Questions

Online Course Pricing

Jun 12, 2018 1:04:31 AM
by Jordan Kivley |
Q: We are seeking some standard formulas for pricing online courses. We are being asked to provide online fire science training and need assistance with what the markup should be.

A: LERN has developed a financial format based on the best practices of LERN member organizations. This format is based on the notion of program self-sufficiency.  Essentially, we recommend that online courses meet the same criteria as face-to-face courses in terms of their financial performance. That means that you should aim to create an operating margin of around 50%.  To determine your goal, consider your promotion costs. These should be around 10% of your total course income and not more than 15%. Your production costs, i.e., instructor compensation and any other costs associated with offering the course should be between 35% and 40% of your total income.  These two costs should not exceed 50% of income. That means 50% of income remains to cover your general and administrative costs and to contribute to any surplus you may have targeted.

Posts by Tag

see all

LATEST NEWS

Ideal Programming Percentages
Brendan Marsello
How to pay online instructors
Julie Coates
Q&A
Julie Coates
Contract Sales Commissions
Jordan Kivley
CE Benchmarks
Jordan Kivley