6 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Wisconsin

The best online real estate school in Wisconsin provides quality real estate classes, competitive pricing, and interactive course features, helping aspiring agents fulfill the state requirements conveniently. Choosing the right real estate school in The Badger State to fulfill 72 hours of prelicensing, 36 hours of broker licensing, and 18 hours of continuing education can be challenging. Hence, we analyzed several education providers in Wisconsin based on available courses, pricing, industry expertise, and student support.

• Wisconsin Realtors Association: Top choice for salesperson and broker licensees looking for multiple course options for every stage of their career
• Turnkey School of Real Estate: Recommended for aspiring agents looking for self-paced learning with direct instructor access
• Kaplan: Ideal for Wisconsinites looking for prelicensing education with various learning formats and access to an interactive study group
• Hayes University: Most affordable salesperson and broker prelicensing education in Wisconsin
• First Class Real Estate: Best for aspiring agents looking for livestream evening prelicensing classes
• Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute: Recommended for Wisconsinites looking for free career guidance while preparing for the state licensing exam

Best Online Schools in Wisconsin at a Glance

See fullscreen table

Wisconsin Realtors Association: Top Choice for Comprehensive Real Estate Education in WI

Wisconsin (WI) Realtors Association is our top choice for current and aspiring agents who want to complete all their real estate education in one school. This organization is the only school on this list to provide courses on prelicensing, broker licensing, continuing education, and even exam prep. For those who want to become a licensed agent in Wisconsin, WI Realtors Association offers prelicense programs in a convenient on-demand format with videos and interactive reading features.

While broker licensing is only offered via on-demand, continuing education (CE) courses are available in several formats, including on-demand, home study books, and in-classroom instruction. Regardless of your chosen learning method, you can still contact a local instructor directly for questions and guidance. Students can also take an exam prep course, available via webinar and on-demand options, for additional study aids.

Wisconsin Realtors Association Reviews

Wisconsin Realtor Association is popular among agents because of its self-paced prelicensing education that allows scheduling flexibility. Some customers love the combination of classroom and practical learning in their CE courses, which helped them become compliant with the state requirements. Another agent left a positive comment about the basic ethics training the school provides for realtors.

While feedback is mostly positive, one customer hoped that the school taught students how to build their business once licensed. If you’re looking for a prelicensing course with free career resources, you can check Shorewest Realtor Real Estate Institute. The organization also doesn’t offer livestream prelicensing classes, which you can find from First Class Real Estate.

Wisconsin Realtors Association Pricing

WI Realtors Association offers individual courses at relatively similar pricing to other education providers on this list. Members of this organization may enjoy discounts on some of the courses.

Prelicensing: $345

Complete the required 72-hour prelicensing coursework at WI Realtors Association via self-paced, on-demand learning. This course consists of videos with interactive reading. You also get an optional hardcopy book available for purchase and direct access to a local instructor.

Broker Licensing: Starting at $365

WI Realtors Association offers the 36-hour broker prelicensing training via on-demand and in-classroom formats.

• On-demand Real Estate Broker Prelicense: $365 includes study aids, broker prelicense mock exams, office policy manual, and real estate trust accounts in Wisconsin
• In-classroom Real Estate Broker Prelicense: Contact the school for pricing and availability

Continued Education: Starting at $25

You can take the required 18-hour continuing education to renew your license every two years. Agents can choose from three different formats: on-demand, self-study books (plus online exam), and in-classroom. Individual courses range from $25 to $35 based on learning formats and discounts available for members.

Exam Prep: Starting at $19.95

The webinar exam prep is a monthly course that takes place every first Friday. The on-demand exam prep, on the other hand, includes recorded webinar videos, slideshows, and access to the instructor through email for six months. The sales pre-exam review course ranges from $19.95 to $29.95, depending on the course format.

Visit Wisconsin Realtors Association

Turnkey School of Real Estate: Ideal for Agents Looking for Direct Access to Instructors

Turnkey School of Real Estate offers prelicensing courses at participating broker offices with virtual or live teachers, where students get individual instructor guidance. Live classes have limited seating to make sure students can stay focused in a conducive learning environment. Classes at Turnkey School of Real Estate are taught by experienced local real estate experts who have earned several designations, such as Graduate, Realtor Institute (GRI).

With real-life situations incorporated into the learning materials, students will not only get the support and confidence they need to pass the exam but will also be well-prepared for a successful real estate career. If you prefer to learn at your own pace, you can take an on-demand course instead. This course contains a printable PDF, videos, case studies, vocabulary, and quizzes to measure your comprehension. However, the school doesn’t provide exam prep classes, which is a drawback for students needing more study materials.

Turnkey School of Real Estate Reviews

Turnkey School of Real Estate has received 5-star ratings because of its instructors who helped students understand everything they need to know to pass the licensing exam. Customers “felt comfortable” asking questions when needed, making it a great learning experience for them. Students also felt welcomed to call the instructors anytime for additional questions and assistance.

However, Turnkey School of Real Estate doesn’t currently offer broker licensing and CE courses. Exam prep classes are also not provided if you need additional test preparation. You can check with WI Realtors Association, Kaplan, and Hayes University for more course options.

Turnkey School of Real Estate Pricing

Turnkey School of Real Estate offers convenient prelicensing education at competitive rates. Each class includes several study materials to help you fully prepare for the exam.

Prelicensing: Starting at $325

Turnkey School of Real Estate only offers prelicensing courses, which can be taken via on-demand or in-person classes.

• WI Virtual Course: $325, includes self-paced 72-hour prelicensing coursework, online study materials; each chapter is printable and includes videos, case studies, vocabulary, quiz sections
• In-person Live Course: $450, includes all books and materials; limited seating only; conducted in 16 sessions over four weeks

Visit Turnkey School of Real Estate

Kaplan: Best for Online Salesperson Education With Course Format Variety & Interactive Study Group

One of the best accredited online real estate schools nationwide, Kaplan is a great option for aspiring agents looking for quality education with several learning options to choose from. The school offers prelicensing education via livestream, self-paced online, and home study. Kaplan also provides a dually approved prelicensing course for active licensees in Minnesota who want to apply for a Wisconsin license.

A great feature of Kaplan’s prelicensing education is its Interactive Study Group, which covers all state and national licensing content in weekly live webinars. If you need more test preparation tools, you can purchase the salesperson exam prep, which contains videos, a workbook PDF, and hundreds of questions with rationales to make sure you’re fully prepared for the state exam. While no broker licensing training is available, agents can complete their 18-hour CE hours from Kaplan.

To see if this is a great online real estate school for you, read our Kaplan Real Estate review.

Kaplan Reviews

Agents recommend Kaplan because of its excellent teachers, comprehensive content, and variety of course formats. Most are satisfied with the school’s highly professional teachers, who are responsive to students’ questions. Because of helpful teachers and study materials, many agents passed their real estate exam on the first attempt.

However, some were unhappy with certain outdated course content, long wait times in the customer service queue, and technical issues. Kaplan’s website could also be confusing to navigate, especially for first-time site visitors. Furthermore, pricing at Kaplan can be slightly higher than other educational providers in Wisconsin. If you need more affordable salesperson training, consider courses from Hayes University.

Kaplan Pricing

Kaplan offers real estate education in tiered course packages at slightly higher rates than other schools on this list. Premium packages with several add-ons can also be expensive. Nevertheless, you can purchase individual courses at competitive prices.

Prelicensing: Starting at $229

Prelicensing students can choose between live online, self-paced online, and home study formats.

• MN to WI/WI to MN Real Estate License Course: $229, includes 13 hours of coursework for nonresident applicants; conducted live online
• WI Real Estate Principles: $349, includes 72-hour prelicensing coursework and access to an Interactive Study Group; available in online format
• WI Real Estate Principles with Exam Prep: $389 to $429, includes everything in the Real Estate Principles package plus Exam Prep course that covers both national and state portions; available in online and home study formats
• Career Launcher Home Study: $589 to $629, includes everything in the Real Estate Principles with Exam Prep package plus Real Estate Accelerator course; available in home study and online formats

Continued Education: Starting at $29

You can complete the required 18 hours of continuing education via on-demand format.

• Individual courses: $29, count toward three credit hours
• Dually Approved Minnesota and Wisconsin CE Package: $149

Exam Prep: $99

• Wisconsin-only Real Estate Exam Prep Solution: $99, includes review questions with in-depth explanations and performance tracker

Visit Kaplan

Hayes University: Most Affordable Prelicensing Education With Free In-person Study Sessions

Among all the schools on this list, Hayes University offers the most budget-friendly prelicensing education. For only $199, aspiring agents can complete 72 hours of coursework required by the state at their own pace. Aside from the learning tools already included in the course, prelicensure students enjoy access to free in-person study sessions where they can learn alongside other students. These sessions run for two consecutive weeks, with flexible schedules to accommodate busy individuals.

If you want to open a brokerage firm or simply upgrade your license to a broker’s level, Hayes University offers broker licensing training for a similar price of $199. This is an online course that contains 12 chapters, which you can complete as your schedule allows. While no physical book is provided, you’ll have access to an online book and videos to streamline your learning process. Licensees can also attend free in-person sessions at any of the school’s learning centers.

Hayes University Reviews

Students highly recommend taking a prelicensing course at Hayes University because of its knowledgeable instructors, who helped them understand their study materials. Teachers also made complex information easy to digest and enabled the students to pass the licensing exam “with flying colors.”

Some elements missing at Hayes University are CE courses and standalone exam prep courses. You can find such courses at Kaplan and WI Realtors Association.

Hayes University Pricing

As mentioned, Hayes University offers the most affordable online prelicensing courses on this list. In case you don’t pass the licensing exam, Hayes University entitles you to a refund, so you can retake the course.

Prelicensing: $199

This course contains 14 chapters in the Wisconsin Realtors Association Prelicense Education Program, along with exercises, a story problem, a pre-exam review, and a final exam. It includes free in-person study sessions and downloadable PDFs.

Broker Licensing: $199

This course contains 12 online chapters, practice activities, and a final exam. It includes free in-person study sessions, an online book, and videos.

Visit Hayes University

First Class Real Estate: Recommended for Livestream Prelicensing Classes

If you’re looking for live prelicensing classes that you can take from the comfort of your home, consider First Class Real Estate. This is the only school on this list that offers 72 hours of prelicensing training via live Zoom format, which is available for evening courses. This is a beneficial option for students who are working during the day, yet still want to fulfill their education requirements in less than a month. Wisconsinites can also choose daytime in-person classes or a self-paced, on-demand course for more flexibility.

If you need to renew your license, you can take continuing education credits from First Class Real Estate via self-paced online or in-person learning. For agents planning to upgrade their licenses, the school provides an on-demand broker license course. Despite being self-paced, on-demand courses include direct guidance from an experienced instructor by phone or email to help you understand complex concepts better.

First Class Real Estate Reviews

First Class Real Estate has received positive feedback for its knowledgeable teachers, small class size, and thorough discussions, which helped them prepare for a real estate career. One student, however, noted that the course pricing is “expensive.” If you’re looking for a budget-friendly prelicensing course, check out Hayes University.

First Class Real Estate Pricing

Pricing at First Class Real Estate includes individual courses at competitive rates. While bundled packages are not available, prelicensing courses include several learning tools to supplement self-paced instruction.

Prelicensing: Starting at $345

Prelicensing courses are available via on-demand, in-person, and livestream formats. If you opt for live classes, you can choose between weekday and evening sessions.

• On-demand Sales Prelicense Course: $345, contains a PDF book, videos, quizzes, and direct access to instructors; available through its affiliate partner, WI Realtors Association
• Live Sales Prelicensing Course: Contact school for pricing; includes textbook, workbook, and class materials; weekday sessions are conducted in-person while evening sessions are livestreamed via Zoom

Broker Licensing: $345

Complete the 36 hours of broker licensing education via on-demand learning. It contains a PDF book, videos, quizzes, and direct access to instructors. It’s available through the school’s affiliate partner, WI Realtors Association.

Continued Education: $29.95

You can take individual CE courses via in-person or self-paced online classes.

• Online CE courses: $29.95 with three credit hours each; available through its affiliate partner, Continuing Ed Express
• Live CE courses: Contact school for pricing; available through its affiliate partner, Northwest WI Technical College

Visit First Class Real Estate

Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute: Recommended for Aspiring Agents Looking for Free Career Guidance

If you’re looking for access to free career resources as you prepare to get your real estate license, we recommend Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute (Shorewest Realtors). It provides free career resources like career webinars and assessments—helping you learn how to get your real estate license, what a typical day for an agent is, how to be a successful agent, and the investment needed to start your career. If you attend one of their career webinars, you can get $25 off your prelicensing classes.

Shorewest Realtors offers prelicensing, broker licensing, and CE courses in several study formats. Prelicensing students can choose between in-person and online home study options for more scheduling flexibility. Home-study options include a “Listen on the Go” audio class utilizing a USB flash drive or a self-study internet class, which you can complete at your own pace. For in-person classes, you can choose between daytime and evening classes to suit your busy schedule.

Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute Reviews

Agents recommend Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute because of its self-paced courses that were easy to follow. An agent appreciated the “ability to go back and watch the videos on any subject” that these courses allow. Moreover, customers are satisfied with how the school’s helpful and knowledgeable staff supported their overall learning experience.

However, one customer expressed disappointment for waiting more than an hour to get her licensing materials. The school also doesn’t provide exam prep classes. If you need additional preparation before you take the licensing exam, we recommend checking out courses from Kaplan, WI Realtors Association, and Hayes University.

Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute Pricing

Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute offers individual courses and course packages. Courses contain several tools that promote effective learning.

Prelicensing: $395

Courses are available via in-person, on-demand, and self-paced online formats. They include books, handouts, audio files taught by an instructor, state exam information, and access to a private Facebook student discussion group (which contains practice questions and recorded review videos).

Broker Licensing: $395

Broker classes are offered via in-person or self-paced online formats.

Continued Education: Starting at $30

Shorewest’s Real Estate Institute offers the CE courses and electives you need to renew your license every two years.

• CE classes: $145 for a complete six-hour class CE package
• Per course for Shorewest Agents: $30

Visit Shorewest Realtors Real Estate Institute

How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Wisconsin

Top-performing schools allow scheduling flexibility and enough student support to ensure an effective learning experience amidst the student’s busy schedule. These schools also offer learning format variety and additional study materials, so you can fulfill the state’s education requirements.

After a thorough evaluation, Wisconsin (WI) Realtors Association is our top choice among the six best real estate schools in The Badger State. This school provides robust courses for different stages of your real estate career at competitive pricing and in multiple learning formats. Its online real estate courses include direct access to local experts, which is helpful to those who are just venturing out in the industry. Moreover, the school provides exam prep courses for students needing additional preparation to ace the licensing exam.

Here are the criteria we used to find the best online real estate classes in Wisconsin: