Nursing students choosing between StraighterLine and Study.com for prerequisites face a critical decision that affects both cost and transfer success. While Study.com boasts a larger course catalog, StraighterLine offers superior value through lower costs, more partner schools, and comprehensive support services included in your membership.
Quick Answer
StraighterLine costs significantly less at $99/month + $79/course versus Study.com's $235/month, with 180+ partner schools compared to Study.com's 45+. StraighterLine includes 24/7 tutoring and academic advising, while Study.com charges extra for these essential services.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Both platforms offer ACE-recommended courses for nursing prerequisites, but their approaches to pricing, support, and credit transfer differ dramatically. Understanding these differences helps nursing students make informed decisions about their educational investment.
| Feature | StraighterLine | Study.com |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $99 membership + $79 per course | $235 College Saver plan |
| Partner Schools | 180+ partner schools | 45+ partner schools |
| Credit Acceptance | 3,000+ colleges accept credits | 1,500+ colleges accept credits |
| Course Catalog | 75+ courses | 220+ courses |
| Support Services | 24/7 tutoring, advising included | Tutoring costs extra |
| Exam Format | Proctored final exams | Open-book, unproctored |
Cost Analysis: The Bottom Line
For nursing students completing prerequisites, cost is a major factor. Let's break down the real costs:
Example: 5 Nursing Prerequisite Courses
StraighterLine
2 months at $99/month = $198
5 courses at $79 each = $395
Total: $593
Includes all support services
Study.com
2 months at $235/month = $470
Extra exam fees (3 over limit) = $210
Total: $680
Tutoring costs extra
Study.com limits students to 2 proctored exams per month, charging $70 for each additional exam. Taking 5 courses in 2 months would incur $210 in extra fees, making StraighterLine the more affordable option despite Study.com's "unlimited courses" claim.
Partner Network & Transfer Success
The strength of a platform's partner network directly impacts your ability to transfer credits to nursing programs:
StraighterLine Network
- 180+ partner schools with guaranteed transfer
- Credits accepted at 3,000+ colleges
- Partners include Purdue Global, Liberty University
- 97% transfer success rate
- Includes major nursing programs nationwide
Study.com Network
- 45+ partner schools with guaranteed transfer
- Credits accepted at 1,500+ colleges
- Limited nursing program partnerships
- Transfer success rate not published
- Focus on general education courses
StraighterLine's extensive network provides nursing students with more options and greater certainty when applying to competitive nursing programs. The platform's established relationships with nursing schools streamline the transfer process.
Support Services: What's Included?
Support services can be crucial for success in challenging science courses:
| Support Feature | StraighterLine | Study.com |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Tutoring | Included | Additional cost |
| Academic Advising | Included | Not available |
| Tech Support | 7 days/week | Email only |
| Transcript Service | Free delivery | Available |
| Exam Retakes | Multiple attempts | Limited |
StraighterLine's comprehensive support package ensures nursing students get help when they need it, potentially improving grades and reducing stress. Study.com's à la carte approach can result in unexpected costs for essential support services.
Course Offerings for Nursing Students
While Study.com offers more courses overall, both platforms provide essential nursing prerequisites:
Available on Both Platforms:
- Anatomy & Physiology I & II
- Microbiology
- General Chemistry
- Statistics
- English Composition
- Psychology
- Sociology
StraighterLine Exclusives:
- Pharmacology - Essential for nursing
- Nutrition - Required by many BSN programs
- Medical Terminology - Foundation for clinical practice
- Developmental Writing - College prep
Study.com Exclusives:
- Upper-division courses (300-400 level)
- Specialized business courses
- Advanced computer science
For nursing students specifically, StraighterLine's targeted health sciences offerings provide more relevant coursework for nursing program requirements.
Learning Experience & Assessment
The platforms take fundamentally different approaches to learning and assessment:
StraighterLine Approach
- Traditional textbook-based learning
- Graded assignments throughout course
- Proctored final exams
- Prepares students for nursing school format
- Structured pacing with clear deadlines
Study.com Approach
- Video-based micro-lessons
- Open-book, unproctored exams
- Self-paced with flexible deadlines
- Less pressure during assessments
- May not prepare for proctored nursing exams
Who Should Choose Each Platform?
Choose StraighterLine if you:
- Want lower overall costs for multiple courses
- Need guaranteed transfer to nursing programs
- Value included support services
- Prefer traditional assessment methods
- Need specialized health sciences courses
- Want maximum transfer flexibility
Consider Study.com if you:
- Prefer video-based learning
- Want open-book exams
- Need upper-division courses
- Have a larger budget for monthly fees
- Don't need extensive support services
- Are comfortable with unproctored testing
Final Verdict
For nursing students completing prerequisites, StraighterLine offers superior value despite Study.com's larger course catalog. The combination of lower costs, extensive partner network, included support services, and specialized health sciences courses makes StraighterLine the practical choice for most nursing students.
While Study.com's video-based format and open-book exams may appeal to some learners, StraighterLine's traditional approach better prepares students for the rigors of nursing school. The platform's 97% transfer success rate and partnerships with major nursing programs provide peace of mind that your hard work will count toward your degree.
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References
- StraighterLine. (2025). "StraighterLine vs. Study.com: Which Is the Better Fit for You in 2026?" Retrieved from https://straighterline.com/blog/study-vs-straighterline
- Study.com. (2025). "Study.com vs. Sophia vs. StraighterLine: What's the Difference?" Retrieved from https://study.com/college/fast-track-degree/studycom-vs-sophia-vs-straighterline-whats-the-difference.html
- American Council on Education. (2025). "ACE Credit Recommendations." Retrieved from https://acenet.edu
- StraighterLine. (2025). "Partner Colleges & Universities." Retrieved from https://www.straighterline.com/colleges/
- StraighterLine. (2025). "Nursing Career Pathways." Retrieved from https://www.straighterline.com/career-pathways/nursing/