Best Real Estate Degrees Online
Online real estate degrees are available at universities across the country. Individuals interested in working directly with a variety of people and performing both in and out-of-office duties may be interested in a real estate degree. Graduates may find careers as real estate agents and real estate brokers, both of which work directly with people to purchase and sell properties. However, a degree in real estate can also help to prepare graduates for careers in real estate finance or development, among other career paths.
Prospective online real estate students should ensure that their programs of choice are accredited before they enroll. Attending an accredited institution is also required by some states prior to seeking real estate licensure.
Most Popular Accredited Online Schools for Real Estate Bachelor's Degrees
| Rank | School | Annual Tuition | Recommend Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purdue University Global | $14,358 | 72% (481 reviews) | |
| Liberty University | $11,700 | 58% (326 reviews) | |
| University of Arizona | $11,800 | 75% (4 reviews) | |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | $20,400 | 100% (1 review) | |
| Louisiana State University - Shreveport | $20,481 | 67% (18 reviews) | |
| Everglades University | $18,320 | 89% (151 reviews) | |
| American Public University System | $7,324 | 70% (181 reviews) | |
| Old Dominion University | $30,840 | 64% (11 reviews) | |
| University of Memphis | $13,752 | 33% (3 reviews) |
Overview of a Real Estate Bachelor's Degree
Earning a real estate degree online prepares you to become a professional broker, agent, or assessor. In general, undergraduate degree programs can take up to four years to complete on a full-time schedule. You'll learn about the modern day housing market, including the real estate laws and financial theories that make up the industry. Other elements of study include methods for appraising, developing, and selling property, as well as the digital marketing tactics used once a home is on the market.
Colleges with real estate programs require prospective students to have a high school diploma or GED, along with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or 3.0. Once accepted, you'll take a variety of real estate courses and some may even require an in-person practicum in real estate marketing or related subjects. In addition to the real estate-specific areas of study, students may also be required to take business ethics and analytics courses.
Can You Get a Real Estate Degree Online?
Yes, earning an online real estate degree is possible through many colleges and universities around the country. Before you apply to school, it's important to consider their accreditation.
Accredited online schools are well-respected because they have been vetted by institutional accrediting organizations to ensure their offerings meet the federal standards for education.
The importance of accreditation is especially vital for aspiring real estate professionals because they must have a real estate license to operate in their state.
Core Courses for a Real Estate Major
Real estate programs contain courses that concern a variety of business, marketing, and housing subjects. At the end of your required coursework, some schools may require you to take an internship or participate in a capstone project, which may include in-person participation.For this reason, you should check each program's requirements, especially if you're attending from out of state. Real estate capstones often include simulated contract negotiations, legal research, and an oral presentation.
Check below for a list of common courses found in real estate degrees online:
Real Estate Appraisals
In this course, you'll discover the methods and techniques for appraising the value of housing and property. This includes understanding the standards set forth by the Appraisal Foundation and their certification standards.
Real Estate Law
Real estate law looks at the finance and development side of the industry through a legal lens. This includes the legal issues related to ownership, zoning, eminent domain, foreclosures, and mortgages.
Housing Markets
This course explores the economic and operational sides of the housing market, including supply and demand, price cycles, public policy, and the operations of homebuilders and landlords. It primarily focuses on the U.S. market while international markets serve as comparisons.
Negotiation and Conflict
Conflict resolution is an important skill for real estate agents. This class focuses on resolving interpersonal and group conflicts by managing situations through negotiations.
Real Estate Entrepreneur
This course is meant to follow the life cycle of real estate investments and management as an independent entrepreneur. You'll look at the processes for raising capital, handling negotiations, and modeling documentation techniques, and you'll also study how different economic environments may affect your success.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Real Estate?
There are a handful of jobs available for graduates of real estate bachelor's degrees. These roles can involve all sides of a real estate transaction, from the buyer or the seller to mortgage companies or housing developers. Each aspect plays an integral role in the market by facilitating different parts of the home-buying process. Some salaries are dictated by the employer, while others are based on commission.
Keep in mind, no real estate job explicitly requires a college degree. However, these credentials provide you with the knowledge necessary to earn a license. Furthermore, some employers actually will require candidates to have a bachelor's degree in real estate.
Let's take a closer look at some possible career paths for graduates of an online real estate degree:
Real Estate Sales Agents
Real estate sales agents are licensed salespersons who work for real estate brokers on behalf of clients to buy or sell property. These professionals work on-site to guide potential buyers or sellers through the entire home-buying process by preparing documentation, compiling property research, and acting to ensure every part of a purchase agreement is valid.
Real Estate Brokers
Real estate brokers oversee the work of real estate agents, including the transactions they facilitate. They also sell or rent property themselves, as well as arrange loans for clients. Property owners reach out to brokers who assign a sales agent to put their home on the market. Brokers then prepare the financial reports for the closure of sales.
Real Estate Appraisers
Appraisers use their knowledge of the housing market and property features in order to assign an appropriate market value to a home. They incorporate taxes, market fluctuations, income potential, renovations, and depreciation. Their work is crucial for buyers and sellers to properly assess their property.
Real Estate Association Managers
Real estate association managers plan and direct the governance of activities for housing communities, commercial and industrial buildings, and residential properties. They also oversee the work of condominium and homeowner associations alongside coordinating property sales and rental transactions.
Real Estate Agent Licensure
Though there is not presently a specific accrediting agency for real estate programs, licensure requirements stipulate that the program an individual graduates from must be accredited. So, in order to apply for licensure, you'll need to have completed state-accredited prelicensing courses or college-level courses in real estate from an accredited institution. Either way, a degree can help you prepare and place you at the top of your competition.
In order to apply for licensure, you'll need to have completed state-accredited prelicensing courses or college-level courses in real estate from an accredited institution.
Additional licensure requirements include a minimum age of 18 years old, a background check, and successful completion of the license examination as set forth by the state. Additionally, a real estate professional must complete a minimum requirement of real estate courses and cumulative years of work experience, as determined by their state. Individuals interested in obtaining a real estate degree are encouraged to verify the licensure requirements in their state, as each state varies.
Is a Real Estate Degree Worth It?
Real estate degrees provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the housing industry as a broker or sales agent. Professionals in this field possess a deep understanding of the housing market that they use to facilitate the buying and selling of various forms of real estate. Many employers believe the best way to achieve these skills is to earn a degree.
So, let's take a look at the pros and cons of earning your real estate degree online:
Potential Benefits
Some real estate professions offer a lot of flexibility. Many sales agents work part-time or in a flexible capacity, allowing them to show homes and compile research in the evenings and on weekends.
There may be higher annual salaries in store for real estate professionals within industrial and commercial real estate. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the oil, natural gas, and electric industries offer significantly higher wages for real estate agents when compared to residential sales.
Being equipped with the legal knowledge from a real estate degree can work in your favor when you're buying or selling your own home or other properties.
Potential Drawbacks
Real estate degrees aren't required in most cases. While states do require license applicants to possess a certain number of relevant coursework hours, these are often achieved through short certificate programs.
The job outlook for real estate agents is not as positive as other occupations. According to the BLS, this role is expected to see a modest 5% growth into 2031. This is exactly at the current average growth across all U.S. occupations. This means there isn't a high demand in the near future.
Commission rates are on the decline. Statista reports that commission rates for real estate agents have dropped from 6.04% in 1992 to 5.66% in 2020.
The real estate market can fluctuate drastically. The National Association of Realtors reports that June 2022 home sales fell by over 5% and declined in three out of the four major U.S. geographic regions.
If you're concerned about tuition costs, you can seek financial aid — including scholarships and student loans — to help pay for your real estate bachelor degree online.
FAQs About Real Estate Degrees
What Degree Do Most Real Estate Agents Need?
There is no particular degree required for aspiring real estate agents. However, licenses are required to perform the duties of a real estate agent. These are issued by individual states, which means each one has their own requirements for education and experience. The Association of Real Estate License Law Offices provides a great resource for those looking to earn their license. They include detailed notes from each state, including international countries and territories.
Is Majoring in Real Estate a Good Idea?
Majoring in real estate can provide you with an excellent set of skills and the knowledge required to earn your professional real estate license. Once you obtain your license, employers may prefer applicants with a degree, as it shows both dedication and expertise. According to O*NET, 37% of real estate brokers said their employers required them to have a bachelor's degree in the field before they were hired.
What Is the Highest Paying Job in Real Estate?
According to the BLS, real estate brokers earn more on average ($62,010) than real estate agents ($48,340). However, the highest earning real estate agents in the oil and gas industry earn annual mean salaries of $122,760. Compare this to the highest earning mean wages of real estate brokers in investment firms who net $104,960 per year. This data shows that your earnings will ultimately depend on what industry you decide to work in.
What States Have the Hardest Real Estate Exams?
Each state has a different licensing exam for real estate professionals. Participants are required to hold a certain number of experience hours and education credits before they're even eligible to take the licensing exam.
It's important to note that a few states have notoriously difficulttests. Texas, for example, has a strict timed test featuring over 100 questions covering both state and national real estate topics. According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, only 60.81% of participants pass the exam. Along the same lines, California requires applicants to provide a written examination just to apply for the real estate exam. Once approved, the test itself consists of 150 questions with a three hour time limit.
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