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6 Best Quantum Computing Courses for Beginners

Quantum computing introduces a new way of processing information, using principles of superposition and entanglement to solve certain problems more efficiently than classical computers. This page gathers six beginner‑friendly courses that cover the core concepts, practical tools, and emerging applications, helping you decide which programme matches your background and goals.

The selection includes offerings from Coursera and edX, with prices ranging from $49.00 to $833.33. Some courses are provided by well‑known universities such as the University of Chicago, Purdue University, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Delft University of Technology, while others are platform‑hosted introductions. Use the information below to compare focus areas, teaching styles, and cost before choosing a course that fits your learning path.

Courses compared
6
Price range
$49.00 – $833.33
Providers
Coursera, edX
Last updated
18 Sep 2026
How these 6 courses were chosen

Every course below is a real, currently listed course from Coursera, edX, matched to "quantum computing" by our catalog and ordered by our CourseAsk score. Courses whose own title names the topic rank above those only tagged with it.

The grade on each entry scores how much the provider publishes about the course before you pay — the length and detail of the description, whether it lists learning outcomes and objectives — and whether a named university or institution stands behind it. A is fully documented and institution-backed; E is little more than a title and a price. Courses with almost nothing published are left ungraded rather than marked down, because an unknown course and a poor one are not the same thing.

There are no star ratings on this page — the course feeds we license do not include them, and we would rather leave a column out than fill it with a number we cannot stand behind. What we do have is price: these range from $49.00 to $833.33, as listed by the provider when we last updated the page.

  1. 1
    Coursera MOOC / Non-credit Grade B Lowest price here

    The Complete Quantum Computing Course for Beginners

    Offered by Packt

    Updated in May 2025. This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as yo...

    $49.00
    listed price
  2. 2
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Introduction to Quantum Computing for Everyone

    Offered by University of Chicago

    This first course in quantum computing is for novices and requires learners to have only basic algebra. It covers the future impacts of quantum computing, provides intuitive introductions of quantum physics phenomenon, a...

    $199.00
    listed price
  3. 3
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Applied Quantum Computing I: Fundamentals

    Offered by Purdue University

    Learn the fundamental postulates of quantum mechanics and how they can be mapped onto present-day quantum information processing models, including computation, simulation, optimization, and machine learning.

    $833.33
    listed price
  4. 4
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C

    Quantum Computing Fundamentals

    Offered by MIT xPRO

    The course introduces the basic elements of quantum computing, covering qubits, superposition, entanglement, and the construction of simple quantum circuits. It explains how quantum algorithms differ from classical ones,...

  5. 5
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade B University-backed

    Introduction to Post-Quantum Cryptography

    Offered by University of Maryland Baltimore County

    This six-week online course on Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) offers an active, immersive introduction to the emerging field of quantum-safe encryption. Designed for beginning STEM learners, the course blends foundation...

    $249.00
    listed price
  6. 6
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Fundamentals of Quantum Information

    Offered by Delft University of Technology

    Quantum information is at the heart of quantum computing: learn how it is mathematically represented via quantum circuits and how to manipulate quantum entanglement with these circuits.

    $185.00
    listed price

Best Quantum Computing Courses for Beginners compared

# Course Provider Offered by Price
1 The Complete Quantum Computing Course for Beginners Coursera Packt $49.00 View →
2 Introduction to Quantum Computing for Everyone edX University of Chicago $199.00 View →
3 Applied Quantum Computing I: Fundamentals edX Purdue University $833.33 View →
4 Quantum Computing Fundamentals edX MIT xPRO View →
5 Introduction to Post-Quantum Cryptography edX University of Maryland Baltimore County $249.00 View →
6 Fundamentals of Quantum Information edX Delft University of Technology $185.00 View →

Prices shown are the provider's listed price when we last updated this page. Confirm on their site before enrolling.

What the prices here tell you

The 5 priced courses on this page run from $49.00 to $833.33, with the middle of the range around $199.00 — a spread of $784.33. That is a wide gap for one subject. A higher price on this page usually reflects who is behind the course rather than how much material it contains, so it is worth opening two or three at different price points and comparing their syllabus before deciding.

Who is behind these courses

These courses come from Coursera and edX. The platforms differ in how they sell: some charge once per course, others expect a subscription, and the listed price is not always what you pay at checkout after a promotion. 4 of these are produced by a named university or institution, including University of Chicago, Purdue University and University of Maryland Baltimore County — which usually means a fixed syllabus and a recognised certificate, rather than an individual instructor’s own course.

Before you enrol

Open the provider’s own page and check three things this comparison cannot tell you: when the course was last updated, what the syllabus actually covers in its later sections, and what recent learners say. Prices shown here are the provider’s listed price when we last rebuilt this page on 18 September 2026 — they change often, and a promotion can move them substantially. We earn a commission if you enrol through our links, which costs you nothing and never affects the order courses appear in.

Frequently asked questions

What background is needed to start a beginner quantum computing course?
Most introductory courses assume comfort with basic mathematics and some programming experience, but they usually start with fundamental quantum concepts and do not require prior knowledge of quantum mechanics.
How do the courses differ in terms of content focus?
Some courses, like the Coursera option, provide a broad overview, while others such as the Purdue offering delve into applied fundamentals. A few, like the post‑quantum cryptography course, focus on specific applications of quantum principles.
Are the courses self‑paced or scheduled?
All six courses are delivered through online platforms that typically allow self‑paced study, though certain programmes may include optional live sessions or deadlines set by the provider.
What is the price range for these beginner courses?
The listed prices span from $49.00 for the Coursera course up to $833.33 for the Purdue University course on edX, with other options falling between these amounts.

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