New summer program empowers students to explore and complete college-level courses, and confidently plan their educational futures

Today, Sophia Learning, an online, on-demand, self-paced learning platform, announced the launch of its summer program, providing 100,000 eligible rising high school juniors and seniors free access to six college-level courses. Students can sign up anytime between June 2 and July 31, 2025, for 60 days of access. This cost-free, no-risk program is intended to help students explore their interests, potentially earn credit via college-level courses that are designed to transfer, and make informed decisions about their future, all on their own schedule. The program furthers Sophia’s aim to expand access to affordable high-quality college-level courses.

To learn more about Sophia Learning’s summer program and hear real students and parents discuss navigating college decisions together, visit RealStoriesRealTalk.com. Students can enroll in the summer program by clicking here.

Launching at a pivotal time for younger Gen Z students, Sophia’s program, with ACE-recommended college-level courses, responds to new data revealing a growing demand for flexible college-level learning alternatives and early, deeper college preparation among students and parents. According to a recent survey commissioned by Sophia, more than two-thirds (72%) of high school juniors and seniors feel they need to go to college to be “successful,” but 51% want more time to decide on a major. Additionally, two-thirds (66%) reported that taking college-level courses in high school that could earn them credit would reduce college-related concerns.

“Preparing for college is an exciting milestone, but it can also come with a lot of uncertainty and worry,” said Shawna Thayer, Ph.D. CEO of Sophia Learning. “At Sophia we believe everyone should have access to affordable college-level courses. Sophia’s summer program expands that access to give more students the opportunity to experience real college courses early, helping them discover their passions and start college feeling confident and prepared, all without the pressure or cost.”

Key Survey Findings

To better understand current perspectives on college readiness from both parents and students, Sophia Learning commissioned a national survey in May 2025 of 1,005 high school juniors and seniors and 1,005 parents/guardians of high school juniors and seniors. The findings reveal both significant gaps and shared concerns for students and parents of students planning on attending college in the next two years:

• Money Talks: Of those who say college is in the plan within the next two years, 84% of juniors and seniors and 78% of parents/guardians agree a college degree is worth the investment. For all respondents, 73% of students and 67% of parents worry about being able to afford college tuition.
• Tough Decisions: 79% of parents/guardians believe that choosing the "right" college major will help their student get a better job after graduation and more than half (61%) would prefer for their students to decide on a major before beginning college, but 51% of students say they need more time to decide on a major.
• Ambitious Teens: Almost half (43%) of high school juniors and seniors who plan to attend college within the next two years are concerned that they won’t be successful, but two-thirds (66%) say that taking college-level courses in high school that could earn them credit would reduce college-related concerns.
• P[r]ep Talk: 86% of parents/guardians of high school juniors and seniors who plan to attend college within the next two years do feel they talk to their student enough about college-related concerns, but 41% wish their student would have done more to prepare for college.

Sophia Learning’s Free Summer Offering

Sophia Learning’s new summer program empowers students and families to take charge of their educational journeys, potentially help save money, gain real experience, and make more confident choices about the future.

The program includes:

• Access to a curated list of six ACE®-recommended college-level courses:
  • College Readiness
  • College Algebra
  • Human Biology
  • Introduction to Information Technology
  • Introduction to Nutrition
  • Introduction to Business
• 100% online, self-paced learning, allowing students to study anywhere, anytime
• Courses are transferable to over 80 partner colleges and universities, with the option of submitting courses to any other institutions for consideration
• No cost, no pressure; just an opportunity to explore and prepare for college

Why Sophia Learning?

Sophia Learning's online and flexible format allows students to complete college-level courses 70% faster than traditional semester formats. To date, students have saved more than $1 billion in tuition, completed more than 1 million courses, and earned more than 2.9 million transfer credits at receiving institutions. More than 1,000 colleges and universities have reviewed Sophia courses for credit.

Individuals who are not eligible for this summer program can sign up for Sophia’s free trial or regular subscription, which costs $99 per month.

How we made our savings calculations:

Our cost savings estimates are based on the average annual tuition at public four-year, in-state institutions as reported by the College Board Trends in its 2024 College Pricing Report. We base the calculation on Sophia Learning’s subscription price of $99 per month.

Our time savings estimate compares the speed that learners complete Sophia courses to the traditional 15-week semester. The average length for Sophia course completion is 28 days.

Of course, the cost and time savings that an actual Sophia learner might experience will differ depending on the number of Sophia courses they take, the time it takes to complete those courses, and the price per course at the college or university that the learner enrolls in.

How we conducted our survey:

1,005 US teens 16-18 years old in their junior or senior year of high school responded to the Sophia Learning College Readiness Teens Survey. The survey was conducted via a PN View survey fielded by Big Village and was live May 8-14, 2025

1,005 US adults who are parents of teens 16-18 years old in their junior or senior year of high school responded to the Sophia Learning College Readiness Parents Survey. The survey was conducted via a PN View survey fielded by Big Village and was live May 8-14, 2025

ABOUT SOPHIA LEARNING

Sophia is an online learning platform that allows students at any stage of their higher education journey to get started on or continue their education by taking affordable and flexible college-level general education courses. Sophia courses are ACE-recommended for college credit and are designed to be transferred to many colleges and universities. Sophia students have saved more than $1B in tuition dollars, completed more than 1M courses, and have been awarded more than 2.9M transfer credits at receiving institutions. For more information about Sophia, visit Sophia.org. Sophia is a subsidiary of Strategic Education, Inc.

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