Every year, Class Central publishes the ranking of the Best Online Courses of All Time, based on thousands of reviews written by Class Central learners.

We first published the ranking in 2016, and we’ve been updating it annually since then, incorporating more courses and reviews every year. You can find previous editions of this ranking here: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The 2022 edition of the Best Online Courses of All Time is based on more than 200,000 learner reviews.

This is not the only ranking Class Central publishes. Here are a few more:

By the Numbers

• The ranking is based on the over 200,000 course reviews shared by Class Central users.
• The ranking features 233 courses offered by universities and 17 offered by top companies.
• The most-popular course has 4M enrollments, and there are 11 courses with over 1M enrollments.
• Together, these courses have over 52M enrollments, with a mean of 231K learners per course.
• Almost 30% of the courses are in the field of business and humanities.
• 221 courses are in English, 21 are in Spanish, and the rest are in Italian, Chinese, or Dutch.
• 128 courses are beginner level, 29 intermediate, 8 advanced, and rest are open to all levels.
• 94 courses are offered on Coursera, 81 on edX, 43 on FutureLearn, and the rest on other platforms.

Methodology

The methodology we used for this ranking is simple. Using the over 200,000 reviews written by Class Central learners, we sorted the courses by the Bayesian average of their ratings. Then, we removed all the courses with fewer than 20 reviews (the low threshold helps smaller providers compete on quality) and courses that are unlikely to be offered again. If a course had multiple parts, we only included the first part.

Universities and course platforms are welcome to upload The Best of All Time ribbon or banner to their course page. You can find the digital assets here:

Without further ado, here are the top courses.

Best Online Courses of All Time

1. Medical Parasitology | 医学寄生虫学 from Tsinghua University ★★★★★(188)
2. Understanding Medical Research: Your Facebook Friend is Wrong from Yale University ★★★★★(364)
3. An Introduction to Interactive Programming in Python (Part 1) from Rice University ★★★★★(3338)
4. Mountains 101 from University of Alberta ★★★★★(590)
5. Quantum Mechanics for Everyone from Georgetown University ★★★★★(112)
6. Understanding Dementia from University of Tasmania ★★★★★(12212)
7. Modern & Contemporary American Poetry (“ModPo”) from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(189)
8. Learning How to Learn: Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★★(22295)
9. Maintaining a Mindful Life from Monash University ★★★★★(212)
10. Understanding Multiple Sclerosis (MS) from University of Tasmania ★★★★★(875)
11. Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything
12. Uncommon Sense Teaching from Deep Teaching Solutions ★★★★★(375)
13. Marketing Innovative Products and Services from University System of Maryland ★★★★★(58)
14. Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance from Monash University ★★★★★(211)
15. Intelligenza Artificiale from University of Urbino ★★★★★(49)
16. Introduction to Dutch from University of Groningen ★★★★★(285)
17. Introduction to Biology – The Secret of Life from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★★(126)
18. Improving Your Study Techniques from University of Groningen ★★★★★(147)
19. Six Sigma: Define and Measure from Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) ★★★★★(1340)
20. Lean Production from Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) ★★★★★(803)
21. Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) from University of Michigan ★★★★★(37780)
22. Introduction to Complexity from Santa Fe Institute ★★★★★(145)
23. Aprender from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México ★★★★★(106)
24. Preventing Dementia from University of Tasmania ★★★★★(6402)
25. Matrix Algebra for Engineers from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(578)
26. What is a Mind? from University of Cape Town ★★★★★(287)
27. Financing Innovative Ventures from University System of Maryland ★★★★★(39)
28. Exploring Play: The Importance of Play in Everyday Life from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(136)
29. Mindshift: Break Through Obstacles to Learning and Discover Your Hidden Potential from McMaster University ★★★★★(7219)
30. Fibonacci Numbers and the Golden Ratio from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(224)
31. A Scuola con Raffaello from University of Urbino ★★★★★(37)
32. Product Management Fundamentals from University System of Maryland ★★★★★(194)
33. Preparing to Manage Human Resources from University of Minnesota ★★★★★(137)
34. Discover Dentistry from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(161)
35. English in Early Childhood: Language Learning and Development from British Council ★★★★★(1401)
36. Sheep in the Land of Fire and Ice from University of Iceland ★★★★★(55)
37. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics from University of Cape Town ★★★★★(723)
38. Learning How To Learn for Youth from Arizona State University ★★★★★(903)
39. Spatial Data Science: The New Frontier in Analytics from Esri ★★★★★(45)
40. Dino 101: Dinosaur Paleobiology from University of Alberta ★★★★★(129)
41. Exploratory Data Analysis with MATLAB from MathWorks ★★★★★(37)
42. Technical Report Writing for Engineers from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(163)
43. Greening the Economy: Sustainable Cities from Lund University ★★★★★(53)
44. Paleontology: Theropod Dinosaurs and the Origin of Birds from University of Alberta ★★★★★(42)
45. Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills from University of Michigan ★★★★★(216)
46. Introduction to Real-Time Audio Programming in ChucK from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★★(36)
47. Rome: A Virtual Tour of the Ancient City from University of Reading ★★★★★(36)
48. A Life of Happiness and Fulfillment from Indian School of Business ★★★★★(508)
49. Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Finding Mr. X from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(418)
50. Introduction to Dynamical Systems and Chaos from Santa Fe Institute ★★★★★(122)
51. Medicine and the Arts: Humanising Healthcare from University of Cape Town ★★★★★(101)
52. Elements of AI from University of Helsinki ★★★★★(711)
53. Viruses & How to Beat Them: Cells, Immunity, Vaccines from Tel Aviv University ★★★★★(28)
54. Cartography from Esri ★★★★★(181)
55. Extreme Geological Events from Cardiff University ★★★★★(47)
56. Umano Digitale from University of Urbino ★★★★★(47)
57. How to Succeed at: Interviews from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(450)
58. Protecting Business Innovations via Patent from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(156)
59. Becoming a changemaker: Introduction to Social Innovation from University of Cape Town ★★★★★(36)
60. FinTech Ethics and Risks from The University of Hong Kong ★★★★★(26)
61. Bases Matemáticas: Números y terminología from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(95)
62. Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(222)
63. Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(226)
64. Bioseguridad y equipo de protección para la prevención de COVID-19 from Galileo University ★★★★★(102)
65. Working with Translation: Theory and Practice from Cardiff University ★★★★★(129)
66. Educación de calidad para todos: equidad, inclusión y atención a la diversidad from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid ★★★★★(83)
67. Introduction to Programming with MATLAB from Vanderbilt University ★★★★★(207)
68. Education for All: Disability, Diversity and Inclusion from University of Cape Town ★★★★★(100)
69. De-Mystifying Mindfulness from Leiden University ★★★★★(95)
70. Introducción a la Regulación Emocional basada en Mindfulness from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid ★★★★★(94)
71. The Science of the Solar System from California Institute of Technology ★★★★★(50)
72. The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future from Emory University ★★★★★(36)
73. Academic Writing from H.N.B Garhwal University (A Central University) Srinagar Garhwal ★★★★★(1702)
74. Arab-Islamic History: From Tribes to Empires from Tel Aviv University ★★★★★(23)
75. AI and Big Data in Global Health Improvement from Taipei Medical University ★★★★★(44)
76. English for the Workplace from British Council ★★★★★(1491)
77. Literature of the English Country House from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(208)
78. Early Childhood Care and Education from CEC ★★★★★(642)
79. Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research from University of Leeds ★★★★★(68)
80. Industrial Pharmacy-I from H.N.B Garhwal University (A Central University) Srinagar Garhwal ★★★★★(68)
81. Molecular Biology – Part 1: DNA Replication and Repair from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★★(96)
82. Teaching Young Learners Online from British Council ★★★★★(412)
83. Tsinghua Chinese: Start Talking with 1.3 Billion People from Tsinghua University ★★★★★(91)
84. Transport Systems: Global Issues and Future Innovations from University of Leeds ★★★★★(74)
85. ANIMATIONs from Banaras Hindu University ★★★★★(619)
86. Digital Marketing from Panjab University Chandigarh ★★★★★(397)
87. Introduction to Indoor Air Quality from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(89)
88. Fractals and Scaling from Santa Fe Institute ★★★★★(56)
89. Justice from Harvard University ★★★★★(52)
90. Nutrition, Exercise and Sports from Wageningen University ★★★★★(1059)
91. Supporting Successful Learning in Primary School from University of Reading ★★★★★(75)
92. Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris (Project-Centered Course) from Hebrew University of Jerusalem ★★★★★(28)
93. The Science of Well-Being from Yale University ★★★★★(28)
94. Modelli di insegnamento nella ricerca educativa from University of Naples Federico II ★★★★★(20)
95. Ingeniería de aeropuertos: diseño del lado aire según OACI (ICAO) from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(39)
96. Unlocking Information Security I: From Cryptography to Buffer Overflows from Tel Aviv University ★★★★★(295)
97. How to Write Your First Song from The University of Sheffield ★★★★★(165)
98. Mathematical Economics from Doon University, Dehradun ★★★★★(200)
99. The Musculoskeletal System: The Science of Staying Active into Old Age from Newcastle University ★★★★★(323)
100. Information Systems Auditing, Controls and Assurance from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(426)
101. Marketing in a Digital World from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ★★★★★(409)
102. Machine Learning for Musicians and Artists from Goldsmiths, University of London ★★★★★(85)
103. End of Life Care: Challenges and Innovation from University of Glasgow ★★★★★(140)
104. Best Practices for Biomedical Research Data Management (HE) from Harvard Medical School ★★★★★(59)
105. Ableton Live Course: Sound Production for Musicians and Artists from California Institute of the Arts ★★★★★(33)
106. Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction from University of Leeds ★★★★★(142)
107. EU policy and implementation: making Europe work! from Leiden University ★★★★★(51)
108. Success: Practical Thinking Skills from Hong Kong Polytechnic University ★★★★★(61)
109. Constitutional Interpretation from Princeton University ★★★★★(25)
110. Computational Social Science Methods from University of California, Davis ★★★★★(103)
111. Precalculus: the Mathematics of Numbers, Functions and Equations from University of Padova ★★★★★(46)
112. The Future of Work: Preparing for Disruption from Online Learning Campus – World Bank Group ★★★★★(243)
113. Introduction to Engineering Mechanics from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(170)
114. Introduction to Research Ethics: Working with People from University of Leeds ★★★★★(41)
115. Academic Writing Made Easy from Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich) ★★★★★(41)
116. Happier Employees and Return-On-Investment Course from The University of Texas at Austin ★★★★★(34)
117. Probability – The Science of Uncertainty and Data from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★★(34)
118. First Step Korean from Yonsei University ★★★★★(122)
119. Introducción a la Ciencia de Datos con Python from Universidad Anáhuac ★★★★★(67)
120. Medical Neuroscience from Duke University ★★★★★(50)
121. Exploring English: Language and Culture from British Council ★★★★★(827)
122. Comprendere la filosofia from University of Naples Federico II ★★★★★(23)
123. Excel: Fundamentos y herramientas from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(550)
124. Mechanics of Materials I: Fundamentals of Stress & Strain and Axial Loading from Georgia Institute of Technology ★★★★★(110)
125. Learn to Program: The Fundamentals from University of Toronto ★★★★★(109)
126. FinTech Foundations and Overview from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(153)
127. Cybersecurity Fundamentals from Rochester Institute of Technology ★★★★★(25)
128. Cyber Security from CEC ★★★★★(402)
129. Introducción a los encofrados y las cimbras en obra civil y edificación from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(62)
130. Introduction to Animal Behaviour from Wageningen University ★★★★★(87)
131. Advanced Precalculus: Geometry, Trigonometry and Exponentials from University of Padova ★★★★★(43)
132. Bacterial Genomes II: Accessing and Analysing Microbial Genome Data Using Artemis from Wellcome Genome Campus ★★★★★(21)
133. Fundamentals of Reinforcement Learning from University of Alberta ★★★★★(24)
134. JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
135. The Art of Structural Engineering: Vaults from Princeton University ★★★★★(23)
136. Monitoring Volcanoes and Magma Movements from University of Iceland ★★★★★(20)
137. Incarceration: Are Prisons a Suitable Punishment? from University of Leeds ★★★★★(115)
138. Shakespeare Matters from University of Adelaide ★★★★★(49)
139. Organic Chemistry 1 from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi ★★★★★(28)
140. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals from Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur ★★★★★(70)
141. Mechanical Ventilation for COVID-19 from Harvard University ★★★★★(24)
142. Model Thinking from University of Michigan ★★★★★(66)
143. Divide and Conquer, Sorting and Searching, and Randomized Algorithms from Stanford University ★★★★★(68)
144. Introducción a la inversión bursátil from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(381)
145. Gender and Sexuality: Applications in Society from The University of British Columbia ★★★★★(87)
146. Mathematical and Computational Methods from Georgetown University ★★★★★(26)
147. Crisis Resource Management from Columbia University ★★★★★(23)
148. Multilingual Practices: Tackling Challenges and Creating Opportunities from University of Groningen ★★★★★(23)
149. Circular Fashion: Design, Science and Value in a Sustainable Clothing Industry from Wageningen University ★★★★★(42)
150. The Science of Everyday Thinking from University of Queensland ★★★★★(47)
151. Introduction to Cyber Security from Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani ★★★★★(375)
152. Making Successful Decisions through the Strategy, Law & Ethics Model from University of Michigan ★★★★★(44)
153. The Emergence of the Modern Middle East – Part I from Tel Aviv University ★★★★★(25)
154. Introduction to Psychology from University of Toronto ★★★★★(27)
155. Max MSP Programming Course: Structuring Interactive Software for Digital Arts from Stanford University ★★★★★(24)
156. Introducción a la genética y la evolución from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid ★★★★★(46)
157. Food as Medicine from Monash University ★★★★★(119)
158. Análisis estadístico con Excel from Galileo University ★★★★★(126)
159. Perdón y reconciliación: cómo sanar heridas from The Pontificia Universidad Javeriana ★★★★★(23)
160. L’Italiano nel mondo from University of Naples Federico II ★★★★★(23)
161. The Analytics Edge from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★★(80)
162. Know Thyself – The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge: The Examined Life from University of Edinburgh ★★★★★(30)
163. The Modern World, Part One: Global History from 1760 to 1910 from University of Virginia ★★★★★(25)
164. Terrorism and Counterterrorism: Comparing Theory and Practice from Leiden University ★★★★★(25)
165. Moralities of Everyday Life from Yale University ★★★★★(42)
166. Transforming Digital Learning: Learning Design Meets Service Design from Deakin University ★★★★★(37)
167. Programming Languages, Part A from University of Washington ★★★★★(27)
168. Whole genome sequencing of bacterial genomes – tools and applications from Technical University of Denmark (DTU) ★★★★★(22)
169. Miracles of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics from Leiden University ★★★★★(87)
170. Cryptography I from Stanford University ★★★★★(53)
171. AP® Microeconomics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★★(36)
172. Managing Conflicts on Projects with Cultural and Emotional Intelligence from University System of Maryland ★★★★★(153)
173. Social Psychology from Wesleyan University ★★★★★(86)
174. Organic Farming for Sustainable Agricultural production from NPTEL ★★★★★(38)
175. El rol de la digitalización en la transición energética from Galileo University ★★★★★(80)
176. Starting a Business 1: Vision and Opportunity from University of Leeds ★★★★★(85)
177. Young People and Mental Health from University of Cambridge ★★★★★(78)
178. ODS en la Agenda 2030 de las Naciones Unidas: Retos de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(103)
179. CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science from Harvard University ★★★★★(135)
180. Internet History, Technology, and Security from University of Michigan ★★★★★(41)
181. Understanding the GDPR from University of Groningen ★★★★★(41)
182. Introduction to Classical Music from Yale University ★★★★★(25)
183. Introduction to Frisian from University of Groningen ★★★★★(29)
184. Fundamentals of Neuroscience, Part 1: The Electrical Properties of the Neuron from Harvard University ★★★★★(20)
185. Inglés básico: conversacional y networking from Universidad Anáhuac ★★★★★(51)
186. Marketing Digital: Content & Community Manager from Galileo University ★★★★★(231)
187. Herramientas de la Inteligencia de Negocios from Galileo University ★★★★★(244)
188. Introduction to Graphic Illustration from Cornish College of the Arts ★★★★★(24)
189. Functional Programming Principles in Scala from École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne ★★★★★(66)
190. Product Management Essentials from University of Maryland, College Park ★★★★★(35)
191. Competencias para buscar, mantener y promocionar en un empleo from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid ★★★★★(37)
192. How Things Work: An Introduction to Physics from University of Virginia ★★★★★(28)
193. Let’s Get Started: Building Self-Awareness from University System of Maryland ★★★★★(58)
194. Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health from The University of Sydney ★★★★★(21)
195. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics from Berklee College of Music ★★★★★(25)
196. Modern Product Leadership from University System of Maryland ★★★★★(61)
197. Inglés empresarial: ventas, gestión y liderazgo from Universidad Anáhuac ★★★★★(99)
198. Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life from University of Edinburgh ★★★★★(33)
199. Sustainable Tourism: Society & Environmental Aspects from Wageningen University ★★★★★(161)
200. Responsive Web Design
201. Competitive Strategy from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München ★★★★★(22)
202. Psychology of Personal Growth from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★★(65)
203. Improving Communication Skills from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(25)
204. The Science of Success: What Researchers Know that You Should Know from University of Michigan ★★★★★(21)
205. Circuits and Electronics 1: Basic Circuit Analysis from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★★(57)
206. Introducción a la gestión de proyectos from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★★(198)
207. Basic Spanish 1: Getting Started from Universitat Politècnica de València ★★★★☆(388)
208. The Ancient Greeks from Wesleyan University ★★★★★(31)
209. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(127)
210. Ecology and Wildlife Conservation from University of Leeds ★★★★☆(125)
211. The Science of Happiness from University of California, Berkeley ★★★★★(34)
212. Critical Perspectives on Management from IE Business School ★★★★★(32)
213. Understanding the Brain: The Neurobiology of Everyday Life from The University of Chicago ★★★★★(28)
214. Algorithms, Part I from Princeton University ★★★★★(59)
215. English for Career Development from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(24)
216. Vital Signs: Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(51)
217. Introduction to Genetics and Evolution from Duke University ★★★★★(31)
218. Gamification from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(58)
219. Introduction to Financial Accounting from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(65)
220. Design Patterns from University of Alberta ★★★★★(25)
221. Mining Massive Datasets from Stanford University ★★★★★(25)
222. Nutrition and Health: Human Microbiome from Wageningen University ★★★★☆(622)
223. Astronomy: Exploring Time and Space from University of Arizona ★★★★★(23)
224. Applied Scrum for Agile Project Management from University System of Maryland ★★★★☆(855)
225. Project Management: The Basics for Success from University of California, Irvine ★★★★★(26)
226. Greek and Roman Mythology from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★★(21)
227. Direct Tax Laws and Practice from Tezpur University ★★★★☆(52)
228. Introductory Human Physiology from Duke University ★★★★☆(29)
229. Estadística Aplicada a los Negocios from Galileo University ★★★★☆(133)
230. Anatomy: Know Your Abdomen from University of Leeds ★★★★☆(121)
231. Python for Data Science from University of California, San Diego ★★★★☆(47)
232. Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(31)
233. Introduction to Mathematical Thinking from Stanford University ★★★★☆(53)
234. Philosophy, Science and Religion: Religion and Science from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(56)
235. Psychological First Aid from Johns Hopkins University ★★★★☆(49)
236. Introduction to HTML5 from University of Michigan ★★★★☆(50)
237. Biochemistry: Biomolecules, Methods, and Mechanisms from Massachusetts Institute of Technology ★★★★☆(33)
238. Python and Statistics for Financial Analysis from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★☆(401)
239. Chinese for Beginners from Peking University ★★★★☆(59)
240. The Science of Gastronomy from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology ★★★★☆(126)
241. Introduction to Philosophy from University of Edinburgh ★★★★☆(75)
242. Introduction to Marketing from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(72)
243. Stanford Introduction to Food and Health from Stanford University ★★★★☆(46)
244. Financial Markets from Yale University ★★★★☆(36)
245. Inspiring Leadership through Emotional Intelligence from Case Western Reserve University ★★★★☆(23)
246. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies from Princeton University ★★★★☆(19)
247. Web Security Fundamentals from KU Leuven University ★★★★☆(22)
248. Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content from University of Pennsylvania ★★★★☆(27)
249. Introduction to Linux from Linux Foundation ★★★★☆(37)
250. Machine Learning Foundations: A Case Study Approach from University of Washington ★★★★☆(40)

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