6 Best Online Real Estate Schools in North Carolina (NC) 2023
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
The best online real estate schools in North Carolina offer courses that satisfy state licensing requirements for real estate professionals, like salesperson and broker prelicensing and continuing education coursework. Additionally, the best schools provide course flexibility, interactive learning, and professional development tools to help new licensees launch successful careers. We’ve identified the top six NC real estate schools online based on these features, plus pricing, learning formats, and customer reviews.
- Colibri Real Estate: Ideal for new licensees looking for extensive free career services to launch their real estate businesses
- The Go School of Real Estate: Best for aspiring brokers in NC needing direct guidance from local real estate experts
- The CE Shop: Recommended NC real estate school offering self-paced education with interactive features
- Carolina School of Real Estate: Best online real estate school in NC for students looking for live stream and in-person classes with flexible scheduling options
- Sea Coast Real Estate Academy: Affordable prelicensing courses for budget-conscious students
- Kaplan: Top school for real estate brokers needing multiple online class formats and access to interactive study groups
Best Online Real Estate Schools in NC at a Glance
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Learning Formats | Pass Guarantee | Customer Support |
---|---|---|---|---|
Prelicensing: $549 Post-licensing: $269 CE: $69 Exam Prep: $62 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat | |
Prelicensing: $450 Post-licensing: $199 CE: $54 Exam Prep: $49 |
| ✕ | Phone and email | |
Prelicensing: $715 Post-licensing: $249 CE: $55 Exam Prep: $79 |
| ✓ | Phone, email, and live chat | |
Prelicensing: $75 Post-licensing: $225 CE: $55 Exam Prep: $59 |
| ✕ | Phone and email | |
Prelicensing: $150 Post-licensing: $225 CE: $55 Exam Prep: $0 to $25 |
| ✕ | Phone and email | |
Prelicensing: $449 Post-licensing: $165 CE: $69 Exam Prep: $49 |
| ✕ | Phone, email, and live chat | |
Choosing the right online real estate courses is the first step in a successful real estate career. Start by taking our quiz to see which school is your best fit:
Which online real estate school provider is right for you?
Things you need to know before enrolling for your North Carolina 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 North Carolina to help you get started.
Colibri Real Estate: Best for Extensive Free Career Resources
Pros
- Comprehensive career services
- Accessible on mobile devices
- Interactive study groups
Cons
- No pass guarantee for NC students
- Course access only up to six months
- Extra cost for electronic course materials
Our Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers online NC courses in partnership with Superior School of Real Estate, including prelicensing, post-licensing, exam prep, and continuing education. Students can choose among multiple course formats, such as self-paced, on-demand video, and livestream. Students have access to academic advisors five days a week and can access self-study courses 24/7 to accommodate busy schedules.
Additionally, it is the best online real estate school in NC for its free career services. After graduation, students can use the Career Hub’s vast array of blog articles, coaching, and Career Night, in livestream, video, audio, and on-demand formats. A point of improvement for Colibri is it could provide a pass guarantee for NC students as it does in some other states.
Free downloadable e-books (Source: Superior Schools/Colibri Real Estate)
- Accreditations: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), and North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCREC)
- Refund/cancellation policy: Before the start of the course, students can receive a full refund. Within seven calendar days of beginning the course, students may withdraw and receive a full tuition refund, less a $170 administrative fee.
- Professional development opportunities: Periodic free livestream career days and broker expos where students can interact with and learn various topics from local brokerage firms.
- Expert instructors: The instructors at Colibri are active real estate professionals in the industry
- Free downloads: Free prelicensing, post-licensing, and continuing education e-books.
Colibri real estate scores 4.6 out of 5 from student reviews. One student said the instructors explained complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand and broke down each topic to ensure that everyone in the class was on the same page. Another student reported that she loved the convenience of self-study, which she can fit around her life and work schedule.
Some students reported that the course platform had some technical issues, which slowed course progress, resulting in frustration. One student said that the course materials have multiple typos and are outdated. If you want a course that students say has a less glitchy platform, consider the CE Shop.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Colibri Real Estate Review.
Prelicensing courses are the same price as text-only, self-study, or livestream. Broker post-licensing education options are the same price each, with various 30-hour package options. Continuing education is available as individual classes, or students can enroll in the annual CE Plus. Exam prep offers three options. Students can take the national and state exam prep portions separately or purchase a package containing both.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $549 |
|
Post-licensing | $269 |
|
Continued Education* | $69 to $199 |
|
Exam Prep | $62 to $105 |
|
*Offered through a partnership with McKissock Learning
The Go School of Real Estate: Best for Expert Local Instructors
Pros
- Livestream and self-study online real estate classes in NC
- Direct access to local instructors
- Interactive classes
Cons
- Missed classes cannot be repeated
- May only cancel enrollment up to 48-hours before the course start date
- No pass guarantee
Our Expert Opinion on The Go School of Real Estate
The Go School of Real Estate is located in NC and is an excellent choice for aspiring and current real estate agents who want to learn from top-notch local real estate instructors. These educators have decades of experience and deliver up-to-date real estate curricula covering the subjects students need for their careers.
Courses are offered on weekdays, evenings, and weekends to fit busy schedules. Choose between livestream, self-paced, and in-person real estate online classes in NC. Courses include prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and exam preparation, so students can get everything they need to receive, renew, and maintain their licenses by attending one school. One way it can improve is by offering make-up classes within a limited time.
Features of its real estate education (Course: The Go School)
- Accreditation: NCREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: No refunds. Subscriptions are auto-renewal.
- Real Estate Bookstore: E-books covering different real estate topics in different states are available on The Go School’s online bookstore via RE Campus.
- Student portal: Upon registration, you can immediately log in to your student portal to access your prelicensing education, study materials, and practice exams.
- Private tutoring: If you’re struggling with certain real estate concepts, The Go School offers specialized one-on-one tutoring at your convenient schedule.
- Free Real Estate Quiz: This short quiz helps you determine how your personality can enhance your real estate career.
The Go School has a rating of 4.5 out of 5. One student says that the live instruction and study materials are more than adequate. Another states that it’s a very relaxed atmosphere, and the support and communication have been exceptional. Students in the in-person classes appreciate the provided snacks.
There weren’t a lot of negative reviews for The Go School. However, one student reports that only four passed the course in a class with over 20 people. This student is also dissatisfied with the instructor and says communication is poor. The school doesn’t guarantee a pass, so if you want this feature, check out Colibri Real Estate or The CE Shop.
Pricing at the Go School of Real Estate includes course packages offering prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and exam preparations with all the required credit hours. Each program has various options from which to choose with corresponding rates.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $450 |
|
Post-licensing | $199 to $225 |
|
Continued Education | $54 to $90 |
|
Exam Prep | $49 to $79 |
|
Visit The Go School of Real Estate
The CE Shop: Best for Interactive Self-paced Education
Pros
- Scenario-based learning
- Pass guarantee
- Instructor-led webinars on exam topics
Cons
- Pricing is higher than the other providers
- No livestream courses
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
The CE Shop is one of the best online real estate schools in NC for its self-paced education. It offers students access to prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and exam prep courses. The classes are entirely online, and students can access them 24/7. Customer service is available seven days a week through phone, chat, and email.
The interactive features of the courses engage students with video, audio, and text-based content. Its proprietary LEAP platform features scenario-based learning, quizzes, and practice exams to help students retain course information more effectively. The CE Shop could improve by adding a mobile app option and livestream classes for students who need a live classroom.
A question in the free online assessment. (Source: The CE Shop)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and NCREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Students can get a full refund within 30 days of purchase and before completing the course. The course cannot be more than 50% completed.
- Pass guarantee: The Exam Prep Edge program has a pass guarantee, offering students who don’t pass the licensing exam a full refund.
- Exam Prep Edge: An intuitive online study platform that includes initial assessment, individual lessons by topic, unlimited practice exams, and interactive dashboards.
- Math Handbook: This built-in math guide helps students grasp the formulas on the exam.
- Agent Essentials: A knowledge database with free resources, including blogs, e-books, videos, podcasts, and webinars, to help students establish a successful real estate career.
The CE Shop has a 3.6 out of 5 rating because of its easy-to-navigate platform and scheduling flexibility. Most students like the mobile and computer platforms stating the materials are easier to digest. Some students speak highly of responsive customer service, available seven days a week.
In less favorable reviews, one student says the technical issues slow his learning. Some students are disappointed in The CE Shop’s text-based content, which they described as “boring.” If you need more live interaction with instructors and peers, check out livestream classes from the Carolina School of Real Estate, The Go School, and Sea Coast Real Estate Academy.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in The CE Shop Review.
The CE Shop offers individual courses and packages. Students can select packages based on the resources they need. Packages are tiered pricing.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $715 to $1,079 |
|
Post-licensing | $249 to $609 |
|
Continued Education | $55 to $75 |
|
Exam Prep | $79 to $135 |
|
Carolina School of Real Estate: Best for Livestream Courses With Flexible Scheduling
Pros
- Course format variety
- Scheduling flexibility
- Direct access to local instructors
Cons
- Course packages don't include multiple study materials
- No interactive study groups
- No pass guarantee
Our Expert Opinion on Carolina School of Real Estate
Carolina School of Real Estate is the best local real estate school that provides livestream courses in NC. Aside from the livestream Zoom courses, it offers in-person classes in multiple locations. Classes are available on weekends, weekdays, and evenings to accommodate busy schedules. It also offers self-paced learning that is accessible for six months.
The school provides complete broker education in various delivery methods, from prelicensing to post-licensing and continuing education. Exam preparation is provided through ExamSmart, an online platform with comprehensive study materials to help students pass on their first attempt. It could improve by adding interactive study groups so students can work with peers.
ExamSmart brochure
(Source: Carolina School of Real Estate)
- Accreditation: NCREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: No refunds for withdrawals made less than two days before the class start date
- Additional study aids and learning materials: If you need more preparation for the state licensing exam, purchase additional learning materials, including prelicensing e-books, flashcards, and real estate math and exam guides.
- Professional development courses: Contact the school for more information about its professional development opportunities
- Blog resources: Blog posts are written by licensed agents to help you understand the licensing requirements and the challenges faced by a real estate agent in North Carolina.
Carolina School of Real Estate has an impressive 5-star rating. Students rave about the helpful instructors and the learning materials that helped them pass the NC real estate exam on the first try. They say instructors keep the lessons engaging as they share their real estate experiences. One student says the instructor takes time to ensure they understand the current licensing requirements and the reasons behind them.
While no negative reviews are found at the time of writing, the school’s live course packages don’t include multiple study tools. Refunds must be requested at least two days before the classes. For courses with a pass guarantee and 30-day money-back guarantee, check out courses from other NC real estate schools like The CE Shop.
Pricing at Carolina School of Real Estate includes full packages offering the complete number of required education hours, plus individual post-licensing and CE courses according to your needs for license renewal. Pricing is either for individual classes or packages.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $75 to $455 |
|
Post-licensing | $225 to $650 |
|
Continued Education | $55 |
|
Exam Prep | $59 |
|
Visit Carolina School of Real Estate
Sea Coast Real Estate Academy: Best for Affordable Prelicensing Education
Pros
- Class format variety
- Free exam prep review sessions
- Instructor assistance
Cons
- No refunds after the student completes the first scheduled class
- No pass guarantee
- Self-paced courses only accessible for 180 days
Our Expert Opinion on Sea Coast Real Estate Academy
Seacoast Real Estate Academy is the best North Carolina online real estate course for its affordable prelicensing education. It is only $1 above Kaplan’s course and offers free exam prep review sessions in its prelicensing package. It also provides post-licensing, exam prep, and continuing education. Course formats are offered via livestream, self-study, and on-demand video and are accessible on all devices.
If you need additional scheduling flexibility, self-paced online options are available, including interactive exercises, videos, quizzes, and a practice exam. Adding live chat or a pass guarantee could improve its programs and attract more students.
Livestream course schedules (Source: Sea Coast Real Estate Academy)
- Accreditation: NCREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: No refund after the first class, but after that class, for a fee, students have six months from the start of their original course to re-enroll.
- Learn Test Pass Practice Exams: Free 90-day access for comprehensive national and state exams with question banks.
- Video library: Access free video resources, including a real estate math tutorial series, vocabulary, study and test-taking strategies, and NC-specific content.
- Exam prep Qbanks: Purchase the Complete or State-specific NC Real Estate Drill and Practice Qbanks that include custom quizzes and a performance tracker so students can concentrate on problem areas.
SCREA has a rating of 4.8 out of 5. Several students state that the teachers are excellent, informative, and make everything enjoyable. One student reported that they still have to take more real estate education and will attend this school and pick the same instructor since she made passing the exam easy with her topic knowledge and understanding.
A dissatisfied student reported that he took his post-licensing classes online and feels that the curriculum did not prepare him for the final exams or provide new information that wasn’t covered in the prelicensing course. If you’re looking for a top-rated school that offers comprehensive education, check out Colibri Real Estate.
Sea Coast Real Estate Academy offers education packages and individual courses. CE pricing is per course.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $150 to $450 |
|
Post-licensing | $225 |
|
Continued Education | $55 |
|
Exam Prep | $0 or $25 |
|
Visit Sea Coast Real Estate Academy
Kaplan: Best for Multiple Class Formats With Interactive Study Groups
Pros
- Interactive study groups
- Livestream classes
- Real Estate Accelerator
Cons
- No mobile app
- No one-to-one coaching
- No refund guarantee
Our Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan is the best online real estate school in NC for online prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and exam prep courses for students looking to obtain or renew a license. Its multiple course formats include livestream, self-study, and on-demand videos to support different learning styles.
It also offers hybrid livestream and self-study classes for students who want the benefits of a live classroom but don’t have time to complete it entirely online. Live classes include access to interactive study groups, so students can stay accountable and interact with their peers. An area where it needs improvement is to provide students with a mobile app to study on the go.
Live webinar (Source: Kaplan)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, NCREC
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refunds are issued within 30 days of enrollment so long as the course is not completed.
- Real Estate Accelerator: A boot camp program for laying a solid foundation for starting in real estate, including how to write a business plan, marketing plan, budget, and cash flow forecast.
- PassProtection Retake Policy: If students don’t pass the licensing exam, they can retake live online classes within six months from the date of purchase.
- Exam prep add-ons: Purchase additional exam prep materials, such as digital flashcards, math on-demand, companion books, a real estate dictionary, and the Dearborn Real Estate Exam Prep app.
Kaplan has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from former students. Students praise its adaptive learning technology for helping them focus where they need improvement most. Many students appreciate the instructors’ knowledge and responsiveness and the comprehensive course materials that are easy to understand. Students also appreciate the flexible scheduling and convenience of online courses.
Unhappy students say the course platform can be buggy and sometimes doesn’t auto-save their answers. Some report that the platform is hard to navigate, and others suggest that the course materials could be more engaging and accessible support could use improvement. Consider The CE Shop’s online courses for students who want more interactive features.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Kaplan Review.
Kaplan’s pricing includes course packages with the required credit hours to obtain or renew a license. Pricing varies based on the package features and learning formats. Individual broker post-licensing and CE courses are available as individual or package formats, and its exam prep offers two individual study products with the remaining content provided in packages.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $449 to $749 |
|
Post-licensing | $165 to $629 |
|
Continued Education | $69 to $133 |
|
Exam Prep | $49 to $169 |
|
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in North Carolina
The best online real estate schools in North Carolina provide features to ensure students receive the best online educational experience and understanding of real estate practices and principles. Our evaluation of the top schools included learning methods, overall student satisfaction based on customer reviews, instructor access, refund policies, and course pricing.
After examining numerous NC real estate schools, we determined Colibri Real Estate as the best North Carolina online real estate school. Its comprehensive and interactive course offerings, exceptional customer support, and user-friendly learning platform were some of the top features that contributed to the school receiving an overall rating of 4.95 out of 5.
We used the following criteria to evaluate the best online real estate school in NC:
25% of Overall Score
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.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, continuing education courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
15% of Overall Score
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.
15% of Overall Score
Extending services past licensure, such as coaching and training and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers pass or refund guarantees for its courses.
10% 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.
10% of Overall Score
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.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The North Carolina Real Estate Commission’s (NCREC) education requirement is 75 hours of prelicensing education, 90 hours of post-licensing education, and eight hours of continuing education. How quickly students can complete this course depends on whether their course is live or self-study and at which pace they can work and retain the information. More important than speed, however, is comprehending and retaining the information.
North Carolina post-licensing requirements include 90 hours of approved education within 18 months of receiving their initial license, plus an exam. These courses are divided into 30-hour segments, or students can purchase a 90-hour program. Mandatory education includes Post 301-Broker Relationships & Responsibilities, Post 302-Contracts & Closing, and Post 303-NC Law, Rules & Legal Concepts Course.
A realtor’s salary in North Carolina has many factors, including the agent’s experience, the number of hours they work, the types of properties they sell, and their location. On average, salaries can range from $40,000 to $90,000 based on these factors.