Online IT skills and certification school

Career changers and early-career adults paying their own fees, and small employers paying to upskill staff.

Fixed course fees per student or cohort, with optional payment plans, plus corporate group bookings and paid practice-lab add-ons.

• Solid IT knowledge and, ideally, relevant certifications
• Teaching and explaining things simply
• Basic online marketing and course setup

• States can regulate schools that enroll their residents, even online, so check the rules for your state and for where your students live
• Avoid promising jobs or income, as advertising claims can be restricted
• Check certification vendors' rules on using their names, logos and exam content
• Set a clear refund policy and keep records of what you promised students
• Check sales tax rules for digital courses in your state
• Consider general liability or professional liability insurance

Startup costs are typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your course platform, lab tools and marketing. Treat this as an estimate and price out your own setup, including any insurance, before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many students you enroll per cohort, your course prices and how often you run classes. These are estimates, not guarantees, and your costs come out of revenue.

Check the rules: states can regulate schools that enroll their residents, even online, so look at your state and where your students live. Also check certification vendors' rules on using their names, logos and exam content, and sales tax for digital courses.