6 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Wisconsin 2023
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
Choosing the best online real estate school in Wisconsin to fulfill your licensing requirements will get you on the fast track to a successful career. The most high-quality Wisconsin schools offer competitive pricing, knowledgeable instructors, and interactive course features. Selecting a real estate school to complete 72 hours of prelicensing, 36 hours of broker licensing, and 18 hours of continuing education (CE) can be difficult. To help you decide, we evaluated education providers in Wisconsin, considering available courses, pricing, industry expertise, and student support.
Here are the six best online Wisconsin real estate schools:
- Best for prelicensing formats and interactive study groups: Kaplan
- Best for multiple course options for every career stage: Wisconsin Realtors Association
- Best for livestream evening prelicensing classes: First Class Real Estate
- Best for self-paced interactive education: Colibri Real Estate
- Best for free career guidance: Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute
- Best for exam preparation packages: The CE Shop
Best Online Real Estate Schools in Wisconsin At a Glance
School | Education Provided & Starting Price | Learning Formats | Pass Guarantee | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Prelicensing: $229 CE: $19 |
| ✕ | Phone, chat, and email |
Use Promo Code: Kapre5 for 5% off | ||||
 | Prelicensing: $345 Broker licensing: $345 CE: $21 Exam prep: $29.95 |
| ✕ | Phone, chat, and email |
 | Prelicensing: $320 Broker licensing: $339 CE: $29.95 |
| ✕ | Phone and email |
 | Prelicensing: $384 CE: $19 Exam prep: $115 |
| ✓ | Phone, chat, and email |
(Promo Code: FSB25 for 25% off) | ||||
 | Prelicensing: Contact school for pricing and availability |
| ✕ | Phone, chat, and email |
 | Prelicensing: $419 Exam prep: $135 |
| ✓ | Phone, chat, and email |
Things you need to know before enrolling for your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin to help you get started.
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Kaplan: Best for Prelicensing Formats & Interactive Study Groups
Overall Score:
4.93 / 5
Pros
- Multiple course options
- Instructor assistance
- Accessible on all devices
Cons
- Broker prelicensing unavailable
- No pass guarantee
- Fee to extend course beyond six months
Our Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan is one of the best real estate schools in Wisconsin for its numerous prelicensing course formats and interactive study groups. Students can take livestream courses or independent study with its on-demand and self-study options. Its course offering includes prelicensing, continued education, and exam preparation.
Kaplan offers a variety of courses, with its strength in top-notch prelicensing education, including the Wisconsin real estate license course. The program provides extra resources like textbooks, interactive study groups, and exam preparation materials. Nevertheless, an opportunity for Kaplan to improve exists in adding broker prelicensing options, beneficial for licensees aiming to advance their licenses.
The Kaplan dashboard. (Source: Kaplan)
- Accreditations: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), and Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
- Refund/cancellation policy: Students have 30 days from purchase in both the live and web-based courses to cancel enrollment.
- Career support: Access to career-related materials such as articles offering advice and suggestions for real estate agents and brokers.
- Test prep resources: Kaplan provides personalized practice exercises, practice questions, a progress monitor, and extra study aids. These include a math refresher course, real estate flashcards, exam prep apps, and comprehensive study packages, all aimed at helping learners excel in the exam.
Kaplan received a score of 4.5 out of 5 from customers. They liked the smart instructors and different study tools that made it easier to pass exams the first time. Students also enjoyed the interactive study group, custom quizzes, getting quick answers from instructors, and detailed videos and books they could use whenever they wanted.
Negative reviews from students stated they felt let down because they found the content outdated, and some had trouble with the course’s platform. If you’re looking for affordable real estate education that’s easy to use and simple to understand, we recommend checking out The CE Shop.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Kaplan Review.
Prelicensing packages have tiered prices, meaning each upgrade includes additional tools, resources, and features. Continuing education pricing is currently based on dual licenses in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with CE classes coming to Wisconsin soon.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $229 to $629 |
|
Continued Education | $19 to $499 |
|
Exam Prep | $99 to $199 |
|
Wisconsin Realtors Association: Best for Multiple Course Options for Every Career Stage
Overall Score:
4.57 / 5
Pros
- Robust and diverse course availability
- Direct access to local real estate experts
- Course format variety
Cons
- No interactive study groups
- No pass guarantee
- Fee for course extension beyond six months
Our Expert Opinion on Wisconsin Realtors Association
The Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA) is the best online real estate school in Wisconsin for current and aspiring licensees seeking comprehensive education for each stage of their career. It is the sole institution offering real estate classes in Wisconsin in the salesperson and broker prelicensing, continuing education, and exam preparation. The Wisconsin Realtors Association offers user-friendly on-demand prelicensing programs featuring interactive livestream learning, self-study, and on-demand video formats.
Broker licensing courses are exclusively available on-demand, including the Wisconsin real estate license classes, while continuing education (CE) courses come in various formats—on-demand, home study books, and in-classroom instruction. Furthermore, students can prepare for the exam through exam prep courses in webinars and on-demand formats. The school could improve by offering a pass guarantee, allowing students a refund if they fail the exam.
Professional development career resources. (Source: Wisconsin Realtors Association)
- Accreditation: DSPS
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refunds are allowed for classes canceled before the start of class or before accessing the coursework.
- Lifetime toll-free support: Besides education for every career stage, students receive lifetime support from the school by calling (800) 279-1972.
- Career resources: For a low price, agents can purchase professional development courses to grow their careers.
Wisconsin Realtor Association has a rating of 4.5 out of 5. It is well-liked by agents due to its flexible, self-paced prelicensing education. CE courses—blending classroom and practical learning—received praise for aiding state requirement compliance. Notably, basic ethics training for Realtors garnered positive feedback from an agent.
Although feedback is generally positive, a customer wished for business development guidance post-licensing. For prelicensing with career resources, explore Shorewest Realtor Real Estate Institute or The CE Shop.
Courses offered by the Wisconsin Realtors Association are priced comparably to those from other education providers mentioned. Association members could also benefit from course discounts.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $345 |
|
Broker Prelicensing | $345 to $365 |
|
Continued Education | $21 to $35 |
|
Exam Prep | $29.95 |
|
Visit Wisconsin Realtors Association
First Class Real Estate: Best for Livestream Evening Prelicensing Classes
Overall Score:
3.95 / 5
Pros
- Course format variety
- Direct access to instructors
- Multiple real estate course options
Cons
- Exam prep courses
- Pass guarantee
- No refund for on-demand courses
Our Expert Opinion on First Class Real Estate
If you want to take live prelicensing classes from home, check out First Class Real Estate. It’s the only Wisconsin school here that offers 72 hours of live Zoom training at night, including the Wisconsin real estate license online course, which is great if you work during the day but still want to finish your studies in under a month. In Wisconsin, you can also pick daytime in-person classes or go at your own pace with online courses.
You can do continuing education credits with First Class Real Estate online or in person to renew your license. If you’re considering upgrading your license, it has an on-demand broker prelicensing course. Even though these courses let you learn quickly, you’ll still get help from experienced instructors through phone or email to understand the content better. The school could improve by offering exam prep tools and a pass guarantee.
Meet the school’s instructors. (Source: First Class Real Estate)
- Accreditation: DSPS
- Study materials included: Study materials are included with the course, but students also have the option to purchase the hardcopy book.
- Partnership with WRA: First Class has partnered with the Wisconsin Realtors Association for salesperson and broker prelicensing, giving students access to its top-rated online learning.
First Class Real Estate earned a 5 out of 5 rating. It received high praise for its skilled instructors, intimate class settings, and comprehensive discussions that readied them for a real estate career. Students repeatedly spoke very highly of instructors Tori Nelson and Tina Hoffman.
While we couldn’t find any negative reviews, the school doesn’t offer exam prep tools, which is particularly important for self-study students. If you want an online real estate school in Wisconsin noted for its exam preparation resources, check out The CE Shop.
First Class Real Estate offers individual courses at competitive prices. Although they don’t provide bundled packages, their prelicensing courses use various learning tools to enhance self-paced learning.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $320 to $420 |
|
Broker Prelicensing | $339 |
|
Continued Education | $29.95 |
|
Colibri Real Estate: Best for Self-paced Interactive Education
Overall Score:
3.88 / 5
Pros
- Various course formats, available on all devices
- Direct instructor access
- Pass or don’t pay guarantee
Cons
- No live chat customer support
- No broker licensing courses
- Only six months of course access
Our Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate is the best Wisconsin real estate license online course for its self-paced interactive education. Students can study at their own pace through an interactive platform offered by one of the top Wisconsin-approved real estate schools. The platform provides a range of options, including prelicensing, continuing education, and exam prep courses available in self-study and on-demand video formats.
Prelicensing and exam prep courses include live Q&A sessions and webinars that provide students with real-time answers and guidance directly from experienced instructors. The pass guarantee provides peace of mind for students. If they don’t pass the Wisconsin real estate exam, Colibri will refund the total purchase price of its prelicensing course or exam preparation. Colibri could improve by providing brokers with a Wisconsin real estate license course.
Colibri Real Estate’s interactive dashboard. (Source: Colibri Real Estate)
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and DSPS
- Refund/cancellation policy: Students have 30 days from their purchase date to request a refund with online courses. For livestream classes, students may request a refund within 24 hours of the first class.
- Instructor Q&A webinars: Students can ask instructors questions and get answers in a live setting five days a week.
- Professional development membership: Students can access blog posts and career guides through its Career Hub.
Colibri Real Estate has a 4.1 out of 5 rating, with happy students highlighting readily available instructors and interactive Q&A sessions. A satisfied student asserts the course imparts comprehensive real estate knowledge for beginners, while another commends its clarity and thorough explanations.
However, a subset of discontented students suggests room for improvement in customer service. One reports discrepancies in dates on transcripts and certificates, noting unresponsive assistance from Colibri. Another expresses frustration over course interruption without prior notice, despite being close to completion. For enhanced customer service, opt for The CE Shop.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our Colibri Real Estate Review.
Colibri Real Estate’s Wisconsin real estate prelicense course comes with tiered pricing, offering four packages to cater to various learning needs. Additionally, Colibri Real Estate provides flexible pricing options for continuing education (CE) courses, allowing students to choose between individual classes or two comprehensive packages. Exam prep offers two package options designed to enhance students’ readiness for success.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $384 to $670 |
|
Continued Education* | $19 to $219 |
|
Exam Prep | $115 to $219 |
|
*Offered through its affiliate partner, McKissock Learning
Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute: Best for Free Career Guidance
Overall Score:
3.16 / 5
Pros
- Scheduling flexibility
- Direct access to local instructors
- Free career resources
Cons
- No exam prep courses
- Refund policy not indicated on website
- Pricing not provided
Our Expert Opinion on Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute
The best Wisconsin real estate school for free career resources while preparing for your real estate license is Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute. It is a versatile real estate course in Wisconsin, offering webinars and assessments to help you understand the process of getting licensed, agent routines, success strategies, and agent startup costs. Attending the webinar gives you a $25 discount on prelicensing classes.
Shorewest provides prelicensing to Wisconsin learners in livestream, self-paced, and on-demand video formats. It also has “Listen on the Go” audio and self-paced internet classes to fit busy schedules. Updated transparent pricing would be an essential upgrade and area of improvement.
Explore more reasons to choose this school through this video. (Source: Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute)
- Accreditation: DSPS
- Refund/cancellation policy: Contact the school for details.
- Interactive study groups: Students can engage with the instructor and their peers through its livestream courses with interactive study groups.
- Mobile app: Study on the go with the school’s mobile app.
Shorewest scores 4.8 out of 5 from customer reviews. Students report that the courses were easy to understand, preparing them well for their exams. The instructors also received rave reviews. One student described the career resources as “awesome.”
Dissatisfied students reported that they disliked the lack of pricing transparency. Another student stated that after confirming their hours, she drove to the school to pick up course materials, and when she arrived, there was a sign on the door that they were closed. If you want a school with transparent pricing, check out Colibri Real Estate.
Course pricing is unavailable. Contact the school for up-to-date cost information.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | Call for details: (414) 476-1231 |
|
Visit Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute
The CE Shop: Best for Exam Preparation Package
Overall Score:
3.15 / 5
Pros
- Self-paced learning
- Intuitive dashboards
- Interactive course features
Cons
- Doesn’t offer livestream courses
- No broker prelicensing or continuing education courses
- No mobile app
Our Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
Renowned for its exceptional exam prep package, The CE Shop stands out as a leading online real estate school in Wisconsin, offering a comprehensive range of Wisconsin online real estate courses. Its self-paced prelicensing education is easily accessible across devices, allowing students flexibility in their learning. The Exam Prep Edge further enhances test readiness through interactive preparation.
The LEAP platform facilitates the school’s seamless navigation through comprehensive lessons. Beyond its educational offerings, The CE Shop provides career resources like blogs, e-books, podcasts, and videos on its Agent Essentials page, empowering real estate agents to thrive. It could improve its ranking by adding a livestream format for learners who need live interaction.
The CE Shop’s Agent Essentials page. (Source: The CE Shop)
- Accreditations: IDECC, ARELLO, and DSPS
- Refund/cancellation policy: You have 30 days from the date of purchase to request a full refund, as long as you’ve completed less than 50% of the course.
- Real-time feedback: In the Exam Prep Edge, learners get real-time feedback to master the areas they need to improve to prepare for exam day.
- Practice tests: Learners have unlimited practice tests with unique questions for each, so they can practice until they are confident they can pass.
The way The CE Shop educates learners earned a 4.05 out of 5 in customer reviews. Students liked how easy it was to understand, and they found it convenient to finish the courses. People also thought it was a cheaper option compared to going to classes in person.
However, some people felt a bit unsure about how the courses were set up and the materials used, and they noticed a few times the system didn’t work well. If you like learning in a live online class, you might want to think about trying First Class Real Estate’s livestream format.
Read how our experts feel about this real estate school in our The CE Shop Review.
The prelicensing packages have tiered pricing. Each package tier offers additional features. The exam prep is a single package at one low price.
Education Type | Price Range | Course Details |
|---|---|---|
Prelicensing | $419 to $695 |
|
Exam Prep | $135 |
|
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Wisconsin
The best online real estate schools in Wisconsin present diverse learning formats tailored to accommodate learners’ hectic timetables. These classes are characterized by interactivity and robust support, ensuring a superior online learning experience. We meticulously assessed the top online real estate classes in Wisconsin, comparing formats, features, and learning approaches. Our evaluation encompassed program availability, variety, pricing, and student testimonials.
In our research, Kaplan stands out as Wisconsin’s best online real estate school, delivering comprehensive education spanning an entire real estate career. As a nationally accredited online institution, Kaplan offers competitive training and highly-interactive features.
Specific criteria were used to evaluate the best online real estate schools in Wisconsin:
25%
Learning Style/Course Features
20%
Pricing
15%
Education Provided
15%
Additional Features
10%
Customer Reviews
10%
Expert Score
5%
Help & Support
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.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
New real estate agents in Wisconsin can earn varying incomes influenced by location, market conditions, performance, and commitment. Typically, entry-level agents earn around $45,000 to $75,000 annually. Their earnings depend on commissions from the number and types of property sales, linking their income to success. Market changes can impact these figures. For current and accurate data, consult local real estate associations, brokerages, or industry resources.
Becoming a real estate agent in Wisconsin involves completing 72 hours of prelicensing education, passing the state exam, and affiliating with a licensed brokerage. The process can take a few months, depending on the individual’s pace in completing the required coursework and passing the exam. After becoming licensed, agents may engage in continuing education to maintain their credentials and stay updated with industry regulations and practices.
Online real estate classes in Wisconsin vary in duration depending on the specific course and the provider. Prelicensing courses usually require 72 hours of instruction. Continuing education courses, on the other hand, often range from a few hours to several days, depending on the subject matter. The flexibility of online learning allows individuals to complete courses at their own pace within the specified timeframes.
