Skip the $36,000 tuition trap.
CheapCredits matches every general-ed requirement to the cheapest transferable option — Sophia, CLEP, StraighterLine, Study.com, Modern States — then builds a plan that gets you to 64 credits for under a thousand dollars.
- 64
- GE credits covered
- 8+
- Vetted providers
- 95%
- Avg. savings vs. tuition
The math
Avg. public-university 64-cr tuition ($563/cr, NCES) vs. a typical CheapCredits mix.
Your Best Self
Know yourself. Study smarter.
20 questions across chronotype, personality, learning style, dosha and diet — turned into a personalized study & life blueprint.
Take the quiz →
Smart major choice
Bayesian ranking of the most lucrative majors, refreshed monthly.
See the ranking →Every requirement covered
Sophia, CLEP, StraighterLine, Study.com — matched to your GE list.
Beat residency
Playbook for the 25–30 credits you have to take at your school.
Every requirement, covered
The 64-credit map
English Composition
6 crTwo writing courses — the most universally transferable GE credits.
Mathematics
6 crCollege algebra, statistics, or quantitative reasoning.
Natural Sciences
8 crBiology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science (often with a lab).
Social Sciences
9 crPsychology, sociology, economics, political science.
Humanities
9 crPhilosophy, literature, religious studies.
Arts
3 crArt history, music appreciation, theater.
History
6 crU.S. history, world history, Western civilization.
Foreign Language
6 crTwo semesters of the same language.
Communication
3 crPublic speaking or interpersonal communication.
Diversity & Ethics
8 crEthics, cultural diversity, or capstone electives.
Cheapest per credit right now
Best-value picks
| Course | Provider | Credits | Total | Per credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
College Composition English Composition | CLEP Exam | 6 | $93 | $15.5 |
Biology Natural Sciences | CLEP Exam | 6 | $93 | $15.5 |
Humanities Humanities | CLEP Exam | 6 | $93 | $15.5 |
Spanish Language (Levels 1 & 2) Foreign Language | CLEP Exam | 6 | $93 | $15.5 |
French Language Foreign Language | CLEP Exam | 6 | $93 | $15.5 |
College Algebra Mathematics | CLEP Exam | 3 | $93 | $31 |
Real students, real receipts
They skipped the tuition trap.
Students who used CheapCredits to knock out their GE, beat residency, and graduate for a fraction of the sticker price.
“I finished 48 credits through Sophia and CLEP for less than one semester at my in-state school. CheapCredits mapped every requirement — I literally just followed the plan.”
Maya R.
Business Admin · TESU · Class of 2026
“As a working parent, I couldn't do 4 years on campus. This got me to 90 transferable credits in 11 months. My advisor was shocked it all counted.”
Devon K.
Psychology · WGU · Adult learner
“The residency playbook alone was worth it. I picked a transfer-friendly finisher and stacked ACE credit — graduated debt-free at 20.”
Priya S.
IT · Excelsior · Debt-free grad
Join thousands of students studying smarter for less.
The rule everyone forgets
What is the residency requirement?
Almost every U.S. college requires you to earn a chunk of your degree — usually the last 25–30 credits — from that specific institution. It's how they justify putting their name on your diploma.
The good news: "in residence" almost never means "on campus." It means credits billed by them. Which means it's a line item you can optimize, not a wall.
- ~30
- Credits typically required
- 4
- Legit ways around it
- $3–4K
- Term rate at flat-tuition finishers
Transfer-friendly finishers
WGU · TESU · Excelsior · UMPI
Accept 90+ credits from outside providers and only require 30 in residence — usually online at flat-rate tuition ($3–4K per 6-month term).
Credit-by-exam accepted in-residence
CLEP · DSST · UExcel
A growing number of schools count these toward the residency requirement itself. Check your registrar's transfer catalog before ruling it out.
Accelerated terms
Summer & winter overloads
Residency credits taken in accelerated terms still count — and many schools charge a lower per-credit summer rate. Stack two 8-week terms to clear it in one summer.
Petitions & waivers
Course substitutions
Registrars will often accept ACE-approved credit toward major requirements with a formal petition. We include the letter template in the playbook.