10 Best Colleges That Accept Sophia Learning Credits in 2025

While there are many transfer-friendly colleges in the U.S., not all accept all kinds of credits. Most accept credits from community colleges and four-year institutions, but it can be hit-or-miss with other types of credit, such as those from Sophia.

Sophia.org provides a convenient and low-cost way for students to earn college credit. Students can then transfer these credits to an institution that accepts Sophia classes. Keep reading to discover which colleges accept Sophia credits.

What Is Sophia Learning?

Sophia is an online learning platform that offers individual courses for college credit. These are self-paced, online courses covering topics such as business, health science, information technology, and social science.

These courses tend to be more affordable than courses through a college or university. The platform offers students a free trial, allowing them to test out Sophia courses before making a full commitment.

How Do Sophia Learning Credits Work?

When you learn through Sophia, the platform creates a transcript for you. Once you're ready to transfer into a college or university, you can use that transcript so the college can determine how many transfer credits you qualify for.

Do Colleges Accept Sophia Learning Credits?

Not all colleges and universities accept Sophia learning credits, but many do. Sophia partners with nearly 90 accredited institutions across the U.S., ensuring that you receive credit for the college-level courses you take through Sophia.

Other schools may still accept Sophia credits, even if they aren't partners. Often, these schools accept credits on a case-by-case basis.

10 Colleges and Universities That Accept Sophia Learning Credits

There are many accredited universities that accept Sophia Learning credits in the U.S. We've highlighted a few of these institutions below.

1. Charter Oak State College

Charter Oak State College is a public online school in New Britain, CT. It offers degree programs in fields like business administration, criminal justice, healthcare administration, and software development.

Charter Oak has a very flexible transfer policy, allowing students to bring in up to 87 credits into a bachelor's degree. It accepts credits from a variety of course providers, including Sophia, Study.com, and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,506 per year
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

2. Colorado State University Global

At Colorado State University Global, students can earn online degrees in multiple areas of study, including computer science, human resources, legal studies, and project management. CSU Global is a partner of Sophia and accepts credits from the platform.

CSU Global, a fully online campus, is part of the Colorado State University system. It also accepts credit for other types of alternative learning, like military service, corporate training, and standardized exams.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,000 per year
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

3. Empire State University

Empire State University offers online programs in fields such as allied health, business administration, educational studies, and psychology, and also allows students the opportunity to create their own program. It's an online college in the public State University of New York (SUNY) system.

SUNY Empire calls itself ''a university built for transfer students,'' and it accepts credit from various sources. It's a partner with Sophia, so your credits should transfer smoothly.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,648 per year (in state); $17,558 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

4. Excelsior University

Online degrees are available in numerous areas of study at Excelsior University, including business, health sciences, liberal arts, and technology. The university is designed for non-traditional students and partners with Sophia to accept credits from the platform.

Excelsior University, a private, nonprofit institution, is based in Albany, NY. It also accepts other types of prior learning for transfer.

• Estimated tuition cost: $510 per credit hour
• Accreditation: MSCHE

5. Franklin University

Franklin University is a nonprofit, private institution in Columbus, OH. It's designed for adult learners and offers programs on campus and online in fields like communications, education, information technology, and project management.

Students can transfer in up to 94 credit hours, including hours from platforms such as Sophia. Franklin is a partner of Sophia, ensuring that credits transfer easily.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,577 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Southern New Hampshire University

Students at Southern New Hampshire University will find a multitude of online and on-campus degrees in areas of study including criminal justice, data analysis, liberal arts, and social sciences.

SNHU, a private, nonprofit institution, is based in Manchester, NH. It accepts up to 90 credits into bachelor's degree programs, including Sophia classes.

• Estimated tuition cost: $17,200 per year
• Accreditation: NECHE

7. Thomas Edison State University

Thomas Edison State University offers in-person and online education in fields like business, education, health sciences, and liberal arts. TESU is a public institution in Trenton, NJ.

The university is designed for adult learners and accepts transfer coursework from numerous sources. As a partner of Sophia, the transfer process should be smooth for those with Sophia credits.

• Estimated tuition cost: $6,838 per year (in-state); $8,856 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

8. University of Maryland Global Campus

Numerous online programs are available from the University of Maryland Global Campus, including those in areas of study such as computer science, history, homeland security, and political science. UMGC is a Sophia partner, so it accepts these classes.

UMGC, an online college, is part of the public University System of Maryland. It offers several ''fast paths to credit,'' in addition to Sophia credits, including credit by exam and a portfolio option.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,136 per year (in state); $12,336 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: MSCHE

9. University of Massachusetts Global

The University of Massachusetts (UMass) Global is a private, nonprofit affiliate of the public UMass system based in Aliso Viejo, CA. It offers degrees in fields like business, education, liberal arts, and information technology.

As a Sophia partner, students can transfer Sophia credits into UMass Global. The institution also offers several other ways for students to earn credit, like military and career training.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,540 per year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

10. Western Governors University

Through Western Governors University, students can choose from self-paced online degrees in areas of study including business, education, healthcare, and technology. The non-traditional online college is a Sophia partner.

WGU is a private, nonprofit institution based in Salt Lake City. It also accepts community college transfers and other types of prior learning.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,658 per year
• Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools that accept Sophia credits for this list, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited.
• Credit-transfer policy: Every institution has a generous transfer policy and is a Sophia partner.
• Program reputation: We only included nonprofit schools to ensure high-quality programs.

FAQs About Colleges That Accept Transfer Credits From Sophia Learning

You want to be sure that your credits will transfer before you take the classes. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about transferring Sophia credits to help clear things up.

Are Sophia Learning Courses Accredited?

Because Sophia doesn't offer degree programs, it can't be accredited. However, the courses have been recommended for credit by the American Council on Education's Learning Evaluation Service.

Can I Use Sophia Credits Toward Any Major?

Some credits, like those for general education courses, can be used for any major. Others will depend on the subject and the major you're pursuing.

How Many Sophia Credits Can I Transfer?

The number of Sophia credits you can transfer will depend on the school you're transferring into. The schools we listed above have generous transfer policies, generally allowing students to transfer between 85 and 95 credits.

Is Sophia a Good Way To Finish a Degree Faster?

Sophia can be a great way to finish your degree faster, as it allows students to start taking courses while still in high school. The self-paced nature of the courses also allows you to get through them faster.

Explore Transfer-Friendly Colleges

Find the perfect college for your Sophia credits by exploring the options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about their transfer policies.