About edX
edX is a leading global online learning platform founded in 2012 by two of the world’s most prestigious universities, Harvard and MIT. Originally established as a non-profit massive open online course (MOOC) provider, it is now part of 2U, Inc., a leading ed-tech company.
edX connects over 80 million learners worldwide with high-quality education, offering thousands of courses, professional certificates, boot camps, and fully online degree programs from top-tier institutions like Berkeley, Google, IBM, and Oxford. The brand is synonymous with academic excellence and accessibility, making it a highly trusted name for affiliates to promote.
edX Affiliate Program Overview
The edX affiliate program allows partners to monetize their traffic by promoting educational content ranging from free audit courses to verified certificates and full degrees.
| Feature | Details |
| Industry | E-learning / Education / EdTech |
| Product Type | Online Courses, Professional Certificates, MicroMasters®, Boot Camps, Degrees |
| Affiliate Program Type | CPS (Cost Per Sale) |
edX Affiliate Program Offers
edX provides its partners with robust tools to succeed, though they maintain strict standards regarding where their links are placed to protect their brand reputation.
| Feature | Details |
| Promotional Materials | Banners, Text Links, Deep Linking, Product Feeds, Newsletters with offers |
| Affiliate Cookie Duration | 60 Days |
| Accepted Traffic Sources | Content sites, Blogs, Social Media, Email Newsletters (No bidding on branded keywords/PPC restricted) |
| Accepted Countries | Worldwide (Global) |
| Explicit Content | Strictly Prohibited |
| Religious or Political Content | Prohibited (Content must be brand-safe and neutral) |
edX Affiliate Commissions & Payments
The program offers a competitive commission structure, particularly rewarding for content creators who drive sales for Verified Certificates.
| Feature | Details |
| MLM | No (Single-tier program) |
| Commission Rate | 5% – 10% (Typically 10% for content partners; 5% for coupon/discount sites) |
| Commission Structure | Percentage of the sale amount on Verified Certificates and programs |
| Payout Frequency | Monthly |
| Payout Methods | Direct Deposit (EFT), PayPal, Wire Transfer (Managed via network) |
| Minimum Payout | Typically $10 – $20 (Dependent on the affiliate network settings) |
Suitable Affiliates for edX Affiliate
The edX program is versatile but performs best with partners who have an audience interested in self-improvement, career advancement, and higher education.
- Bloggers: Especially those in niches like Education, Career Advice, Tech, Data Science, and Personal Development.
- TikTokers: Creators who share “study hacks,” “career tips,” or “day in the life of a student” content can drive high engagement.
- KOC (Key Opinion Consumers): Everyday learners who review courses they have actually taken and share authentic feedback.
- KOL (Key Opinion Leaders): Academic professionals, professors, or industry experts whose recommendations carry high authority.
- Influencers: LinkedIn influencers and Instagram personalities focusing on professional growth and upskilling.
- YouTubers: Channels dedicated to coding tutorials, software reviews, or academic guidance (e.g., “How to get into Harvard”).
- Video Editors: Creators who make compilation videos about “Top Resources for Learning X” or educational motion graphics.
- Livestreamers: Twitch or YouTube streamers who do “Study With Me” sessions or live coding, recommending edX resources during breaks.
edX Affiliate Software
Yes. edX does not use an in-house proprietary system. Instead, they utilize third-party affiliate networks to manage their program. Currently, they primarily operate through Impact (Impact Radius) and have historically maintained a presence on Awin. These platforms handle tracking, reporting, asset distribution, and payments.
3 Alternatives for edX Affiliate Program
If edX doesn’t fully fit your audience, or if you want to diversify, here are three major competitors in the E-learning space: Coursera, Udemy, and Udacity.
1. Coursera: The closest direct competitor to edX, offering similar university-backed courses and degrees. It generally offers higher commission potential.
2. Udemy: A marketplace for individual instructors. Courses are much cheaper (often
10−10−20), leading to higher conversion rates but lower order values.
3. Udacity: Focuses heavily on “Nanodegrees” in tech (coding, AI, data). High ticket prices mean higher commissions per sale, but it is harder to convert than a cheap course.
| Comparison Factor | edX | Coursera | Udemy | Udacity |
| Average Bill | $50 – $200+ | $39 – $79 / month | $15 – $20 | $399 / month |
| Entry Fees | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Threshold | ~$10 | ~$50 | ~$50 | ~$50 |
| Payment Frequency | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly | Monthly |
| Commission | 5% – 10% | 10% – 45% | 10% – 15% | Flat fee or ~10-20% |
| Conversion | Medium | Medium | High | Low (High Ticket) |
| Marketing Materials | Banners, Links | Banners, Links | Deep links, Banners | Banners, Links |
