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Financial literacy requires both knowledge and skills to manage your personal finances effectively. It is a basic requirement for success in today’s world, and yet it is often one of the least-addressed topics by most people today. These best personal finance courses provide special tools and features all designed to improve your financial literacy. Whether you are just getting started in investing or you want to brush up on your skills, these best personal finance courses can help.
Consider working with a financial advisor as you develop an investment, estate and retirement plan.
Bear in mind that any personal finance course designed for a general audience will necessarily address broad principles rather than specific situations. While general financial literacy is important, so is knowing and understanding your personal situation. Not every lesson will be relevant to every student and nothing in any personal finance course should be considered a mandate for any particular action. There is also not a lot of differentiation in the data points of these courses so some will end up in similar positions.
Data and Methodology
We identified the plan options below through exhaustive research and analysis of the market for accessible personal finance courses. They are listed in an order that’s in direct correlation with their individual composite score based on our methodology, which includes how much the accounts typically charge in fees for the course and the class time required.
1. Personal Finance Essentials (McGill)
Offered through McGill University in Montreal, this free online course provides a strong foundation in personal finance for learners of all backgrounds. It covers eight core modules, including budgeting, saving, debt, borrowing, investing, retirement planning, real estate and cryptocurrency.
The course is designed to be practical and approachable, focusing on real-world scenarios that help students understand how to apply financial principles in their daily lives. It is presented in both English and French, and registration is free. While there is no cost for participation, students can opt to pay for a certificate of completion if they want official recognition of their progress.
2. Introduction to Personal Finance (Coursera)
This introductory course is offered by the University of Florida through Coursera and is designed to help students build confidence in managing their money.
Covering a wide range of practical topics, the curriculum includes budgeting, saving, investing, insurance and retirement planning. The course emphasizes making informed financial decisions that align with personal goals and is aimed at beginner investors who want to establish a strong financial foundation.
Students can complete the course at their own pace over approximately four weeks, with video lectures, quizzes and real-life examples to reinforce learning.
Like most Coursera offerings, the course is free to audit, with an optional fee if learners want to earn a certificate of completion.
3. MSE’s Academy of Money (OpenLearn)
Developed in partnership with the UK’s MoneySavingExpert (MSE) and hosted by The Open University’s OpenLearn platform, this free course is designed to teach essential money management skills. It is split into six modules, covering topics such as budgeting, borrowing, savings, investments, pensions and tax.
This program is particularly useful for learners who want a straightforward, jargon-free introduction to personal finance. It delivers practical tips and examples drawn from everyday financial decisions.
Designed to take about 15 hours in total, students have the freedom to learn at their own pace. There is no cost to take the course, and participants earn a free statement of participation from OpenLearn upon completion.
3. Finance Fundamentals: Financial Planning & Budgeting (FutureLearn)
Offered through The Open University on the FutureLearn platform, this beginner-friendly course focuses on the core principles of financial planning and managing day-to-day budgets. Users are introduced to such essential topics as creating a personal budget, setting financial goals, understanding borrowing and debt and making informed saving and spending choices.
The course is structured to be completed over four weeks with around three hours of study per week, making it manageable for busy learners. There are interactive lessons, quizzes and discussion boards to encourage engagement and a deeper understanding.
Enrollment is free, with the option to upgrade for ongoing access to course materials and a certificate of achievement upon completion.
3. Managing My Money for Young Adults (OpenLearn)
Created by The Open University and hosted on its OpenLearn platform, this course is tailored specifically for teenagers and young adults who are just beginning to make independent financial decisions. It introduces practical skills such as budgeting, managing bank accounts, understanding credit and debt and the basics of saving and investing.
The material is designed to be accessible, using real-life examples to explain financial concepts in a way that resonates with younger learners. The course takes about 24 hours to complete and can be studied at the learner’s own pace.
Like all OpenLearn offerings, it is free of charge, and students receive a statement of participation upon finishing.
6. Financial Planning for Young Adults (Coursera)
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign partnered with the CFP Institute to develop this course aimed at individuals who are just starting their careers and learning money management skills.
Nine modules cover topics including setting goals, saving, budgeting and borrowing, presented in a four-week curriculum. There are 11 assignments in total that are available in 22 different languages.
Students must register to take the course, but payment is only required if you want a certificate of completion.
6. Personal & Family Financial Planning (Coursera)
Offered by the University of Florida through Coursera, this course provides a comprehensive overview of personal and family finance.
Designed for individuals who want to build long-term financial security, the course emphasizes practical skills that can be applied to everyday financial decisions. It covers fundamental topics such as budgeting, credit and debt management, saving strategies, insurance, investing and retirement planning.
Students can progress at their own pace, but the course is typically completed in about nine weeks. While enrollment is free to audit, those who want a certificate of completion can pay a fee to receive one, making it a flexible option for learners at different stages of their financial journey.
6. PurdueX – Personal Finance (edX)
Purdue University offers this comprehensive course on personal finance through the edX platform.
Designed to help users build their money management skills, this course covers a wide range of topics, including budgeting, credit and debt management, insurance, investments, taxes and retirement planning. It emphasizes decision-making strategies and provides tools to help students create personalized financial plans that align with their goals.
Learners can complete the course at their own pace. However, the typical student usually completes the course after six to eight weeks of four to five hours of study each week.
Enrollment is free, although there is an additional fee for a verified certificate.
6. Managing My Money (OpenLearn)
This free course from The Open University, available on the OpenLearn platform, is one of the most popular introductions to personal finance in the UK.
It covers a wide spectrum of financial topics, including budgeting, managing debt, mortgages, pensions, insurance and investing. The course is designed for adults at all stages of life who want to gain confidence in handling their finances and making informed money decisions.
With about 24 hours of material spread over eight weeks, learners can work at their own pace. OpenLearn courses are always free, and participants receive a statement of participation after completion, making this a flexible and accessible way to build financial knowledge.
10. SoFi – The Fundamentals of Personal Finance (Coursera)
Developed in partnership with SoFi, this Coursera course is designed to give learners a clear understanding of the building blocks of personal finance. It introduces essential topics like budgeting, saving, credit, debt management, investing and retirement planning.
The course is especially useful for beginners who want to gain confidence in making everyday money decisions and preparing for long-term financial stability. Structured to be completed over four weeks, it combines video lessons, readings, and quizzes to reinforce learning. Students can audit the course for free, with the option to pay for a certificate of completion if they want official recognition of their progress.
Bottom Line
Online personal finance courses can help improve your financial literacy and expand your money management skills. Many of these classes are free online offerings taught by highly qualified expert instructors, including college finance professors. Whatever your experience level, classes are available for different levels of expertise and can address specific goals, such as saving for retirement, or situations such as just starting out. Whatever your reason for expanding your knowledge, be sure to first identify your financial goals so you can find the best personal finance courses to help.
Tips on Investing
- Any time you’re facing an important personal finance decision, the insight of a financial advisor can prove invaluable. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- Another helpful tool to use as you grow in your knowledge of investing is SmartAsset’s free investment calculator. This will help you determine what type of growth you’ll need to attain to reach your goal at any specific time.
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