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Best Value Real Estate Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Real estate programs demonstrate extreme cost variation, with CUNY Baruch College charging just $2,978 annually while private institutions like Texas Christian University reach $33,531. University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn the highest median salary at $73,949, nearly triple the lowest earners at $28,366. The wide earnings gap reflects regional real estate markets, where properties in major metropolitan areas command higher transaction values and commission rates. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 11 of the 15 lowest-cost programs offered by state institutions. Florida State University stands out with strong placement results, combining a $10,997 net cost with $49,588 median earnings and an 83% graduation rate. The real estate industry employs over 2 million Americans across residential sales, commercial brokerage, property management, and development sectors. Geographic location significantly impacts career prospects, as agents in high-cost markets like California and New York typically earn higher commissions than those in smaller metropolitan areas.
50
Programs
$2,978 – $44,876
Net Price Range
$50,946
Avg. Program Earnings
68.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Real Estate Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,978 $34,704 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
2 $10,997 $49,588 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
3 $16,928 $73,949 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
4 $11,234 $48,432 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
5 $13,816 $52,941 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
6 $7,599 $28,366 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
7 $14,352 $52,107 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
8 $14,609 $45,221 $9,728 68.9% 95.0%
9 $18,292 $53,775 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
10 $19,452 $48,432 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
11 $15,931 $37,568 $8,478 53.7% 66.8%
12 $31,927 $71,643 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
13 $31,265 $63,005 $56,444 81.6% 52.6%
14 $33,531 $63,005 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
15 $29,237 $52,107 $48,700 80.1% 87.2%
16 $30,525 $49,019 $52,284 75.2% 77.0%
17 $44,876 $71,351 $64,701 92.4% 23.4%
18 $25,321 $39,729 $13,160 8.8%
19 $29,141 $40,626 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
20 $41,942 $55,964 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
21 $29,219 $38,337 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
22 $23,790 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
23 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
24 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
25 $24,532 $12,688 77.7% 64.1%
26 $19,518 $12,978 65.0% 75.7%
27 $38,428 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
28 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
29 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
30 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
31 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
32 $8,351 $5,058 32.4%
33 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
34 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
35 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
36 $8,964 $5,580 31.6% 46.8%
37 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
38 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
39 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
40 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
41 $21,616 $33,450 55.8% 98.4%
42 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
43 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
44 $36,037 $59,340 78.0% 77.7%
45 $22,886 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
46 $37,454 $64,990 85.2% 49.0%
47 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
48 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
49 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
50 $36,803 $59,926 84.2% 18.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings gap between real estate graduates?

Median earnings range from $28,366 to $73,949, reflecting regional market differences and specialization areas. University of Wisconsin-Madison leads at $73,949, while California State University-Northridge graduates average $28,366. Commercial real estate professionals typically earn more than residential agents. Geographic markets with higher property values generate larger commission pools for agents and brokers.

How do public and private real estate programs compare in cost?

Public programs average significantly lower costs, with CUNY Baruch at $2,978 leading affordable options. Private institutions like University of Southern California charge $31,927 annually. However, USC graduates earn $71,643 median salary, suggesting potential return on investment. In-state tuition at public universities ranges from $5,656 at Florida State to $16,458 at Virginia Commonwealth.

Is graduation rate a reliable indicator of program quality?

Graduation rates vary from 51.2% at UT San Antonio to 92% at USC, but don't always correlate with earnings. University of Wisconsin-Madison achieves both high graduation rates (89.3%) and top earnings ($73,949). Florida State combines strong retention (83%) with solid earning potential ($49,588). Lower graduation rates sometimes reflect open admission policies rather than program weakness.

Does geographic location affect real estate career outcomes?

Location significantly impacts both program costs and career prospects in real estate. Schools in major metropolitan areas often produce higher-earning graduates due to local market conditions. University of Southern California graduates average $71,643 in Los Angeles, while similar programs in smaller markets show lower returns. Regional licensing requirements and market practices also vary considerably across states.

What debt levels should students expect from real estate programs?

Student debt ranges from $15,000 at University of North Texas to $28,220 at Georgia State University among reporting schools. Most programs maintain reasonable debt levels under $20,000, making real estate education relatively affordable. Florida State, Ohio State, and several others keep debt near $19,500. Lower debt burdens help new graduates during licensing periods and early career development when income may be irregular.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.