Do you want to become a real estate agent? If so, there are a lot of great online real estate schools and training programs available.
In fact, with so many choices out there, it can be difficult to know which option is best for you.
Luckily, in this article, we’ve compiled a list of our top 7 online real estate schools. So, if you’re ready to jump into the world of real estate, let’s get to it.
Set Your Real Estate Education Goals
Before you jump right into your search for the perfect real estate school, it’s important to assess the requirements in your area.
Each state has different requirements, laws, and even terminology for real estate licensing.
Because of this, you should take some time to look up the rules and regulations on your state’s government website. For some states, this process will be easier than others.
Regardless, it’s best to know in advance what you are getting yourself into.
Next, you should think about your goal.
Do you want to become a real estate agent or broker?
Or, do you have more of an interest in becoming a licensed real estate appraiser?
The answer will be different for each person. Take the time to write down your goals so that you can reference them as you compare the schools listed below.
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1. The CE Shop
One of the great things about The CE Shop is the variety of licensing and training options available.
Their site provides training courses for new real estate agents in 37 states plus the District of Columbia.
In addition to training courses, The CE Shop also offers exam preparation, post-licensing education, and continuing education. They also have the option for some states to pursue a broker’s license after you secure your real estate license.
Their pricing is competitive and offers several packages including course only, standard package, value package, and premium package.
The course-only option is self-explanatory. While it is the cheapest option, you don’t get any of the extras you would receive in their higher-level packages.
The standard package includes the course and exam preparation (including their Pass Guarantee).
The value package includes everything in the standard package plus a business building course for those looking to launch their own real estate businesses.
The premium package includes everything plus additional continuing education for when you are ready to build upon what you have already learned.
Real estate licensing with The CE Shop is accredited through ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials).
2. Real Estate Express
Real Estate Express also offers courses, exam prep, and licensing for 38 states plus the District of Columbia.
The Real Estate Express teaches through the Smart Bites™ methodology that allows complex real estate topics to be broken down into smaller, more manageable lessons.
In addition to fundamental real estate education, Real Estate Express also provides a wide range of continuing education and post-education curriculum. As an added bonus, if you live in California, Texas, or New York, they also offer courses to upgrade your license to a brokerage license.
Real Estate Express has multiple pricing levels based on a student’s needs or budget.
- The basic level includes the coursework you need to earn your real estate license.
- The exam preparation package comes with all coursework plus exam preparation. This level also includes Real Estate Express’s Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
- The exam preparation plus package takes this a step further by adding additional post-license courses and access to a live instructor for Q&A during the process.
- Finally, the ultimate package includes all the items in the other packages plus a special membership that gives you access to development coursework, webinars, and job aids for a year.
Real estate licensing with Real Estate Express is also accredited through ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) and IDECC (International Distance Education Certification Center).
3. Kaplan
Kaplan University has a longstanding reputation as a leading provider of online education.
Acquired by Perdue University in 2017, Kaplan offers a wide range of real estate-related courses and certifications.
Unlike some of the other options available, Kaplan’s program expands beyond standard real estate licensing and also covers appraisal, home inspection, and general contractor licensing for some states.
Kaplan also gives you options in the way you want to learn, which is great for those who prefer one learning style over another.
The OnDemand package provides the coursework through a series of video lessons that can be taken as your schedule allows.
For the dedicated student looking to save a little money, you can select the Home Study package, where students learn through PDF textbooks and interactive group study sessions.
The Live Online option provides training through live, web-based classes with a real professor.
These three options also come with a few levels — Standard, Career Launcher, and Carnegie Career Launcher. Each higher-level comes with additional perks such as exam preparation and continuing education credits.
Kaplan Real Estate Education is accredited through ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials).
4. Mbition
Like Kaplan, Mbition also provides coursework that expands beyond just real estate licensing and offers certification for home inspectors and appraisers for some states.
Though, their program doesn’t cover quite as many states as some of the larger real estate education programs. That said, as long as you live in one of the 23 states covered under their program, you are good to go.
Mbition’s courses come in three different levels — silver, gold, and platinum.
- The silver package includes the basic real estate coursework.
- Gold contains the coursework plus exam preparation, a Pass the First Time guarantee, and a course on the basics of real estate math.
- The platinum package also includes a special exam prep toolkit that comes with terminology flashcards and other study tools.
Real estate licensing with Mbition is accredited through ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials) and IDECC (International Distance Education Certification Center).
Accreditation for the home appraisal program comes through The Appraisal Foundation.
5. Aceable
Aceable provides self-paced courses that allow people to work toward the requirements of their real estate license. One of the downsides of Aceable is that they only have courses for seven states — California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
The courses come in a single pricing level that varies by state.
Some of the courses cost under $100 while others cost over $400.
Another thing to note with Aceable is that they don’t have additional certifications for brokers, appraisers, or home inspectors. If you are only looking for a real estate license, Aceable is a cost-effective solution.
Aceable’s accreditation for courses is through the local jurisdictions. For example, the California and Texas courses are accredited by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) and the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
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6. 360 Training Agent Campus
360 Training Agent Campus is a great place to get your pre-license real estate education if you live in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Texas, Virginia, or Washington.
While they don’t offer coursework for many states, they do offer exam preparation for all 50 states plus Washington DC. They also have training available for post-license and continuing education for many states.
One of the nice things about 360 Training Agent Campus is that you have flexibility when it comes to pricing.
Courses are bundled into basic and premium packages.
The premium package comes with exam preparation. While the bundle package is cheaper overall, you also have the option to purchase some of the courses separately rather than in the bundle.
360 Training Agent Campus also provides bulk pricing for companies that need to train multiple agents.
Like Aceable, 360 Training Agent Campus is accredited by the local governing body.
For example, the Florida course is accredited by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC).
7. RealEstateU
RealEstateU provides training for real estate agents in 14 states.
Their course is available in an audio format that comes with supporting documents, worksheets, and infographics to help you absorb all the information you need to pass the exam.
The pricing for RealEstateU is set up to ensure that you are not paying for anything you don’t need.
While other sites require you to purchase packages or bundles containing things you may never use, RealEstateU allows you to purchase each piece separately. For example, you can purchase the course separately from the exam prep.
This helps keep the cost low.
Accreditation varies by course.
Generally, most are accredited by the local jurisdiction, CDEI (Certified Distance Education Instructor), and/or ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials).
Selecting the School That is Right for You
When it comes to selecting an online real estate school, every person has different goals and needs.
Therefore, it’s important that you take the time to evaluate each of these programs to find out which is right for you.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to quickly cross a few off the list. Once you have narrowed your selection down, be sure to compare the pricing, resources, and teaching method for each course. If you are an audio learner, perhaps RealEstateU will be the best option. If you prefer receiving instruction from a live teacher, you might want to consider Kaplan.
The bottom line is that it’s important to take action. At the end of the day, you just need to be a self-starter and take the steps that are required to achieve your real estate goals.
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Related Real Estate Questions
What is a Reciprocal License?
Some states offer a Reciprocal License that allows real estate agents from another state to quickly earn their license in that state without having to go through hours and hours of training as a new agent.
What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a broker?
Real Estate Agents are trained to assist buyers and sellers with the purchase or sale of real estate. Agents must work under the supervision of an experienced broker. Brokers are required to take additional training which also allows them to write real estate contracts. A broker may work independently or operate a brokerage firm that employs real estate agents.