6 Best Online Real Estate Courses in Connecticut (CT)

Reviewed By:
Jan 3, 2024
16 minute read

Choosing a high-quality real estate school to complete your Connecticut real estate education is necessary to learn efficiently and enhance your career faster. To help you do so, my team and I have identified the best real estate classes in CT based on price, course format variety, and learning tools. These providers will assist you in completing the required 60 hours of prelicensing education, 12 hours of continuing education (CE) per year, and more to upgrade to a broker’s license.

Based on our evaluation, the best online real estate courses in CT are:

Best Online Courses in Connecticut at a Glance


SchoolEducation Provided & Starting PriceLearning FormatsPass Guarantee
National Real Estate Institute logoPrelicensing: $450Broker licensing: $300CE: $40Exam Prep: $40
  • Livestream
  • Self-paced
  • On-demand video

 

Visit National Real Estate Institute
Freedom Trail Realty School logoPrelicensing: $229
  • Livestream
  • Self-paced
  • On-demand video
Visit Freedom Trail Realty
The CE Shop logoPrelicensing: $619CE: $39Exam Prep: $79
  • Livestream
  • Self-paced
Visit The CE ShopUse Promo Code: FSB30 for 30% off
Real Estate University logoPrelicensing: $535Broker licensing: $275CE: Only available during even yearsExam Prep: $30
  • Livestream
  • In-person
Visit Real Estate University
Connecticut Real Estate Institute logoPrelicensing: $350CE: $45Exam Prep: $30
  • Livestream
  • In-person
Visit Connecticut Real Estate Institute
McKissock Learning LogoCE: $44
  • Self-paced
  • On-demand video
Visit McKissock Learning


Advertisement

What’s the Best Online Real Estate Course in Connecticut For You?

National Real Estate Institute: Best for Course Schedule Variety & Additional Resources

Our Expert Opinion on National Real Estate Institute

The National Real Estate Institute (NREI) offers live online Connecticut real estate classes with flexible schedules to complete the material in five, seven, or 10 weeks. Thus, my peers and I find this the top choice if you’re looking for course schedule variety. NREI provides additional resources for current CT agents, including CE courses, exploratory courses, and a real estate bookstore. Study topics such as real estate finance, property management, and appraisal to enhance your skills. NREI can improve by allowing the extension of course access for greater flexibility.

Additional National Real Estate Institute Features

National Real Estate Institute prelicensing course schedule options
Connecticut licensing course schedule (Source: NREI)
  • Accreditation: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP)
  • Refund/cancellation policy: You can only receive a tuition refund before classes begin, and a 10% service charge will be deducted from the refund amount.
  • High-quality content: Real estate experts design courses that incorporate real-life scenarios and local real estate information.
  • Continuing education course topics: There are 23 topics to choose from to individualize your education.

National Real Estate Institute Reviews

NREI has an overall customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 from about 50 reviews. It has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with commendations for its personable, knowledgeable, patient, and professional instructors who are easily reachable. Customers reported passing their exams on the first attempt, attributing their success to the well-explained and efficient learning process. The well-prepared curriculum, clear material presentation, and evenly paced, interactive sessions further contribute to the school’s reputation.

While there are a small number of low ratings for the National Real Estate Institute, none include comments and were written over three years ago. However, if you’d prefer to take online real estate courses in CT from a school that has provided education for many years, check out McKissock Learning.

National Real Estate Institute Pricing

The National Real Estate Institute offers prelicensing courses to become a CT real estate agent or broker, as well as CE courses, non-credit exploratory courses, and an exam prep Question bank.

Education TypePrice RangeCourse Details
Prelicensing$450 to $540
  • 60-hour prelicensing course via livestream
  • Textbooks are required but bought separately
  • Class handouts are provided
Broker Prelicensing$300
  • 15-hour real estate broker course via livestream
  • Necessary class materials are provided
Continued Education$40 to $60
  • On-demand course access
  • Courses on property management, finance, sales, or income property
Exam Prep$40 to $69
  • Online QBank and a national state test simulator
Advertisement

Freedom Trail Realty School: Best for Reciprocal Licensing in Multiple States

Our Expert Opinion on Freedom Trail Realty School

Freedom Trail Realty School has a unique approach to online real estate classes in CT. Its licensing course is a reciprocal class that gives you a license in three states—Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The platform also supplies various course formats and tools to help you get your real estate license, like videos, audiobooks, and online tutoring sessions. To develop a more interactive learning experience, I suggest Freedom Trail Realty include interactive study groups in their course offerings.

Additional Freedom Trail Realty School Features

Freedom Trail Realty School Course dashboard sample.
Course dashboard (Source: Freedom Trail Realty School)
  • Accreditation: Connecticut DCP and Massachusetts Real Estate Board
  • Refund/cancellation policy: You can get a refund within 14 days after registration if you have yet to start any classes or log any class time. If you ask for a refund after starting classes but still within 14 days after registration, you can get a refund minus the time you spent in class.
  • Easy to access: Online courses are accessible on all devices.
  • Exam prep and support tools: Extensive features and tools, including a job board and recruiting, digital real estate flashcards, and online tutoring with Summit plan.

Freedom Trail Realty School Reviews

Freedom Trail Realty School has an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 from more than 100 reviews. Students praised the exceptional instructors who go the extra mile, addressing questions, providing real-life examples, and ensuring each student understands the material before progressing. Working individuals also liked how the platform makes fitting classes into their busy schedules convenient. Including class recordings, study guides, and comprehensive whiteboard notes have proven valuable in helping students prepare for their exams.

One notable issue involved a system glitch wherein, despite completing 80% of the 40-hour course, a student was required to start over from the beginning. The said student reported receiving a discount offer and credit but without total compensation or assistance until actively advocated for. This experience raised issues of accountability and support in such situations. Another student said the classes were not engaging and took too long to watch. However, Freedom Trail Realty fully refunded their purchase. If you’d prefer a school with an interactive course platform, try The CE Shop.

Freedom Trail Realty School Pricing

Although Freedom Trail Realty doesn’t offer standalone exam prep courses, its tiered licensing packages incorporate various exam prep tools and support, like real estate practice exams with over 1,700 questions, a how-to study guide and planner, and digital flashcards.

Education TypePrice RangeCourse Details
Prelicensing$229 to $499
  • Includes ebook and audiobook
  • Unlimited on-demand access
  • Live streaming access
  • Practice questions
  • Digital flashcards
  • How to study guide and planner
  • Job board
  • Self-paced scheduling

The CE Shop: Best for Self-paced Prelicensing Education

Our Expert Opinion on The CE Shop

The CE Shop’s real estate courses in CT make it one of the best schools because of the interactive course platform and diverse course selection. It is my top choice for agents wanting the most engaging self-paced education to obtain or renew their CT real estate license. Its LEAP platform features easy navigation and generates visual and interactive practice exercises. The CE Shop also provides an exam prep course and a variety of CE topics, from “Ethics at Work” and “Document Excellence” to “Technology Tools and Trends.” However, my associates and I believe creating a mobile app can enhance its online learning experience.

Additional The CE Shop Features

The CE Shop's custom LEAP platform showing the course content and course progress.
LEAP Platform Practice Exercise (Source: The CE Shop)
  • Accreditation: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and CDCP
  • Refund/cancellation policy: The CE Shop offers a refund of the course purchase price if the refund request is submitted within 30 days of purchase, before the course expiration, and the course completion is below 50%. Additionally, refunds are applicable if the live class has not commenced.
  • LEAP platform: Tracks your progress, presents a streamlined navigation menu, tailors feedback to help you prioritize topics, and generates visual and interactive practice exercises.
  • Course demo: An interactive course demo lets you test the functionality of the learning platform.
  • Agent Essentials: This resource page provides real estate news, trends, and career tips to assist in the growth of your real estate business.

The CE Shop Reviews

The CE Shop has an overall customer review rating of 3.2 out of 5, based on over 6,000 reviews. Many users praised the software’s user-friendly interface, easy navigation, and excellent features, such as storing results and saving progress. These facilitated a positive online learning experience for students. Moreover, the exam prep class has proven to focus on areas where students may need improvement and guide them toward correct answers.

Negative feedback suggested a proofreader must address typos in the materials. Some users expressed frustration over discovering they only have three chances to pass the final exam. If unsuccessful, they must redo all the course hours, which can be a significant inconvenience. Other reviewers reported problems with the course expiration date and were unsatisfied with customer service solutions. If you prefer a CT real estate school with an in-person instructor to answer questions, try Real Estate University.

The CE Shop Pricing

The CE Shop’s pricing structure is straightforward and comprehensible. It offers one 60-hour real estate course in CT online, one national exam prep course, an elective CE course package, and a variety of individual CE courses.

Education TypePrice RangeCourse Details
Prelicensing$619 to $779
  • 60 hours of prelicensing education
  • Live online course
  • Standard Package adds Exam Prep Edge access and a pass guarantee
  • Value Package incorporates bonus courses like “Building Your Sphere,” “Building Your Real Estate Business,” and “Is Commercial Real Estate for You?”
Continued Education$39 to $109
  • Livestream and self-paced course access
  • Elective packages that offer state-required elective hours
  • Individual courses on commercial real estate, residential property management, market analysis, or real estate agency law
Exam Prep$79 to $135
  • Initial assessment
  • Individual lessons outlined by topic
  • Dynamic practice exams
  • Real-time dashboards
Advertisement

Real Estate University: Best for Upgrading to a Broker’s License

Our Expert Opinion on Real Estate University

Real Estate University primarily supplies live streamed courses, enabling students to get a classroom experience and a flexible course schedule. If you want to become a real estate broker in CT, my team and I recommend this as a suitable option. It offers live online or in-person broker prelicensing courses not available elsewhere except NREI. Courses are taught by instructors who can answer questions in real time, but there’s room for improvement by introducing self-paced or on-demand video formats to cater to a broader range of learning preferences.

Additional Real Estate University Features

Upcoming live class schedules on the Real Estate University website.
CT real estate course schedule (Source: Real Estate University)
  • Accreditation: Connecticut DCP
  • Refund/cancellation policy: Real Estate University will issue refunds minus a $35 administration fee only before login credentials are provided. No refunds will be given for books or course materials received.
  • One-on-one tutoring option: For an additional fee, you can get private tutoring to receive access to an instructor for questions and personalized support.
  • Bilingual courses: The only school to offer courses in English and Spanish.
  • Career center: Includes a job board with local job postings to help you kickstart your real estate career.

Real Estate University Reviews

Real Estate University has one of the highest customer ratings, scoring 4.8 out of 5 based on more than 100 reviews. Students rave about this real estate school in CT for its outstanding instructors, who bring their diverse backgrounds and real-world experiences. Many users find the material easy to grasp, thanks to real-life examples, and appreciate the flexible class schedule. The school fosters a supportive environment where everyone, from instructors to staff, makes students feel important and invested in their success.

On the downside, there’s negative feedback regarding the disparity between the practice test given and the actual questions on the license test. Although there are only a few reviews under five stars, unsatisfied students say they had difficulty reaching customer support. One said he received a refund for his class, which took longer than expected. If you would prefer a school with highly accessible customer support, consider Freedom Trail Realty School.

Real Estate University Pricing

Real Estate University offers CT online real estate courses for agent and broker prelicensing, CE, and exam prep. For prelicensing courses, the price remains the same whether you choose the live in-person or live online course. There is only one CE course, and it is accessible online and only for even years. In addition, there is also a 2-hour exam prep session available live.

Education TypePrice RangeCourse Details
Prelicensing$535
  • Virtual livestream classes
  • Textbooks
  • Module format
  • 4 months of course access
Broker Prelicensing$275
  • Virtual livestream classes
  • Broker mandatory courses including “Principles and Practices” and “Legal Compliance”
  • Elective courses on Broker Appraisal and Broker Finance
Continued EducationCurrently unavailable
  • Only available during even years
Exam Prep$30
  • Two hours of live exam prep instruction and practice
  • Topics on agency, disclosures, property & law, financing, land use and development, appraisal and specialty areas
  • Option for Math-focused exam prep

Connecticut Real Estate Institute: Best for Live Courses With State-specific Exam Prep

Accreditation

The Connecticut Real Estate Institute is a small real estate school that offers prelicensing and exam prep courses for aspiring agents. All real estate classes in CT are available live online, with multiple daytime and evening schedule options. It stands out as the top choice for agents seeking live courses with state-specific exam prep materials, aiding them with a more focused review for the CT state exam. However, I believe the school should expand its services to include personalized tutoring sessions or a mobile app, as it currently has limited features.

Additional Connecticut Real Estate Institute Features

Connecticut Real Estate Institute locations and addresses
School locations (Source: Connecticut Real Estate Institute)
  • Accreditation: Connecticut DCP
  • Refund/cancellation policy: If a class is canceled by the school, students will receive a full refund. Withdrawals 14 days before class commencement receive a 50% tuition refund (minus a $40 admin fee). Withdrawals 7 days before class receive a 30% tuition refund (minus the admin fee). Cancellations made five days before the class starts will not receive a refund.
  • Financing options: There are three financing options with varying amounts of down payments or interest-free options if paid within six months.
  • Real estate instructor: All courses taught by a local real estate expert.
  • Eight-week course schedule: Complete all Connecticut real estate licensing requirements within two months.

Connecticut Real Estate Institute Reviews

Based on about 70 reviews, the Connecticut Real Estate Institute has a good 4.2 out of 5 customer review rating. Positive feedback highlights the well-structured courses that presented concepts to students engagingly. This kept them attentive and ensured a solid understanding of the material. Students also appreciate the entertaining yet informative approach, emphasizing the importance of reading the required books for effective learning.

However, negative feedback centers around students having problems with certain instructors, noting their insufficient effort to ensure everyone comprehends the course materials. This suggests improving the instructor’s teaching method and communication to enhance the overall learning experience. Moreover, some users found it difficult to reach anyone at the school with questions by phone. For a school with highly accessible customer support, try Freedom Trail Realty School.

Connecticut Real Estate Institute Pricing

The Connecticut Real Estate Institute offers a 60-hour live prelicensing course with multiple schedule options and a real estate finance course. It also provides national and state-specific exam prep, which you can purchase as a bundle or individually.

Education TypePrice RangeCourse Details
Prelicensing$350 to $450
  • 60 hours of live prelicensing course instruction
  • Covers topics including “Introduction to the Real Estate Business,” “Real Property and the Law,” and “Concepts of Home Ownership”
  • Additional $50 for textbooks and another $50 for shipping
Continued Education$45 to $55
  • Online classes covering various CE topics (to be announced)
Exam Prep$30 to $109
  • State-specific content
  • Topic overviews
  • Over 700 practice questions
  • Build-Your-Own exam function
Advertisement

McKissock Learning: Best for Customizable CE for License Renewal

Our Expert Opinion on McKissock Learning

To renew your real estate license in CT, you must complete 12 hours of education annually. My colleagues and I determine McKissock Learning as the best option for continuing education courses. It offers customizable packages and a CE Membership that gives access to all CE topics and additional resources like videos, job aids, and exclusive product discounts. With the largest library of CE courses, it covers diverse topics, including homebuyer education, investing, and real estate niche marketing. To further improve its features, introducing a livestream format would be a valuable addition.

Additional McKissock Learning Features

A Course chapters of Mckissock Learning.
McKissock Learning course platform
  • Accreditation: ARELLO, Connecticut DCP, International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC)
  • Refund/cancellation policy: Students can request a refund within 30 days starting from the date of purchase.
  • Membership option: The CE membership uniquely grants one year access to all topics, materials, and tools.
  • One-on-one instructor assistance: Students can enjoy individualized instructor support to supplement their online learning.
  • Learning hub: Keeps all courses in one place and helps you stay on track of your progress.

McKissock Learning Reviews

Based on over 200 reviews, McKissock Learning earned an impressive customer rating of 4.8 out of 5. Many users commended the platform’s exceptional customer service, which promptly responded to their concerns and supplied additional links to address them thoroughly. Most students found the course materials informative and the software user-friendly. Users also appreciated the self-paced study format and the option to print materials to easily retain important information.

However, a few students left negative reviews due to inaccurate links and misspelled or duplicated words in the provided information, which raised doubts about the course’s accuracy. In addition, McKissock does not offer livestream course formats. If you’d prefer a live class taught by an instructor, check out the National Real Estate Institute or Connecticut Real Estate Institute.

McKissock Learning Pricing

McKissock Learning’s pricing structure is simple because it only offers continuing education courses. You can purchase courses individually, within a designated package, or opt for a membership with added resources.

Education TypePrice RangeCourse Details
Continued Education$44 to $189
  • 3-Hour online individual courses covering various CE topics on contract law, fair housing, financing, property management, and real estate market cycles and trends.
  • CE Plus Membership includes all CE courses, professional development tools, a webinar library, and education specialists

How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Connecticut

Becoming a real estate agent and maintaining your license in Connecticut is relatively simple, especially compared to other states. To take advantage of your licensing requirements, choosing a top real estate school will help prepare you for the real estate exam and a successful career. We evaluated several of the best online real estate courses in CT based on criteria like customer reviews, learning formats, and customer support to determine the schools that will kick your real estate education into high gear.With an overall score of 4.24 out of 5, our evaluation found the National Real Estate Institute to be the best overall accredited online real estate school in Connecticut. It earned the top spot due to its interactive live online format and diverse course schedule, ensuring students have a flexible online learning experience. NREI also offers supplementary resources on real estate finance, business planning, and appraisal to improve your skills and knowledge and help you expand your real estate business.Additional criteria we used to assess each online CT-approved real estate school include the following:
Methodology weights
Pricing 20%
Education Provided 15%
Learning Style/Course Features 25%
Additional Features 15%
Help & Support 5%
Customer Rating 10%
Expert Score 10%
Pricing is based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
The availability of each level of education for different stages of licensure. This would include pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
Consists of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent as well as ease of course accessibility.
Extending services past licensure, such as coaching and training and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers pass or refund guarantees for its courses.
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
Based on customer feedback for each program, with particular attention given to reviews of the product and popularity of the provider, to certify the course meets user satisfaction.
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to become a real estate agent in CT?

Becoming a real estate agent in CT can take different amounts of time, depending on several factors. These include the availability of prelicensing courses, exam schedules, and finding a sponsoring broker. In CT, you need to complete 60 hours of prelicensing courses from an accredited real estate school. The time it takes to complete these courses can vary, depending on the school you choose and your preferred learning pace, and can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

What is the pass rate for CT real estate license?

The passing rate for the CT real estate salesperson exam is 70%. To give you an edge and feel more confident about passing the test, consider signing up for an exam prep program.

How much does it cost to become a realtor in CT?

Becoming a realtor in Connecticut can cost around $600 to $1,000, which covers the necessary expenses, such as the 60-hour prelicensing course, which typically costs between $200 to $600, depending on the course provider you choose. You will also need to pay an application fee of approximately $285 and an exam fee of around $140.

Bottom Line

Selecting the right real estate education in Connecticut is crucial to becoming a successful real estate agent. The ideal real estate schools should offer different course formats to cater to diverse learning styles, accessible customer support channels, and a wide range of plans to suit all budgets.

We have assessed various providers and identified the top six online real estate courses available in CT. The National Real Estate Institute scored the highest for its course schedule variety and additional resources. However, each school listed has valuable features to contribute to your real estate career growth, so consider which fits best with your goals.

Theresa Landicho

Esa is a real estate staff writer at Fit Small Business. In 2023, she was accredited as a licensed sales agent in the Philippines. Esa is knowledgeable about real estate, including topics on real estate education and real estate lead generation and marketing. She loves how vast the industry is, and that there’s always something to learn.

Fit Small Business Logo

Our mission is to provide small business owners with the information you need to succeed. Learn how to start, market, run, and grow your business today!

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.