Students who complete an online bachelor’s in real estate program will learn more about the history, theory, and practice of selling real estate. As such, the degree uniquely prepares students for a job as a real estate broker or sales agent, where they can expect to earn an average salary of $56,620 per year.
This degree is comprised of 120 credit hours, and it typically takes full-time students four years to complete all of the required coursework. If students take additional classes each semester or sign up for an accelerated curriculum, they may be able to complete all of the coursework in only three years. According to U.S. News & World Report, the cost of a bachelor’s in real estate ranges from $32,000 to $60,000 in total tuition.
How to Choose an Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Program
Choose your area of study
This degree is typically offered as a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA). While some online bachelor’s in real estate programs offer a more generalized educational approach, many of them will require students to choose a more specific area of study. The exact areas may vary, but common concentrations students can choose from include commercial real estate, property development, construction management, and finance and development.
Each of these concentrations helps students prosper once they graduate and enter their specific careers. As such, students should carefully consider what kind of post-graduate career they would like to pursue before choosing an area of study in order to ensure their future vocational success.
Research schools and programs
You should only apply to institutions that have been approved by a DOE-recognized regional accrediting organization, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education or Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. These organizations evaluate schools to ensure they provide students with a high-quality education. Those who attend a school that isn’t regionally accredited may be unable to access financial aid or transfer credits to another institution if needed.
Ideally, your online bachelor’s in real estate program will also be accredited by a respected industry group like the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) or the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). These programmatic accrediting organizations have particularly high standards for business education.
Students should also consider whether the program is too expensive for their budget, as overly expensive schools can lead to severe student debt. Finally, students should rule out schools that don’t offer enough support for remote learners.
To learn more about any schools that you’re interested in, you can visit the school’s website, contact an admissions counselor, follow the school on social media, or attend an in-person or virtual open house.
Prepare for tests and applications
While the exact requirements vary by school, most online bachelor’s in real estate programs will require students to submit ACT or SAT scores. It’s important to carefully review the application for details about what to submit and if there are any minimum test scores required for admission. The application will also provide details about other paperwork the student may need to attach, including transcripts, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Always contact an admissions counselor to ensure you have the most accurate information regarding requirements and deadlines.
Select your program
Before making your final decision, review your needs and goals again. Do you plan to attend school full-time or part-time? Do you want your program to be as online as possible, or are you fine with a hybrid program that has a fair amount of in-person requirements? Some programs offer asynchronous courses, which can be completed at your own pace, while others only offer synchronous courses, which involve remotely attending lectures and completing assignments at the same time as other students — which of these two online learning formats do you prefer? Your school should accommodate your scheduling needs and learning preferences.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
To maximize their financial aid opportunities, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Once they complete this application, students will be offered federal student loans, and in some cases, they may be offered Pell Grant money as well. Additionally, some scholarships will require a completed FAFSA before they can be awarded.
Students should contact the financial aid offices of their prospective schools. The financial aid advisors may have info about loans, scholarships, and grants available through the school or the state that the student otherwise wouldn’t know about. Those who already work in the field should also see if their employer offers tuition assistance benefits.
Best 5 Accredited Online Bachelor's in Real Estate Programs
Institution Type
Status
- Intelligent Score
- Alphabetically By University Name
- Acceptance Rate
- Enrollment
- In-state Graduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Graduate Tuition
- In-state Undergraduate Tuition
- Out-of-state Undergraduate Tuition
University of Memphis
Intelligent Score: 99.37In-state: $8,208
Out-of-state: $12,048
In-state: $9,216
Out-of-state: $9,216
SAT: 990-1200
ACT: 19-26
$431
Online
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
120
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Intelligent Score: 98.88In-state: $9,273
Out-of-state: $37,161
In-state: $10,728
Out-of-state: $10,728
SAT: 1260-1460
ACT: 27-32
Resident: $274
Non-Resident: $677
Online, On-Campus
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
120
Fordham University
Intelligent Score: 94.69In-state: $54,730
Out-of-state: $54,730
In-state: $23,112
Out-of-state: $23,112
SAT: 1230-1410
ACT: 27-32
$1,020
Online, On-Campus
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
120
Louisiana State University
Intelligent Score: 93.93In-state: $8,038
Out-of-state: $8,038
In-state: $9,132
Out-of-state: $9,132
SAT: 1090-1300
ACT: 23-28
$301
Online
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
120
Old Dominion University
Intelligent Score: 93.40In-state: $7,029
Out-of-state: $26,664
In-state: $10,207
Out-of-state: $10,207
SAT: 960-1170
ACT: 18-25
Resident: $393
Non-Resident: $407 - $1,073
Online, On-Campus
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
120-126
How we rank schools
This list features some of the best online bachelor’s in real estate degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online bachelor’s in real estate degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect from an Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Program?
In an online bachelor’s in real estate program, coursework is typically split between developing the skills necessary to sell real estate and the “soft skills” needed to communicate with prospective buyers.
There are as many kinds of people as there are kinds of houses, and students will learn how to make connections with diverse groups and how to turn an interpersonal relationship into a major sale. Online programs may also offer students the chance to complete an internship with a local real estate professional to foster their skills and knowledge related to this specific field.
As for the degree itself, it typically requires students to complete 120 credit hours, and this means that a full-time student can usually complete all of their required courses in four years. Students in a fast-track program may be able to complete all of the coursework within only three years, and students who take classes part-time can expect their undergraduate education to take five years or longer.
Potential courses you’ll take in an online bachelor’s in real estate degree program
- Real Estate Market Analysis. This course teaches students how to analyze the different components of shifting markets, including analyzing land, buildings, and property improvements. This helps students learn more about real property markets and how to profit from that knowledge.
- Real Estate Principles. This foundational course introduces students to many key concepts in real estate, including accounting, finance, investments, management, marketing, and more. Once students complete this course, they will be qualified to enroll in more advanced real estate courses.
- Real Estate Valuation. This course helps students learn about the different factors that determine the value of any given location or plot of land. Such knowledge will eventually prove invaluable in a professional real estate career.
- Real Estate Data Analysis. This course introduces students to some of the specialized software necessary to collect housing data. Accordingly, the class also focuses on how to interpret that data and how to analyze data over time in order to discover major real estate trends.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Real Estate Degree?
Real estate requires specialized skills and knowledge in addition to standard business proficiency. A bachelor’s degree in real estate draws from fundamentals of business, law, economics, and other disciplines to provide students with project management, data analysis, risk management, and other valuable skills.
As such, graduates from these programs can qualify for entry- and mid-level jobs in real estate across many industries, most commonly business organizations, residential development, government, and finance.
Career outlook
- Real estate agent or broker — Help clients buy, sell, and rent properties by analyzing and strategizing according to market conditions, prices, mortgage rates, and other information. May promote properties or facilitate property viewings, mediate contract negotiations between sellers and buyers, and prepare related documents.
- Median annual salary: $63,060
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 3%
- New jobs projected: 19,400
- Real estate appraiser — Appraise the estimated value of land and buildings, typically for the purpose of real estate and development processes such as sales, mortgages, insurance, and taxes. Consider local qualities, market conditions, comparable homes, and other factors concerning the property’s condition to calculate a property value estimate.
- Median annual salary: $61,630
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New jobs projected: 3,600
- Real estate manager — Manage the operation and finances of commercial or residential real estate projects and properties. Oversee the property’s rent collection and payment of taxes, insurance, mortgages, and other bills and coordinate with clients, tenants, contractors, and other parties.
- Median annual salary: $62,850
- Projected employment growth (through 2032): 5%
- New jobs projected: 23,400
Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Degree Program Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to an online bachelor's in real estate degree program?
To apply to an online bachelor’s in real estate program, students must first navigate to the university website. There, they will find either a direct link to the application or a link to a third-party application portal. It’s essential to pay close attention to application requirements; this will specify what students may need to include with the application, including test scores, a cover letter, application essays, or letters of recommendation.
Students who have questions at any point should contact the school’s admissions counselor to receive answers and to verify that they have submitted a complete application.
How much does an online bachelor's in real estate degree program cost?
According to U.S. News & World Report, the cost of an online bachelor’s in real estate ranges from $32,000 to $60,000.
This range is very large and signifies that some schools are much more affordable than others. Many factors affect the cost, including whether it is a public or private school (private schools are almost always more expensive) and how many credit hours the student must complete. Additionally, students who take longer to complete their degrees will pay more.
How long does it take to earn an online bachelor's in real estate degree?
Most online bachelor’s in real estate degrees are 120 credit hours. Completing those credits typically takes a full-time student four years.
Students who take an accelerated program may be able to finish in only three years, and students who attend part-time may take five years or longer to complete all the required coursework. By choosing a program that offers the right amount of schedule flexibility, students can better ensure they can finish their coursework without compromising any of their other responsibilities (including career and family).
Is an online bachelor’s in real estate worth it?
Data suggests a correlation between advanced education, such as a real estate bachelor’s degree, and increased lifetime earning potential. While those with a high school diploma earn a weekly median salary of $899, a bachelor’s degree can increase this to $1,493, nearly a 40% difference.
Median earning potential can also increase dramatically depending on the industry or location. For instance, while real estate managers earn a median yearly salary of $62,850, specific industries offer roles with median annual salaries of $100,000 to $175,000. Likewise, metropolitan areas are associated with significantly higher earnings than rural regions.
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