Is Study.com Legit? Credit Transfer, Renewals and Refunds (2026)

If you're looking at Study.com to learn a skill, support a child's homework or knock a few credits off a degree, the sensible question is what you're relying on. I've read Study.com's terms of use and its college credit page, and I'll separate what the site promises from what only your college can decide.

Who runs Study.com and what it offers

Study.com's terms of use identify the company as Study.com, LLC. Its navigation lists courses by subject and school level, teacher resources and lesson plans, test prep for certifications, and college credit courses. Its footer describes it as a BBB Accredited Educational Consultant in Mountain View, CA.

That BBB wording is business accreditation, not academic accreditation, and the college credit page doesn't claim that Study.com itself is an accredited college. I mention it because people mix the two up. Study.com is a course provider, and any degree-level recognition comes from the college that accepts the course.

How Study.com college credit courses work

Study.com's college credit page says courses are graded on a 300-point scale. To pass and become eligible for college credit you must earn at least 210 points (70%). Points come from chapter tests and a final exam, which the page says is always open-book and non-proctored. Each course syllabus gives the detailed breakdown.

The page also says Study.com offers the most ACE- and NCCRS-recommended courses, over 230. Those are credit recommendation services, which means an outside body has reviewed the course and suggested it could be worth credit. Whether your college awards it comes down to a separate decision.

Does Study.com credit transfer to my college?

Study.com's page says its courses are transferable to more than 2,000 accredited colleges and universities. That's a useful starting point, but transfer is up to the receiving college, and the terms back that caution up. They say Study.com doesn't guarantee that a provider will award you credits or grant you a degree, and that it has no authority or responsibility with respect to any award or transfer of academic credit.

• Ask your college's registrar before you start a course, not after.
• Get the exact course name and code that your college would accept.
• Ask how they want the credit reported.
• Keep your results and syllabus in case you need to appeal.

If you're thinking about learning for career reasons, my notes on learning a language in ten minutes a day and whether copywriting is still worth learning might help you decide which courses are worth the time.

Study.com membership renewal and cancellation

The terms say Study.com automatically bills your payment method each month or year, depending on the plan, and that you must cancel your membership before it renews. You can cancel on the My Dashboard page, and access continues through the end of the billing cycle.

The terms also say Study.com doesn't offer free trials, although it may offer paid trials from time to time. If you see a trial offer, read the wording carefully and note the renewal date in your calendar before you enter any card details.

Study.com refund policy

This is the line to read twice. The terms say Study.com doesn't provide refunds or membership credits for any partial-month or partial-year membership periods. There are exceptions for promotions that include a refund right, and the terms of that promotion apply.

In practice, if you plan to take one course and finish quickly, cancel soon after you start so it doesn't renew, and don't expect money back for time you didn't use.

How accurate is Study.com's information?

Study.com's terms say it can't make any representation or warranty that its information is accurate, complete or current. That's a standard disclaimer, but it matters for study material. If you're preparing for a certification or a university exam, check the syllabus against the exam provider's own materials.

Spotting fake Study.com offers

Be careful with emails or ads claiming to be Study.com and promising credit or a degree for certain. The terms say Study.com doesn't guarantee that a provider will award you credits or a degree. Type the web address yourself and check the membership details on your own account. If you're considering online tutoring work rather than study, my guide to checking online tutor jobs covers the checks to make.

Study.com at a glance

Question	What Study.com's pages say
Who runs it	Study.com, LLC
Credit recommendations	Over 230 ACE and NCCRS recommended courses
Colleges that accept transfer	Courses transferable to more than 2,000 accredited colleges
Passing score	At least 210 of 300 points (70%)
Final exam	Open-book and non-proctored
Renewal	Billed automatically each month or year
Refunds	None for partial periods, except promotions with a refund right

So, is Study.com legit?

Yes. It's a real company with published terms and recognised credit recommendations on many courses. The thing to keep in mind is that it can recommend credit and show you how to earn it, but only your college decides whether it counts. Check with them first, cancel before renewal if you only need one course and keep your records.

Frequently asked questions

Is Study.com legit?

Yes. It's operated by Study.com, LLC and offers lessons and self-paced courses, including college credit courses recommended by ACE and NCCRS.

Will my college accept Study.com credit?

Study.com says its courses are transferable to more than 2,000 accredited colleges and universities, but its terms say it has no authority over any award or transfer of credit. Ask your college first.

Is Study.com accredited?

Its footer calls it a BBB Accredited Educational Consultant. The credit page doesn't state that Study.com itself is an academically accredited institution.

Are Study.com exams proctored?

Study.com says the final exam is always open-book and non-proctored. You need at least 210 of 300 points (70%) to pass for credit.

How do I cancel Study.com?

The terms say you can cancel on the My Dashboard page, and access continues through the end of the billing cycle. Cancel before the renewal date.

Does Study.com give refunds?

The terms say there are no refunds or membership credits for partial-month or partial-year membership periods, except for promotions that include a refund right.