edX vs Udacity for Machine Learning

edX if you want academic rigor and a credential that may count toward grad school. Udacity if you want mentor-reviewed code feedback and industry-partner curriculum. The decision is rarely about content quality — both are good — and almost always about which feedback model and credential matters for your goal.

Conditional yes. The mentor-review component is genuinely valuable and irreplaceable at the price point. For career-switchers who need external accountability and code feedback, $1,000-$2,400 is often worth it. For self-directed learners targeting research roles, the same money buys multiple edX MicroMasters with stronger academic signal.

Yes, with conditions. MITx Statistics & Data Science transfers to MIT's on-campus DEDP MS if admitted. Boston University, Curtin, RIT, and Doane accept specific MicroMasters as transfer credit. You apply and must be admitted; the MicroMasters strengthens the application but doesn't guarantee admission.

Yes — most edX courses, including MIT 6.86x and HarvardX flagship courses, can be audited free. Auditing gives videos, readings, and most exercises. You only pay for the verified certificate ($50-$300) or MicroMasters credit ($1,000-$1,500).