Try these free (or cheap) online classes

Photo by Yan Krukau | Pexels.com

By Kathryn Pomroy
Posted on April 09, 2026

Every state in the U.S. offers free or almost free college courses for older people, where you may be asked to attend on-campus or you may find a class online.

Learning new skills can help senior citizens stay youthful, boost cognitive function, memory and emotional well-being. The studies back it up.

Scientific American shows that older adults aged 60 to 90 in a structured learning program for one year improved memory and attention to levels comparable to adults 50 years younger.

And Harvard Health found that engaging in complex skill-learning strengthens cognitive reserve, helping seniors maintain focus and memory despite age-related brain changes.

So, if your goal is to stay active and engaged, check out these eight online platforms with courses that range from languages to investment strategies, and everything in between.

Some platforms charge a fee per course, while others are offered at no charge.

1. AARP Senior Planet: If you want a program that is specifically geared to older adults, check out Senior Planet, a program of AARP. From technology tips to exercise sessions, it’s a good bet you’ll find fun, educational classes without the stress of weekly tests.

At SeniorPlanet.org, you’ll also find a guide that includes helpful tips and tricks on how to navigate online learning platforms and maximize the benefits of these courses.

2. Open Learning Initiative: The Open Learning Initiative is a series of courses offered by Carnegie Mellon University. The courses are self-paced and self-guided, so you can take your time.

You can’t earn credit for the classes you take, but you can gain new knowledge and learn new skills. Study a language, refresh your math skills, or explore human anatomy so you can impress the doctor on your next visit.

3. EdX: EdX offers free online education courses from MIT, Berkeley, Harvard and many other colleges and universities.

The courses are self-paced, meaning you can go at your own speed, with topics that include nutrition science, private markets and investment strategies.

Want to try something in the arts? They also offer an introduction to music theory and graphic design.

You won’t pay a thing for taking edX open courses when you enroll in the free audit track; however, this version doesn’t offer certificates or grade your work. If you want to earn a certificate, there is a fee that ranges from $90 to $300.

4. Coursera: If you want to further your knowledge with degrees and professional certificates from world-class universities like Duke and the University of Michigan, then Coursera might be for you. It offers thousands of paid and free online courses.

For example, you can learn the latest advances in data science or earn a certificate as a Microsoft project manager in four months. Plus, you can get started with a free trial.

5. Academic Earth: Academic Earth is a fantastic way to dive into high-quality education from top universities like Princeton and Oxford.

The self-paced, at-home setup is perfect for flexible learning about business, science, humanities or law — anything specific you want to explore, all free of charge.

6. The Great Courses: The Great Courses offers hundreds of online courses across every subject, from “Ancient Cities of the Mediterranean” to the “Art of Travel Photography.” They are taught by top-notch professors and subject-matter experts. Besides that, you can learn at your own pace.

The platform is compatible with Apple TV and Kindle Fire and even offers DVDs. It has a pay-per-course pricing module and comes with lifetime access when you sign up. At various times of the year, you can also find discounts on many of the best courses, so check back.

7. YouTube: Finally, YouTube is an amazing platform (and personal favorite) where you can pick up a new hobby, learn to cook pasta, find out about climate change or try beginner yoga poses.

Most classes are free, but some charge a small subscription fee. Some of the top learning channels on YouTube include Crash Course, Vsauce, and SmarterEveryDay.