Best Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Programs

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Updated November 30, 2023

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If you aspire to a challenging and rewarding career in real estate or property management, an online real estate degree can help you gain a competitive edge. With markets stabilizing after the housing crisis, the outlook for well educated professionals looks bright. Although not all states require a college degree to enter the field, earning a real estate degree online may boost your chances of career success and advancement. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster than average employment growth of 11% for real estate association managers, and 14% for real estate appraisers and assessors through 2026.

Featured Online Schools

The Best Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Degree Programs

#1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Programs

University of Memphis

  • Memphis, TN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

As a leader in online education, the University of Memphis supports 9,456 distance learners across 58 remote degree programs. Undergraduate students can choose from 24 online bachelor's degree programs. The bachelor's in real estate is a wise choice for students seeking competitive, flexible study applicable to a career in real estate. The program accommodates flexible study, so enrollees can learn at their own pace.

Enrollees complete both foundational and advanced coursework, granting them the knowledge and skills needed to advance in the real estate field. The program curriculum prepares students for the demands of the real estate field. In consultation with their academic advisor, learners can customize their studies through electives, minors, and concentration areas.

With a bachelor's degree, graduates increase their job opportunities and earning potential. The college notes a median salary of $35,100 for graduates six years after finishing their studies. The average undergraduate pays $13,481 in tuition and fees yearly. Before applying, prospective students should connect with the department to learn more about admission requirements and application materials.

University of Memphis at a Glance:

Online Enrollment: 9,456

Total Online Programs: 58

Online Bachelor's Programs: 24

Admission Rate: 85%

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$8,208
Out-of-state
$12,048
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,216
Out-of-state
$12,672
Retention Rate
78%
Acceptance Rate
85%
Students Enrolled
21,685
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
44% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

#2 Best Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Programs

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

  • Clarion, PA
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Clarion University of Pennsylvania provides competitive bachelor's degree programs to learners from all walks of life. The public school supports distance learners across 11 online bachelor's degree programs. Distance learners hoping to advance in the real estate field will benefit from the college's minor in real estate.

The real estate program connects students with a supportive online learning community, while enabling flexibility. Enrollees work with academic advisors to select classes that match their interests and fit their schedule. Degree-seekers can choose electives and minors to supplement their learning.

Undergraduate tuition at the institution is $11,574. Real estate students gain access to internal and external funding opportunities, such as scholarships, fellowships, and federal financial aid, through the college. The school reports an average financial aid award of $6,065 per student.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania at a Glance:

Online Enrollment: 2,615

Total Online Programs: 35

Online Bachelor's Programs: 11

Admission Rate: 95%

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,716
Out-of-state
$11,574
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$9,288
Out-of-state
$10,026
Retention Rate
75%
Acceptance Rate
95%
Students Enrolled
4,700
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
56% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Middle States Commission on Higher Education

#3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Programs

East Tennessee State University

  • Johnson City, TN
  • 4 years
  • Online + Campus

Students looking for a flexible bachelor's-level education should consider East Tennessee State University. The college boasts a fully online bachelor's degree program. Distance learners hoping to advance in the real estate field will benefit from the college's BBA in finance with a real estate concentration.

The real estate program balances rigor with flexibility. Enrollees can also customize their studies in consultation with an academic advisor. Learners can pursue electives, minors, and other modifications.

Undergraduate students can expect to pay $25,487 in tuition. Learners can access numerous funding opportunities through the accredited institution. The school awards an average financial aid package of $7,857 per enrollee.

East Tennessee State University at a Glance:

Online Enrollment: 7,986

Total Online Programs: 5

Online Bachelor's Programs: 1

Admission Rate: 86%

Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,340
Out-of-state
$25,487
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$8,640
Out-of-state
$23,760
Retention Rate
72%
Acceptance Rate
86%
Students Enrolled
14,191
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
56% Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Online Bachelor’s in Real Estate Degree Programs Ranking Guidelines

We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.

Our Methodology

Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.

Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.

While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.

  • Academics
  • Affordability
  • Online Enrollment

Data Sources

The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.

Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.

Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology

About Our Ranking Factors

Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.

Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.

We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.

Academics - 75%

Affordability - 15%

Online Enrollment - 10%

In all our school rankings and recommendations, we work for objectivity and balance. We carefully research and compile each ranking list, and as stated in our advertising disclosure, we do NOT permit financial incentives to influence rankings. Our articles never promote or disregard a school for financial gain.

If you have questions about our ranking methodology, please feel free to connect with our staff through contact page.

We thank you for your readership and trust.

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Choosing a Program

Subject matter for a typical bachelor’s program in real estate includes accounting, marketing, property management, appraisal, real estate economics, real estate finance, legal aspects of real estate, commercial real estate investment, and fiscal policy. Common electives offered include urban land economics, green and sustainable development, and design applications for real estate. While all real estate professionals must be licensed and each state has its own educational requirements for licensing, online real estate degree programs nonetheless offer many opportunities to tailor a degree to your interests. Specializations available include real estate finance and equity investment, real estate development, property management, historic preservation, and academic research in real estate. If you’re interested in mortgage lending, valuation, or commercial real estate investment, you may also want to consider bachelor’s programs in finance with a concentration in real estate.

Schools typically have their own internship placement programs based on agreements with local employers. If you’re determined and resourceful, however, you can generally seek out your own internship to suit your career goals. Some schools also offer attractive study abroad programs or national field work opportunities. For research careers, later options include MBA and Ph.D programs with a concentration in real estate.

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Featured Online Schools

Online Bachelor's in Real Estate Careers

Employers value graduates of online real estate degree programs for their analytical skills and marketing savvy. With experience, many agents pursue state licensing to become brokers, appraisers, or property managers specializing in either commercial or residential properties. Some ambitious graduates enter the elite ranks of corporate real estate investment management.

Real Estate Broker
Real estate brokers arrange the sales and rentals of houses, property, and buildings for clients. Brokers are licensed to work as independent agents, and can supervise the work of other real estate agents. They develop marketing plans, monitor market activity, show open houses, and complete sales agreements and other documentation.
  • Median Annual Salary: $46,410
  • Projected Growth Rate: 6%
Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate appraisers estimate the current value of properties before they are sold, developed, insured, or taxed. Working on-site, they determine the condition of exterior and interior features, inspect and photograph properties, note any code violations, use public records to verify legal descriptions of properties, and prepare reports on their findings.
  • Median Annual Salary: $51,850
  • Projected Growth Rate: 14%
Real Estate Association Manager
Real estate association managers handle the daily operational activities and financial affairs of commercial or residential properties. They maintain records of properties, supervise maintenance staff, show properties to prospective renters or buyers, inspect properties to identify violations of policies, and ensure that properties are attractive, well maintained, and in compliance with regulations.
  • Median Annual Salary: $57,040
  • Projected Growth Rate: 11%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Featured Image Credit: The Good Brigade | DigitalVision | Getty Images

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