Developed in conjunction with leading tech companies such as IBM, Google, and Microsoft, Udacity Nanodegrees are a hot topic.
The courses are designed to teach you the most relevant tech and software skills using engaging content and real-world exercises.
In this blog, we cover the Udacity Nanodegree cost and take a closer look at whether it’s truly worth your time.
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How Much Does a Udacity Nanodegree Cost?
If you’re new to the platform, you might be wondering, is Udacity free? Unfortunately, the answer is not black and white.
While Udacity does offer free courses, they are considered refresher classes or fundamentals training. Students who embark on free courses will typically only learn the essentials of the industry. And more often than not, free courses are a gateway to Nanodegrees, which is a paid certification.
In general, a Udacity Nanodegree cost follows a monthly payment paradigm. You can pay $399 per month to access the full course, allowing you to follow the lesson plan, partake in any class activities, and submit projects for review.
Each Nanodegree has an estimated completion time, ranging between two and six months, depending on the subject complexity. These estimates are based on five to ten hours of student interaction per week.
Udacity also allows students to pay for the entire Nanodegree at once, saving 15% on the total estimated cost (based on duration). For example, a four-month degree will cost $1,356 instead of the usual $1,596 you’d pay for four monthly subscriptions.
If you don’t finish the course in that time, you’ll return to the standard monthly plan for the remainder. The bulk option is great if you want to save and know how much free time you can devote to completing the projects outlined in the classes.
Another way to save some money is to simply finish the course faster than estimated. Since most estimates are based on about 10 hours per week, students who devote more time and effort are likely to complete the Nanodegree sooner. The monthly cost remains, but spending only two or three months on a four-month degree can be quite an effective discount.
In short, consider using the monthly option if you have enough spare time to complete the course faster or have the foundation to breeze through the opening sections.
Is a Udacity Nanodegree Worth It?
One of the greatest challenges in determining how much value an online course offers is whether it allows for career advancement. Unlike traditional college degrees or even some MOOC programs, Udacity Nanodegrees aren’t an accredited qualification. The only backing behind the course completion is Udacity itself, but this doesn’t mean the certification isn’t worthwhile.
Many of today’s top employers in the technology sector recognize Udacity Nanodegrees, especially since many modern-day developers are opting to learn online instead of attend a university.
Another reason why the Nanodegree is deemed valuable is the final (capstone) project. The project includes everything the lessons covered and also encourages the student to do independent research. The project demonstrates that you’re willing to learn, sometimes beyond what’s covered in the course plan, and provides an excellent starting point for a future portfolio.
If you don’t have an IT or software background, you’re less likely to benefit from a Nanodegree with more stringent requirements or one aimed at intermediate or expert-level students. In these cases, it’s better to spend some time exploring alternative eLearning options.
If you already have a degree in computer science or adjacent fields, a Nanodegree can be an excellent refresher course that allows you to explore other options in a similar field.
Conclusion
Students interested in excelling in the technology sector will definitely benefit from a Nanodegree. Even more so if you have additional time to commit to your studies because it means you will save on monthly costs. For more detailed information on what Udacity offers, read our full review.