Key takeaways
- $1,177 in the US, in person or online; per Landmark's transfer policy the first seminar afterwards is included.
- Short refund window: three business days in the US ($35 fee), 14 days in the UK. After that, non-refundable.
- Intense format: about 39 hours over three days and an evening, in groups of up to 250.
- Controversial: called a cult by critics, which Landmark rejects; it has sued several of them.
Worth it if you…
- want an intense group course with a fixed, public price
- are ready to talk about personal issues in front of strangers
- can say no to follow-up courses and guest invitations
- are emotionally stable right now
Skip it if you…
- are going through a crisis or trauma; there are no therapists in the room
- might change your mind later: refunds close after a few days
- dislike being asked to recruit friends and family
- want evidence of lasting results first
How much does the Landmark Forum cost?
Landmark publishes its price: $1,177 for the Forum in the US, the same in person or online. A newer online Forum Signature Course costs $2,277 and adds two private sessions of 60 to 90 minutes with a senior leader. Both prices were on the official page on October 31, 2026.
| Course | Tuition | Note |
|---|---|---|
| The Landmark Forum | $1,177 | Fri–Sun + Tuesday evening; in person or online |
| Forum Signature Course | $2,277 | Online, Sat–Sun + Wednesday evening, 2 one-on-one sessions; US and Canada only |
| Introduction to the Forum | free | Online information session |
| First seminar after the Forum | included | Part of Forum tuition, per the transfer policy |
For comparison: the first Forum in 1985 cost $525, and Time quoted $495 in 2011. The course is held locally in many cities, so travel costs are often small; online, there are none.
Landmark Forum schedule: what the three days look like
The Forum runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus a Tuesday evening session, about 39 hours in total. Groups have 75 to 250 people. Landmark says the course looks at the basic structures in which you think and act, and the blind spots that hold you back at work, in relationships and in your personal life.
- Fri–SunThree long daysTalks by a Forum leader, sharing in the group and exercises. Hours per day aren't on the official page.
- BetweenCalls to people in your lifeParticipants are encouraged to contact relatives and friends about unresolved tensions.
- TuesdayFinal eveningParticipants are invited to bring guests, which critics see as a recruiting step.
Landmark Forum dates and locations depend on your city: Landmark runs seminars in about 125 locations in more than 21 countries. Dates are set city by city, so check the official site for the course nearest you.
Landmark Forum refunds, cancellation and transfers
The official policy has no satisfaction guarantee. You can cancel for a refund only in a short window after registering, which differs by country. Outside it, tuition is non-refundable, but you can move to a later date once.
| Country | Cancel within | Fee | After that |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 business days | $35 | Non-refundable |
| United Kingdom | 14 days | £25 | Non-refundable |
| Canada (not Quebec) | 7 working days | CA$50 | Non-refundable |
| Australia | no window stated | A$40 | Non-refundable, subject to Australian Consumer Law |
Transfers: once, at least 14 days before the start, to a course within four months, for the same fee as cancelling. Cancel in writing to your local Landmark office.
Is the Landmark Forum a cult? The controversy
“Landmark Forum cult” is one of the most common searches about it. The short answer: critics and some scholars use the word, Landmark rejects it firmly, and we found no court ruling that calls it a cult. These are the facts behind the debate.
- 1971–1985Roots in estWerner Erhard ran the est training, then reworked it into the Landmark Forum in 1985.
- 1991Sold to employeesErhard sold the rights to his staff; today Landmark Worldwide is employee-owned.
- 1995–2004FranceA parliamentary commission listed Landmark in 1995. It was removed after an audit by an anti-cult expert whom Landmark had paid €45,699, which became public in 2004. Landmark left France after a critical TV documentary.
- 1997–2005Lawsuits against criticsLandmark sued the Cult Awareness Network, psychologist Margaret Singer and the Cult Education Institute. Singer stated it is not a cult; the last case was dismissed in 2005.
- TodayScholars splitSome sociologists class Landmark as a new religious movement; others disagree. Landmark calls itself an educational company.
Critics also point to the recruiting: Landmark doesn't advertise and relies on graduates bringing others, which reporters have called a hard sell. It uses many volunteers; three US Department of Labor investigations ended without required changes.
What does the Landmark Forum do to people?
Landmark says more than 94% of surveyed participants reported a profound and lasting difference, without saying how many were surveyed. An early independent study from 1985 found a short-term rise in a sense of control and no lasting effect on self-image. Time reported in 2011 that the course was criticized for probing personal trauma without mental-health professionals present.
- Take the free online introduction first.
- Decide in advance whether you'll buy a follow-up course, and when.
- If you're in therapy or going through a hard time, talk to your therapist first.
Landmark Forum review: how we rated it
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to take the Landmark Forum?
The Landmark Forum cost is $1,177 in the US, in person or online. The online Forum Signature Course with two one-on-one sessions costs $2,277 and is offered only in the US and Canada. Landmark's transfer policy says the first seminar after the Forum is included.
What is the Landmark Forum?
A personal-development course run by Landmark Worldwide: three full days, Friday to Sunday, plus one Tuesday evening, in groups of 75 to 250 people. It grew out of Werner Erhard's est training and has run since 1985.
Is the Landmark Forum a cult?
Critics and some scholars have called it one or classed it as a new religious movement; Landmark rejects that and has sued several critics. A French parliamentary commission listed it in 1995, and Landmark was removed after an audit it paid for. We found no court ruling that calls it a cult.
Does the Landmark Forum still exist?
Yes. Landmark Worldwide still runs the Forum in person and online in 2026, with seminars in about 125 locations in more than 21 countries.
What does the Landmark Forum do to people?
Landmark says more than 94% of surveyed participants reported a profound and lasting difference. An early independent study found only a short-term change. Critics describe intense emotional sessions without mental-health professionals and strong pressure to sign up for more courses and bring guests.
Can you get a refund for the Landmark Forum?
In the US only within three business days of registering, minus a $35 fee; after that tuition is non-refundable. In the UK the window is 14 days. You can transfer once, at least 14 days before the start.
How long is the Landmark Forum?
Three consecutive days plus an evening session, about 39 hours in total. The online Signature Course runs Saturday and Sunday plus a Wednesday evening.
Sources
Checked on October 31, 2026.
Show all 3 sources
- Landmark WorldwideThe Landmark Forum: format, tuition, Signature Course
- Landmark WorldwideTransfer and Cancellation Policy, by country
- WikipediaLandmark Worldwide: history, format, controversy, lawsuits, research