In a world where the cost of higher education continues to soar, the concept of getting paid to study might sound too good to be true. Yet, a growing number of online universities and educational platforms are flipping the script on traditional education models by offering stipends, scholarships, or income-generating opportunities while you learn.
These institutions or programs provide monetary incentives, fully funded scholarships, income-sharing agreements, or even employment opportunities as part of their online learning models. For budget-conscious learners, this can be an attractive way to gain skills, earn a degree, and launch a career—without going into debt.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the top online universities and learning programs that pay you to learn, and explain how these models work.
1. University of the People (UoPeople)
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Location: USA (online globally)
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Type: Tuition-free online university
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Incentive: No tuition fees + scholarships covering assessment costs
While the University of the People doesn’t pay you directly, it eliminates most financial barriers. It's a tuition-free, fully online university offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in areas like business, computer science, education, and health science.
UoPeople only charges minimal assessment fees (e.g., $120 per exam), which can be waived through scholarships. For students from low-income countries, this effectively means they’re getting paid to learn—receiving an education at no cost.
Why It Matters:
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Fully accredited and globally recognized
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Accessible to students in over 200 countries
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Offers corporate and philanthropic scholarships that cover 100% of fees
2. MITx MicroMasters (via edX)
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Location: USA / Global (via edX)
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Type: Online professional credential programs
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Incentive: Financial aid + potential job offers or internship opportunities
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) offers MicroMasters programs through edX. While the program itself doesn’t provide direct pay, many learners receive financial aid, and the credentials often lead to paid internships or employment with MIT partner companies.
For learners who complete the programs and perform well, there’s an opportunity to transition into master’s degree programs or remote jobs, some of which come with stipends.
Why It Matters:
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Globally respected MIT credential
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Financial aid covers most or all fees
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Pathway to career advancement or graduate school
3. 42 Network (École 42)
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Location: Global campuses (France, USA, Brazil, etc.)
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Type: Tuition-free coding school
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Incentive: No tuition + work-study opportunities
École 42 is a completely tuition-free coding school that offers an intensive, peer-led programming education. While it’s not an “online university” in the strictest sense, many of its programs are available remotely or in hybrid format.
Students are not only educated for free but often get connected with paid internships or job placements as part of their learning experience. Some campuses even offer housing stipends or food allowances.
Why It Matters:
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Real-world projects instead of exams
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Partnerships with major tech employers
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High employability rate post-completion
4. Merit America
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Location: USA (remote)
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Type: Career-focused training
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Incentive: Income-sharing agreements (ISAs) + job placement
Merit America offers online career training in tech fields such as IT support, Java development, and data analytics. The standout feature is its ISA (Income Share Agreement) model: students don’t pay upfront. Instead, they agree to share a small percentage of their salary only after landing a job with a minimum income threshold.
Some learners also receive stipends during the course, depending on financial need. With employment rates over 80% within months of graduation, many students start earning shortly after completing the program.
Why It Matters:
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No upfront cost
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Focused on underemployed adults
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Strong employer partnerships
5. App Academy Open
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Location: USA (available worldwide online)
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Type: Full-stack coding bootcamp
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Incentive: Free curriculum + optional ISA model
App Academy Open gives you access to the entire full-stack curriculum of their paid in-person coding bootcamp—completely free. For those who opt for App Academy’s ISA model, you can complete the program and only pay when you’re hired and earn over a certain salary (usually around $50,000/year).
While no direct stipend is provided, learners can begin freelance work or get internships while learning, allowing them to generate income while completing the course.
Why It Matters:
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Learn software engineering without upfront cost
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Based on a proven bootcamp model
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Remote-friendly
6. Lambda School (now Bloom Institute of Technology)
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Location: USA (online globally)
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Type: Coding and data science bootcamp
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Incentive: ISA model + job placement support
Lambda School, now rebranded as BloomTech, offers remote programs in software engineering, data science, and backend development. The standout is their "pay nothing until you’re hired" model.
Some students receive living stipends while studying (through employer partners or sponsorships), and the curriculum is structured to match employer needs, increasing chances of employment.
Why It Matters:
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No upfront tuition
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Career-oriented curriculum
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Job placement and salary support
7. Arizona State University (ASU) – Global Freshman Academy
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Location: USA (online globally via edX)
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Type: University courses for credit
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Incentive: Pay only if you pass
Through ASU’s Global Freshman Academy, students can take freshman-level university courses entirely online for free, and only pay if they want to convert the credits after successfully completing the course.
Although there is no direct payment to students, the risk-free learning model means you don’t pay unless you succeed, making it a potential savings of thousands in tuition.
Why It Matters:
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Flexible and fully online
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Earn real college credits
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Try before you buy model
8. Western Governors University (WGU)
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Location: USA (online)
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Type: Accredited nonprofit online university
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Incentive: Scholarships + fast-track graduation saves money
WGU offers competency-based degree programs, allowing students to move at their own pace. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay in tuition. WGU also provides several scholarships that can cover full or partial tuition, making it financially advantageous for fast learners.
Some programs also offer work-integrated learning, allowing students to earn while studying.
Why It Matters:
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Self-paced = cost savings
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Accredited degrees
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Generous scholarship opportunities
9. BitDegree
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Location: Global (online)
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Type: Online learning platform
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Incentive: Blockchain-based rewards (earn tokens while learning)
BitDegree offers courses in tech, coding, and digital skills. Learners can earn cryptocurrency-based rewards (BitDegree tokens) as they complete courses and challenges. Though the payout isn’t large, it's a unique model that literally pays you to study.
Some scholarships offered by industry partners also include cash or crypto incentives to complete particular courses.
Why It Matters:
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Fun, gamified learning experience
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Cryptocurrency incentives
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Free courses with real-world application