If you’re interested in real estate and looking to break into the field, obtaining an online real estate degree may be the right path forward for you.
An online real estate degree can help you develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed to launch a career in realty, becoming a real estate agent, broker, or appraiser. The degree can also help starting a career in business, finance, and management.
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Another potential area you may branch into is law, using your online real estate degree as the first step to becoming a real estate lawyer.
Online Real Estate Degrees
A number of accredited universities offer programs that bundle a real estate concentration into a degree program. That might include a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Finance, or Bachelor of Science.
Pursuing a bachelor’s in real estate online can help you learn about basic real estate principles or foundations, taxation and mortgages, residential and commercial real estate, selling and marketing, property management, and real estate appraisal.
Additional topics covered in course curriculum may include real estate law, real estate investment, and real estate finance and economics.
As the real estate profession becomes more competitive, a degree in real estate can be useful in establishing your career path and setting your qualifications apart from other candidates.
With a real estate degree, you may choose a number of different directions for your career path. You may opt for a position with an established company or choose to own and operate your own business.
Real estate degrees can help you grow your career overtime with positions ranging from real estate assistant to real estate agent, financial analyst, real estate appraiser, to real estate director or vice president.
Real Estate Careers & Salaries
With a bachelor’s in real estate online, there are a number of different career paths you may take. These paths span across various industries and job markets, including realty, business administration, finance, and data science. An online degree in real estate can also help to set you on the path to becoming a real estate lawyer or attorney.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are a number of profitable career paths you may follow with a real estate degree.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
| Financial Analysts | $83,660 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $64,770 |
| Real Estate Brokers | $60,370 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $59,660 |
| Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate | $58,650 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $49,040 |
As you can see in the chart above, a degree in real estate doesn’t limit you to the traditional path of real estate agent or real estate broker. There are a number of opportunities unrelated to direct property sales that you may pursue that offer comfortable annual salaries.
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Research by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that careers in real estate are predicted to grow at a rate of 2% over the next several years. This growth rate applies to real estate agents and brokers, property and real estate management, and appraisers and assessors of real estate.
Positions including lawyers and financial analysts are predicted to grow as fast as average at a rate of 6% over the coming years.
Choosing a Bachelor’s in Real Estate Online
When it comes to choosing the best real estate degree program for you to enroll in, there are a number of factors to consider.
- Tuition Costs: The overall cost of tuition and related fees charged by the university for each credit and the degree as a whole.
- Program Length and Type: The number of credits required to complete your degree at different schools and whether part-time or fulltime attendance is required.
- Transfer Credits: If you have completed credits at another post-secondary institution prior to enrolling in an online real estate degree, you may be able to transfer some of your completed credits.
- Course Offerings: Different program types (e.g., Business, Finance, or Science) will have different course offerings, and different schools will also have distinct course programing and curriculum. Research the curriculum of each school you’re interested in to ensure it’s the right fit for you.
Real Estate Curriculum & Courses
Online real estate degrees offer core curriculum courses that can help you build a strong foundation of knowledge in various content areas. Like most degrees, a real estate program will likely start with general course content and become more focused as you progress.
- Real Estate Principles: This course covers the foundational elements of real estate, including an overview of real estate law, escrow, mortgages, appraisals, and investments.
- Real Estate Finance: This course covers key finance topics including mortgages and loans, investment analysis, and property value.
- Foundations of Real Estate Appraisals (Residential and Commercial): This course covers methods to assess residential and commercial property, reviewing key principles in determining market value.
- Residential Property Analysis: This course covers key principles related to residential building codes, neighborhood design, construction, and residential inspections.
- Commercial Property Analysis: This course covers key principles related to environmental impact, office properties, buildings with multiple dwellings, and retail buildings.
- Real Estate Economics: This course covers key principles in evaluating real estate markets, including supply and demand and market predictions.
- Valuation Techniques: This course covers technical applications used to assess residential and commercial property values.
- Real Estate Law: This course covers key legal principles, including legal agreements, zoning, ownership, real estate purchase and sale, and land registration and title.
- Real Estate Management: This course covers key principles in understanding property management, including property maintenance and problem solving.
- Real Estate Investment: This course covers home ownership as an investment, property taxation and tax law, depreciation, and operating expenses.
These are some of the courses that are common across different online real estate degree programs. Each course builds on the basic principles of real estate to provide you with a more holistic and in-depth understanding of important knowledge areas.
Admissions Requirements
The admission requirements for an online bachelor’s in real estate will vary from school to school, but many programs will ask you to submit the items listed below.
- High school transcripts or GED scores: A record of courses completed, and final grades achieves in those courses.
- College transcripts (if applicable): If you have previously attended a college or university and completed coursework, then you may be asked to submit transcripts as part of your application.
- SAT or ACT scores: Some schools will request your SAT or ACT scores as part of your application. A number of schools are no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores for undergraduate admissions, so you will want to check with the specific school you’re applying to.
Accreditation
Accreditation is an important consideration for degree programs, and an online real estate degree is no different. When a school is accredited it means that the school meets a certain level of academic quality and accountability.
Accreditation also make it more likely that credits obtained at this institution will be accepted as transfer credits at other schools. Enrolling in a school that is not accredited may also impact your ability to receive financial aid.
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The U.S. Department of Education offers an easy to use search function to help you find out the accreditation status of various schools.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
There is a cost associated with pursuing a bachelor’s in real estate online, but you may be eligible to receive financial aid and/or scholarships to help you fund your degree.
Federal aid is a program managed by the federal government that may provide you with grants or loans for your studies. You can apply for federal aid through the Department of Education using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
State Aid is a program managed by your local state government. It operates similar to the federal aid program in that you may be eligible to receive grants or loans to help fund your degree.
Scholarships are a type of payment that you may be eligible to receive from various non-profit and private organizations. Once received, scholarship payments do not have to be repaid. Scholarship eligibility may depend on the type of degree you choose to pursue, academic standing, or life experiences.
What Can You Do With a Real Estate Degree?
A real estate degree can help you pursue a number of different career possibilities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with an online real estate degree you can pursue a career in realty, business, and finance.
Job possibilities in realty include real estate assistant, real estate agent, real estate broker, real estate appraiser, or property manager. Other possible careers, like those in business or finance, include financial analyst, mortgage broker, valuation manager, and director or vice president of real estate for large corporations.
An online real estate degree may also be a step towards a career as a real estate lawyer.
How Much Does an Online Real Estate Bachelor’s Cost?
Although tuition varies, average costs are between $265 to $500 per credit hour when pursuing a bachelor’s in real estate online.
Different factors may impact the cost you are required to pay, including the school you choose to attend, the length of the program, and whether you’re eligible to receive financial aid grants or scholarships.
The cost may also depend on the type of degree program you enroll in, whether it’s a bachelor’s in business, finance, or science.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Real Estate Degree Online?
A traditional, full-time program with two 16-weeks semesters per year typically takes 4 years to complete. You may speed up the process if you follow an 8-week semester program and stay continuously enrolled throughout the entire year.
For some programs part-time study options may be available, allowing you to take a smaller course load each semester. Choosing to be a part-time student may allow you to balance other life demands, but it may also lengthen the total number of years it will take you to complete your degree.
Are There Any Affordable Online Real Estate Degrees?
Yes, there are affordable online real estate degree programs. While tuition varies from school to school, there are online real estate degree programs that start as low as $265 per credit. When paired with financial aid programs, whether federal aid, state aid, or scholarships, the cost you are required to pay for your degree may be reduced.
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Keep in mind that tuition costs for an online real estate degree may differ depending on whether you’re in-state versus out-of-state for a particular university.
Which Online Real Estate School is the Best?
The school that is best for pursuing your online real estate degree depends on your individual needs and career goals. According to U.S News, the top accredited online colleges include Ohio State University (Columbus), University of Illinois (Chicago), and the University of Florida.
The online real estate school that’s best for you will meet your educational and financial needs and provide the right semester structure to fit into your life, allowing you to balance other responsibilities such as work and family.
Can I Go to Real Estate School Online?
Yes, you may earn a bachelor’s or a master’s in real estate online from an accredited university.
Depending on the school, real estate coursework may be bundled into degree programs differently. Schools may choose to include real estate degree education as part of bachelor’s in business, bachelor’s in finance, or bachelor’s in science.
What Degree is Best for Real Estate?
The real estate degree that is best for you depends on your needs and career goals, and the offerings at various schools.
Each school will structure their real estate educational offerings differently. For some schools you may find that their real estate coursework is within a Bachelor of Business program, while other schools may offer real estate coursework as part of a Bachelor of Finance, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Commerce.
Are There Degrees in Real Estate?
Yes. There are degrees in real estate, including Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate, Bachelor of Finance in Real Estate, Bachelor of Science in Real Estate, and Bachelor of Commerce in Real Estate.
The type of degree program that a real estate specialization or concentration is bundled into will depend on each individual school.
Is a Real Estate Degree Worth it?
Yes, a real estate degree is worth it for many students. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, business, financial, and management jobs are set to grow at 5% over the next 10 years, faster than the average for all occupations. Common real estate careers in this field include real estate agent, real estate appraiser, property manager, real estate analyst, and valuation manager.
Some careers in real estate, including real estate brokers and agents, offer significant room for salary growth, with sales commission making up a significant portion of income potential.
Commission earned as a real estate agent may fluctuate depending on annual number of sales and overall market conditions.
Universities Offering Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
American Public University’s online B.B.A. degree works to equip students with the knowledge needed to succeed in the worlds of business administration and real estate. Accredited by the ACBSP, the courses provide a solid foundation in the field.
Courses include accounting, management, finance and more. There are additional elective courses to help streamline students’ focuses.
- BBA in Real Estate Construction and Portfolio Development
APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students interested in pursuing real estate careers may earn their B.S. in Business from Capella University, where may gain a wealth of knowledge and experience in fields like risk management and entrepreneurship. Students are partnered with professionals to gain real-world experience, and the online curriculum allows them to learn at their own pace.
- BSB in Finance – Real Estate
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Clarion University offers an online B.S. in Business Administration with a minor in real estate program. This degree aims to prepare students to work in the real estate world by combining detailed coursework with field experiences and internships. Upon graduation, students will have satisfied the requirements to become licensed agents/brokers in Pennsylvania.
- BSBA in Real Estate
The Clarion University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Students earning an online bachelor’s in finance from Columbia College get in-depth instruction on all business finance fields. Students can take elective courses in real estate and work towards one of the various real estate certificates the college offers. Columbia College also offers an online MBA in Real Estate Management.
- BA in Finance – Real Estate
Columbia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
East Tennessee State University offers an online B.B.A. in Finance with a Real Estate concentration. The university seeks to provide students with everything needed to succeed in the global market. Course topics include accounting, the legality of business, marketing, principles of investments, capital budgeting, real estate appraisals, and more.
- BBA in Finance – Real Estate
East Tennessee State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
A Bachelor’s in Real Estate from Florida International University helps prepare students to work and succeed in the buying, selling, finance and reporting sides of real estate. Students can learn about commercial, residential and international real estate, property management and development. Graduates should be fully equipped for any real estate career.
- BBA in Real Estate
Florida International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Liberty University offers a 100% online B.S. degree in Business Administration with a Real Estate concentration via flexible, eight-week courses with no set log-ins. Students can learn the basic and advanced concepts of real estate through courses on leadership, valuation, mortgages, real estate law and more.
- BSBA in Real Estate
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Louisiana State University Shreveport’s online B.S. in Finance with a Real Estate concentration program puts a strong focus on the principles of business, finance and real estate. Courses are designed to prepare students to take and pass the state licensing real estate exams and have lucrative real estate careers.
- BS in Finance – Real Estate
Louisiana State University in Shreveport is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
At Mississippi College, students earning their B.S. degrees in Business Administration can work towards gaining comprehensive knowledge of the business world in a God-central, Christian environment.
Coursework is diverse and flexible and helps prepare students for careers in multiple fields including real estate, non-profit and corporate business. A premium is also placed on developing strong critical-thinking skills.
- BSBA in Real Estate
Mississippi College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Ranked third nationwide by U.S. News & World Report Education, New York University’s B.S. in Real Estate offers coveted internships and study-abroad opportunities. The 68-credit-hour program focuses on every aspect of real estate. Students study under prominent real estate professionals to learn all they can about urban real estate.
- BS in Real Estate
New York University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
While Northwestern State University of Louisiana doesn’t offer a specific degree in real estate, it does offer a B.S. in Business Administration with a license in real estate. Courses cover management, marketing, finance, economics, employment law, business entities, managerial decisions, constitutional law and more.
- BSBA in Finance – Real Estate
Northwestern State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The B.S. in Business Administration at Purdue University Global is an online degree program created specifically for working adults who need college to be flexible.
The program takes many things into account, such as military service, work experience, college credits and more, in order to provide students with the most effective program possible.
- BSBA in Real Estate
Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Temple University’s Fox School of Business offers a 124-credit Bachelor’s in Real Estate that aims to give students firm foundations for their prospective careers in the field.
Popular course topics include investments, property management, real estate transactions, valuation and appraisal, risk assessment, market analysis and international finance. There’s also a strong managerial component.
- BBA in Real Estate
Temple University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
At the University of Alabama Birmingham, students have the opportunity to earn their B.S. in Finance completely online through the university’s Collat School of Business. The program features technology-driven instruction, an innovative curriculum and an environment of continual learning.
The four-year program can help students pursuing careers in real estate and other business-related fields.
- BS in Finance – Real Estate
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The B.S. in Business Administration offered by the University of Arizona puts a heavy focus on global business trends, data analysis and critical thinking. With classes covering marketing, management, business communication, finance, business ethics, real estate, project management and more, students can work towards developing firm foundations for their real estate careers.
- BSBA in Real Estate
The University of Arizona is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Memphis offers a bachelor’s in finance with a concentration in Real Estate program that is AACSB-accredited. The 120 credit hour program works to lay the foundation and teach the principles and tools necessary for working in the fields of business, finance and real estate.
The program can lead to professional real estate certificates for students after completion.
- BBA in Real Estate
The University of Memphis is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
The online B.S. in Business Administration degree from the University of Nebraska Kearney works to provide students with the skills and knowledge to become major competitors in the business world. The faculty is industry-focused; the classes are hands-on and experiential, and the curriculum is comprehensive and constantly evolving.
- BSBA in Real Estate
UNK is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Nebraska Omaha has its own Center for Real Estate and Asset Management and offers students a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Real Estate. The program offers several different real estate certificates, and the program is approved by the Nebraska Real Estate Commission and the Appraisal Qualification Board.
- BSBA in Real Estate
UNO is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Students at the University of Texas Dallas pursuing a career in real estate have two options: a B.S. in Business Administration or a B.S. in Finance. Both options offer many real estate classes as electives and the option for students to join the Real Estate Club to meet, intern and work with industry executives and other professionals.
- BSBA in Real Estate
The University of Texas at Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Although the B.B.A. in Real Estate will no longer be offered at the University of West Georgia after Summer 2020, the university will continue to offer B.B.A. degrees with real estate minors. Up to 80% of the program can be completed online.
- BBA in Real Estate
UWG is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Getting Your Degree in Real Estate Online
If you’re interested in real estate, including aspects of finance and business, enrolling in an online real estate degree program may be right for you. An online real estate degree may offer you opportunities to work not only in realty directly, but also secure positions in business administration, finance, and law.
With higher than average job growth, good earning potential, and access to affordable online degree programs, now may be a great time to start your educational journey and explore your options for obtaining a bachelor’s in real estate online.
