Whether you are starting your real estate career or already have experience in the industry, finding an accredited real estate school is crucial to guarantee your education will count toward your state’s licensing requirements. By taking a look at accreditation, pricing, course features, help, support, and customer reviews, we’ve been able to evaluate the courses best suited for your online real estate education.
Each school listed below has accreditation from either the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), or are approved by testing institutions (PSI, AMP, and Pearson VUE), which provides assurance that your education will count toward your state’s licensing requirements for pre- and post-licensure and continuing education.
The Top Accredited Real Estate Schools | Best For |
|---|---|
Best overall for professionals seeking the best value for their money | |
Best for bundled continuing education (CE) course customization for agents pursuing license renewal | |
Best for Realtors needing post-licensing education to enhance their careers | |
Best for high-quality prelicensing support for aspiring new agents | |
Most affordable accredited real estate school for agents on a budget |
How We Evaluated the Top Accredited Real Estate Schools
All states require specific amounts of pre- and post-licensing as well as continuing education as a real estate agent license requirement. For instance, on the low end, Massachusetts and Michigan require 40 hours of prelicensing education, while Colorado requires 162 and Texas requires 180 hours. Online real estate education allows you to complete these hours in a timely and convenient manner, while also gaining the knowledge to expand your career.
With our research, we have determined that with a 3.44 out of 5 rating, Real Estate Express is our overall best accredited real estate school. The innovative course formats, learning style methodology, reasonable prices, and nationwide presence were contributing factors to pushing them to the top spot in comparison to their competitors.
Along with accreditation from ARELLO, IDECC, or approved testing institutions (PSI, AMP, and Pearson VUE), we used the following criteria to evaluate each school:
30% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on a median cost analysis of earning and maintaining a license in New York, California, Florida, and Texas. These states were specifically chosen to represent major real estate markets across the U.S.
25% of Overall Score
We evaluated the range of courses provided by each site according to licensing stage: prelicensing for new agents, post-licensing for experienced agents, and continued education for licensed agents looking for license renewal options.
25% of Overall Score
Features consist of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent as well as ease of course accessibility.
5% of Overall Score
Convenience and attainability of customer service support for technical support and instructor assistance were considered.
15% of Overall Score
This score was based upon customer feedback for each program with particular attention to course value for the money spent to certify the course meets user satisfaction. However, it is worth noting that as each state has its own unique requirements, a school’s offerings may serve students better, or have higher user satisfaction ratings in one state more versus another. This is why you might also want to check out our state-specific guides if you are looking for real estate education in California, Georgia, Illinois, or Texas:
Real Estate Express
PROS
- Largest nationwide presence
- Customer support availability
- Direct instructor support and access
CONS
- Six months to finish the course after purchase
- Mid-level pricing
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 1.46 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Education Available | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Course Features | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Help & Support | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.16 | OUT OF | 5 |
Based on our criteria, Real Estate Express ranks as our best overall accredited real estate school. Features such as “Smart Bites,” learning methodology that breaks down knowledge into smaller, digestible pieces, and “Live Q&A,” live sessions with real estate experts and classmates, allow new and experienced agents to learn in-depth concepts that they can apply to their real estate expertise. These expansive course features, coupled with their “pass or don’t pay” guarantee, gave Real Estate Express the number one ranking online real estate course.
Example Pricing
States | Median Prelicensing Prices | Median Post-Licensing Prices | Median Continued Education Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
New York | $369 | $174.30 | $129.95 |
Texas | $647 | $249 | $139.95 |
Florida | $262 | $129 | $19.95 |
California | $287 | $223.30 | $68.95 |
Features
- Variety of course formats: own pace, live stream
- Highly qualified instructors
- Prelicensing in 39 states, post-licensing in 11 states, and continued education nationwide (through partner McKissock Learning)
- Available on all devices
- Customer service support: live chat, phone, email
- 4.3 out of 5-star rating by customers
- Career Hub with articles, blog, and advice
- Accredited by ARELLO and IDECC
McKissock Learning
PROS
- Nationwide presence for customizable CE courses
- Course format variety
- One year of course access after purchase
CONS
- Only offers CE courses
- Courses are text-based
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 2.33 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Education Available | 3.69 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Course Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Help & Support | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 3.85 | OUT OF | 5 |
While there are many options for license renewal courses, we recommend McKissock Learning as the best option for CE course customization. As a partner with our best overall pick Real Estate Express, McKissock has a robust library of CE courses to choose from for purchase as a package or individually. Since the option for customization is available, those with licenses in multiple states can easily mix and match to complete their CE hours.
Example Pricing
States | Median Prelicensing Prices | Median Post-Licensing Prices | Median Continued Education Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
New York | $369 | $174.30 | $129.95 |
Texas | $647 | $249 | $139.95 |
Florida | $262 | $129 | $19.95 |
California | $287 | $223.30 | $68.95 |
Features
- Free learning aids
- Instructors with real-world experience
- Membership allows access to all materials for one year
- Course formats: text-based online and webinar
- Offers additional courses for those who wish to become home inspectors or real estate appraisers
- 4.5 out of 5-star customer rating
- A full refund can be issued within 10 days if not satisfied with purchase
- Go at your own pace
- Available in all 50 states
- Accredited by ARELLO and IDECC
The CE Shop
PROS
- Customizable post-licensing packages
- Free five-day trial
- One year from purchase to finish courses
CONS
- No direct instructor access
- Mid-level pricing
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 1.54 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Education Available | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Course Features | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Help & Support | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.99 | OUT OF | 5 |
When you are ready to start your own brokerage or want to broaden your knowledge in the industry, The CE Shop is your number one option for post-licensing education. Their broker’s license packages will get you on your way to becoming a broker, complete with practice exams and tailored feedback. These courses are perfect for self-motivated agents looking to open their earning potential as a broker and take their career to the next level.
Example Pricing
States | Median Prelicensing Prices | Median Post-Licensing Prices | Median Continued Education Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
New York | $379 | $225 | $129 |
Texas | $69 | $429 | $129 |
Florida | $199 | $145 | $19 |
California | $209 | $105 | $35 |
Features
- Purchased in packages or customizable
- Interactive courses that provide feedback
- Free five-day trial
- Customer service support: live chat, email, and phone
- Continued education available in all 50 states
- One year from purchase to complete your courses
- 91% pass rate
- Accredited by ARELLO
Kaplan
PROS
- Variety of learning formats
- Great user reviews
- Career support
CONS
- Most expensive
- Only available in 23 states
- Limited customer support
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 0.56 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Education Available | 3.69 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Course Features | 4.63 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Help & Support | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 4.59 | OUT OF | 5 |
Kaplan claims the top spot for prelicensing support, with an emphasis on “high quality.” As a household name for test prep, Kaplan maintains this reputation in their real estate education due to its array of course formats. Even though the prelicensing course is only available in 23 states, the course accommodates a variety of learning styles (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic) so you can choose how you work best, which is extremely important when you are in the prelicensing stage.
Example Pricing
States | Median Prelicensing Prices | Median Post-Licensing Prices | Median Continued Education Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
New York | $609 | $349 | $133 |
Texas | $619 | $364 | $119 |
Florida | $320 | $250 | $19.95 |
California | $549 | $101.50 | $59 |
Features
- Course format variety: live streaming, on-demand video, own pace, interactive
- Direct instructor access
- Course package options
- Full tuition refund within 30 days
- Exam prep
- Six months to complete the course after purchase
- Instructors are real estate professionals
- Course demos available
- Accredited by ADRELLO and IDECC
360Training
PROS
- Least expensive option
- Accessible on any device
- Go at your own pace
CONS
- Limited customer support
- No course format variety
- Little national presence for pre- and post-licensing courses
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.33 | OUT OF | 5 |
| Education Available | 2.56 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Course Features | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Help & Support | 3.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Expert Score | 2.28 | OUT OF | 5 |
360Training ranked as our top online real estate school for budget-friendly agents with prices that are way below the rest. Although the prices are lower, it did not claim our best overall spot because of the limited national presence and lack of course format variety. 360Training courses can be accessed on any device that has internet connection, and is perfect for budget-conscious individuals who like to go at their own pace.
Example Pricing
States | Median Prelicensing Prices | Median Post-Licensing Prices | Median Continued Education Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
New York | $129 | — | $60 |
Texas | $365 | $241.50 | $60 |
Florida | $99 | $69 | $19 |
California | $97 | $50 | $50 |
Features
- Continuing education in 32 states
- One year from purchase to complete courses
- Text-based online learning
- Email and live chat customer support
- Focus is on CE courses, but pre- and post-licensing available for select states
- Accredited by ARELLO and IDECC
Honorable Mention: Personalized Study & Exam Preparation Schools
It is not necessary for study and exam preparation schools to be accredited because it is not required to fulfill your license hours. Since our research was focused on accreditation, we did want to include this criteria, but also have included a top choice for supplemental study and exam preparation that meets all our other criteria for best online real estate schools.
CompuCram: Best Accredited Study & Exam Preparation
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Cost-efficient | Only for exam preparation |
| Money-back guarantee | No course format variety |
| High student pass rate | |
CompuCram is an agent’s go-to resource for exam preparation and readiness—and it says so on their readiness meter. Upon registration, individuals are prompted with a pre-assessment to gauge exam preparedness and dictate what specific categories to focus on to strengthen their knowledge.
Pricing
Although this is our top pick for study and exam preparation, CompuCram’s abilities are limited to exam prep, it does not offer other courses for real estate education, nor does it have a variety of learning formats.
- Pricing around $90 per exam course
- Money-back guarantee if you do not pass your exam
Features
- Provides vocabulary, flashcards, practice tests, and simulated exams
- Dynamic feedback
- Readiness meter that will determine when you are prepared to take the exam
- Available in 33 states
- Approved by PSI, AMP, and Pearson VUE
Real Estate Exam Scholars: Most Realistic Study & Exam Preparation
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Best pricing | Only for exam preparation |
| Money-back guarantee | |
| Nationwide presence | |
With over 25 practice exams, Real Estate Exam Scholars is an excellent resource for exam preparation and readiness. Even though it is not accredited, the draw of Real Estate Exam Scholars is their “Immersion Technology” that prepares you for the real estate exam using simulations to create a realistic experience approach. Also, the program provides detailed explanations for each state-specific and national question to get a full understanding of the “why” behind the answer and be able to apply it.
Pricing
Although it has excellent study material, Real Estate Exam Scholars do not offer anything other than exam prep, so you must have your licensure hours complete prior to purchasing in order to take full advantage of its resources.
- Exam preparation is $39 per state (except for the California broker licensing exam, which is $49)
Features
- Provides vocabulary, flashcards, and practice tests
- Approximately 95% pass rate on the first exam try
- Money-back guarantee if you do not pass your exam
- Available on all devices
- Unlimited access for six months
- Secrets and hints for exam
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