6 Best Online Real Estate Schools in California 2023

• Live and video training: Led by highly experienced and active real estate agents
• Customizable e-books: Allows you to highlight, search, make notes, and draw
• Job assistance: Provides students job assistance with select brokerages
• Exam logs: Contains a score breakdown, helping students know which topics they should focus on
• Course certificates: Easily accessible course certificates to submit to the DRE

California Realty Training has excellent reviews garnering 4.9 out of 5 ratings, with customers raving about the instructors, especially the crash course review for exam prep. One student noted that he loves the platform’s setup and complete-as-you-go aspect, which increased his confidence in taking the state exam.

On the other hand, one student wished for California Realty Training to offer an in-person school rather than online and had audio of the book for those students who prefer listening over reading long chapters. If you’re looking for study aids that include audio and video lessons, consider PrepAgent.

The affordable packages from California Realty Training school offer a mix of learning formats to choose from, so you can tailor your education to your learning style and preferences.

Prelicensing: Starting at $154.99

• Online only bundled package: $154.99
• Online plus videos bundled package: $284.98
• Live training plus online bundled package: $399.99

Broker Licensing: Starting at $75

• Online individual courses: $75 each

Continued Education: Starting at $59

• First renewal 45-hour package: $59
• 45-hour package for second or subsequent renewal: $59

Exam Prep: Starting at $50

• Online state exam prep: $50
• Video crash course and state exam prep: $150
• Live crash course and state exam prep: $175

Real Estate Coaching hosted by Buffini & Company

• Real estate coaching and training: Exclusive partners with Buffini & Company, a training and coaching business that provides a comprehensive and end-to-end approach to navigating a real estate career
• Smart Bites: Colibri Real Estate’s teaching methodology for increased knowledge retention
• Learning Management System (LMS): Allows students to easily navigate their dashboard and track progress
• Course access: Enables students to extend their course access at a cost for seven, 30, or up to 60 days

Students appreciate the flexibility of Colibri Real Estate’s self-paced online real estate courses and find them simple to follow and comprehend. According to one user, the representatives are helpful if you have any questions and are assigned a teacher for specific real estate questions. As a result, Colibri Real Estate obtained a 4.1 out of 5 customer review ratings.

However, some users complained that the learning materials have many typos, differ from the final exam, and must be updated. Even so, Colibri Real Estate does not provide in-person training, and some people find it easier to grasp real estate concepts in a classroom setting. If that sounds like you, consider Kaplan, which includes livestreaming classes and live interactive study groups in almost all of its packages.

Although the pricing may appear complicated, Colibri Real Estate differs from the other schools in giving you full-course packages with the ability to add features to enhance your learning experience further.

Prelicensing: Starting at $129

All packages include the 135 hours of California-required prelicensing classes, three real estate e-books, and state-approved instructor support

• The Basics: $129 includes the items listed above
• Exam Preparation: $229 includes everything in the Basics plus a “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee and exam prep
• Exam Preparation Plus: $349 includes everything in the packages above plus dictionary, exam-cram video, and instructor Q&A
• Ultimate Learning: $449 includes everything in the packages above, plus a printed textbook and one-year professional development membership
• Individual real estate courses in California: $99 each

Broker Prelicensing: Starting at $319

Both packages include the California-required 225-hour broker courses, e-books, instructor support, and a discussion board.

• Broker Basics: $319 includes only above
• Broker Ultimate Learning: $399 includes above plus printed textbook and one-year professional development membership

Continued Education: Starting at $68.95*

• 45-hour First Renewal package: $68.95 includes five three-hour courses
• 45-hour second and all subsequent renewals package (for salespersons and brokers): $68.95 includes five additional continuing education courses
• First Time Renewal Package plus optional NAR COE course not for CE credit (for salespersons and brokers): $68.95 includes all your required CE hours plus an optional Ethics course titled: NAR: May the Code Be With You
• 2023 License Expirations – First-time renewal package plus optional NAR COE course not for CE (for salespersons and brokers): $68.95 includes all your required CE hours plus an optional Ethics course titled: Ethics in the Age of Disruption
• CA McKissock CE PLUS Membership: $92 includes access to all CE courses in California, a real estate coaching tool, access to an extensive pro-series on-demand webinar library, how-to videos, Sherri Johnson 90-day Boot Camp, 100-plus job aids―worksheets, scripts, and checklists―product and service discounts, and knowledgeable education specialists
• Individual courses: From $18.95 to $99 based on credit hours

*Offered through its partner company, McKissock Learning

Exam Prep: Starting at $99

• Accessibility: Courses are accessible on all devices, including phone, tablet, and desktop
• Kaplan’s faculty: Includes practicing real estate brokers, attorneys, appraisers, mortgage experts, certified public accountants (CPAs), writers of real estate literature, and advisers on pending real estate legislation
• Pass Protection Retake Policy: Eligible for a refund within 30 days of purchase
• Virtual classroom exam proctoring: Allows students to take the final exam in Kaplan’s virtual classroom on the student’s LMS platform
• Course access and extension policy: Allows students up to six-month course access and extend course up to 90 days for an additional fee

Kaplan received a 4.3 out of 5 customer review rating, where many reviewers praise the knowledge of the expert instructors, stating the instructor presented multiple memory aides and made explanations and analogies memorable and captivating. This helps them retain all their knowledge and pass their state exam.

Although many features are included, it comes at a higher price than competitors. If you are not comfortable mixing and matching course bundles or prefer not to livestream a class, try the education from Colibri Real Estate or The CE Shop for more reasonable costs.

As a national provider, Kaplan’s expansive online California real estate course selection offers tiered options that allow customers to choose classes based on format preferences, specific learning needs, and additional features.

Prelicensing: Starting at $179

All courses include 135 hours of courses, workbooks, real estate exam prep and materials, interactive study groups, and live sessions with a career mentor. Higher-tiered packages include extra features for career advancement.

Choose from On-demand (on-demand video), Home Study, or Live Online learning packages, which are further differentiated by the addition of extra features, such as textbooks, exam prep, and more, for each price option:

• On-demand packages: $399, $599, or $799
• Home Study packages: $179, $279, $479, or $679
• Live Online packages: $549, $749, or $949

Post-licensing: Starting at $59

• California 45-hour First Renewal OnDemand Package: $144.00
• California 45-hour First Renewal Home Study Package: $59.00

Broker Licensing: Starting at $93

• Courses can be purchased as a 360-hour bundle for $448
• Individual courses can be purchased from $93 to $439 based on credit hours and course format preference

Continued Education: Starting at $16

• Available for salespersons or brokers for first-time or subsequent renewals
• Full California 45-hour First Renewal OnDemand packages are available starting at $59
• Prices range from $16 to $49 based on credit hours
• Classes available for home study, live online, and on-demand formats

Exam Prep: Starting at $29

• Available for salespersons and brokers in OnDemand or Online packages up to $199
• Individual courses can be bought from $29 to $69

• Custom LEAP 2.0 platform: Provides intuitive dashboards that gauge students’ competency
• Free trial: Five-day free trial on selected prelicensing courses
• Exam prep edge: Includes a free initial assessment and unlimited exams
• State-approved curriculum: Developed by highly experienced and knowledgeable real estate professionals

Users find The CE Shop platform intuitive and easy to navigate, and students love the self-paced class format. Another user noted that the course content and setup are conducive to an effective learning experience. As a result, The CE Shop acquired a 4.2 out of 5 customer review rating.

Others had a few issues regarding customer service communication. A student claimed that the support team hadn’t responded when she asked for assistance and asserted that the platform deleted a ton of exams she took even though she bought extensions. If you’re looking for a school with customer service representatives and the best real estate school in California with access to online trainers, check out California Realty Training.

As one of the best real estate schools in California and a national real estate education provider, The CE Shop offers tiered packages and individual courses tailored to your educational needs.

Prelicensing: Starting at $129

All prelicensing packages include the 135 required hours of California prelicensing education, business e-books, career resources, downloadable resources, digital flashcards, a real estate glossary, and study schedules.

• Basic: $129 includes the above only
• Standard: $199 includes everything in the Basic package plus exam prep and pass guarantee
• Value: $249 also includes everything in the packages above plus a building business course
• Premium: $445 includes everything in the packages above plus a 45-hour first renewal package and three California real estate edition textbooks

Broker Licensing: $105

• Includes 135 hours of broker prelicensing education purchased in separate packages for $105 each

Continued Education: Starting at $15

• Full 45-hour packages can be purchased for $69 for salesperson and broker courses
• Individual courses can be purchased from $15 to $39 based on credit hours

Exam Prep: $125

California School of Real Estate interface on all devices

• Money-back guarantee: Provides a 200% double money-back if failing
• Accessibility: California School of Real Estate interface is available on all devices
• Instructor access: Provides a free consultation with the head instructor and one-on-one coaching and training
• Add hardcopy versions: Includes an exam review guide booklet, practice testing booklet with 900 Q&As, and lightning review CD

California School of Real Estate got a 4.5 out of 5 customer reviews online, showing that users are satisfied and love the highly experienced and knowledgeable instructors. Aside from these, students also praised the affordable course pricing and flexible class hours that enable them to study anywhere, at any time.

Regardless, the school doesn’t offer various real estate education courses like post-licensing and broker licensing. In addition, the school provides a livestream learning format, interactive study groups, and career assistance. If you wish to have all the features mentioned earlier, consider Kaplan for its comprehensive licensing courses, learning formats, and study aids.

Like Aceable Agent, the California School of Real Estate offers straightforward packages with little customization available.

Prelicensing: Starting at $119

• Sales Agent – Qualification Program and PowerPrep Online: $119
• Sales Agent – Qualification Program and PowerPrep Online plus Hardcopy Prep Versions: $169

Broker Licensing: Starting at $79*

• 1 Course: $79
• 2 Course: $114
• 3 Course: $149
• 4 Course: $192
• 5 Course: $235
• 6 Course: $270
• 7 Course: $287
• 8 Course: $320

*Shipping cost is $3 per course

Continued Education: $69.50

Exam Prep: Starting at $79

• Sales Agent – PowerPrep Program (Online): $79
• Sales Agent – PowerPrep Program (Online) with Hardcopy Versions: $128

Example of Aceable Agent pop-up questions for retention

• Interactive learning: Includes advanced video technology that keeps students engaged and helps them retain information better
• Mastery tracking feature: Tracks course progress and identifies areas of improvement
• Slide-based lessons: Allow you to move through the materials easily, answer course questions, watch videos, and pause when necessary
• Student support: Provides a student concierge team and private tutoring
• Pass and refund guarantee: It has a 92% student pass rate and offers a refund within 30 days of purchase

Customers of Aceable Agent gave the platform a 4.9 out of 5 rating for the organization and convenience of courses and liked that they could be completed anywhere. Aside from these, a student commented that Aceable Agent provides a highly engaging and stimulating presentation of course material, which helps them to keep their focus.

A few customers didn’t enjoy the supplemental materials included in the course. One user said that the review handouts do not cover some vital material for the exam, so if you’re looking for more robust downloadable content, look at The CE Shop.

Aceable Agent does not offer tiered packages like the other best California real estate school, but its simple and affordable packages include the required courses to fulfill your real estate prelicensing requirements.

Prelicensing: Starting at $179

• Basic Package: $179 includes a complete 135-hour real estate course, self-paced online PDF format, instructor support, and 30-day money-back guarantee
• Deluxe Package: $299 includes everything in the Basic package plus PrepAgent state exam prep
• Premium Package: $399 includes everything in the Deluxe package plus live tutoring and webinars