Coursera, founded in the heyday of the MOOC hype, is one of the world’s largest online course providers and boasts an active catalog of over 8,200 courses.

Boosted by the momentum provided by the pandemic to online education companies, Coursera went public in March, 2021. Class Central’s analysis of Coursera’s IPO filing showed that the company made $293.5M revenue in 2020. In 2021, the company made $415.3M. To see how 2021 went for Coursera, read Class Central’s year in review for Coursera as well as our breakdown of their 2021 annual report.

In 2022, Coursera’s stock dropped by 20% due to a degree enrollments slowdown in the US as well as headwinds for their consumer and business segments in Europe.

At one time, Coursera’s courses were completely free. But as time went on and Coursera focused on monetization, graded assignments and certificates were put behind a paywall. Eventually the courses went from free to “free to audit”.

But an investigation by Class Central found that there are still 1,600 completely free courses on Coursera (minus the certificate). If you have trouble signing up for the audit mode, please read our guide on How to Sign up for Coursera Courses for Free.

250 Most Popular FREE Coursera Courses

The Top 250 Coursera courses by enrollment account for over 94 million enrollments, with an average of 348K enrollments per course.

Courses from 70 universities are represented in Coursera’s top 250 courses by enrollments. But 54 of those courses are from just 5 universities: Michigan, Duke, Stanford, Yale, and Penn.

Here’s a quick summary of Coursera’s 250 most popular free online courses of all time, based on the number of enrollments:

• Enrollments range from 122K to 4M. There are 13 courses with over 1 million enrollments.
• Over 40% of the courses are in the field of Business, Humanities, and Programming. The rest are distributed over a variety of domains.
• Around 220 courses are in English; 26 are in Spanish. The rest are in Portuguese, and French.
• Combined, they represent thousands of hours of content.

Here are the top 250 free coursera courses, sorted by number of enrollments:

1. The Science of Well-Being from Yale University ★★★★★(28)
2. Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★★(22301)
3. Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from University of Michigan ★★★★★(37798)
4. English for Career Development from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(24)
5. COVID-19 Contact Tracing from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(15)
6. Financial Markets from Yale University ★★★★☆(36)
7. Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills from University of Michigan ★★★★★(216)
8. First Step Korean from Yonsei University ★★★★★(122)
9. Technical Support Fundamentals from Google ★★★★☆(10)
10. Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere from Google ★★★★☆(3)
11. Chinese for Beginners from Peking University ★★★★☆(59)
12. Neural Networks and Deep Learning from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(15)
13. Algorithms, Part I from Princeton University ★★★★★(59)
14. Introduction to Psychology from Yale University ★★★★★(16)
15. Foundations of Project Management from Google
16. Speak English Professionally: In Person, Online & On the Phone from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(4)
17. HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(19)
18. AI For Everyone from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(6)
19. Excel Skills for Business: Essentials from Macquarie University ★★★★☆(7)
20. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health from Stanford University ★★★★☆(46)
21. Introduction to Data Science in Python from University of Michigan ★★☆☆☆(46)
22. The Data Scientist’s Toolbox from Johns Hopkins University ★★★☆☆(166)
23. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton University ★★★★☆(19)
24. Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design from Google
25. Crash Course on Python from Google ★★★★★(1)
26. What is Data Science? from IBM ★★★★☆(4)
27. Grammar and Punctuation from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(33)
28. Fundamentals of Graphic Design from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★☆(21)
29. Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure from Google ★★★★☆(8)
30. Introduction to Philosophy from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(75)
31. Social Psychology from Wesleyan University ★★★★★(86)
32. Marketing in a Digital World from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ★★★★★(410)
33. Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS from Duke University ★★★★☆(12)
34. Indigenous Canada from University of Alberta ★★★★☆(9)
35. Introduction to HTML5 from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(50)
36. Finanzas personales from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
37. Child Nutrition and Cooking from Stanford University ★★★★☆(31)
38. Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★☆(49)
39. Primeros Auxilios Psicológicos (PAP) from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) ★★★★★(1)
40. Introduction to Negotiation: A Strategic Playbook for Becoming a Principled and Persuasive Negotiator from Yale University ★★★★★(13)
41. SQL for Data Science from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(5)
42. Algorithmic Toolbox from University of California, San Diego ★★★★☆(23)
43. A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment from Indian School of Business ★★★★★(508)
44. Introduction to Programming with MATLAB from Vanderbilt University ★★★★★(207)
45. Contabilidad para no contadores from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
46. Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management for Personal & Professional Productivity from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(43)
47. Étudier en France: French Intermediate course B1-B2 from École Polytechnique ★★★★★(4)
48. Introductory Human Physiology from Duke University ★★★★☆(29)
49. Introduction to Psychology from University of Toronto ★★★★★(27)
50. Game Theory from Stanford University ★★★★☆(34)
51. Modern Art & Ideas from The Museum of Modern Art ★★★★★(5)
52. Introduction to Mathematical Thinking from Stanford University ★★★★☆(53)
53. Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential from McMaster University ★★★★★(7219)
54. English for Business and Entrepreneurship from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(7)
55. Initiating and Planning Projects from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(19)
56. Learn to Speak Korean 1 from Yonsei University ★★★★★(12)
57. Cryptography I from Stanford University ★★★★★(53)
58. Design Thinking for Innovation from University of Virginia ★★★★★(5)
59. English Composition I from Duke University ★★★☆☆(19)
60. Machine Learning Foundations: A Case Study Approach from University of Washington ★★★★☆(40)
61. Writing in the Sciences from Stanford University ★★★★★(14)
62. Competitive Strategy from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München ★★★★★(22)
63. The Strategy of Content Marketing from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(8)
64. Introduction to User Experience Design from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★☆☆(3)
65. Aprendiendo a aprender: Poderosas herramientas mentales con las que podrás dominar temas difíciles (Learning How to Learn) from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★★(8)
66. Python Basics from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(1)
67. Data Science Math Skills from Duke University ★★★★☆(11)
68. Build Your First Android App (Project-Centered Course) from École Centrale Paris ★★★★☆(4)
69. Introduction to Marketing from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(72)
70. Mastering Data Analysis in Excel from Duke University ★★☆☆☆(26)
71. Learn to Program: The Fundamentals from University of Toronto ★★★★★(109)
72. Brand Management: Aligning Business, Brand and Behaviour from University of London International Programmes ★★★★★(2)
73. Introduction to TensorFlow for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning from DeepLearning.AI ★★★★★(1)
74. Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(51)
75. Marketing Analytics from University of Virginia ★★★★☆(12)
76. Science of Exercise from University of Colorado Boulder ★★★★★(5)
77. Mathematics for Machine Learning: Linear Algebra from Imperial College London ★★★☆☆(8)
78. Fundamentals of Music Theory from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(24)
79. Code Yourself! An Introduction to Programming from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(12)
80. Introduction to Big Data from University of California, San Diego ★★★☆☆(35)
81. Introduction to the Internet of Things and Embedded Systems from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(12)
82. Think Again I: How to Understand Arguments from Duke University ★★★★☆(11)
83. Medical Neuroscience from Duke University ★★★★★(50)
84. Guitar for Beginners from Berklee College of Music ★★★★★(21)
85. Fundamentos de Excel para Negocios from Universidad Austral ★★★★★(1)
86. Camino a la Excelencia en Gestión de Proyectos from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
87. Front-End Web UI Frameworks and Tools: Bootstrap 4 from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
88. Positive Psychology from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ★★★★☆(28)
89. Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management from University of Virginia ★★★★☆(29)
90. Google Cloud Big Data and Machine Learning Fundamentals from Google Cloud ★★★☆☆(4)
91. Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyber Attacks from IBM ★★★☆☆(2)
92. Algorithms, Part II from Princeton University ★★★★★(21)
93. Understanding Research Methods from University of London International Programmes ★★★★☆(16)
94. Introduction to Personal Branding from University of Virginia ★★★★☆(15)
95. Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(27)
96. Aprender from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★★★★(106)
97. Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life from The University of Chicago ★★★★★(28)
98. Basic Statistics from University of Amsterdam ★★★★☆(12)
99. Introduction to Social Media Marketing from Facebook
100. Introduction to Probability and Data with R from Duke University ★★★★☆(6)
101. Introduction to Public Speaking from University of Washington ★★★★☆(14)
102. Álgebra básica from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
103. Customer Analytics from University of Pennsylvania ★★★☆☆(17)
104. Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success from Imperial College London ★★★★★(14)
105. Introduction to Google SEO from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(5)
106. Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot from Wesleyan University ★★★★☆(17)
107. Robótica from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★☆☆☆(2)
108. Cameras, Exposure, and Photography from Michigan State University ★★★★☆(6)
109. How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics from University of Virginia ★★★★★(28)
110. Introducción a la programación en Python I: Aprendiendo a programar con Python from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ★★★★★(2)
111. Tricky American English Pronunciation from University of California, Irvine ★★★★☆(15)
112. Creative Problem Solving from University of Minnesota ★★★☆☆(19)
113. Introduction to Data Analytics from IBM
114. Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel from Rice University ★★★☆☆(2)
115. Cómo hacer una tesis from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★★★☆(1)
116. C++ For C Programmers, Part A from University of California, Santa Cruz ★★★☆☆(26)
117. Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health from The University of Sydney ★★★★★(21)
118. Gestión Empresarial Exitosa para Pymes from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
119. Introduction to Engineering Mechanics from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(170)
120. Management of Fashion and Luxury Companies from Università Bocconi ★★★★★(5)
121. Introduction to Classical Music from Yale University ★★★★★(25)
122. Nutrición y obesidad: control de sobrepeso from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★★★★(1)
123. Greek and Roman Mythology from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(21)
124. Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce from Google
125. Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose from Princeton University ★★★★★(1)
126. Introduction to Web Development from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(3)
127. Introdução à Ciência da Computação com Python Parte 1 from Universidade de São Paulo ★★★★★(1)
128. De-Mystifying Mindfulness from Leiden University ★★★★★(95)
129. Divide and Conquer, Sorting and Searching, and Randomized Algorithms from Stanford University ★★★★★(68)
130. Functional Programming Principles in Scala from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne ★★★★★(66)
131. How to Write a Resume (Project-Centered Course) from State University of New York ★★★★☆(14)
132. English for Journalism from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(15)
133. Competencias digitales. Herramientas de ofimática (Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point) from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) ★★★★★(3)
134. Blockchain Basics from University at Buffalo ★★☆☆☆(1)
135. Agile with Atlassian Jira from Atlassian
136. Supply Chain Logistics from Rutgers University ★★★★★(7)
137. Introducción a Data Science: Programación Estadística con R from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★★★☆(2)
138. Computer Architecture from Princeton University ★★★★☆(6)
139. An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) from Rice University ★★★★★(3338)
140. Java for Android from Vanderbilt University ★☆☆☆☆(1)
141. Everyday Excel, Part 1 from University of Colorado Boulder
142. Dog Emotion and Cognition from Duke University ★★★★☆(19)
143. Getting Started with AWS Machine Learning from Amazon Web Services ★★★★☆(13)
144. Preparing to Manage Human Resources from University of Minnesota ★★★★★(137)
145. Introduction to Statistics from Stanford University
146. Introduction to Electronics from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(6)
147. Spanish Vocabulary: Meeting People from University of California, Davis ★★★☆☆(1)
148. Introduction to Logic from Stanford University ★★★☆☆(20)
149. Aprendendo a aprender: ferramentas mentais poderosas para ajudá-lo a dominar assuntos difíceis (em Português) [Learning How to Learn] from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★☆(5)
150. Ser más creativos from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★★★☆(2)
151. How To Create a Website in a Weekend! (Project-Centered Course) from State University of New York ★★★★☆(7)
152. Marketing Digital from Universidade de São Paulo
153. A Crash Course in Data Science from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★☆(25)
154. Visual Elements of User Interface Design from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★★(1)
155. Moral Foundations of Politics from Yale University ★★★★☆(15)
156. Influencing People from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(6)
157. Private Equity and Venture Capital from Università Bocconi ★★★★☆(6)
158. Model Thinking from University of Michigan ★★★★★(66)
159. Mind Control: Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19 from University of Toronto ★★★★★(12)
160. Writing in English at University from Lund University
161. Business English: Networking from University of Washington ★★★★★(2)
162. Epidemiology: The Basic Science of Public Health from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ★★★★☆(29)
163. The Modern World, Part One: Global History from 1760 to 1910 from University of Virginia ★★★★★(25)
164. Introduction to the Biology of Cancer from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★☆(9)
165. Cómo hablar bien en público from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona)
166. Programming Fundamentals from Duke University
167. Responsive Website Basics: Code with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript from University of London International Programmes ★★★★☆(27)
168. Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing from Yale University ★★★★★(3)
169. Lesson | Small Talk & Conversational Vocabulary from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(1)
170. Perfect Tenses and Modals from University of California, Irvine ★★★★★(7)
171. Database Management Essentials from University of Colorado System ★★★★☆(5)
172. Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life: Living for What Matters Most from University of Michigan ★★★★★(4)
173. Data Visualization with Python from IBM
174. The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs from University of Toronto ★★★★☆(5)
175. Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups from University of Colorado Boulder ★★★★★(8)
176. Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics from Leiden University ★★★★★(87)
177. English for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(11)
178. Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau from University of California, Davis ★★★★☆(2)
179. Teach English Now! Foundational Principles from Arizona State University ★★★★★(8)
180. Fundamentos de Finanzas Empresariales from Universidad de los Andes ★★★★★(1)
181. Cybersecurity and Its Ten Domains from University System of Georgia ★★★☆☆(9)
182. Introduction to Calculus from The University of Sydney ★★★★★(5)
183. The Addicted Brain from Emory University ★★★★☆(24)
184. Exploratory Data Analysis from Johns Hopkins University
185. Fundamentos de la escritura from Tecnológico de Monterrey
186. Communication Strategies for a Virtual Age from University of Toronto ★★★★★(6)
187. Introduction to Machine Learning from Duke University ★★★★☆(2)
188. Sexualidad…mucho más que sexo from Universidad de los Andes ★★★★★(1)
189. Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress from Yale University ★★★★★(1)
190. An Introduction to American Law from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(19)
191. Introduction to Data Analytics for Business from University of Colorado Boulder ★★★★★(1)
192. Learning to Teach Online from University of New South Wales ★★★★☆(8)
193. Negociación exitosa: Estrategias y habilidades esenciales (en español) from University of Michigan
194. Econometrics: Methods and Applications from Erasmus University Rotterdam ★★★★☆(7)
195. The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know from University of Michigan ★★★★★(21)
196. Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL) from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(2)
197. Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris (Project-Centered Course) from Hebrew University of Jerusalem ★★★★★(28)
198. Excel aplicado a los negocios (Nivel Avanzado) from Universidad Austral
199. Data-driven Decision Making from PwC ★★★☆☆(7)
200. Introduction to International Criminal Law from Case Western Reserve University ★★★★★(11)
201. Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
202. Personal & Family Financial Planning from University of Florida ★★★★☆(16)
203. Python and Statistics for Financial Analysis from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★☆(401)
204. Design and Make Infographics (Project-Centered Course) from Michigan State University ★★★★☆(3)
205. Global Diplomacy – Diplomacy in the Modern World from University of London International Programmes ★★★★☆(7)
206. ¡A Programar! Una introducción a la programación from University of Edinburgh ★★★★★(1)
207. Programming Languages, Part A from University of Washington ★★★★★(27)
208. What is Social? from Northwestern University ★★★★☆(13)
209. Science Matters: Let’s Talk About COVID-19 from Imperial College London ★★★★★(6)
210. Cloud Computing Basics (Cloud 101) from LearnQuest ★★★☆☆(11)
211. Biology Meets Programming: Bioinformatics for Beginners from University of California, San Diego ★★★☆☆(10)
212. Hadoop Platform and Application Framework from University of California, San Diego ★★☆☆☆(25)
213. Finance for Non-Finance Professionals from Rice University ★★★★★(1)
214. Chemistry from University of Kentucky ★★★★★(6)
215. Wind Energy from Technical University of Denmark (DTU) ★★★★☆(4)
216. Gamification from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(58)
217. Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification from DeepLearning.AI
218. Understanding Financial Markets from University of Geneva ★★★★★(5)
219. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (Project-Centered Course) from École Polytechnique ★★★★★(5)
220. Cómo autoconstruir tu vivienda from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
221. An Introduction to Consumer Neuroscience & Neuromarketing from Copenhagen Business School ★★★☆☆(12)
222. ¿Cómo persuadir? Jugando con palabras, imágenes y números from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Autonomous University of Barcelona) ★★★☆☆(1)
223. Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory of Relativity from Stanford University ★★★★★(18)
224. A Law Student’s Toolkit from Yale University ★★★★☆(4)
225. Introducción a Java from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
226. Business Writing from University of Colorado Boulder ★★★★☆(5)
227. Economics of Money and Banking from Columbia University ★★★★★(6)
228. Fundamentals of GIS from University of California, Davis ★★★☆☆(10)
229. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics from University of Cape Town ★★★★★(723)
230. Bayesian Statistics: From Concept to Data Analysis from University of California, Santa Cruz ★★★★☆(10)
231. Designing Your Personal Weight Loss Plan from Case Western Reserve University ★☆☆☆☆(1)
232. Introduction to Genetics and Evolution from Duke University ★★★★★(31)
233. Internet History, Technology, and Security from University of Michigan ★★★★★(41)
234. Introduction to Sustainability from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ★★★★☆(16)
235. Animal Behaviour and Welfare from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(13)
236. Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1 from University of Colorado Boulder ★★★★★(1)
237. Human-Centered Design: an Introduction from University of California, San Diego ★★★★☆(6)
238. Machine Learning for All from University of London International Programmes ★★★★★(1)
239. Design and Interpretation of Clinical Trials from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(5)
240. Cloud Computing Concepts, Part 1 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ★★★☆☆(21)
241. Organizational Analysis from Stanford University ★★★★☆(10)
242. Agile Software Development from University of Minnesota ★★★★☆(1)
243. Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★★(6)
244. Autodesk Certified Professional: AutoCAD for Design and Drafting Exam Prep from Autodesk ★★★★★(4)
245. Introduction to Self-Driving Cars from University of Toronto ★★★★★(1)
246. Entrepreneurship 1: Developing the Opportunity from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(7)
247. Financial Planning for Young Adults from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ★★★★★(7)
248. Calculus: Single Variable Part 1 – Functions from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(8)
249. In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting from The Museum of Modern Art ★★★★★(2)
250. Financial Accounting Fundamentals from University of Virginia ★★★★★(5)