Marginal Revolution University
What Marginal Revolution University is
Marginal Revolution University (MRU) is a free web resource for studying economics through videos, interactive lessons, and self-paced courses. Its library covers microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, money skills, development economics, and international trade. Learners can use interactive practice, reviews, quizzes, progress tracking, and completion certificates while working through full courses or shorter mini-courses. MRU also supplies free classroom materials for high school and university educators, including lesson plans, assessments, and interactive practice. Educator accounts provide answer keys and registration for teacher trainings. The project is a nonprofit housed at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and was founded in 2012. It serves individual learners, economics and personal-finance teachers, and aspiring economists and creators through talent programs. The free plan costs nothing and is always free. The site has no free trial, offers no degree programs, and prohibits access by anyone under 13.
Who it suits
MRU suits self-directed economics learners and teachers seeking free course or classroom materials. It also serves aspiring economists and creators through talent programs.
What it does well
- Free economics courses
- Self-paced full and mini-courses
- Interactive practice, quizzes, and reviews
- Progress tracking and certificates
- Free educator classroom materials
What to know first
- No degree programs
- No free trial
- Site access prohibited under age 13
- Web platform only
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Always free · Economics courses · videos · interactive practice · review quizzes · progress tracking and certificates | Free |
As mru.org lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
MRU offers a broad, no-cost economics curriculum with learner tools and educator resources. It is suited to informal study and teaching rather than degree-level education.
Facts from Marginal Revolution University's own pages
- Age restriction
- MRU’s terms prohibit use of or access to the site by anyone under 13. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Content license
- MRU says its posted content is under CC BY-ND 4.0 unless otherwise marked. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Course library
- Courses include microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, money skills, development economics, and international trade. · learn.mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Educator account limits
- Educator accounts provide access to answer keys and registration for teacher trainings; MRU says more features are coming soon. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Educator resources
- MRU offers free classroom materials for high school and university educators, including lesson plans, assessments, and interactive practice. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2012 · mru.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Arlington, Virginia, United States · mru.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The educator sign-in page offers Continue with Google, Continue with Facebook, and Continue with LinkedIn. · teach.mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- MRU serves individual learners, economics and personal finance teachers, and aspiring economists and creators through talent programs. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Learning tools
- The learner site lists engaging videos, interactive practice, reviews and quizzes, progress tracking, and certificates. · learn.mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Nonprofit and location
- MRU describes itself as a nonprofit project housed at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, with offices and a studio in Arlington, Virginia. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security and privacy
- MRU’s terms direct users to the Mercatus Center privacy policy for information about collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Self-paced learning
- Learners can work through full-length courses and mini-courses at their own pace. · learn.mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site provides a Contact Support button and directs technical support requests to MRU customer service. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
- What it does
- MRU provides free economics education through video and interactive lessons for individual learners. · mru.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where Marginal Revolution University stands on Freedom251
- MOOC Platforms#37 of 67