🎓 Course Revenue Calculator
Calculate your online course revenue, profit, and ROI with platform fees and upsells.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can you make selling online courses?
Online course revenue varies widely by niche, platform, and marketing: BEGINNER creators (0-500 students): $5,000-50,000 per course. Average price $50-150. MID-LEVEL creators (500-5,000 students): $50,000-500,000 per course. Average price $150-300. ESTABLISHED creators (5,000+ students): $500,000-5,000,000+ per course. Average price $200-2,000+. Industry benchmarks: Udemy instructors average $3,000-8,000/year (platform takes 50-75%). Teachable/Thinkific creators average $30,000-100,000/year (keep 90-95%). Top creators (6-7 figures): High-ticket courses ($997-5,000), strong email lists (50K+), launch formula strategy. Realistic first course: 100-500 students at $97-297 = $10,000-150,000 gross (less fees/refunds).
What is the best platform to sell online courses?
Top course platforms compared: OWN WEBSITE + WordPress/ConvertKit: PROS: Keep 97-100% revenue (only payment processing 3%). Full control. Best margins. CONS: Must build audience and handle tech. Best for: Established creators with email lists. TEACHABLE/THINKIFIC: PROS: Easy setup. 5-10% fees. Built-in tools. CONS: Limited customization. Monthly fees ($39-399). Best for: New-to-mid level creators. UDEMY: PROS: Built-in marketplace. No upfront costs. CONS: Takes 50-75% revenue. No student email access. Race to bottom on pricing. Best for: Testing course ideas, supplemental income. KAJABI: PROS: All-in-one (courses + email + website). Great support. CONS: Expensive ($149-399/month). Best for: Serious businesses ready to scale. RECOMMENDATION: Start with Teachable ($39/month plan), migrate to own site once you hit $10K+/month.
What is a good price for an online course?
Course pricing by depth and format: MINI-COURSES (1-3 hours content): $27-97. Quick wins, single transformation. CORE COURSES (10-30 hours content): $197-497. Comprehensive training, multiple modules. PREMIUM COURSES (30+ hours + coaching): $997-2,997. In-depth certification, community access. HIGH-TICKET PROGRAMS (coaching intensive): $3,000-25,000+. 1-on-1 coaching, implementation support. Pricing psychology: $97: Impulse buy threshold. $297: Sweet spot for value courses. $997-1,997: Premium positioning. $2,000+: Requires sales calls. By niche: Business/Marketing: $297-2,997 (high perceived ROI). Creative skills: $97-497. Health/Fitness: $97-297. Personal development: $197-997. PRO TIP: Test pricing with launches. Can always run sales. Harder to raise prices on existing students.
How many students do I need to make $100,000 from my course?
Students needed to hit $100K by price point: $49 course: 2,041 students (Udemy model - very hard, need huge marketing). $97 course: 1,031 students (doable but requires significant audience). $197 course: 508 students (realistic with 5,000+ email list). $297 course: 337 students (achievable with 3,000-5,000 email list). $497 course: 201 students (attainable with engaged 2,000+ list). $997 course: 100 students (perfect for smaller, hyper-engaged audience). $1,997 course: 50 students (high-ticket model). Conversion rate benchmarks: Cold traffic (ads): 1-3% course enrollment. Warm audience (email list): 3-10% enrollment. Webinar attendees: 5-15% enrollment. Calculation: Need 100 sales at $997 = need 1,000-3,333 webinar attendees = need 10,000-30,000 email list (assuming 10-33% webinar show rate). BEST PATH: Build email list to 5,000+ → Launch at $297-497 → 300-500 students = $100K.
Should I do cohort launches or evergreen sales?
COHORT LAUNCHES (limited enrollment, group starts together) - PROS: (1) Creates urgency and FOMO. (2) Higher prices ($497-2,997). (3) Better completion rates (community accountability). (4) Big revenue spikes. (5) Easier to iterate and improve between cohorts. CONS: (1) Feast or famine cash flow. (2) Launch burnout (webinars, emails, support). (3) Limited annual revenue (3-4 launches max). (4) Students must wait for next cohort. EVERGREEN (always available, automated) - PROS: (1) Predictable monthly revenue. (2) Passive once set up. (3) Students can start immediately. (4) Scalable with ads. CONS: (1) Lower prices ($97-297). (2) Lower completion rates (no accountability). (3) Requires automated funnel investment. (4) Harder to create urgency. BEST STRATEGY: Hybrid model. Year 1-2: Cohort launches (build case studies, refine content, charge premium). Year 3+: Convert to evergreen (keep cohort option for premium tier). Or: Evergreen for low-ticket ($97-197) + annual cohort for premium ($997-2,997).
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Financial Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only. The results are estimates based on the information you provide and should not be considered as financial, legal, or tax advice.
Actual results may vary based on your specific circumstances, market conditions, and other factors. Always consult with qualified financial, legal, and tax professionals before making any financial decisions.
We make no guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the calculations. Use this tool at your own risk.