfer credits it will accept. Once you approach that limit, additional Study.com credits may no longer apply toward your degree.

Before continuing with more courses, it’s important to confirm:

• the maximum number of transfer credits allowed
• whether limits apply specifically to lower-division credits
• how many credits must be completed in residence

In many cases, enrolling earlier allows you to apply remaining credits more efficiently.

The Goal Is Progress, Not Maximum Credits

Earning more credits than your degree can accept does not speed up graduation. The most effective strategy is earning the right credits that directly reduce degree requirements. Students who review degree plans ahead of time are far less likely to waste time on credits that do not apply.

Common Mistakes Students Make With Study.com Credits

Study.com can be a powerful tool for degree completion, but only when used with a clear plan. Many issues arise not from the credits themselves, but from misunderstandings about how colleges apply them.

Assuming All Study.com Credits Transfer the Same Way

Not all colleges apply Study.com credits equally. Even schools that accept ACE- or NCCRS-recommended credit may restrict how those credits count toward a specific degree.

Some institutions:

• apply Study.com credits only to electives
• limit how many credits apply to the major
• require upper-division coursework to be completed in residence

Confirming degree-specific policies early can prevent frustration later.

Earning Too Many Lower-Division Credits

Many bachelor’s programs require a minimum number of upper-division courses. Because Study.com courses are typically lower-division, students can sometimes exceed the number of applicable credits without realizing it.

This can result in:

• unused credits
• longer time to degree
• unexpected additional coursework

Balancing lower- and upper-division requirements is essential.

Waiting Too Long to Verify Transfer Policies

Another common mistake is earning credits before confirming how a college will accept them. While Study.com publishes credit recommendations, final decisions always rest with the receiving institution.

Schools with published transfer guides reduce this risk, but it’s still important to:

• review degree plans
• confirm residency requirements
• speak with an advisor before enrolling

Planning ahead ensures your effort translates directly into progress.

FAQs About Colleges That Accept Study.com Credits

Using alternative credit can raise a lot of questions, especially if you’re trying to finish a degree efficiently. The FAQs below address some of the most common concerns students have when using Study.com credits.

Do All Colleges Accept Study.com Credits?

No, not all colleges accept Study.com credits. Because Study.com courses are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE), acceptance depends on whether a college recognizes ACE credit and how it applies those credits to degree requirements. 

While Study.com courses carry both ACE and NCCRS recommendations, colleges vary in which credit recommendation services they recognize. Even among ACE-friendly schools, policies vary widely. Some colleges accept large blocks of Study.com credits, while others limit how many can transfer or restrict them to electives.

Can You Earn an Entire Degree Using Study.com Credits?

Study.com credits alone are not enough to earn a full degree. Most accredited colleges require students to complete a minimum number of credits directly through the institution, known as residency requirements.

However, at highly transfer-friendly schools, Study.com credits can cover a significant portion of general education and elective requirements. This can dramatically reduce the number of courses you need to take after enrolling.

Are Study.com Credits Cheaper Than Traditional College Courses?

In most cases, Study.com credits are significantly less expensive than traditional college courses. Students pay a monthly subscription fee and can complete multiple courses during that time, which can lower the cost per credit.

That said, cost savings depend on how efficiently credits transfer. Choosing a college that applies Study.com credits directly toward degree requirements is key to maximizing value.

Explore Colleges That Accept Alternative Credits

Colleges that accept Study.com credits can offer a faster and more affordable path to earning a degree, but choosing the right school is key. Learn.org can help you compare accredited colleges, understand transfer credit policies, and find degree programs that align with your goals.