Here Are 330 Ivy League Courses You Can Take Online Right Now for Free
Getting a world-class education doesn‘t need to cost a fortune anymore, even from the most prestigious universities. In recent years, the Ivy League schools have released over 330 online courses across multiple platforms, covering a wide range of subjects. Anyone with an internet connection can now access the same educational content as students paying over $50,000 a year in tuition. It‘s an exciting development that is opening up opportunities for millions to learn from the top experts in their fields.
The Ivy League: An Overview
The term "Ivy League" refers to a group of eight private universities in the Northeast United States that are widely regarded as some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. The members are:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Princeton University
- Yale University
These schools are known for their academic excellence, world-class faculty, and highly selective admissions process. For centuries, they have been at the forefront of research and education, producing countless leaders, innovators and Nobel laureates.
The Ivy League universities consistently rank at the top of national and global rankings. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best National University Rankings, all eight Ivies were in the top 20 with Princeton, Harvard and Columbia taking the top three spots.[^1] On the global stage, THE World University Rankings 2021 included six Ivy League schools in its top 20.[^2]
An education from one of these elite universities is highly coveted but for many, it remains out of reach. With the most competitive admission rates and tuition costs upwards of $50,000 per year, these schools have historically been accessible only to a select few.[^3] However, that is beginning to change.
The MOOC Revolution
In recent years, the Ivy League institutions have been at the forefront of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) movement, releasing hundreds of their courses to the public for free. MOOCs are online courses that anyone can enroll in regardless of their location, background or prior qualifications. These courses are designed and taught by the same professors as the on-campus versions but are delivered entirely online through recorded video lectures, readings, discussion forums, and digital assignments.
The main platforms hosting Ivy League MOOCs are:
- Coursera: Founded by two Stanford computer science professors in 2012, Coursera partners with over 200 leading universities and companies to provide online courses to 76 million learners worldwide.[^4]
- edX: A non-profit platform founded by Harvard and MIT in 2012, edX hosts over 3000 online courses from more than 140 institutions and has reached over 35 million learners.[^5]
- FutureLearn: Launched in 2013 by the Open University, FutureLearn now has over 15 million learners and partners with over a quarter of the world‘s top universities.[^6]
The growth of MOOCs in the last decade has been staggering. Class Central, a search engine that tracks online courses, reported that the number of MOOCs it indexed grew from just 100 in 2012 to over 16,000 in 2020.[^7] The pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of online learning, with MOOC providers seeing record enrollments in 2020.[^8]
Ivy League Online Courses by the Numbers
So just how many Ivy League courses are available online for free? Here‘s a breakdown by institution:
| University | Number of Online Courses |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 145 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 92 |
| Cornell University | 35 |
| Columbia University | 34 |
| Princeton University | 18 |
| Yale University | 24 |
| Dartmouth College | 11 |
| Brown University | 9 |
In total, these schools have released 330 free online courses on topics ranging from computer science and engineering to business, humanities, and social sciences.[^9] Many of these are delivered through Coursera and edX, with some schools like Harvard and UPenn offering over 90 courses each on these platforms.
The reach and impact of these courses has been significant:
- Since launching Dartmouth‘s first MOOCs on the edX platform in 2014, over 200,000 learners from more than 100 countries have enrolled.[^10]
- Penn‘s Online Learning Initiative has reached over 5 million learners through courses and specializations on Coursera and edX.[^11]
- Harvard and MIT‘s edX platform has reached over 35 million people worldwide and offers over 3,000 courses from 140 institutions.[^12]
- In 2020 alone, Yale‘s online courses reached over 2.2 million learners from more than 150 countries. [^13]
While enrollment numbers show the popularity of these courses, completion rates tell a more nuanced story. On average, only around 5-10% of learners who enroll in a MOOC end up completing the course.[^14] However, completion rates vary widely depending on the course and the learners‘ intentions. Courses with more interactive elements like active discussion forums and peer-graded assignments tend to have higher completion rates. Many learners also enroll with no intention to complete the course, but rather to explore the material or learn a specific skill.
Highlighting Popular Courses
Computer Science and Programming
As a full-stack developer, I‘m particularly excited about the range of high-quality computer science courses now available from the Ivy League. Whether you‘re just starting to learn programming or looking to upskill in a specific area, there‘s something for every level. Some top picks:
-
CS50‘s Introduction to Computer Science (HarvardX on edX): Widely regarded as the quintessential intro to computer science MOOC. Covers programming basics and dives into the math and theory behind it. Has reached over 2 million learners.[^15]
-
Algorithms (Princeton on Coursera): A two-part course that covers the essential algorithms and data structures every programmer should know. Taught by Robert Sedgewick and Kevin Wayne, authors of a popular algorithms textbook.
-
Machine Learning (CornellX on edX): A graduate-level course that provides a broad introduction to machine learning and data mining. Covers supervised and unsupervised learning, recommender systems, topic modeling and more.
-
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain (PrincetonX on edX): Covers the conceptual foundations and practical applications of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. A fascinating deep dive into a fast-evolving field.
Business and Entrepreneurship
The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is widely recognized as one of the best business schools in the world. It was also one of the first to embrace online learning, launching over 50 courses and specializations on Coursera and edX since 2012. Some popular options:
-
Introduction to Marketing (Wharton on Coursera): Covers key marketing concepts like customer centricity, branding, and go-to-market strategies. Has reached over 350,000 learners.
-
Entrepreneurship (Wharton on Coursera): A series of 5 courses that guide learners through the conception, development, and launch of a new business. Covers ideation, market research, funding, and pitching to investors.
-
The Global Financial Crisis (Yale on Coursera): Examines the causes and consequences of the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath. Taught by renowned economist Andrew Metrick.
Humanities and Social Sciences
For those looking to explore the liberal arts, the Ivy League‘s online offerings don‘t disappoint. You can dive into everything from Ancient Greek literature to the foundations of American law. Some highlights:
-
Justice (HarvardX on edX): Michael Sandel‘s legendary course on moral and political philosophy. Engages with classical and contemporary theories of justice and their real-world implications. Over 500,000 learners have enrolled.
-
The Science of Well-Being (Yale on Coursera): Dives into the latest research on happiness and wellbeing. Learners engage in challenges to build more productive habits. Has reached over 2.5 million people.
-
Greek and Roman Mythology (UPenn on Coursera): Explores the mythology and literature of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Covers famous myths, gods, heroes, and literary works.
-
Moral Foundations of Politics (Yale on Coursera): Examines major political theories and their implications for issues like rights, democracy, and justice. Taught by Ian Shapiro, an acclaimed political scientist.
The Future of Higher Education
The rise of MOOCs in the last decade has sparked a heated debate about the future of higher education. Will online courses eventually replace the traditional in-person college experience? How will increased access to education impact inequality and social mobility?
As a full-stack developer, I believe that MOOCs are a powerful tool for democratizing education and closing the skills gap, particularly in the tech industry. The ability to learn in-demand programming languages and frameworks from world-class instructors without taking on student debt is game-changing. And with many tech companies now offering their own courses and accepting alternative credentials, a traditional computer science degree is no longer the only path to a successful career in the field.
However, it‘s important to recognize that MOOCs are not a silver bullet. While they excel at teaching specific skills and concepts, they don‘t replace the full university experience. Learning happens both inside and outside the classroom, and there is immense value in the network, community, and support system of a traditional university education.
Rather than an either/or proposition, I believe the future of education will be a hybrid model that combines the best of online and in-person learning. Universities will leverage MOOCs to expand their reach and supplement their curriculum, while still offering the on-campus experience and degree programs. Employers will also play a bigger role in education, partnering with universities and MOOC providers to design courses that teach the skills they look for in new hires.
Andrew Ng, co-founder of Coursera, predicts that "in 10 years, job applicants will do courses from a range of universities and educational providers, potentially have one or more credentials, and have a portfolio of projects they‘ve built, rather than simply submit a degree from one university."[^16] In this vision, MOOCs are one part of a lifelong learning journey that includes multiple pathways and credentials.
Closing Thoughts
The fact that anyone with an internet connection can now access courses from the most prestigious universities in the world for free is nothing short of revolutionary. It represents a significant step toward a more equitable and accessible education system. No longer is an Ivy League education reserved only for the select few who can afford the high price tag and gain admission. Now, millions of people from all walks of life can learn from the same experts and materials as Ivy League students.
Of course, taking a few online courses is not equivalent to an Ivy League degree. MOOCs have their limitations and are not a substitute for the full university experience. But they offer a unique opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and exposure to new ideas that may have previously been out of reach. For self-motivated learners, MOOCs can be a powerful tool for personal and professional development.
As the MOOC space continues to evolve, I‘m excited to see how the Ivy League universities continue to innovate and expand their offerings. With new courses launching every year and exciting partnerships forming between universities and industry leaders, the future of online learning looks bright. I encourage readers to explore Class Central‘s list of Ivy League MOOCs, find a course that sparks your curiosity, and embark on a new learning journey. Who knows where it might take you?
References:
[^1]: U.S. News & World Report National University Rankings 2021, https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities[^2]: THE World University Rankings 2021, https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2021/world-ranking
[^3]: Ivy League Admissions Statistics, https://www.ivycoach.com/ivy-league-admissions-statistics/
[^4]: Coursera 2020 Impact Report, https://about.coursera.org/press/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Coursera-Impact-Report-2020.pdf
[^5]: EdX 2020 Impact Report, https://www.edx.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/edx-impact-report-2020.pdf
[^6]: FutureLearn 2020 Annual Report, https://www.futurelearn.com/info/annualreport2020
[^7]: Class Central MOOC report 2020, https://www.classcentral.com/report/mooc-stats-2020/
[^8]: Class Central MOOC report 2021, https://www.classcentral.com/report/mooc-stats-2021/
[^9]: Class Central Ivy League MOOCs list, https://www.classcentral.com/collection/ivy-league-moocs
[^10]: Dartmouth edX report 2019, https://dcal.dartmouth.edu/sites/dcal.prod/files/dcal/wysiwyg/dcal_edxreport19.pdf
[^11]: Penn Online Learning Report 2020, https://online.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Penn-Online-Learning-Report-2020.pdf
[^12]: edX 2020 Impact Report, https://www.edx.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/edx-impact-report-2020.pdf
[^13]: Yale Center for Teaching and Learning MOOC report 2020, https://ctl.yale.edu/sites/default/files/basic-page-supplementary-materials-files/yale_moocs_report_2020_public.pdf
[^14]: Kizilcec et al. (2020). Scaling Up Behavioral Science Interventions in Online Education. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
[^15]: Harvard CS50 FAQs, https://cs50.harvard.edu/college/2021/spring/faqs/
[^16]: The Atlantic Future of Work Summit 2018, https://www.theatlantic.com/live/events/the-future-of-work-summit-2018/2018/