Trending Course Niches People Pay For in 2025 | Statistics

Before you start putting your course together, one question stops you cold: Will anyone actually pay for this?

You are not alone. Every course creator wants to avoid wasting time on a topic no one buys. That’s why understanding what people are paying for right now, and why, is more than helpful

At Uteach, we regularly see creators succeed in niches like Marketing and Branding, Business and Entrepreneurship, IT and Computing, Health and Wellness, Self-development and Career, and Languages. These areas have proven to be popular within our platform. But what about beyond Uteach?

To answer that, I took a deeper look at the latest statistics. In this article, we will explore the course niches people are paying for right now, supported by real-world data and keyword trends. You will see why certain topics are rising in popularity and what is fueling learner demand.

Note: If your niche does not appear in this list, that does not mean you should give up on it. Trends come and go, but some course topics earn steadily year after year. For a full breakdown of evergreen and profitable course topics that stand the test of time, download this free guide that the Uteach research team created. 

• Top 10 Online Course Niches +Course Ideas for Your Business

Artificial intelligence and machine learning 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning courses are popular because people are no longer just curious about AI. They know they need it. The changes in how we work, study, and build careers have made AI skills feel less like a bonus and more like a must-have. Job listings mention AI more often, companies expect employees to understand at least the basics, and even students are using AI tools in their daily tasks. 

Whether someone wants to land a tech job, stay relevant in their current role, or simply not fall behind, learning how AI works has become a smart move.

Here is why. 

• Google’s AI Essentials Course on Coursera was the most popular online course last year, with over 900,000 enrollments. Currently, the paid version of the course has over 20,000 enrollments. 
• The number of graduates who earned their master’s degree in AI in the U.S. nearly doubled within a year. 
• 92% of undergraduate students who participated in the Higher Education Policy Institute Survey (HEPI) reported using AI tools in some form, up from 66% in 2024, showing widespread engagement with AI technologies among learners. 
• Udemy lists 1,666 AI courses, with 3,067 hands-on exercises available. There are over 4 million learners enrolled in AI-related courses on Udemy. 
• LinkedIn Learning has 150+ AI skill pathways, with free access to 27 unlocked courses in 2025. The most popular courses on LinkedIn about AI include AI trends, generative AI, and prompt engineering. On top of that, AI literacy is LinkedIn’s top skill in 2025.

These statistics clearly demonstrate that AI and Machine Learning are among the most enrolled and fastest-growing online course niches in 2024–2025. The demand for AI courses is driven by massive learner interest, institutional adoption, and a booming market for AI education products.

Keyword analysis

Generative AI and prompt engineering courses are among the most popular sub-niches for this topic. They have an average volume of 2,900 monthly in the U.S. alone, and the trend for AI-related courses continues to rise. 

Web development and programming courses

Many learners see programming as a smart investment that pays off through better income, flexibility, and job security. On top of that, coding is one of those skills you can learn online without a formal degree, which makes paid courses especially attractive for people who want a clear, step-by-step way to break into tech. This mix of demand, accessibility, and strong career outcomes makes people willing to invest in learning web development.

• The report projects a 3.3 times increase in students learning web development skills by 2025, with 41% of learners enrolling specifically for web development training. (according to The Economic Times). 
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts 8% growth in web development jobs from 2022 to 2032, faster than average, encouraging learners to enroll. 
• Udemy hosts 14.1M+ learners in web development courses, with 1,164 courses and 2,214 hands-on exercises available. 
• Coursera’s beginner-friendly web development courses (e.g., HTML/CSS/JavaScript) have 22K–55K+ reviews per course, mostly positive. 

Keyword analysis

The monthly searches for web development courses are 3,600 in the US, based on the data from Semrush. If you are looking for a particular subniche, you can enter the name of the subniche in the results and check the monthly volume. 

Cybersecurity courses 

Cybersecurity is one of those fields where the need is growing faster than the number of people qualified to fill it. With more companies going digital and cyberattacks becoming more common, organizations are under pressure to protect their data and systems. This creates a strong demand for people who understand how to defend networks, prevent breaches, and respond to threats. Many learners see cybersecurity as a career with high job security, good pay, and a clear path for advancement.

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says jobs for Information Security Analysts are set to grow by 33% from 2022 to 2033, much faster than average careers. 
• The gap in the workforce of cybersecurity positions continues to grow.
• Udemy hosts 6M+ learners in cybersecurity courses, with 916 courses and 1,916 hands-on exercises available. 
• ISC2’s free entry-level certification attracted 1M+ learners globally as part of efforts to address workforce shortages. 

Keyword analysis

The monthly average searches for online cybersecurity courses is 1,900 in the U.S. At the same time, the total volume for this keyword is 7.5K. 

Digital marketing courses

From SEO and content marketing to running ads and managing social media, there are so many areas to specialize in. What makes this niche especially appealing is that you do not need a formal background to get started. That is why so many people invest in these courses to build careers, upgrade their jobs, or start something of their own.

• Digital marketing is a top career choice in 2025, with growing job roles in SEO, SEM, content marketing, social media, and email marketing.
• Udemy hosts 7.9M+ learners in digital marketing courses, with 1,096 courses and 2,180 hands-on exercises available. 
• Coursera’s top programs, like Google’s Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, boast 1M+ enrollments and a 4.8/5 rating from 34K+ reviews. 
• Google’s free courses (e.g., Fundamentals of Digital Marketing) have reached millions globally, with 75% of graduates reporting career advancements. 
• LinkedIn Learning’s OMCA certification is a top choice for professionals, with social media marketing courses seeing 21K+ reviews. 

Keyword analysis

The volume of monthly searches for “online digital marketing course” is 720 for the U.S. and 24.9K globally.  The trend for this topic is gradually increasing. 

Personal finance courses 

As financial literacy becomes more of a priority in schools and universities, more learners are turning to paid courses that can teach them how to make smart decisions with their money.

With rising living costs, student loans, and financial uncertainty, many want clear, practical guidance to take control of their finances. Younger generations are especially motivated, showing strong interest in topics like cryptocurrency and sustainable investing.

• Udemy hosts 1.94M+ learners in personal finance courses, with 773 courses and 799 hands-on exercises available. 
• University of Michigan’s "Finance for Everyone" (edX) has 89K+ enrollments, with learners valuing its real-world decision-making frameworks. 
• 27 U.S. states now require financial literacy courses for high school graduation, creating demand for accredited programs. 
• Gen Z is particularly interested in Cryptocurrency and ESG investing. 
• Universities are expanding personal finance offerings; for example, the University of Toronto tripled enrollment in its first-year personal finance course due to popular demand. 

Keyword analysis

The volume for the personal finance courses differs based on the subniches you look for. However, the exact keyword has a global volume of 260. Based on the data from Semrush, the trend is increasing. 

Digital content creation courses 

Content is no longer just for fun. It has become a career path, a business strategy, and even a full-time income source. Whether someone wants to grow on YouTube, start a podcast, become a content creator on social media, or produce high-quality materials for their brand, the demand for standout content is everywhere. 

With AI tools, short-form videos, and platforms like TikTok and Instagram changing how we communicate, more people are looking to level up their skills and stay relevant.

• Over 2,150 content creation courses are listed on Class Central.
• The global digital content creation market is projected to grow from $27.1B to $90.4B by 2033, driven by video, AI tools, and influencer marketing. 
• Udemy hosts 7.9M+ learners in digital marketing/content creation courses, with 1,096 courses and 2,180 hands-on exercises available. 

Keyword analysis

The global volume for digital marketing courses is 280 monthly. If you plan to target the niche name as your primary keyword, it would be easier than most of the niches in our list. 

Specialized language learning courses 

Language skills open up real-world opportunities in work, travel, education, and even immigration.

Companies are also investing in corporate language training to improve communication in international teams. On top of that, the rise of remote work has made it easier for people to live and work across borders, which increases the need for practical, focused language skills.

• Corporate language training is a $56.84B market (2024), projected to grow to $88.63B by 2033. 
• The global English Language Learning (ELL) market alone was valued at around $28.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $70 billion by 2030
• Udemy offers 1,096 language courses, with popular niches being Arabic, Chinese and German. 

Keyword analysis 

When it comes to language courses, everything obviously depends on the language you are teaching. For online English courses, the global volume is 9.900, with 880 being only from the U.S.. 

Frequently asked questions 

• What makes a course niche profitable? 

The fact that the 7 niches we covered above are the top trending ones this year does not necessarily mean they are always profitable. That is because the demand is not the only factor indicating whether your online course will generate the amount of income you expect. 

The audience’s needs and the unique expertise you bring to the table also matter a lot. Once you find where all 3 of these factors intersect, consider that you already know the most profitable niche for you. 

Related: How to Choose a Profitable Niche For Online Course Business

• How do I know if people are willing to pay for my course idea? 

There are several ways to validate your online course idea and the niche. 

First, look for topics you know well on popular course platforms like Coursera or Udemy. See what kinds of courses already exist, what they cover, and how well they are doing. This will help you understand not only the general niche but also which specific course topics are popular and sell well.

You can also use tools like Google Trends and Answer the Public to see what your potential students are searching for and what problems they want to solve. For example, if you are a language expert, typing in related topics will show you the areas where demand is highest. This way, you can focus on creating courses that offer clear solutions to real challenges your audience is facing.

Related: Easy Ways To Validate Your Online Course Idea

• Are trending course niches better than evergreen ones?

The greatest advantage of following online course trends is that they bring fast wins, interest and enrollment. Learners want to stay up-to-date or take advantage of new opportunities. However, trends can change quickly, so you may need to update your course often or shift focus as the market evolves. This does not mean you should neglect creating courses in trending topics. 

Yet, if you want to make a sustainable living by selling online courses, only focusing on what is trending is not the best strategy. Evergreen niches, on the other hand, cover timeless skills or knowledge areas that people will always need. 

In my interview with online course creators and coaches making multiple figures, many of them mentioned they lean more towards evergreen topics. 

If you are just starting with your online course business and need to attract students, chasing trending topics is a nice starting point. Yet, make sure you cover evergreen topics that drive consistent enrollments. 

Related: How 7-figure Course Creators Build Evergreen Courses

• Can I succeed in a saturated course niche?

If you already have expertise in a niche that is crowded, do not try to compete with broad or generic courses. 

Instead, choose a very specific angle that solves a particular problem for a particular group of people. For example, instead of creating a general "learn English" course, focus on "business English for healthcare professionals" or "English for job interviews in tech."

People are not just looking for information. They are looking for solutions that feel made for them. The more clearly your course speaks to a specific need or audience, the more likely it is to stand out, even in a crowded market.

So yes, saturation is not a dealbreaker. It just means you need to go deeper, not broader.

Check out our tutorial on how you can stand out in a saturated market. 

What does this mean for you?

In 2025, learners are putting their money into online courses that help them grow in fast-changing industries, secure in-demand jobs, or improve their personal lives. 

Based on current data, course niches like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Web Development, Digital Marketing, Personal Finance, Language Learning, and Digital Content Creation are leading the way. These fields are growing rapidly, with millions of students enrolling, job demand increasing, and keyword searches climbing. 

However, just because your course topic did not appear in this trending list does not mean it lacks value. The truth is, not all meaningful courses are built around what is currently trending. Course coach Marisa Murgatroyd once shared,

“I have had students creating courses that help people with family members who struggle with drug addiction. And if you do research on Facebook groups, you will see that even serious or boring topics are full of people who need your help”. 

 

Marisa Murgatroyd

Course Coach

So do not let the belief that your topic is not popular hold you back. If your knowledge can solve a problem, offer support, or help someone move forward, then it is worth turning into a course.

If you are ready to bring your course program to life, start on Uteach. 

With Uteach, you can:

• Build and host your courses in any format (video, quizzes, live classes & more),
• Market and sell them under your own brand
• Deliver a smooth student experience through mobile learning, community features, and more.
• Track your sales, engagement, and performance. All in one platform.

Book your personalized demo to find out more about how Uteach helps you start building the course that actually sells.