Why This Matters

  • REAL ESTATE BROKERS MAKE $50,730 PER YEAR

    The median U.S. salary for all occupations is $39,810, which is $10,920 less than the median salary of real estate brokers.

  • 11,300 MORE BROKERS AND AGENTS WILL BE NEEDED

    With an expected job growth rate of 2%, brokers and agents are needed to assist businesses that want to buy property and people who are looking to purchase new homes.

  • THERE WILL BE 368,700 PROPERTY MANAGERS BY 2029

    Managers are needed to oversee operations for apartment buildings, planned communities, and housing developments.

Our Research

This list covers master’s in real estate programs that offer coursework in asset management, ethical issues, financial modeling for real estate, and property analysis. Degrees offered include Master of Science in International Real Estate, Master of Real Estate Development, Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate, Master of Business Administration in Real Estate, and Master of Science in Architecture in Real Estate Development. Students can choose on-campus, online, or hybrid learning formats.

National and regional accreditation is given to graduate real estate programs that uphold high academic standards and prepare students for occupations in real estate. Schools on this list have received national accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), or Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

We evaluated each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score for each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.

  • 78 hours to write this article
  • 154 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 343 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Master’s in Real Estate Degree Programs

Best Master's in Real Estate Degree Programs
01
Intelligent Pick
Auburn University
01
Best Job Placement Rate
University of California, Berkeley
01
Most Recognized Faculty
Roosevelt University
01
Best Studio-Based Program
Woodbury University
01
Best Student Organizations
Florida International University
01
Best Private Institution
Georgetown University
01
Best in the South
Mays Business School Texas A&M University
01
Best Real Estate Development
Arizona State University
01
Best Public Institution
Clemson University
01
Best Full-Time Program
University of Colorado Boulder
01
Most Innovative Curriculum
University Of Denver
01
Best Real Estate Finance Program
Florida State University
01
Best Accelerated Program
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
01
Best Catholic Institution
University Of San Diego
01
Best in the Midwest
University of Wisconsin-Madison
01
Best Fieldwork Experience
American University
01
Best in the Southwest
University of Arizona
01
Best in the Northeast
Baruch College - Zicklin School of Business
01
Best Capstone Opportunities
Columbia University
01
Best Two-Year Program
Cornell University
01
Best Financial Aid
Thomas Jefferson University
01
Most Flexible Admissions
University of Miami - MRED+U
01
Best Scholarships
NYU School of Professional Studies
01
Best Mentoring Opportunities
University Of Florida
01
Best Part-Time Program
University Of Indianapolis
01
Best MBA for Real Estate Program
University of Pennsylvania
01
Best Electives
University of Southern California
01
Best in the West
David Eccles School of Business - University of Utah
01
Best Private Research School
DePaul University
01
Best Urban Campus
Georgia Institute of Technology
01
Best Faculty
George Mason University
01
Best Commercial Real Estate Program
Georgia State University
01
Best for International Students
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
01
Best in the Southeast
Nova Southeastern University
01
Best Public Research School
Portland State University
01
Best Sustainable Design Program
Tulane University
01
Best Career Development Services
University Of Georgia
01
Best Entrepreneurship Program
University of Missouri - Kansas City
01
Best Focus on Technology
UNC Charlotte Childress Klein Center for Real Estate
01
Best in the Northwest
University of Washington
01
Best Non-Thesis Option
Virginia Commonwealth University
01
Best Certificate Program
Monmouth University
01
Best Student-Faculty Ratio
Pepperdine University
01
Most Affordable
Pacific States University
01
Best Alumni Network
Rutgers University
01
Most Flexible Start Terms
University of Maryland
01
Best Cohort Option
The University of Texas at Arlington
01
Best Internships
The University of Texas at Dallas
01
Best Online Program
The University of Texas at San Antonio

What You Should Know About This Degree

When choosing a graduate program, it’s important to consider pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Business Administration in Real Estate. If you’re looking to get a generalized understanding of business management and gain knowledge that can be applied to senior-level positions across many industries, think about a graduate program in business administration. MBA in Real Estate programs specialize in how real estate applies to multiple business verticals, such as finance, operations, marketing, and strategy. All programs provide advanced skills that can be used for investment strategy, property appraisal, and operational management. When choosing a graduate program, determine if you want to specialize in a career in real estate or expand your job outlook to include other industries.

Real estate is a competitive industry, and certifications can help graduates verify their expertise in the field for potential employers. A license is needed to sell, broker, or rent real estate. Additional credentials — such as Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), Seller Representative Specialist (SRS), and Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) — are valuable designations for real estate graduates.

What’s Next?

Ask yourself these questions when pursuing a master’s degree in real estate:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Graduate programs in real estate are open to students from all educational backgrounds. Some programs might require a minimum GPA and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most master’s in real estate programs require two years of full-time study to complete. Students must earn between 31 and 61 credits to complete the programs on our list.

Each program has entry requirements and application deadlines. Detailed information can be found on a program’s webpage or through the admissions department at the school to which you are applying.

Consider how you will cover the cost of your graduate degree. You might be eligible for federal student aid as well as scholarships and grants. Research funding opportunities, and be sure to turn in all financial support applications on time.