Online Course

How Profitable Is An Online Course? (Updated for 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 2nd, 2024

How Profitable Is An Online Course? (Updated for 2024)

So you want to start an online course?

And the first question that came to your mind was, “well, are online courses actually profitable?”

Especially considering:

You could start a online course with as low as $49
Based on our data, online courses generate an average of $1.1M per year
You could see gross margins as high as 95% with online courses

There’s money to be made. Don’t worry.

But, I don't want to spoil it all. Below we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to the profitability of a online course.

Let’s dive in!

Is an online course profitable?

Yes, an online course is generally a profitable business. However, you still need to consider several factors since these things always impact the overall outcome.

For instance, since average revenue is $1.1M per year with an estimated gross margin of 75%, you could expect to recover your investment within 5 months or even less.

But of course, it all comes down to how much you earn compared to the potential revenues of your online course.

To determine whether your business is profitable, you should earn more than your expenses in the beginning months. However, while you're in your first month, it can be challenging to know what to expect.

Therefore, you should maintain a record of your monthly expenses and income to determine whether you're meeting your goals. By doing this step, you can see how your online course is doing and if any changes or adjustments need to be made to enhance or maintain your efforts.

Is an online course worth it?

If you’re wondering if a online course is worth it, the answer is a big YES. With online courses, you have the potential to earn $1.1M per year (this is based on data reported by real founders).

Further, you could have your initial investment back within months. Simply put, it’s a business worth a shot, especially if you have the resources and make the necessary efforts to achieve or surpass the target.

With a market size of $, it will be possible for you to build something that grows and turns into a flourishing business. As such, it’s the type of business you might want to consider starting.

Of course, you must learn and understand every aspect of running a online course to ensure success. Still, as long as you have the initial investment and can endure a few months before your actual gains, this business could be worth it.

You might want to consider reading more specifics about successful online courses case studies.

Examples Of Profitable Online Courses

Here are a few examples of profitable online courses, and a few more details about them:

1. The Savvy Couple ($240K/year)

Kelan and Brittany Kline started their personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, over three years ago with the mission of helping families find financial freedom. Through their blog, digital workbooks, and flagship course, they have helped thousands of families budget, pay off debt, and make money online. They are on track to make over $250,000 this year alone and have created products and services to solve their readers' biggest problems.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $500

How This 28-Year-Old Couple Quit Their Jobs And Make $20K/Month Running A Blog

Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.

Read this case study

Read by 28,579 founders

2. Markeko ($48K/year)

Diego launched Markeko after realizing the lack of content and study guides for the Facebook Blueprint Certification exams. He initially created a free study guide and shared it in a Facebook group, which gained traction and validation for his idea. With a meager investment of $150, Diego built a thriving community and monetized his blog, generating $4K a month in revenue while still working a full-time job. He has ambitious plans to grow the business and increase revenue to $10K per month.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $48K/year

How I Started A $4K/Month Blog That Helps People Get Facebook Blueprint Certifications

Diego launched Markeko, a blog helping people pass Facebook Blueprint Certification exams, generating $4K a month and having a community of over 11K members, using a lean launch strategy and focusing on building and retaining a community.

Read this case study

Read by 8,160 founders

3. PM-by-PM ($204K/year)

Praveen Malik, a certified Project Management Professional (PMP®), started his eponymous blog, Project Management by Praveen Malik, in 2014 to enhance his reputation in the professional training world. Over time, Malik learned about blog monetization and transformed his classroom training into an online business, selling his own eBooks and marketing third-party project management training programs through his blog. The blog has grown substantially since its inception, with an average revenue of about $17K per month and a target of achieving 100% revenue growth by the end of next year.

Is it profitable? Yes
How much money it makes: $204K/year

How I Started A $17K/Month Business Selling Project Management Ebooks And Courses

Praveen Malik shares how he started a $17k per month project management blog business in 2016 with negligible revenue, and grew his gross profit margin to about 80% by selling his own eBooks and marketing third-party training programs through his blog.

Read this case study

Read by 11,283 founders

Learn more about starting an online course:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start an online course?
-> Pros and cons of an online course

Need inspiration?

-> Other online course success stories
-> Marketing ideas for an online course
-> Online course slogans
-> Online course names

Other resources

-> Online course tips
-> Email templates for an online course

How much can you make with an online course?

With a online course, you can make an average of $1.1M revenue per year (based on data reported by real businesses).

You can start with an initial investment as low as $49. Then, with proper knowledge and sustained effort, you could have an ROI (return of investment) within 5 months.

How much does a online course make a week?

Based on our data, average weekly revenue for a online course ranges around $23K. As such, you could see monthly revenues of $91.9K.

To know if your online course achieves the weekly profit target, you need to keep track of the total earnings you get per day. Afterward, you'll want to consider subtracting the expenses you have daily.

Learning your weekly profit can also show whether you're hitting your target goal for your online course.

How much do online courses owners make?

The income of an online course owner can vary depending on various factors such as location, size, competition, and the owner's business skills.

But to give you some idea, the weekly revenue of an established online course is about $23K. But this can be lower or higher depending on so many factors - it's almost impossible to say exactly.

While the potential for earning a good income as an online course owner exists, success in this field requires a commitment to providing quality products and services and building a strong reputation within the community.

Online Course Profit Margins

Generally speaking, an online course can expect profit margin of around 75%. Profit margins refer to the percentage of revenue that remains after deducting all expenses associated with running a business. In the case of an online course, profit margins can vary depending on various factors, such as the type and quality of products sold, the size of the store, and the level of competition in the area.

However, these figures can vary depending on the pricing strategy, inventory management, and overall efficiency of the business. To maintain healthy profit margins, online course owners must focus on managing costs, negotiating favorable supplier terms, and providing high-quality products and services to attract and retain customers. By doing so, online course owners can ensure long-term sustainability and profitability for their business.

Online course owner salary

The salary of an online course owner is an unpredictable figure. It's significantly influenced by numerous factors, including the store's location, its size, and the degree of competition. An owner of a well-established online course, in a prime position, might see an average weekly salary around the ballpark of $17.2K.

But it's worth noting, such numbers aren't always consistent. The earnings can vary wildly, potentially swinging by as much as 80% either way.

Achieving consistent success and maintaining a reliable income stream in this industry requires a deep commitment. It's imperative to offer high-quality products, deliver impeccable customer service, and nurture a trusted bond with the community you serve.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, based on many of our examples, a online course may be a promising business to start - but the success of your online course mostly depends on your effort and your approach.

If you focus on these, you'll have a much higher chance of a profitable online course.

Part of

Createing An Online Course: Everything You Need To Know

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