5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Maryland
Gina is a licensed real estate salesperson, experienced trainer, and former high school educator of 1,000+ learners. She writes for Fit Small Business with a focus on real estate content.
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
Maryland is one of the smallest states, but with a median home value of $366,581, it offers good opportunities for those looking to become a real estate agent in the Old Line State. The best online real estate classes in Maryland offer reasonable pricing, course format variety, and expert faculty support so you can fulfill the 60 hours of required Maryland Real Estate Commission-approved (MREC) prelicensing education to become a real estate agent, and get ongoing training to maintain or upgrade your license.
We’ve identified the best online real estate classes in Maryland that offer education options from the comfort of your home:
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for being the most affordable prelicensing education for aspiring new agents
- McKissock Learning: Best for career enhancement courses in multiple learning formats for any stage of your career
- Elite Learning Academy: Best for new and experienced agents who prefer a live virtual learning environment
- The CE Shop: Best for bundled course package that combines initial licensing and continuing education courses
- Tristar Academy: Best for experienced agents who wish to upgrade to a broker’s license through livestream education
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Learning Formats | Pass Guarantee | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prelicensing: $199 CE: $34.95 Exam Prep: $99 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | CE: $34.95 |
| ✓ | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $328 Broker licensing: $1497 CE: $20 |
| ✕ | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $325 CE: $29 Exam Prep: $69 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat |
 | Prelicensing: $305 Post-licensing: $430 CE: $18 |
| ✕ | Phone, email, and live chat |
Things you need to know before enrolling for your Maryland real estate license education: Along with education requirements, there are additional steps to completing your real estate licensure. Check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Maryland to help you get started.
Colibri Real Estate: Most Affordable Prelicensing Education
Overall Score:
4.60 / 5
What We Like
- Tiered course packages
- Instructor support
- Lowest price
What's Missing
- Multiple course formats
- Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee not available in the Basic package
- No broker prelicensing education
Additional Features
- Exam prep with simulations available
- E-books included
- 6 months of course access
- Customer review rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars
- Accredited by ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials), IDECC (International Distance Education Certification Center), and MREC
If you’re saving up for the next Raven’s or O’s game, Colibri Real Estate is a budget-friendly choice for your Maryland prelicensing education. Even though it is the cheapest compared to its competitors, it still provides high-quality content and comprehensive delivery through its Learning Management System (LMS).
The LMS is an easy-to-navigate platform with built-in tools to enhance productivity and retention. Although the course is mainly self-paced, higher-tiered packages also provide live interaction with instructors and classmates.
Customers agreed that the price of the program is excellent and the platform is an effective tool to help agents pass the test on the first try. However, some users found the self-paced option to be difficult and wished there was more live engagement. If you are the same type of learner, consider Elite Learning Academy or Tristar Academy for their livestream courses.
Pricing
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 on features to enhance your learning experience.
Prelicensing: Starting at $199
All packages include 60 hours of prelicensing classes, three e-books, and instructor support.
- The Basics: $199
- Exam Preparation: $249 includes everything in The Basics plus “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee and exam prep
- Exam Preparation Plus: $224 includes everything in the packages above plus dictionary and instructor Q&A
- Ultimate Learning: $324 includes everything in the packages above plus printed textbook and one-year professional development membership
Continued Education: Starting at $34.95*
- Courses are non-credit educational courses meant for career enhancement
- Classes can be purchased individually from $34.95 to $99
*Offered through its partner company, McKissock Learning
Exam Prep: $99
Pro tip: Start your real estate education today with a special offer for our readers from Colibri Real Estate. Use promo code FSB25 for 25% off your purchase.
McKissock Learning: Best for Career Enhancement Classes
Overall Score:
4.07 / 5
What We Like
- Course format variety
- Instructors with real-world experience
- Classes can be purchased individually
What's Missing
- No credit given for courses
- Limited customer support
Additional Features
- 12 months of course access
- Available on all devices
- Customer review rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Accredited by ARELLO, IDECC, and MREC
Although McKissock Learning does not offer classes that count toward Maryland’s real estate licensing requirements, they do offer a variety of professional development opportunities to help advance your real estate career. McKissock Learning provides webinars as part of the “Pro-Series Courses” meant to tackle hot topics in the real estate industry and career-oriented skills to improve your technique and increase your knowledge. Classes are available in prerecorded and live webinar formats delivered by distinguished real estate experts.
Several reviewers were very happy with the relevant and up-to-date content as well as the real-world examples provided throughout the courses. Some said it was difficult to remember everything since there’s a lot of information to digest; if that sounds like you, check out the retention tools offered by Colibri Real Estate.
Pricing
McKissock Learning courses are available for purchase individually, rather than packages like other providers.
Continued Education: Starting at $34.95
- Courses are non-credit educational courses
- Classes purchased individually from $34.95 to $99
Elite Learning Academy: Best for Live Virtual Learning Environment
Overall Score:
4.04 / 5
What We Like
- Multiple course formats
- Education for every stage of career
- Expert faculty
What's Missing
- Ability to take final exam online (must be completed in person at the school)
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Refund policy
Additional Features
- Partnerships with accredited online providers
- Additional certifications and designations available
- Courses accessible via computer or laptop
- Email, phone, and live chat customer support
- Customer review rating 5 out of 5 stars
- Accredited by MREC
Straight out of Pasadena is local Maryland online real estate class provider Elite Learning Academy. They offer multiple learning formats for their education, but most notably, their livestream instruction is available for every stage of licensing from aspiring agents to experienced agents looking to renew or upgrade their license.
Elite Learning Academy’s live virtual courses are available through Zoom at different times throughout the day so you can coordinate classes with your schedule. In addition, you may also take online courses, which are 100% self-paced through their partner companyThe CE Shop if you prefer less face-to-face interaction.
With a perfect 5 out of 5-star rating, customers raved about the instructors, content delivery, and Zoom platform; but if using Zoom for learning is not your forte, consider Colibri Real Estate or The CE Shop.
Pricing
Although Elite Learning Academy is a local provider with its own livestream content, they partner with The CE Shop, which provides self-paced online classes and offers multiple course packages to choose from.
Prelicensing: Starting at $325*
Livestream:
- $328 includes tuition and books
Online prelicensing packages: Includes the 60 required hours as well as business e-books, career resources, downloadable resources, digital flashcards, real estate glossary, study schedules, and instructor-led webinars
- Courses Only: $325 (includes only above items)
- Standard: $385 includes everything in Courses Only plus exam prep and pass guarantee
- Value: $425 includes everything in the packages above plus a building business course
- Premium: $555 includes everything in the packages above plus 15 hours of continuing education courses
*Online self-paced courses offered through partnership with The CE Shop
Broker Prelicensing: $1,490
Continued Education: Starting at $19.95
Livestream:
- Full 15-hour packages can be purchased for $196 for salesperson or broker license courses
- Individual courses can be purchased from $20 to $39 based on credit hours
Online:
- Individual courses can be purchased from $19.95 to $39.95 based on credit hours
Exam Prep: Starting at $39*
- Salesperson and broker exam packages range from $39 to $79; customize your package for the national or state portion or a combination of both
*Offered through partnership with CompuCram
The CE Shop: Best for Prelicensing & Continuing Education Bundle
Overall Score:
3.55 / 5
What We Like
- Self-paced instruction
- Tiered course packages
- Customizable continuing education courses
What's Missing
- No broker licensing education
- Pass guarantee not available in Courses Only package
- No variety of course formats
Additional Features
- High real estate exam pass ratings
- 30-day refund policy
- Free course demo available
- 12 months of course access
- Customer review rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Accredited by ARELLO and MREC
The CE Shop is a great choice for Maryland real estate classes if you want a self-paced learning environment that is flexible to your schedule. They offer tiered packages with add-ons to enhance your learning experience with items such as exam prep and professional development courses.
Most unique is the option to bundle your prelicensing and continued education so you can purchase all the classes you’ll need for the next three years of your real estate career. If you prefer to purchase your continuing education separately, The CE Shop allows you to either purchase a premade package or customize your course selection to include classes of your interest to complete your license renewal.
Countless reviewers mentioned they had passed their real estate exam on the first try after taking courses through The CE Shop, though some stated they were unhappy with the customer service. For excellent customer service, check out Elite Learning Academy.
Pricing
Similar to Colibri Real Estate, as a national provider, The CE Shop offers tiered packages tailored to your educational needs.
Prelicensing: Starting at $325
All prelicensing packages include the 60 required hours as well as business e-books, career resources, downloadable resources, digital flashcards, real estate glossary, study schedules, and instructor-led webinars.
- Courses Only: $325 (includes only above items)
- Standard: $385 includes everything in Courses Only plus exam prep and pass guarantee
- Value: $425 also includes everything in the packages above plus a building business course
- Premium: $555 includes everything in the packages above plus 15 hours of continuing education courses
Continued Education: Starting at $29
- Full 15-hour packages can be purchased for $209 for salesperson or broker license courses
- Individual courses can be purchased from $29 to $109 based on credit hours
Exam Prep: Starting at $69
- Exam packages range from $69 to $119; customize your package for the national or state portion or a combination of both
Tristar Academy: Best for Upgrading to a Broker’s License
Overall Score:
3.46 / 5
What We Like
- Easy-to-navigate website
- Livestream format
- Reasonable pricing
What's Missing
- Self-paced format
- 24/7 customer service hours
Additional Features
- Eligible for full or partial refund if withdrawal occurs
- Available on all devices
- Customer review rating 5 out of 5 stars
- Accredited by MREC
To upgrade to your broker’s license in Maryland, you’re required to complete 135 hours of licensing education, which is a lot of time to be sitting in front of the computer and can be expensive. Tristar Academy offers not only broker prelicensing education, but also initial licensing, continuing education, and exam prep through livestream via Zoom. Their reasonably priced livestream courses are offered in bundled packages to ensure you can fulfill the Maryland licensing requirements in an interactive and engaging fashion.
Tristar Academy has over 1,000 5 out of 5-star reviews, which makes it the school most highly rated by customers on our list. There is praise for the instructors, interactive classes, and fast-paced curriculum. If you’re not enthused by the idea of live Zoom instruction, check out The CE Shop for self-paced courses.
Pricing
Unlike its competitors, Tristar Academy offers only limited course packages, so pricing is simple for each bundle of courses.
Prelicensing: $220
Broker Prelicensing: Starting at $460
- Each education module is $460, totaling $1,380 for all of the broker courses
Continued Education: Starting at $10
- Full 15-hour packages can be purchased for $170 for salesperson or broker license courses
- Individual courses can be purchased from $10 to $20 based on credit hours
Exam Prep: Starting at $15
- National portion prep for $25 and state portion prep for $15
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Maryland
Earning your initial real estate license in Maryland is fairly easy and requires considerably fewer hours compared to other states. Even though the process is simpler, the quality of online education from national and local education providers maintains high levels of satisfaction. Online education programs provide self-paced and live instruction options, customizable course selection to tailor your education to your interests, and instructor support from real estate professionals to guarantee high quality and comprehension.
After examining the criteria for dozens of online real estate classes in Maryland, we’ve found that Colibri Real Estate is the number one choice for licensing education. With a score of 4.60 out of 5, tiered and customized course packages, low cost, and sophisticated learning platform, Colibri Real Estate stands out from its competitors.
Other standards we used to determine the best online education classes in Maryland are:
30%
Pricing
25%
Course Features
20%
Customer Reviews
15%
Expert Score
10%
Help & Support
30% of Overall Score
Based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
25% of Overall Score
Availability of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent, as well as ease of course accessibility.
20% of Overall Score
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.
15% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers enables us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.
10% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service support for technical support and instructor assistance.
*Percentages of overall score
