Key Information:
- Purdue University Global has the #1 best online real estate bachelor’s degree.
- Best online bachelor’s degrees provide comprehensive knowledge in property management, sales, and investment strategies, preparing students for various roles in the real estate industry.
- Graduates can pursue careers in property management, real estate brokerage, and investment analysis.
Online degree programs in real estate allow you to continue working while gaining on-the-job training. You are able to study whenever it is best for you. Online degrees in real estate offer you the same education in a format that works best for you. Real estate degrees also include management courses that teach you how to effectively organize and operate a business that deals with properties in many different ways. With an online degree, you are able to study and work when it is most convenient for you.
Real estate is a lucrative career that includes more than just selling property. You may also enjoy working as a property manager. Many people who get started in real estate find jobs cleaning or renovating properties. By working with real estate agents or property managers, you can get a good idea of what type of work you could be doing in the future. Choosing to enroll in an online real estate degree program will give you a chance to explore more income-driven positions.
Methodology: Ranking the Best Online Real Estate Degrees
The editors at Bachelor’s Degree Center have ranked the best online degrees for real estate according to practical factors, including cost, graduate salary, and reputation. Data is drawn from IPEDS and Niche, and only accredited institutions are featured.
1. Purdue University Global
Purdue University Global offers an ACBSP accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree program with an academic emphasis in Real Estate ranked among the best online degrees for real estate in the education marketplace. Classes for Purdue University Global’s best online real estate degree programs are delivered in ten-week modules, requiring a total of 180 quarter units (equivalent to 120-semester units) that can be completed in approximately two years if studying full-time. These best online real estate degrees from Purdue Global offer transferrable military credits.
Established as the distance-learning arm of Purdue University in 2018, Purdue University Global serves more than 37,950 students each year. PUG offers online programs but has support centers in Chicago and Fort Lauderdale.
What We Like: Purdue University Global is comprised of seven colleges/schools that offer programs in business, law, general ed, health science, nursing, social/behavioral sciences, and the open college.
Degree: BSBA in Real Estate
2. University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego’s Urban Studies and Planning Division offers a baccalaureate degree with a minor in real estate development (RED) that is among the more innovative of the best online degrees for real estate offered in the Golden State. These best online real estate degrees and options from UC San Diego mandates the completion of 38 credit units to meet the real estate minor’s program requirements. Classes for these best online real estate degree programs from UC include applied urban economics, land use planning, enterprise finance, and the introduction to real estate and development, among others.
The University of California (UCSD) was founded in 1960 and operates as a sea, space & land-grant school and one of the 23 member schools in the state’s university system.
What We Like: The school’s campus covers more than 2,000 urban acres and serves nearly 31,000 students each year.
Degree: Real Estate Development Minor
3. University of Florida
The University of Florida’s Heavener College of Business offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with an academic concentration in Real Estate that is recognized by US News and World Report among the nation’s best online degrees for real estate. Enrolled students in UF’s best online real estate degree programs are required to finish at least 120 undergraduate semester units. Featured classes for UF’s best online real estate degrees include business finance, real estate analysis, real estate investment decision-making, and the legal environment of business, among others.
The University of Florida is a senior member school of Florida’s university system, operating as the flagship land, sea, and space-grant institution of higher education. The University’s college-town campus in Gainesville serves 52,000 students, with the online platform serving nearly 3,800 as well.
What We Like: The University of Florida has been recognized by US News as the fifth-best public university in the nation.
Degree: BSBA — Real Estate concentration
4. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus offers an individualized Real Estate BS in Business degree program. US News ranks PSWC’s best online degrees for real estate available in the marketplace. Penn State World Campus’s best online real estate degree programs require degree candidates to complete 18 credit units (from the major’s curriculum) of the required 120 credits. Penn State World Campus offers a generous transfer credit policy if the current earned credits meet the Penn State World Campus’s established policies. Featured coursework for these best online real estate degrees includes entrepreneurship principles, real estate investing, and financing ventures, among others.
Penn State World Campus was developed as the distance learning arm of Pennsylvania State University in 1998. The university’s online platform serves more than 14,900 students each year.
What We Like: PSWC offers students more than 150 certificate and degree options.
Degree: BSB Individualized
5. University of Alabama at Birmingham
The Collat College of Business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a bachelor’s degree in finance with an academic emphasis in real estate that is one of Alabama’s most innovative and best online degrees for real estate. Students graduating from these best online real estate degree programs from UAB find rewarding positions and careers as financial analysts, purchasing managers, cost estimators, or credit analysts, among others. Upper-level foundational coursework for these best online real estate degrees includes operations management, real estate investments, and financial management, among others.
Established during the 1960s, the University of Alabama (‘Bama) now operates as a space-grant institution of higher learning with a student body that exceeds 22,100 undergraduate and postgraduate students each year – studying online and on-campus.
What We Like: The University of Alabama is recognized as Alabama’s largest solitary employer.
Degree: BS in Finance/Real Estate
University of Alabama at Birmingham
6. University of Arizona Global Campus
The School of Business & Technology at the University of Arizona Global Campus offers a BA in Real Estate Studies program ranked as one the most innovative & best online degrees for real estate in Arizona and beyond. The best online real estate degree programs require students to complete foundation classes in the legal aspects of real estate, the principles of real estate and investments, plus understanding the real estate practice, to name a few. Note,
The University of Arizona Global Campus was established in 2020 as an online public university with the purchase of what was once known as Ashford University. UA’s global campus serves about 32,000 students each year.
What We Like: The University of Arizona’s best online real estate degrees permit up to 90 eligible credits to be transferred.
Degree: Real Estate Studies BA
University of Arizona Global Campus
7. University of Alabama
The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business offers one of Alabama’s best online real estate degrees with its real estate minor bachelor’s degree program. Featured foundational classes for UA’s best online degrees for real estate include the principles of real estate and real estate financial investments, to name a few. The University of Alabama’s best online real estate degree programs offer these electives – real estate management, personal selling, or foundations of entrepreneurship, among others.
The University of Alabama is Alabama’s flagship school of the state’s university system that was founded in 1820 as one of Alabama’s first institutions of higher education. UA’s college-town campus in Tuscaloosa serves nearly 39,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year on-campus and online.
What We Like: The University of Alabama is recognized as the number 1 party school in the nation.
Degree: Real Estate Minor
8. University of Wisconsin Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater offers an AACSB-accredited BS in Finance with an academic specialty in Real Estate that is recognized among Wisconsin’s best online real estate degrees. UW’s best online degrees for real estate require 120-semester units at the bachelor’s level. Coursework for these best online real estate degree programs includes real estate law real estate development, financial institutions, and corporate financial management decisions, to name a few.
Founded in 1860 as a teacher’s training institute (Normal School), the University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a member school of Wisconsin’s university system with a student enrollment of more than 13,000 undergraduate & postgraduate students each year online and on the school’s rural campus.
What We Like: The university’s rural campus covers more than 400 acres in the southeastern portion of the state.
Degree: BS in Finance/Real Estate
University of Wisconsin Whitewater
9. Fordham University
Fordham University’s Real Estate Institute offers a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate (BSRE) degree program recognized among the Empire State’s best online real estate degrees. Featured coursework for Fordham University’s best online degrees for real estate includes real estate law, real estate economics, and real estate accounting essentials, to name a few. Fordham University’s best online real estate degree programs offer elective coursework in financial modeling, real estate management, and building design and construction, among others.
Fordham University is a private institution of higher education that was founded in 1841 and named for the Bronx neighborhood in which it is located. The school is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church (Jesuit), with multiple campuses that serve more than 9,200 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
What We Like: Fordham University’s alumni include governors, billionaires, heads of state, and ambassadors, to name a few.
Degree: BS in Real Estate
10. University of Memphis
The University of Memphis’s Department of Finance, Insurance & Real Estate offers an AACSB-accredited Bachelor of Business Administration degree (BBA) program in Finance with an academic specialty in real estate that is among the most innovative and best online real estate degrees available in Tennessee. These best online degrees for real estate from the University of Memphis prepares students for careers in mortgage banking, development, valuation, or sales/management. The University of Memphis’s best online real estate degree programs mandate the completion of 120 undergraduate semester units.
The University of Memphis was developed in 1912 as a state normal school and now operates as a research higher learning institution. The university’s campus in Memphis is home to more than 22,000 postgraduate and undergraduate students.
What We Like: The university’s campus covers more than 1,100 acres and is situated a few miles east of downtown Memphis.
Degree: BBA in Finance/Real Estate
11. Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business offers a BSBA in Real Estate, considered to be one of Virginia’s best online real estate degrees. Sample coursework for Old Dominion’s best online degrees for real estate includes sales management, real estate finance, real estate investment analysis, the principles of real estate, and real estate appraising, among others. Top-performing students enrolled in ODU’s best online real estate degree programs have the potential to participate in national real estate conferences.
Old Dominion University was developed in 1930 as an academic unit for the College William and Mary. Old Dominion University gained independent status as a college in 1962. Old Dominion University operates as a sea and space grant school with more than 19,250 students.
What We Like: Old Dominion University straddles several of the city of Norfolk’s neighborhoods.
Degree: BSBA in Real Estate
12. Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University’s Jones College of Business offers a BS in Commerce (BSBA) degree program with an academic focus in Real Estate that is ranked among the best online real estate degrees available on the marketplace. These MTSU best online degrees for real estate require students to complete a minimum of 50% of coursework in residence at Middle Tennessee State University. Graduates of Middle Tennessee State University’s best online real estate degree programs prepare grads for rewarding careers or a graduate real estate degree program.
Established in the early 1900s as a state teacher’s training ‘normal’ school. Middle Tennessee State University now operates as a space grant institution of higher education with more than 21,650 students. MTSU is connected to a few research endeavors like the Oak Ridge National Lab.
What We Like: Middle Tennessee State University is comprised of seven colleges/schools offering programs in basic/applied sciences, health science education, liberal arts, media, and business.
Degree: BS in Commerce — Real Estate
Middle Tennessee State University
13. NSU Florida
Nova Southeastern University’s School of Real Estate Development (NSU Stiles Online) offers a dual real estate degree program that is ranked among the Sunshine State’s best online real estate degrees. Students enrolled in these best online degrees for real estate can earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree & a Master of Science (MS) degree in Real Estate Development (MSRED) in 5.5 years. Students graduate NSU’s best online real estate degree programs and enter the job market as a real estate broker/salesperson, a real estate asset manager, or a real estate development manager, to name a few.
Nova Southeastern University (NSU Florida) was developed in the 1960s as a school for technology. Nova Southeastern University maintains multiple campuses (and online platform) across Florida that serve nearly 21,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.
What We Like: The main campus of NSU is in South Florida (Davie) and is more than 300 acres of facilities.
Degree: BS/MS in Real Estate Development
Nova Southeastern University
14. Louisiana State University Shreveport
Louisiana State University Shreveport offers an AACSB-accredited BS in Finance degree program with an academic specialty in real estate that is considered among the most innovative & best online real estate degrees in Louisiana. Degree candidates enrolled in LSU’s best online real estate degree programs must complete 120 undergraduate semester units. But note, LSU offers applicants to its best online degrees for real estate the opportunity to transfer up to 85% of credits, if eligible.
LSU Shreveport is a space-grant institution of higher education that was established in the 1960s as a junior college. LSU Shreveport now operates as a four-year school with a student enrollment that exceeds 8,450 postgraduate and undergraduate students.
What We Like: LSU Shreveport is home to multiple libraries and museums.
Degree: BS in Finance/Real Estate
Louisiana State University Shreveport
15. Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University offers a BS in Business Administration in Real Estate that is ranked among Arkansas’s best online real estate degrees. Arkansas State University’s LSU’s best online real estate degree programs have received AACSB accreditation for excellence in business education. These best online degrees for real estate permit up to 75% of the required credits to be transferred if they meet eligibility requirements.
Established as a two-year agricultural school in the early 1900s, Arkansas State University now operates as a research, space-grant institution of higher education and the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University system. More than 13550 students attend classes online and on-campus.
What We Like: Arkansas State University also maintains an international campus in Mexico.
Degree: BSBA in Real Estate
Do I Need a Degree to Get a Job in Real Estate?
An actual degree is not needed to get a job in real estate as an agent or otherwise. You will, however, have to take classes that will allow you to take the test to get your real estate license. Even though you only need to take a few classes to gain your license, going the extra mile and earning a degree in real estate will not go unnoticed by agencies who want to hire the best in the business. There are several jobs you can get with a real estate degree. Finding work in a real estate agency in an entry-level position will give you a good idea of what type of employment is available.
While you don’t need a real estate degree to work as an agent, having the highest level of education allows you to pursue careers in management. Being able to manage a real estate agency or property management company, gives you an immense amount of responsibility. This includes buying, selling, renting, and leasing both commercial and residential properties. This type of degree can also allow you to branch off into inspecting homes and acting as a consultant for independent contractors.
Real estate professionals come from all kinds of backgrounds, but a real estate program can offer many other opportunities. Internships, for instance, can turn to full-time jobs in commercial real estate or brokerage firms. Credit hours may be used toward licensure or continuing education credits for realtors. Choosing a specialization can help you get more in-demand jobs in the real estate industry. And you’ll learn fundamental real estate principles that have real-world value.
What Degree Is Best for Real Estate Careers?
A good business real estate degree will allow you to effectively manage a real estate agency. You may also be able to find work in real estate development. This is the process of helping a company or person find the right property and then develop it into whatever they want it to be. This could be a new home or a commercial property. A developer must have a good grasp of both the real estate side of the business as well as zoning and construction.
Finding a good real estate degree will give you the tools you will need to be able to assess the value of a home as well as work within the real estate market to ensure the home falls within the proper categories when placed on the market. Although you don’t need an actual real estate degree to be a good agent, it will help you immensely if you want to move past being an agent and find work as a real estate developer. With the right type of degree, you can actually move through the ranks quite quickly and find work in upper management.
Before you choose your program, learn about the admission requirements, general education courses, GPA requirements, financial aid, and other critical information. Also make sure the program prepares you to pass the licensing exam. Out-of-state learners may not get everything they need for their own state.
What Kinds of Jobs Are There in Real Estate Besides An Agent?
There are several career options in real estate. While the most well-known by far is a real estate agent, there are many other career paths to choose from. A real estate developer works with individuals, companies, and various agents to develop pieces of land into either residential property or commercial property. Developers often purchase tracts of land to turn them into various types of property they can turn into lucrative investments that they are able to sell for profit.
Real estate career paths include finding work as an appraiser or as a property manager. An appraiser (also known as assessors) works to determine the value of a property. As an appraiser, you are able to help individuals who want to sell their homes find the appropriate value for their property. Property managers work with property owners. In property management, you are in charge of renting, leasing, renovating, making repairs, and collecting revenue from properties controlled by the management company.
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