The concept of earning money while attending university may seem too good to be true. However, in 2025, a growing number of online universities and educational platforms are revolutionizing access to learning by offering stipends, scholarships, and income opportunities as part of their academic programs. These institutions not only make education accessible but actually pay students to learn, either through scholarships that exceed tuition costs, income-share agreements, internships, or direct stipends.
This article explores legitimate online universities and programs that pay you to study, explaining how they work, who they benefit, and how to apply. Whether you’re an international student, a working professional, or someone seeking a career change, these unique opportunities can provide both education and financial support.
Why Do Some Online Universities Pay Students?
Online universities that offer financial compensation to students typically operate under one or more of the following models:
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Fully Funded Scholarships with Living Stipends
Students receive tuition-free education along with a monthly stipend to cover living expenses. -
Income-Share Agreements (ISAs)
Some institutions provide free education in exchange for a percentage of your income once you’re employed. -
Study-to-Earn Platforms
Certain programs offer monetary incentives, cryptocurrency, or tokens for completing learning modules. -
Employer-Sponsored Learning
Some universities partner with companies to train students for specific jobs and pay them during training.
1. University of the People (UoPeople) + Scholarship Partners
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Location: USA (fully online)
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Model: Tuition-free education + external scholarships
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Degree Levels: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s
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Fields: Business Administration, Computer Science, Health Science, Education
How You Get Paid:
While UoPeople itself doesn’t pay students directly, it collaborates with partners like the Rising Star Scholarship, Dorian Fund, and UNESCO, which offer stipends and fully cover exam fees, sometimes including additional living assistance.
Why It Works:
This tuition-free, accredited university offers extremely low costs (only exam fees), which are often fully covered by scholarships. For students from low-income backgrounds, this can mean net financial gain over the course of study.
2. MITx MicroMasters + MITx Pathways
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Location: Online (Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX)
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Model: Pay-to-learn courses, but earn paid fellowships or research roles for top performers
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Programs: Supply Chain Management, Data Science, Economics
How You Get Paid:
Students who complete MicroMasters may be eligible to transition into on-campus or remote programs with full fellowships, stipends, or even job placements that pay competitive salaries.
Why It Works:
MITx programs are recognized by employers, and the best students often land funded postgraduate opportunities or paid internships via MIT’s global network.
3. 42 (École 42 Network)
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Location: Global campuses + online resources
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Model: Completely free computer programming education
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Degree Level: Non-traditional (no formal degree, but industry-recognized)
How You Get Paid:
Students at 42 receive free training in coding, and many campuses offer housing, meals, and sometimes even stipends. Once students gain experience, many companies sponsor students or offer paid internships during the learning phase.
Why It Works:
42 trains students for high-demand tech jobs and connects them directly with hiring companies, allowing them to earn before graduating.
4. WGU (Western Governors University) + Employer Tuition Reimbursement
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Location: USA (fully online)
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Model: Flat-rate tuition with competency-based learning
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Fields: IT, Teaching, Health, Business
How You Get Paid:
Many students attending WGU do so through employer tuition programs, where companies reimburse tuition and also pay a salary during studies. Additionally, WGU offers needs-based scholarships that may exceed total tuition.
Why It Works:
Students can progress at their own pace, often completing degrees faster and saving money or earning while working full-time jobs.
5. OpenClassrooms (Europe)
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Location: France-based, global access
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Model: Study-to-Work programs with monthly stipends
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Fields: Software Development, Data Analysis, Project Management
How You Get Paid:
OpenClassrooms offers apprenticeships and work-study contracts where students are placed with employers and paid monthly salaries while earning their degrees online.
Monthly Pay:
€1,000–€1,400/month depending on your country and the employer.
Why It Works:
You learn through a real job while earning a salary, and your employer often covers tuition as part of the contract.
6. Coursera Career Academy + Google and Meta Certifications
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Location: Online
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Model: Free training + job placement + employer sponsorship
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Fields: IT Support, UX Design, Data Analytics
How You Get Paid:
Students in select countries can access scholarships that pay exam or certification costs, and graduates are fast-tracked into paid internships or remote roles with partner companies.
Bonus:
Many NGOs sponsor learners in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America with stipends and career coaching.
7. Learn and Earn Africa / ALX Africa
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Location: Pan-African
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Model: Sponsored tech training + paid internships
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Fields: Cloud Computing, Software Engineering, Salesforce, Data Analytics
How You Get Paid:
ALX programs are fully funded for African youth, and successful graduates are matched with remote jobs or paid apprenticeships, earning income while completing their education.
Unique Element:
Students earn stipends after reaching certain milestones, and career support is included.
8. Lambda School (Now Bloom Institute of Technology)
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Location: USA (online, global access)
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Model: Income Share Agreement (ISA)
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Fields: Web Development, Data Science
How You Get Paid:
Students don’t pay tuition upfront. Instead, they study for free and repay a portion of their income only after securing a job earning above $50,000/year. In some cases, students receive stipends during the program.
Why It Works:
It aligns the school’s success with yours. Students are often connected to real, paid projects during the final phase of the program.
9. BitDegree
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Location: Online blockchain education platform
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Model: Learn-and-earn via crypto rewards
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Fields: Blockchain, AI, Web3, Digital Marketing
How You Get Paid:
BitDegree offers token rewards (cryptocurrency) for completing courses, quizzes, and assessments. Students can redeem tokens or use them for premium content.
Bonus:
Micro-scholarships offered through blockchain-based sponsorships.
10. Outlier.org + University Credit + Cash Incentives
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Location: Online (partnered with University of Pittsburgh)
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Model: Affordable, accredited courses + scholarships
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Fields: Math, Business, Writing, Psychology
How You Get Paid:
Some learners can apply for cash-back scholarships or employer-supported tuition, effectively getting paid to earn credits transferable to universities in the U.S.
Key Considerations Before You Enroll
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Legitimacy: Always ensure the institution is accredited or has strong employer recognition.
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Commitment: Some programs require full-time effort or job placements to qualify for stipends.
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Country Eligibility: Some “earn to learn” options are limited to residents of specific regions.
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Payout Method: Whether through stipends, scholarships, crypto, or income-share, understand the financial structure.