The best online real estate schools offer web-based classes to help aspiring real estate agents and brokers pass their real estate licensing exam and gain continuing education credits. We reviewed many schools and landed on the six best—including the best real estate school overall—based on price, availability, coursework, study aids, and success rates.
Best Online Real Estate Schools 2020
Best Real Estate School | Best For |
|---|---|
(Best Overall) Students seeking affordable exam prep, prelicensing coursework, and career resources | |
Agents wanting continued education credits for niche specializations like veteran services | |
Brokers seeking group prelicensure for their staff’s realty exams | |
Future agents needing instructor-led online real estate courses | |
Realtors wanting designations in areas like green home sales | |
Experienced real estate professionals seeking subject-specific refresher courses |
How We Evaluated the Best Online Real Estate Schools
While the specific requirements for earning your real estate agent license vary from state to state, all states require you to complete coursework prior to applying to take the licensing exam. All states also require several hours of continuous education (CE) to maintain your license. Meeting these requirements can be difficult, especially for those who are working a full-time job, which is why the convenience, low cost, and flexibility of an online school is an appealing option for many agents.
To determine the best accredited real estate schools for online learners, we evaluated the following:
- Price and pass rate*
- National presence
- Course formats
- Length of access to course material
- Supplemental study aids and access to instructors
- Post-licensing or additional post-licensing offerings
*Prices and pass rates are different for each state. For simplicity, we noted the range of prices nationwide and the average pass rate based on public data. To find out the price and pass rate for your state, please contact the appropriate real estate school.
Real Estate Express is the overall best online real estate school on our list due to its affordable tools for helping potential real estate agents pass the licensing exam and launch their career after the exam is passed. Real Estate Express aids students in determining if real estate is a suitable career path, sets expectations of what they will encounter in the licensing process, and guides them through licensure and beyond.
Real Estate Express: Best Overall Online Real Estate School
Real Estate Express is an online real estate school that stands out for its affordability and comprehensive approach to real estate licensure. Students get career path information before the real estate exam, prepare for the exam with effective online courses, and get guidance on how to make the most of a real estate career post-exam. This is the best option for professionals getting started in real estate seeking an affordable school with career guidance.
Real Estate Express Pros | Real Estate Express Cons |
|---|---|
Competitively priced prelicensing includes exam prep | Users complain of website crashes |
User-friendly platform | Course access expires in 6 months |
Live customer support | Courses are not led by instructors |
National presence: Serves 34 states | |
Average reported pass rate nationwide: 78% | |
Real Estate Express Pricing
- Courses range from $89 for prelicensing in California to $597 for the Ultimate Learning package in Texas
- Money-back guarantee
- 35% off promo code
Real Estate Express Features
Real Estate Express is the only real estate school on our list that offers prospective students the tools to explore real estate as a career before they register for the exam. Once a student decides to move ahead with the exam, Real Estate Express moves them through effective exam prep, and after the exam, post-licensure continuing education.
- Courses are offered online and on-demand
- Post-licensing packages, CE, and a career hub
- Support and access to experienced instructors through group discussions and individual interactions
- Exam prep course includes a “pass or don’t pay” guarantee
- Offers a continuing education (CE) membership
- Career Hub offers valuable resources
- Course access for six months
- Accredited by ARELLA and IDECC
Real Estate Express: Career Hub agent growth and success
What Real Estate Express Students Are Saying
Real estate express students rave about the comprehensive, easy-to-understand online format in a number of review forums, and the vast majority of reviewers on Indeed loved the pace and career preparation. However, there are some negative Yelp reviews stating that their courses did not help them pass the exam, which is why it is always a good idea to consult with local agents before enrolling in any school.
The CE Shop: Best for Continued Education in Niche Markets
The CE Shop is an online real estate school specializing in continuing education for niche markets; topic areas include marketing to gain leads, home buying for veterans, and marijuana in real estate. The CE Shop is unique because their continuing education (CE) courses allow real estate agents to target niche markets while building their knowledge base, so it’s best for agents looking to master a specialty while getting CE credit.
The CE Shop Pros | The CE Shop Cons |
|---|---|
Provides the largest variety of niche CE topics | Courses are not instructor-led |
Bi-weekly podcast | Prelicensing courses are more expensive than those offered by other providers |
Offers CE courses in the highest number of states | |
National presence: Prelicensing courses in 31 states, CE courses in 50 states | |
Average reported pass rate nationwide: 85% | |
The CE Shop Pricing
- Starting prices for prelicensing courses range from $129 in California to $559 in Texas
- Monthly payment plan available
- Free trial
- Money-back guarantee
- 25% discount on prelicensing courses
The CE Shop Features
The CE Shop offers prelicensing, exam prep, and continuing education courses, as well as real estate designations.
- All courses are online
- 24/7 customer support available
- Post-licensing packages, CE, and real estate designations
- Publishes a bi-weekly podcast with topics on agent safety and ethics
- ARELLO certified
The CE Shop real estate education options
What CE Shop Students Are Saying
With over 5,000 reviews and a rating of 4.8 on Trustpilot, the CE Shop has many extremely satisfied customers. Students stated that the classes were easy to follow and helpful, but that there were technical issues that caused inconveniences.
Mbition – Learn Real Estate: Best for Group Exam Prep
Mbition – Learn Real Estate is an online school that offers courses for individual real estate professionals as well as group-based courses for agencies and brokerages. It is unique because they offer a white-label-style partnership program that provides you with training materials. Your brokerage can then utilize their marketing materials and offer real estate courses to agents. Mbition – Learn Real Estate is right for brokers and realty firms seeking to provide pre-exam prep to several agents at once.
Mbition – Learn Real Estate Pros | Mbition – Learn Real Estate Cons |
|---|---|
Affordable courses | Courses lack comprehensive information about real-life applications |
Helpful career services and preparation | Limited support for students who need personalized study options |
Interactive games during review | |
National presence: 41 states | |
Average reported pass rate nationwide: 74% | |
Visit Mbition – Learn Real Estate
Mbition – Learn Real Estate Pricing
- Course packages range from $129 in Florida to $599 in Texas
- Promo codes are offered that often range between 15% and 25%
Mbition – Learn Real Estate Features
Mbition – Learn Real Estate focuses on providing large group experiences instead of individual support. Brokerages can sign up for group training with Mbition – Learn Real Estate, then have individual agents log on using a brokerage account for study and exam prep. Topic-specific training is not part of the Mbition – Learn Real Estate experience.
- All courses are online
- No access to instructors
- Pass rates in Texas are 73% to 74%
- CE, post-licensing courses, and career resources
- Offers webinars, white papers, and blogs
- Courses can be accessed for 180 days
- Accredited by ARELLO and IDECC
Mbition – Learn Real Estate online classes
What Mbition – Learn Real Estate Students Are Saying
Since Mbition – Learn Real Estate has recently merged with Career Webschool to offer their courses to brokerages, they have not focused on their courses for individual real estate agents. Previous students have stated that there is limited customer support, but that the course material is helpful.
Kaplan: Best for Instructor-led Online Courses
Kaplan is an online real estate school that offers instructor-led online real estate courses to help potential agents study for their real estate agent exam or real estate broker license. With instructor-led videos—coupled with onsite classes—Kaplan is perfect for aspiring real estate agents and brokers who need a more traditional educational model for exam preparation.
Kaplan Pros | Kaplan Cons |
|---|---|
Largest variety of course formats | May experience technical issues |
Instructor-led courses | Does not offer real estate courses in all states |
Career advancement tools and support | Does not offer every course format option in every state |
National presence: 23 states | |
Average reported pass rate nationwide: 74% | |
Kaplan Pricing
The cost of Kaplan’s courses differ based on each state’s required hours, course formats, additional resources, and coaching.
- Course packages start at $144 for prelicensing in California to $1,189 for the Career Launcher package in Texas
- Money-back guarantee with higher-score eligible courses
Kaplan Features
Kaplan offers more variety in course formats and career resources than any other real estate school.
- Courses are available in-person, online, on-demand, and through live instructor-led webinars
- Post-licensing packages, CE, and professional development courses
- Real Estate Accelerator is a two-day boot camp offered online and in-person that combines CE and career development
- Kaplan Career Toolbox allows agents to get career advice from active real estate agents and brokers
- Extensive professional development courses
- Resource center with advice videos and informative webinars
- Six-month access to courses, with extensions available for purchase
- Accredited by ARELLO and IDECC
Kaplan Career Toolbox
What Kaplan Students Are Saying
Most Kaplan students reported that Kaplan’s in-depth course material and practice quizzes prepared them for the real estate exam. Students who took in-person classes stated that the hours were long but the experience paid off.
Center for Realtor Development: Best for Specialty Certifications & Designations
Center for Realtor Development (CRD) is an online real estate school focused on offering niche market certifications and designations. These courses are endorsed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and cover niche topics such as green real estate and real estate technology. Given its unique focus, CRD is ideal for real estate agents who want to target new markets with niche certifications.
Center for Realtor Development Pros | Center for Realtor Development Cons |
|---|---|
Certifications are approved by governing boards | Does not offer prelicensing courses |
Focuses on expanding real estate agents’ skills to increase their income | Does not offer a wide variety of CE course topics |
Networking events | Limited career resources |
National presence: Online courses and CIPS (Certified International Property Specialists) are nationwide | |
Average reported pass rate nationwide: N/A | |
Visit Center for Realtor Development
Center for Realtor Development Pricing
To take courses from the CRD, you are required to have a real estate license and a yearly membership with the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
- Courses at CRD range from about $115 to $735, depending on your state
- $150 per year for annual membership in the National Association of Realtors
- Free webinars
Center for Realtor Development Features
CRD has credibility as an online real estate school from its close ties to the NAR.
- Courses offered online
- Offers networking and events
- Does not offer CE or post-licensing courses
- Offers certifications and designations in areas like diversity, negotiation, military relocation, and green housing
- Continually offers new classes reflecting current real estate trends
CRD certifications and designations
What Center for Realtor Development Students Are Saying
Because of the nature of the CRD, they don’t have reviews on Indeed or Yelp. However, their Facebook page is full of members who rave about the resources provided by the networking and online events.
360training: Best for Subject-specific Refresher Courses
360training is an online training platform with affordable, individual courses available for real estate professionals who want to brush up on specific real estate concepts. Given this focus, 360training is best for aspiring agents with industry experience who need help with only a few specific subjects or concepts before taking their exam.
360 Training Pros | 360 Training Cons |
|---|---|
Affordable courses | Lacks career resources |
Subject-specific courses | Lacks a user-friendly online experience |
Year-long access to materials | Users have experienced regular glitches |
National presence: Prelicensing courses in 10 states, CE courses in 32 states | |
Average reported pass rate nationwide: 49% | |
360training Pricing
Single, subject-specific prep courses from 360training are only $79. Full prelicensure classes do not include topic-specific pre-exam prep.
- Prelicensing courses range by state, from $110 in Florida to $495 in Texas
- 20% promo code
360training Features
360training is the only online real estate school that separates exam prep from prelicensing classes.
- All courses are online
- CE courses, real estate designations, and post-licensing courses
- No professional development options
- No instructor access
- Specific courses on appraisal, real estate law, and mortgage education
- One-year access to courses
360training real estate courses
What 360training Students Are Saying
Many students online reported that 360training gave them a great learning experience, but that there were some inconvenient glitches in the interface. In addition, they have a high rating of 4.5 on Indeed.
Best Online Real Estate Schools by State
Some states require unique prelicensing coursework. As a result, there are certain areas where it may be beneficial to enroll in a course curriculum specifically designed for that area. This is why we have also written more localized real estate school guides for the following states:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a real estate license in my state to be a real estate agent?
States require a real estate agent to have a license in their own state or a reciprocal state. The requirements vary from state to state, so it is important that you check with your state’s real estate board to find out what requirements you must meet.
Is there a membership option for an online real estate school?
Not all of them have one, but Real Estate Exam Scholar costs about $29 for a six-month membership. With practice exams, free flashcards, and a guarantee to refund your money if you do not pass the exam, Real Estate Exam Scholar might be a good choice for prospective agents looking for a school membership.
Does my state accept online prep classes?
While many states will accept an online real estate course, not all do. When you pick an option from our six best online real estate schools, a quick browse through the menu will tell you what is available in your state and the requirements for enrolling in online real estate schools. You may want to also familiarize yourself with your state’s specific licensing requirements before signing up with any online provider.
Bottom Line: Best Real Estate School
An online real estate school allows potential agents to complete prelicensing and CE requirements in preparation for the licensing exam; many also include career resources. In our rating of the six best, we considered price, length, content of coursework, pass rates, and availability.
Based on these criteria, our pick for best overall real estate school online is Real Estate Express. They offer affordable prelicensing real estate courses as well as career support post-licensure. Learn more about Real Estate Express’ extensive and high-quality offerings by visiting their website.
Lexi Dalton
Hi Emile,
Again, another very informative article! Thank you for the information.
I had a question regarding the online video presence in the careerwebschool packages. I am confused because your article mentions that they don’t have video instruction and an interactive study group, however when I looked at their packages online, they state that “The Works Deluxe” package includes a National & Virtual Study Program. They are described as live webinars with a virtual classroom setting with an expert instructor. Does this qualify as an online video?
Thanks!
Lexi
Emile L'Eplattenier
Hey Lexi,
I think this is a newer feature they are offering. We only update our articles on a schedule, so will address this when we do an update. Thanks!
Scott
Yan is correct. Your price for the Kaplan school is only exam prep, not for video courses.
It looks like actual training and books start at the $599 package. Very misleading for you to say training courses, but use exam prep prices.
Emile L'Eplattenier
Hi Scott,
Which state are you looking at?
Scott
Colorado
Emile L'Eplattenier
Hey Scott,
Our pricing is a general range for all 50 states. How does this pricing compare to other options?
Nancy
Hi Emile,
Great article. I am considering entering the real estate business, but more importantly, am looking to buy & am wanting to get considerably more informed. Would you still recommend these schools?
Thanks!
Emile L'Eplattenier
Hi Nancy,
Taking a real estate class will definitely give you plenty of useful information for buying a home in your state. That said, in most cases, working with a buyer’s agent will be far more useful.
Jennifer Bracy
Hi, the payment plan information is not true of Real Estate Express. I just called them based on your information and requested a payment plan. The representative stated ‘We don’t have a payment plan yet but I can give you a great discount for the holiday.” So, if someone from this company informed you that they have a payment plan they are lying.
Emile L'Eplattenier
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for reaching out and your tip. Will reach out to Real Estate Express today to confirm and update the article accordingly.
Tim
Hi Emile — appreciate the detail of this article. I am currently on the fence between doing Home Study vs. On Demand w/ Kaplan for the state of CA. I’d like to save the $300 if possible Do you know if there are still practice exams in the text books or available online with Home Study? I feel I have the mental capacity to complete via Home Study, but the practice exams are extremely important to me.
Thanks in advance,
Tim
Emile L'Eplattenier
Hi Tim,
I am fairly certain there are practice exams included in the home study package. In order to be 100% certain, reach out to Kaplan and ask about the package available in your state.