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Are you planning on taking an online course but aren’t sure if Coursera is the right place to learn? Or you might even be wondering—is Coursera worth it?
It’s actually a common question since you’re going to be investing your valuable time and money.
But as a long-term user of Coursera and a Coursera Plus subscriber, I’m here to answer that!
In this comprehensive review, I’ll be breaking down my personal verdict on whether Coursera is a worthwhile investment, the pros and cons of using the platform, and why Coursera could be worth it for you.
So read on to find out if Coursera is worth trying!
Coursera Review: My Verdict
Coursera is worth it. The platform provides a great way to learn new skills or brush up on existing skills in the comfort of your own home. The courses are well-structured and easy to follow, with excellent resources from top universities such as Stanford and Yale.
I especially like the fact that Coursera can be customized for individual learners by offering courses in multiple languages, varying difficulty levels, and flexible timelines.
This makes it a great choice for learners of all backgrounds and learning styles.
In addition to the courses, Coursera also provides peer-to-peer support through discussion forums. The platform even offers certification upon course completion at an additional cost.
Finally, most Coursera courses I’ve taken had a free trial to attempt the course without paying. This 7-day free trial makes it risk-free to try out the platform and see if it’s right for you.
Overall, Coursera is an excellent online learning platform that can provide valuable skills at a fraction of the cost of a traditional university.
It’s worth checking out if you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to boost your knowledge or gain new skills.
What is Coursera?
Coursera is an online learning platform offering more than 7,000 courses from collaborations with top universities, big tech companies, and industry leaders. The platform provides a comprehensive range of resources, including lecture videos, quizzes, projects, and discussion forums.
Some courses are free, while others require payment to access the full course materials. At a fraction of the cost of traditional education, Coursera can provide users with a quality education.
What Does Coursera Provide?
Coursera provides a wide range of courses in various disciplines, such as business, computer science, healthcare, and the humanities. Each course is designed to help learners gain valuable skills or increase their knowledge base.
Some of Coursera’s lineup of learning resources include:
- Online degrees
- MasterTrack
- Coursera specializations
- University Certificates
Each of them offers different levels of difficulty and is designed to meet the needs of learners at various stages.
In addition to academic courses, Coursera also provides a range of professional development opportunities.
These include programs that prepare learners for specific jobs, such as Google IT Support Professional Certificate and the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate.
Pros of Coursera
Let’s now have a look at some of the pros of using Coursera as your learning platform over others.
1. Wide Selection of Courses
Firstly, the platform has a wide selection of courses from top universities that cover anything from business to computer science.
These online courses are constantly updated with new content, making it an ever-growing library of knowledge.
This is made even better with a Coursera Plus subscription, which offers unlimited access to over 7000 courses and online certifications at just a single cost. The best part is that they offer both monthly and yearly billing.
I personally bought the Coursera Plus yearly subscription for my Coursera account since I’m an avid learner who appreciates learning multiple different topics concurrently.
I’ve mostly taken Coursera course certificate programs, which tend to last for several months, so I really have the most bang for my buck with the yearly plan.
Here are some professional Coursera certification courses I’ve learned from:
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Google Digital Marketing & E-Commerce Professional Certificate
- Meta Database Engineer Professional Certificate
- Google Advanced Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate
As you can see, I’ve taken courses and Google certifications from a wide variety of topics like data science and analytics, machine learning, and digital marketing.
I’ve also taken on some of their free course options available, which I have found to also be of very high quality.
2. Flexibility
Secondly, Coursera offers flexible timelines for learners, meaning you can take the course at your own pace and schedule.
Plus, the courses are available in multiple languages, so anyone from any background can join the learning community!
This flexibility in online learning makes learning so much easier if you’re planning to study part-time while working on a job. I’m pretty sure college students would appreciate this flexibility too.
3. Low Cost & Free Trial
Thirdly, the cost of taking a course on Coursera is relatively low compared to a traditional university.
Also, you don’t have to pay anything if you decide to sign up for the 7-day free trial. This allows learners to get an idea of whether the course suits them before committing any funds.
You can also opt to audit a course, meaning you can access the course material for free but won’t be able to receive a certificate upon completion.
Additionally, there are a bunch of free courses available. One of Coursera’s free courses, the Python for Everybody course, is one of the popular ones.
Cons of Coursera
Finally, let’s have a look at some of the cons associated with using Coursera.
1. Fee-Based Certification
The biggest downside is that most courses will require payment if you wish to receive a Coursera certificate upon completion.
But how much does a Coursera certificate cost?
Certification can cost anywhere from $50 to over $100, depending on the course, making it more expensive than other online learning platforms.
This fee-based system makes it difficult for those on a tight budget who would like to learn and acquire certifications without having to pay large amounts of money.
Nonetheless, the Coursera cost still does not exceed the amount you’d have to otherwise pay for degree programs.
2. Limited Opportunity for Interaction
Another con is that doing a Coursera course is they don’t offer much opportunity for interaction with peers or instructors.
Since all courses are delivered online through recorded video lectures, it can be quite isolating. This makes it difficult to stay motivated over extended periods if you cannot receive feedback and help from others.
It’s also difficult to ask questions, discuss topics and receive advice from instructors or other professionals directly, like in a physical classroom.
3. Not as Comprehensive as Traditional Education
Lastly, Coursera courses are less comprehensive than a traditional university degree or diploma program.
This means that some of the more complex concepts may be difficult to understand without the help of an instructor or additional resources.
In addition, some courses may not be as comprehensive as expected, leaving learners with fundamental knowledge but still lacking a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Coursera is more suited to learning specific skills at the entry-level and not for in-depth knowledge. The learning style of their courses is more well-suited for practical and technical topics like programming.
Why Is Coursera Worth It?
Ultimately, Coursera is still worth it as it offers learners a great way to gain knowledge and skills in various courses without committing too much time or money.
The affordable cost and flexible timelines make it ideal for busy working professionals who want to learn new skills without having to take on extra workloads or financial burdens.
In addition, the range of courses offered is vast, and learners have access to a wealth of learning materials available in multiple languages.
The certificates may cost more than other online learning platforms, but they offer an invaluable way for professionals to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to potential employers.
Moreover, some of these professional certificates also hold college credit, which can help in completing courses for a college degree!
So if you’re looking for a way to advance your career, brush up on skills, or learn something new, Coursera definitely worth considering.
Related Questions
Here are some questions you might find useful.
Are Coursera certificates worth anything?
Coursera certificates are worth something. It shows dedication and time spent to learn a new skill and can be a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.
Are Coursera certificates recognized?
Coursera certificates are generally recognized by employers as long as the course you took is relevant to the position.
The professional certificates offered by industry leaders like Google are more recognized than the regular certificate of completion from smaller courses.
There’s even a job portal of companies of Coursera partners that recognize Coursera certificates.
Can Coursera get you a job?
Yes, Coursera can help you get a job. Although a certificate alone is not enough to get a job, having one from an industry-recognized source like Google or IBM can increase your chances.
Is Coursera good for a resume?
Yes, Coursera is great for a resume. Having a certificate from a reputable course can add value to your application and demonstrate that you possess the skills needed for the job. It is also an excellent way to show dedication and willingness to learn new things.
However, showing a certificate is not as helpful as showing related projects and experience gained from doing the exercises from Coursera’s courses.
Final Thoughts
Coursera can be a great way to gain knowledge, skills, and certifications without traditional classroom commitments. If you’re willing to give it a try, you’ll find that Coursera is worth investing your time and money into.
I hope this review has been helpful for your learning!
