Online courses have become essential tools for corporate training, enhancing skill development, reducing training time, and creating consistent learning experiences. Given these compelling benefits, today’s training and development leaders aren’t asking, “Should we create online courses?” but rather, “How much does it cost to create an online course?”
However, when the cost of creating an online course ranges from $5,000 to over $30,000, more questions arise: “Should we choose a budget-friendly course that might compromise quality or invest in a premium solution?” or “How do we ensure that investment delivers meaningful learning outcomes?”
Whether you have a limited budget or extensive resources, you can create online courses that achieve your learning objectives and meet quality standards. The key is understanding the complete cost picture — from the overall view to individual components. This allows you to allocate your online course budget wisely and make informed decisions for financial planning, giving you the power to control your investment.
In this article, we’ll break down the cost of online course development by key factors, go into detail about each element, and budget for different scenarios. You’ll learn where your course creation expenses go and how different budgets determine the course features, quality standards, and learning capabilities. 🤓
Summary
- Factors influencing the cost of creating an online course
- Cost breakdown of creating an online course
- Budgeting for different scenarios
- How Blue Carrot can help your business
- Conclusion
Factors influencing the cost of creating an online course
Understanding what drives the cost helps you make smarter investment decisions. Based on our experience, the three main categories that determine the majority of your online course development cost are content complexity and length, course content development, and production quality.
Use our checklist for online course creation as you read the factors below. This helps you understand the entire course creation process and identify relevant elements in each stage.
👉 1. Content complexity and length
Content complexity refers to the subject’s difficulty, depth, and course structure required to teach it effectively. Length encompasses the total course duration in learning hours or modules. When complexity increases, courses typically need more time to cover the material and ensure comprehension, which directly impacts your online course budget.
An effective instructional design balances content complexity and length while maintaining a manageable pricing of an online course. Shorter, focused modules deliver optimal learning outcomes for straightforward topics. Complex subjects, like IT systems architecture and engineering, demand investment in Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), deeper audience research, and multiple revision cycles. These extended courses also require more resources for scripting, filming, editing, and quality assurance.
The table below shows how factors within content complexity and length impact your course budget.
|
Factor |
Cost impact |
Example |
|
Course length |
Although longer courses require more investment, the per-minute video production cost decreases as course length increases. |
A 1-minute e-learning animation might cost $700 (animation), while 5- to 3-minute videos of the same level cost $600 per minute. |
|
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) |
Niche or technical topics demand specialists who charge more than generalists. Costs vary with seniority and hours. |
A comprehensive cybersecurity course might need one senior SME at $150/hour for 30 hours, totaling $4,500, while simpler topics might require fewer hours with cheaper rates. |
|
Interactivity requirement |
Complex topics require more interactivity to reinforce learning, increasing development costs. |
Basic product knowledge training may need only infographics and multiple-choice quizzes, while some skills trainings may need simulations or branching scenarios. |
|
Visual complexity |
Diagrams, flowcharts, or 3D models increase design or animation costs. |
3D animation costs $4,000–$10,000/minute, while simple interactive slides start at $40/minute. |
Relationship without illusion
View demoThe UNFPA online course integrated expert insights to create a practical, results-driven learning experience.
👉 2. Content development
Content development is the phase where you turn your course concept into actionable learning materials. It requires expertise in instructional design, scriptwriting, and educational psychology and accounts for 30–40 percent of the total budget. Course content development directly impacts production timelines and resource requirements. Investing appropriately in this stage can prevent costly revisions later.
Let’s examine important factors that affect the cost to develop an online course in this category.
|
Factor |
Cost impact |
Considerations |
|
Learning objectives |
Influence content scope and depth. Complex objectives require additional planning. |
Vague objectives lead to scope creep and 2–3 times more revision cycles. |
|
Instructional design |
Determine teaching methods, learning activities, and assessments. |
Complex strategies (e.g., scenario-based learning) and topics require more development time. |
|
Scriptwriting and storyboarding |
Include research, writing, and adapting materials for online delivery. |
Technical topics need SMEs and specialized writers. |
|
Content review |
Include multiple rounds with stakeholders and SMEs. |
Each revision cycle adds time and cost to development. |
👉 3. Production quality
Production quality encompasses all the technical and creative elements that shape how learners experience your content. Research shows that poor audio or video quality significantly reduces information retention. Learners quickly abandon courses that feel unprofessional or difficult to follow (Lange C, Costley J. Improving Online Video Lectures: Learning Challenges Created by Media. Int J Educ Technol High Educ. 2020).
Effective production quality doesn’t always require premium course creation budgets. The key is matching production standards to your audience’s expectations while ensuring that the visual complexity fits the instructional approach and content needs. For basic training courses, audiences typically expect clear narration and well-designed slides. However, technical skills courses demand interactive simulations and 3D animations to support complex problem-solving activities.
Below is the cost analysis of production components.
📌 Video production
Video content can effectively capture and maintain learner attention. Video production fees vary based on these elements:
- Filming quality: Professional lighting, camera work, and sound recording;
- Production resources: Equipment rental, studio time, and crew expertise;
- Post-production elements: Professional video editing, color correction, transitions, and motion graphics;
- Animation options: 2D vs. 3D animation or simple vs. detailed visuals.
Alternatively, AI in production, such as synthetic videos, offers a cost-effective solution, reducing production time while maintaining professional standards.
Understanding the promotional video cost can provide insights into video production fees, as many principles apply to both promotional and educational content.
📌 Audio quality
Clear, professional audio is essential for content comprehension. You have two main options:
- AI-generated voiceovers: This is a cost-effective solution with faster turnaround times and consistent quality across multiple modules.
- Professional voice actors: This option is more expensive but provides better emotional connection, natural inflection, and accurate pronunciation of complex terminology.
📌 Interactive slide design
Interactive slides turn passive content into engaging learning experiences. Design approaches range from basic templates to custom solutions:
- Template vs. custom design: Templates offer speed and cost savings but may feel generic, while custom designs reinforce your brand and support unique learning objectives more effectively.
- Visual elements: Stock images keep costs low, while custom illustrations and animations improve comprehension but require more design time.
- Interactivity levels: Basic navigation, like next/previous buttons, adds minimal cost. Advanced features, like branching scenarios, drag-and-drop, and triggered animations, increase development time and learning value.
Al Insights
View demo📌 Localization
E-learning localization is the process of adapting learning content to the linguistic and cultural needs of the target audience. For organizations with global teams, localization is necessary for ensuring consistent training quality across regions.
Adapting a course for multiple languages and regional contexts includes translating all on-screen content, voiceover, and learning materials, and adjusting graphics and examples to ensure cultural relevance and compliance. The localization scope and cost vary with the amount of custom content, interactivity, and media-rich elements in the course.
Our multimedia localization guide offers practical tips from industry professionals.
Cost breakdown of creating an online course
Now that you understand what drives online course costs, let’s turn these factors into actual numbers. This section answers the main question: “How much does it cost to develop an online course?”
Typically, 70–80 percent of your budget goes to content development, production, and maintenance. The remaining costs are for educational technology tools and marketing. Knowing this upfront enables you to allocate resources and prepare for hidden course expenses that surprise organizations.
The pricing shown is the average cost in USD, varying based on project requirements. If you want to know the cost for your case, contact Blue Carrot for a video cost estimate.
👉 1. Content development costs
Scripting, storyboarding, and instructional design costs make up 30–40 percent of your content development budget. Here are common Eastern European rates for key roles:
|
Role |
Responsibilities |
Rate and time |
|
Instructional designers |
Create learning strategies, develop curriculum, and map objectives to assessments. |
|
|
Scriptwriters |
Develop narration scripts. |
|
|
Storyboard artists |
Create visual descriptions for animations. |
|
|
Project managers |
Coordinate activities, manage stakeholders, and maintain timelines. |
|
|
Quality assurance |
Test functionality and content on learning management system (LMS) platforms. |
|
👉 2. Course production fees
Production is where your vision becomes reality — and where most of your course creation expenses go. There are three main areas depending on your choice: the creative team developing e-learning content, animation production, and live-action video for filmed content. Let’s explore each component and its costs.
📌 E-learning development team members
Creating professional e-learning content requires specialized software like Articulate and a skilled team consisting of visual designers, e-learning developers, motion designers, and video editors. Their rates range from $30 to $40/hour. E-learning content creation cost starts at $30 per custom interactive slide or $1,800 per e-learning hour.
Al DEMO BLUEPRINT
View demo📌 Animation production costs
E-learning courses use 2D or 3D animation. 2D is cost-effective and ideal for explaining concepts, processes, and storytelling. 3D, while more expensive, works best for technical training requiring detailed visualization of physical objects, machinery, or complex spatial relationships. For a detailed breakdown of animation costs, see our guide on explainer video prices.
Below is Blue Carrot’s average cost of an online course with different examples that include branding, custom illustration, and animation:
Example 1: Starts at $250 per minute
Example 2: Starts at $450 per minute
Example 3: Starts at $700 per minute
Any animation style above can be supplemented with an AI-generated avatar acting as a lecturer or presenter. AI avatars offer a cost-effective way to deliver expert narration for niche or technical topics. This approach combines animated video engagement with human-like explanations and can reduce production time and cost compared to filming live lecturers.
📌 Live-action video production
If you consider live-filmed content, the following table breaks down essential roles and rates for producing one hour of high-quality educational video. Actual costs may vary based on your location, production scale, and requirements.
|
Role |
Responsibilities |
Rate and time |
|
Director |
Manages creative vision and filming execution. |
|
|
Director of photography |
Manages main camera work and visuals. |
|
|
Secondary camera operator |
Provides additional coverage or perspectives. |
|
|
Sound technician |
Handles on-set audio recording. |
|
|
Production assistant |
Provides general support. |
|
|
Script supervision |
Ensures script consistency on set. |
|
|
Equipment allowance |
Core equipment rental and insurance. |
|
|
Post-production supervision |
On-site management during and after filming. |
|
|
Internal QA |
Quality assurance for all stages. |
|
|
Animation overlay |
Adds animated elements to live footage. |
|
Important: Always include a contingency buffer (commonly 20 percent of total fixed costs) for unexpected needs or production overruns.
Variable costs depend on production choices and are negotiable. You may budget $1,000/day for talent, $1,000/day for studio rental, and $2,000 for travel if flying in speakers. Additional expenses, such as props, hospitality, and equipment upgrades, vary by project scope.
In summary, total live-action production costs vary by approach:
- Premium content production costs around $6,000/hour for filming plus $2,000–7,000/hour for editing or graphics.
- The most popular e-learning studio setup with an actor costs around $3,000 for filming and editing 1 hour of e-learning (minimum 3 hours).
Cost-efficient alternatives include synthetic video, starting at $30 per minute or $1,800 per hour, and a home studio setup.
Bottom line: With a ready script, expect to invest $1,800–$13,000 per hour, depending on your choice, from synthetic videos to premium studio production.
👉 3. Ongoing maintenance and updates
Ongoing maintenance keeps your course up-to-date and running smoothly. Most projects will require content refreshes every 12–18 months to address organizational changes, new regulations, or feedback from learners.
Maintenance costs for courses range from $500 for basic updates, such as updating statistics, fixing typos, and refreshing visuals, to $1,000 for extensive updates, such as restructuring modules and adding interactivity. Similar to course production, synthetic video is a quick and affordable way to update or replace individual modules.
Your annual maintenance should include quality assurance checks and technical support for addressing bugs and compatibility issues. Plan for these enhancements to ensure long-term course relevance and learner satisfaction.
👉 4. Additional course creation costs
While content development and production are the core of your budget, several additional expenses contribute to your total investment. Make sure to include the following costs in your financial planning.
📌 Educational technology costs
Online course tools are an essential investment in your course infrastructure. The cost of hosting an online course varies based on platform, student volume, and features. Platform subscription costs scale with functionality: basic plans offer core delivery, while premium tiers include advanced analytics, white labeling, and API integrations.
📌 Marketing and promotion costs
Your marketing budget should cover pre-launch and ongoing promotion activities. Course promotion costs range from $2,000 to $5,000 for landing page development and email campaigns. Paid advertising (Google Ads, LinkedIn, Facebook) may start at $50 per day, depending on your target audience size and competition.
Budgeting for different scenarios
As we’ve broken down individual cost analysis, let’s see how they combine into complete course packages. Below are three scenarios based on a one-hour e-learning course, each demonstrating a different online course budget level and expected capabilities.
For insights on creating effective courses regardless of budget, check out our best online course creation advice.
✅ Entry-level online course: $5,000–$10,000
At this level, you can create a budget-friendly course featuring simple interactive slides, such as basic quizzes and drag-and-drop elements. AI-avatar videos are sufficient for narration or explanations, lowering production costs. The course uses standard layout templates and branding elements, with limited or stock-based graphics and animations.
Low-cost content creation courses are suitable for straightforward topics, pilot programs, urgent deployments, and quick upskilling initiatives, such as workplace safety basics, onboarding new hires, and product updates.
To reduce instructional design costs, you can provide your scripts and visual assets to a production agency, which will handle the animation and interactive elements. However, this may compromise instructional effectiveness if your team lacks instructional design expertise.
✅ Mid-tier course: $10,000–$15,000
A mid-tier budget enables more advanced and custom-built interactivities, such as simple branching scenarios and simulations. This level blends AI avatars and animated visuals to maintain engagement. Custom graphics also enhance the game’s appearance and learning effectiveness.
These courses suit moderately complex topics, such as sales training in different scenarios, with a focus on higher learner engagement and customization.
✅ Premium course: $15,000–$30,000+
Premium budgets allow for the creation of high-quality course content. These courses feature fully custom, media-rich experiences with premium animation, live filming, and complex interactivity like advanced branching, scenario-based learning, and simulations. They may include expert presenters, localization support, and accessibility features to reach diverse audiences.
Premium course creation incorporates high-end branding integration, tailored visual assets, and professional video editing. This investment level is appropriate for complex subjects, high-stakes training, or strategic brand initiatives requiring a unique learner experience, such as medical procedure training and executive decision-making scenarios.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PARAMETRIC DIAGRAMS
View demoHow Blue Carrot can help your business
Blue Carrot offers full-service capabilities from planning to production and maintenance, with a decade of experience since 2014. Our team understands the balance between budget constraints and quality requirements, helping organizations maximize their investment in online learning.
Our e-learning course development services offer several advantages:
- Professional production and efficient workflow reduce costs.
- Professional teams implement systematic QA checkpoints throughout production.
- Established processes eliminate guesswork and inconsistencies.
- AI-enhanced production methods lower costs.
- High-quality course design drives better learning outcomes.
Case studies
Our work with Studio SE demonstrates how we transformed a 50-hour live program into an engaging self-paced online course. By integrating a software simulator, we created a realistic learning environment for students to practice and validate their SysML modeling skills. This approach improved learning outcomes and scalability, enabling simultaneous onboarding.
In our e-learning course for Gen-Z students, we developed a program for younger learners to explore job roles in the sustainable energy sector. The project showcased a visual style that resonated with audiences and effectively presented complex industry information.
Conclusion
Creating an online course is an investment in your organization’s knowledge infrastructure. To determine the cost of creating an online course, start by identifying your organizational goals, learning outcomes, and target audiences. These elements determine course complexity, length, content development, and production — the three factors that drive course creation expenses.
Most of your online course budget goes toward course content development, production, and maintenance. Budget size alone doesn’t determine success — strategic resource allocation and clear learning objectives are crucial. Whether you invest $5,000–$10,000 for basic training, $10,000–$15,000 for interactive learning experiences, or $15,000–$30,000 for premium customized solutions, you can achieve meaningful learning outcomes by matching your investment to your needs and audience expectations.
Contact Blue Carrot for a full cost breakdown tailored to your training. We can help you identify the most cost-effective approach to achieve your business goals while maintaining professional quality standards.
