Certifications from Major Universities & Ivy Leagues that Cost Less Than eCornell Certifications
This eCornell Certification cost me $3,900. After, I questioned the cost-benefit.
Below, I’ve provided other options for you to consider. I wish I did this research prior to my certification.
Certifications from Major Universities & Ivy Leagues that Cost Less Than eCornell Certifications
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors. eCornell Certification competitors for less cost.
Are you looking at eCornell certifications and wondering if there are other options? Well, I’m here to tell you, yes, there are! In my impatience, I took an eCornell certification last year for project management to satisfy PDU hours so I can take my PMP exam. I immediately googled other major universities like Berkeley, Yale, Northwestern, and I found myself lost and I just went with eCornell.
After I took the course, I thought to myself “well, that was good, but not worth what I spent, similar to everything in our US post-secondary education system.”
I decided to do some research and see if I could save others money and time researching, and provide other options outside of eCornell certifications. In this process, I thought about the reasons why someone likely chooses an online certification, and I came up with 3 reasons:
Cost: Is the value of what the certification costs worth it?
Learning Outcomes: Are the learning outcomes valuable and will they advance your career?
Brand Recognition: Does the certifying body look good on a resume or Linkedin profile?
The recommendations I make here for the most part will hit all three of the above considerations, although I have a sprinkling of a couple low-cost certifications listed that I feel are great for those on a budget - some where folks may be able to sacrifice brand recognition for cost.
I hope by the end of this blog post, you’ll either (1) select a different certification other than eCornell, (2) or feel good about your premium eCornell certification purchase because you’ve done your research. Please keep in mind that a lot of these certifications are geared toward US and Canadian professionals.
Feel free to verify my experience and follow me on Linkedin!
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors. eCornell Certification competitors for less cost.
Certification Categories Are:
Project Management Certifications:
Are you looking at an eCornell Project Management certification? Perhaps you’re looking at them to satisfy PDU hours so you can take your PMP certifying test. That’s the exact reason I took my eCornell certification course in 2022, before I did more research. You can check my Linkedin here to validate that I have an eCornell certification listed.
If you’re thinking about taking the PMP exam, you’ll need the following experience; Either direct Project Management experience equating to 60 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years (if you have an education less than a Bachelor’s Degree) OR 36 months of experience leading projects within the past eight years if you have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher… AND 35 Hours of Project Management Training or the CAPM Certification in order to take the PMP exam.
In addition, if you want to become a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), you’ll need to study. Often, folks study with another certification that’s more preparatory, and that doesn’t include a pass/fail exam. The PMP exam also includes a portion on Agile now, so you’ll have to understand Agile Project Management principles in order to get PMP certified. Below are some project management certifications to prepare you for those qualifications.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Project Management Certifications:
Project Management Principles: University of Maryland (35 PDU hours)
Agile Project Management: University of Maryland (50 PDU hours)
Project Management Micro-Masters: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) (3 PMP Certified Courses)
Managing People with Power Skills: The University of Maryland, College Park
Project Management Essentials: George Washing University School of Business
Project Management - A Hybrid Approach: Syracuse University (50 PDUs)
Applied Scrum for Agile Project Management: The University of Maryland, College Park
Agile Project Management: Google via CourseraHelp you get a job. Help you get a job. Help you get a job.
Project Management Certification Winners:
Business Strategy Certifications:
Are you exploring a business strategy certification from eCornell / Cornell online? Business strategy certifications usually teach individuals the ability to evaluate and analyze the overall market landscape and climate. This would include market trends, competitors, and industry forces. This analysis skill-set helps individuals understand the broader business context in which their organization operates, and the vulnerabilities it may have.
eCornell and Cornell online offer a ton of certifications in the Business Strategy space, and a good amount of them are decent programs. As someone that spent the $3,900 on an eCornell certification myself, I can attest to the fact that they’re good, however, I question the cost-benefit. I think there are other certifications out there that cost less with a similar resume weight and skill-gain.
eCornell certification competitors for less cost. Cornell Certification Competitors.
Business Strategy Certifications:
Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy: MIT Sloan School of Management
Digital Business Strategy: Harnessing Our Digital Future: MIT Sloan School of Management
Making Evidence-Based Strategic Decisions: The University of Maryland, College Park
Developing Breakthrough Innovations with the Three Box Solution: Dartmouth College
Business Strategy Certification Winners:
Communication, Negotiation & Persuasion Certifications:
At the posting of this blog, eCornell doesn’t have a course on public speaking. Only a Persuasive Communication Certificate, which is highly valuable, but may not be what one needs if they’re looking for the speech aspect.
Public speaking is a common fear of many folks. There are so many public speaking certifications that focus on honing presentation skills that are offered by other places outside of eCornell or Cornell University.
These certifications focus on building confidence and engaging with audiences in a compelling way. They provide individuals with comprehensive training in verbal communication and persuasive speaking techniques.
The absolute most valuable aspect of a public speaking certification is the enrichment of the student’s confidence. Individuals' self-assurance when speaking in front of groups should increase, and that can extend to how that person communicates in all areas of their life.
eCornell and Cornell University do offer a certification in negotiations called Negotiation Mastry Certificate. However, this certification costs $3,000 at the posting of this blog, and there are other options that either are better for the price OR are more cost effective. Mostly, I just want readers to realize there are other options. I didn’t know this when I got my eCornell certification.
You may be thinking that negotiation certifications seem obvious in their learning outcomes. There’s so much more to learn than the obvious learning outcomes. Negotiation certifications go beyond basic negotiation techniques and give folks a deeper understanding of negotiation principles and strategies. The lessons often hone in on creating win-win solutions, where both parties benefit from the outcomes, helping you handle complex negotiations, such as multi-party negotiations or international business deals.
eCornell certification competitors. Ivy League Certifications that look good on resumes.
Communication, Negotiation & Persuasion Certifications:
Successful Negotiation - Essential Strategies and Skills: The University of Michigan
Structuring Business Agreements for Success: Cornell University
Introduction to Public Speaking: University of Washington via Coursera
The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course: Udemy
Speaking in Public: Storytelling, Influence, and Presence: GetSmarter
Professional Communication - Business Writing and Storytelling: The Economist
Communication, Negotiation & Persuasion Certification Winners:
Leadership Certifications:
This is a doozy of a list. eCornell has a long list of Leadership Certifications, however, eCornell also includes their finance, contract and law, communications, negotiation, and persuasion courses in that list. Including those, our curated list is longer! Have fun finding a course that’s more cost-effective, offers great learning outcomes, and still has that resume brand recognition.
What do leadership certifications offer? Well, they offer so many benefits for individuals looking to enhance their leadership abilities and advance their professional careers. Leadership certifications provide specialized training in an array of aspects of leadership - equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to lead teams, inspire others, and drive organizational success.
If you’re looking for a holistic certification, with learning outcomes in inclusivity, confidence, communications, trust building, teamwork, and strategic thinking… a leadership certification may be for you. Check out all the courses offered by EdX, GetSmarter, iPEC, and Udemy vs eCornell / Cornell University Online.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Leadership Certifications:
Exercising Leadership - Foundational Principles: Harvard University
Management in Engineering - Strategy and Leadership: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World: MIT Sloan School of Management
Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community: Boston University
Leading People and Teams: University of Michigan via Coursera
Managing People with Power Skills: The University of Maryland, College Park
Becoming a Successful Leader - Inclusive Leadership Training: Catalyst
Interpersonal Communication - Strategies for Executives: MIT Sloan School of Management
Women’s Leadership- Leading with Power and Influence: Yale School of Management
Women as Business Leaders: Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management
Leadership & Coaching Certification Winners:
Teamwork Collaboration Certifications:
Leadership certifications are for both leaders and individual contributors. Maybe you’re an individual contributor and want to develop collaboration and trust among team members. A teamwork and collaboration certification can help you excel in collaborative work environments, which let’s just say, that’s pretty much everywhere. eCornell doesn’t have any certification that is titled teamwork, collaboration, or team, although we’re sure other certifications Cornell offers would offer aspects of teamwork collaboration.
If you’re looking for a sense of belonging and engagement among team members, leading to higher job satisfaction and reduced turnover, teamwork collaboration certifications would provide that. Certified folks are better equipped to engage in collaborative problem-solving and help with conflict resolution.
Teamwork collaboration certifications often cover leadership aspects and provide career growth for those that are seeking it. Teamwork certifications enrich diverse perspectives and promote a more welcoming, open team environment.
Whether in project management, team leadership, or any other collaborative role, a teamwork collaboration certification can significantly enhance one's ability to succeed in team-oriented work environments. Check out the certification offerings here if you’re considering competitive offerings to eCornell.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Teamwork Collaboration Certifications:
Teamwork & Collaboration: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence at Work: University of California, Berkeley
Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community: Boston University
Teamwork Skills - Communicating Effectively in Groups: University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera
Team Collaboration Certification Winners:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certifications (DEIB):
eCornell has 6 DEIB certifications, ranging in price from $3,600 to $3,900. All of the DEIB Certifications listed below cost less than eCornell’s courses, and offer the same learning outcomes and some have the brand recognition like Northwestern and the University of California, Berkeley.
Why would you want to get a DEIB certification? First, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) certifications can contribute to building team trust. Trust is crucial in effective teamwork and collaboration, and DEIB initiatives play a significant role in strengthening trust within a team and across the organization. DEIB certifying courses often include skills for open and respectful communication, encouraging team members to listen actively, speak honestly, and engage in constructive dialogue. Such communication practices can build trust among team members.
By obtaining a DEIB certification, you demonstrate a commitment to promoting inclusivity and valuing diversity. This commitment sends a message that you’re dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels heard, respected, and included. That’s wildly valuable in helping you obtain employment and will boost your resume. First and foremost, it’s just a great mission to be behind.
DEIB certifications raise awareness about unconscious biases and stereotypes that can impact team dynamics, as well as emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding for different perspectives and experiences.
Inclusion efforts contribute to creating a positive team culture, where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Teams with diverse perspectives tend to outperform those that aren’t diverse as well!
Gaining a DEIB certification demonstrates a dedication to empathy and understanding of different perspectives and experiences and showcases an emphasized EQ. Below are some other DEIB certifications you can consider instead of eCornell or Cornell University Online.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certifications (DEIB):
Discrimination and Diversity in the Modern Workplace: University of California, Berkeley
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace: Northwestern University
Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Northwestern University
The Global #MeToo Movement: University of California, Berkeley
Becoming a Successful Leader - Inclusive Leadership Training: Catalyst
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Certification Winners:
Marketing Certifications:
There are several reasons why someone not in marketing may consider obtaining a marketing certification. Understanding marketing principles is incredibly beneficial for professionals working in other departments, such as sales and business development, product development, human resources and employer branding, recruitment, or customer service.
Even leadership positions could benefit from understanding this function better, so they can truly understand the impact of their marketing decisions. Businesses spend so much time building their products and services. Executing how it’s delivered to the market is essential to the company’s success. It’s not to be neglected.
Marketing involves effective communication with customers and target audiences. Professionals in any field can benefit from improving their communication skills to better convey their ideas and messages. Understanding marketing can help folks adopt a customer-centric mindset, ensuring that their products, services, or initiatives meet customer needs and preferences.
In addition, (and often forgotten about) marketing increasingly relies on data-driven decision-making. A marketing certification can provide individuals with skills in data analysis and interpretation, which can be applied in various roles. The weight of a marketing certification on a resume can absolutely help you get a job if you’re looking.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Marketing Certifications:
Fundamentals of Digital Marketing: The University of Maryland, College Park
Product Marketing: Research, Consumer Behavior and Analytics: Northwestern University
Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate: Google via Coursera
Social Media Strategy - Creating Engagement, Insight, and Action: MIT Sloan School of Management
Digital Marketing and Media Strategy: Northwestern University
Content Marketing and Strategy - Brand and Business Growth: Northwestern University
Marketing Certification Winners:
Data Analytics Certifications:
We just learned that Marketing can provide some great insights into data analytics. If you’re looking for a more holistic overview a Data Analytics Certification could be a good route.
eCornell has a handful of Data Analytics certificates for different functions, fields, and learning outcomes. However, they’re quite costly and you’re paying a lot for brand recognition for that Cornell name on your resume and Linkedin profile. You may be able to get the same learning outcomes and similar brand recognition elsewhere while paying half, or even less, or the cost of an eCornell certification.
Data Analytics skills are increasingly in demand across various industries due to the growing importance of data-driven decision-making. How many times have you heard “data-driven person” or “data-driven decision making”? If you’re in the tech or tech-adjacent space, you’ve likely heard it a lot.
Well, you could be that verified and validated “data-driven person” with the skillset to back it up with a data analytics certification. Data analytics skills can enhance the capabilities of any position, such as marketing, finance, operations, or human resources. Understanding data analysis can support better decision-making and improve performance.
Data analytics can improve decision-making power. By utilizing data analytics, professionals can make more informed and evidence-based decisions, reducing the likelihood of errors and increasing the accuracy and reliability of their choices. Below are some considerations outside of eCornell for data analytics certifications.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University OnlineCertification Competitors.
Data Analytics Certifications:
Data Analytics Certification Winners:
Finance and Risk Management Certifications:
eCornell categorizes their business and finance certifications together to hide the fact that they don’t really have many options for Finance. eCornell has no course or certification that focuses on Risk Management, a foundation for anyone in business. I’m sure risk management is touched on in other courses, however, there are no courses where it’s the fundamental focus.
Why would you want to obtain and finance and risk management certification? Obtaining a certification in finance can offer several compelling benefits for individuals who are not currently working in finance-related roles, and for those in finance, it’s an opportunity to further develop an important skill for any business.
Finance certifications often cover regulatory compliance and financial reporting standards, helping professionals navigate financial regulations and compliance requirements.
There’s an interconnectivity between finance and risk management. Risk management certifications equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, which is crucial for successful business operations and decision-making. Risk management involves analyzing complex situations and developing solutions to address potential risks. A risk management certification can enhance problem-solving skills, and understanding risk can help people make more risk-averse financial decisions. Below are recommendations to consider outside of eCornell’s finance certification offerings.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Online Certification Competitors.
Finance and Risk Management Certifications:
Foundations of Modern Finance I: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Introduction to Risk Management: New York Institute of Finance
Risk Management Tools and Practices: New York Institute of Finance
Corporate Sustainability Management - Risk, Profit, and Purpose: Yale School of Management
Finance for Non-Financial Managers: Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management
Finance and Risk Management Certification Winners:
Time & Task Management Certifications:
This is another category that eCornell is lacking in. There are fundamental skills that are foundational, and others that are fast-moving and new. Both are great to learn.
Excel is one of those tools that no matter how much one knows, it feels like they don’t know enough. With advanced Excel skills, individuals can automate repetitive tasks, streamline workflows, and perform complex calculations more quickly, saving time and increasing productivity.
Time management certifications offer structured training and tools to help individuals better manage time, prioritize tasks, and make the most of resources. Gaining this additional skill set can reduce stress and feelings of overwhelm, which contributes to a healthy work/life balance. Below are courses to consider that even eCornell may not offer.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Time & Task Management Certifications:
Excel for Everyone - Core Foundations: University of British Columbia
Work Smarter, Not Harder - Time Management: UC Irvine via Coursera
Time & Task Management Certification Winners:
Business and Employment Law Certifications:
eCornell does offer some fantastic Business and Employment Law Certifications. However, the question is are the learning outcomes and brand recognition similar elsewhere for less money? I believe the answer there is yes.
Business and Employment law certifications offer individuals the expertise to navigate legal complexities in the business and employment context, including practical skills, risk management strategies, and legal insights that are valuable across various industries and roles.
If you’re looking at these certifications, you may be seeking to enhance business compliance, protect employee rights, or make informed business decisions. Understanding risk and laws can save a company money, time, and stress; Anyone with gained expertise here is valuable to any organization. If you’re looking for certifications other than eCornell or Cornell online, below are some recommendations.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Online Certification Competitors.
Business and Employment Law Certifications:
Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law: Stanford University
Privacy Law and Data Protection: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Startup Financing and Law: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Intellectual Property Law and Policy: University of Pennsylvania
Contract Law - From Trust to Promise to Contract: Harvard University
Justice Today - Money, Markets, and Morals: Harvard University
Structuring Business Agreements for Success: Cornell University
Business and Employment Law Certification Winners:
Human Resources & Recruitment Certifications:
If you’re in the HR space, hands down, the best certifications to obtain would be the SHRM or the HRCI ones including the PHR and the SPHR. That said, you’ll need to study for those exams, and one way to accomplish that (or to broaden your studying) is to obtain another certification that will provide learning outcomes to help you pass the HR exams. The certifications below are not simply a pass/fail test like the SHRM and HRCI certifications are. The certifications below are courses, with actual learnings, and a certification that follows.
In addition to the below HR certifications, MasterYourCraft by TheBossySauce.com offers a recruitment course titled Coordinator to Recruiter: Promote to Recruiter. We believe this course is designed much better for Recruiting Coordinators looking to make that jump to a Recruiter or Sourcer role because it’s designed specifically with them in mind. It also costs much less than the eCornell Recruiting and Talent Acquisition Certification. Feel free to check out our Recruiting course here, and you can review other HR certifications we recommend below.
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors.
Human Resources Certifications:
Privacy Law and Data Protection: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Risk Management Tools and Practices: New York Institute of Finance
Discrimination and Diversity in the Modern Workplace: University of California, Berkeley
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Workplace: Northwestern University
Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Northwestern University
Becoming a Successful Leader - Inclusive Leadership Training: Catalyst
Teamwork & Collaboration: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Teamwork Skills - Communicating Effectively in Groups: University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera
Exercising Leadership - Foundational Principles: Harvard University
Ethical Leadership: Character, Civility, and Community: Boston University
Leading People and Teams: University of Michigan via Coursera
Becoming a Successful Leader - Inclusive Leadership Training: Catalyst
Interpersonal Communication - Strategies for Executives: MIT Sloan School of Management
Women’s Leadership- Leading with Power and Influence: Yale School of Management
Women as Business Leaders: Syracuse University, Whitman School of Management
Managing People with Power Skills: The University of Maryland, College Park
Project Management Essentials: George Washing University School of Business
Human Resources Certification Winners:
eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors. eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors. eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Online Certification Competitors. eCornell certification competitors. Cornell University Certification Competitors. eCornell Online certification competitors.
Here are some MasterYourCraft Courses by TheBossySauce.com:
