15 Best Online Real Estate Degrees for 2020

online real estate degree programs

For those interested in real estate and who don’t want to attend a brick-and-mortar school, real estate online degrees eliminate the need to leave a person’s home. An online real estate degree can give people the opportunity to further their education who wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. When choosing one of the degrees in real estate online, a person has the potential to have a high salary. Selecting one of the online degrees in real estate, a person can partake in a career that’s competitive and very motivationally driven. 

Degrees in real estate online can help a person take on various types of jobs in real estate. For instance, degrees in real estate online can lead to a person becoming an agent or broker. A person can “flip” houses. Real estate degrees online can lead to jobs in commercial real estate. Real estate degrees online can also lead to jobs in residential real estate. Real estate online degrees can give a person the option to open up a firm as a broker. In other words, real estate degrees online lead to a number of job options. 

Methodology: Ranking the Best Online Degrees for Real Estate

Finding a quality online real estate degree does not have to be hard. Great Business Schools editors have sought out quality, accredited online bachelor’s degree programs for students who want to start a career in real estate, or to add credentials and advance. Programs are ranked by tuition cost, student satisfaction, and salary potential. 

1. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University’s Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship offers one of the best online degrees for real estate majors and students interested in a career in real estate. NSU’s best online real estate degree programs include a dual degree option that includes a Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Real Estate Development degree program. Students enrolled in NSU’s best online real estate degrees can complete both real estate degrees in four years; for some students through this online/hybrid program. It is noted that the bachelor level degree can be in any major offered by Nova Southeastern University.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) was established as a private institution of higher learning that was established in 1964. Nova’s campus is built on an old naval landing field that was used during WWII and is home to more than 20,200 students. 

Highlight Nova Southeastern University operates campuses in Dania Beach, North Miami Beach, and Tampa Bay, Florida.  
Degree BS/MS in Real Estate Development Online – hybrid

2. University of Alabama at Birmingham

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business offers one of the country’s best online real estate degree programs. UA Birmingham’s best online real estate degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Finance/Real Estate that can be completed entirely online. The best online degrees for real estate majors offered by UA Birmingham has received accreditation from the AACSB. Coursework for UA Birmingham’s bachelor’s degree in real estate includes International Finance, Business Communications, Principles of Real Estate, plus a strategic capstone in the area of business/real estate and management.

The University of Alabama (UA Birmingham) is a research institution of higher education that was chartered in 1969. The University of Alabama holds the distinction of being the largest employer in the state of Alabama. 

Highlight UA Birmingham began as an extension for an academic outreach program and is not a member school of the University of Alabama system.
Degree BS in Finance/Real Estate Online

3. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business offers an online Bachelor of Science degree program in Real Estate that is considered among the best online real estate degree programs available in the education marketplace. ODU’s best online degrees for real estate majors include classes in real estate like Real Estate Finance, Sales Management, and Real Estate Appraising, to name a few. Students attending Old Dominion University’s best online real estate degrees provide competitive internships, real-world projects, and invitations to national conferences regarding real estate development and economic development. ODU accepts transfer credits from incoming students on a case by case basis.

Old Dominion University was established in 1930. ODU’s school enrollment exceeds 24,000 and holds the distinction of being one of the largest student body’s in the state of Virginia. 

Highlight Old Dominion University originated as an academic extension of the College of William and Mary.
Degree BSBA in Real Estate Online

4. University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia’s Department of Marketing and Real Estate offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree program with an emphasis in Real Estate that is considered among the best online real estate degree programs in the nation. UWG’s UWG’s best online real estate degrees prepares graduates for rewarding careers in appraising marketing, mortgage banking, investments, and real estate sales. Note, though, UWG’s best online degrees for real estate majors do require a few visits to campus; however, more than ¾ of the coursework can be completed online.

The University of West Georgia was established in 1906 and is a member school of the University of Georgia System. The University of West Georgia’s college-town campus serves nearly 14,000 students. Newt Gringrich was a history professor at the school in the 1970s. 

Highlight The University of West Georgia operates additional facilities in Douglasville and Newnan, Georgia.
Degree BBA in Real Estate Online 80%

5. Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global offers one of the nation’s best online real estate degree programs through its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program in Real Estate. PG’s best online degrees for real estate majors require the completion of 180 credit units to graduate. PG’s best online real estate degrees have received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Additionally, veterans and service members may receive academic credits for military training through the PME2Degree program. Graduates of Purdue University Global’s undergraduate business and real estate degree program enter the workforce as managers, service personnel, analysts, or sales professionals.

Purdue University Global was established in 2018. Purdue University Global began as the rebranding of the purchase of Kaplan University, the established for-profit learning center. 

Highlight Purdue University Global is the distance learning extension within the Purdue University system but operates independently of the university itself.
Degree BSBA in Real Estate Online

6. Clarion University

Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers a Real Estate BS in Business Administration that is recognized among the best online real estate degrees available for real estate majors. Clarion’s best online real estate degree programs include a curriculum of classes like Real Estate Law, Income Property Appraising, Investment Analysis, Property Management, and Real Estate Marketing, to name a few.  These best online degrees for real estate majors prepares degree candidates for rewarding careers as sales representatives, financial analysts, appraising, and property management, plus the educational requirements for those who wish to apply for their sales person’s or broker’s real estate license in Pennsylvania.

Clarion University of Pennsylvania (Clarion University) was established in 1867 and is a member school of the Pennsylvanian State System of Higher Education. Clarion’s College of Business Administration is accredited by the AASCB. Clarion’s rural campus is home to more than 4,200 students. 

Highlight Clarion University of Pennsylvania offers nearly 40 accredited degree programs through the school’s four colleges/schools.
Degree BSBA in Real Estate Online

7. Louisiana State University in Shreveport

Louisiana State University in Shreveport offers a BS in Finance/Real Estate that can be completed online and is one of the best online real estate degree programs in the nation. Degree candidates enrolled in LSUS’s best online degrees for real estate majors require the completion of 120 credit hours; however, up to 90 eligible credits may be applied towards the degree requirements. LSU Shreveport’s best online real estate degrees have received accreditation from the AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Louisiana State University (LSU Shreveport) was established as a public institution of higher education in 1967. LSU Shreveport’s urban campus serves more than 8,400 students who attend classes with a student to faculty ratio of 24 to 1. 

Highlight LSU Shreveport was initially a two-year school but now offers degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
Degree BS in Finance/Real Estate Online

8. Fordham University

Fordham University’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) completion degree program in Real Estate that can be finished 100% online and is ranked among the country’s best online real estate degrees. Students enrolled in Fordham University’s best online degrees for real estate majors graduate prepared to enter the workforce with a comprehensive understanding of the relevant real estate concepts of valuation, investment analysis, economics, law, and finance, to name a few. Fordham University’s best online real estate degree programs require the completion of coursework in Financial Modeling, Property Management, Global Markets, Finance, Feasibility Studies, and Accounting Essentials for Real Estate Professionals, among others.

Fordham University is a Jesuit Roman Catholic institution of higher education that was chartered in 1841. Fordham University is named for the Bronx neighborhood in which the campus is located. More than 15,500 students are enrolled in Fordham University. 

Highlight Fordham University is the oldest Catholic school in the Empire State of New York.
Degree BS in Real Estate Online (completion)

9. University of Memphis

The University of Memphis’ Department of Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate offers an AACSB accredited BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration degree program in Real Estate that is ranked among the country’s best online real estate degree programs. The best online real estate degrees provided by U of M offers a finance major with a combined real estate concentration. U of M’s best online degrees for real estate majors require students to complete 120 credit hours to graduate. Graduates of this real estate online degree find rewarding work in mortgage banking, valuation, sales, and real estate development.

The University of Memphis was established in 1912 by the state’s General Education Bill of 1909 as a teacher’s normal school. U of M is a research institution of higher learning with a student enrollment that is approximately 22,000. 

Highlight The University of Memphis’ campus is situated only a few miles from the downtown area of Memphis.
Degree BBA in Finance/Real Estate Online

10. University of California, San Diego

The University of California offers one of the nations’ best online degrees for real estate professionals. UC San Diego’s minor in Real Estate Development requires students to complete this 28-credit unit curriculum for the best online real estate degree programs – Urban Design, Land Use, Real Estate Regulation, Planning and Development, Finance & Investment, and Business Analytics to name a few. The best online real estate degrees offered by UC San Diego also requires degree candidates to complete a culminating senior capstone project with regard to real estate development and related topics.

The University of California (UC San Diego) was established in 1960 and is the 7th oldest member-school of the University of California system. UC San Diego’s urban campus covers more than 2,000 acres and serves more than 38,500.

Highlight US News recognizes UC San Diego among the top 10 public institutions of higher education in the nation.
Degree Real Estate Development Minor Online

11. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

The University of Wisconsin Whitewater College of Business and Economics offers one of the nations’ best online real estate degrees for students interested in a real estate career. UW Whitewater’s best online degrees for real estate majors include a Bachelor of Science degree program in Finance and Real Estate. UW Whitewater’s best online real estate degree programs include coursework as follows – Investments, Real Estate Development, Estates, and Trusts, plus several calculus classes.

The University of Wisconsin Whitewater was established in 1960 and is a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution of higher education. UW Whitewater’s rural campus is home to more than 11,000 students supported by more than 1,000 academic staff members. 

Highlight UW Whitewater is a member school of the University of Wisconsin system.  
Degree BS in Finance/Real Estate Online

12. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers one of the best online real estate degree programs for those interested in a Real Estate Minor. UA Tuscaloosa’s best online real estate degrees require students to complete 15 credit units online, which fulfills the requirements to take the Alabama Real Estate Sales License examination. Additionally, graduates of UA Tuscaloosa’s best online degrees for real estate are qualified to partake in the school’s Certified Property Manager (CPM) accelerated degree program.

The University of Alabama is a sea-grant and space-grant institution of higher education that was established in 1820. UA is a sea-grant and space-grant university and one of the first schools established in the American Western Frontier and the only law school in the state to receive state funding. 

Highlight UA Tuscaloosa is organized into 13 colleges/schools and the largest of the Alabama public schools.
Degree Real Estate Minor Online

13. Liberty University

Liberty University offers one of the best online real estate degree programs for students interested in a professional real estate career. These best online real estate degrees include the Bachelor of Science degree program in Business Administration in Real Estate. Liberty’s best online degrees for real estate majors requires degree candidate to complete 120 credits. Liberty University allows up to 90 eligible credit units to be transferred towards academic credit.  Each class at Liberty runs eight weeks, and students graduate from the program on average in 3 ½ years.

Liberty University was established in 1971. Liberty University has an online enrollment that exceeds 93,000 students. Studies at Liberty have a conservative Christian view. 

Highlight Liberty is recognized among the largest Christian institutions of higher education in the world and in the United States.
Degree BSBA in Real Estate Online – transfer 75%

14. Ashford University

Ashford University’s Forbes’ School of Business and Technology offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program in Real Estate that is recognized among the best online degrees for real estate professionals in the country. Ashford’s best online real estate degrees have received accreditation from the IACBE – the International Accreditation Council for Business Education. Ashford University’s best online real estate degree programs require the completion of 120 credit units, although up to 90 credits may be eligible for transfer credits.

Ashford University was established in 2005 as a for-profit institution of higher education. Ashford University is organized into five colleges/schools. The school offers more than 50 online degree programs. 

Highlight Ashford University, through the Sharing Time and Resource (STAR) program, offers students volunteering experiences through the U. S.
Degree BA in Real Estate Online

15. Penn State World Campus

Penn State World Campus offers a Real Estate BS in Business that is recognized as one of the best online degrees for real estate majors in the country. PS World Campus requires degree candidates enrolled in its best online real estate degree programs must complete 120 credit units to graduate. PS World Campus’ best online real estate degrees allow students to individualize a business-focused curriculum that creates coursework to prepare for a specific real estate career. Graduates enter the workforce with refined skills in marketing, risk management, finance, accounting, and real estate valuations.

Penn State World Campus (PSWC) was established in 1998. Penn State World Campus offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, with a student enrollment that nears 15,000 students. US News recognized the school’s online bachelor’s programs among the top ten in the country. 

Highlight Penn State World Campus is Pennsylvania State University’s distance learning extension.
Degree BSB Individualized Online

Do I Need a Degree to Get a Job in Real Estate?

A person may question does real estate require a degree. While the answer for does real estate require a degree for an agent or broker is yes, a person can take on other jobs in real estate without a degree, such as a clerk.  

Jobs with a real estate degree include a broker or agent. A person could also choose real estate degree jobs as a consultant.

Jobs with a real estate degree can lead to jobs in either commercial or residential real estate. 

Keep in mind that jobs with a real estate degree can have a high earning potential. Real estate degree jobs give a person the opportunity to have a career where he or she is in charge. The earning potential for jobs for real estate majors depends on the person’s skill and ambition to partake in real estate transactions. Therefore, it’s a competitive field. 

Another factor to consider when looking at what jobs can you get with a real estate degree is the fact that jobs for real estate are available in all areas throughout the U.S. Additionally, what jobs can you get with a real estate degree are only expected to grow throughout the years. Therefore, jobs you can get with a real estate degree will be easier to obtain when more positions are available. Moreover, jobs you can get with a real estate degree give people job security. 

What Degree is Best for Real Estate Careers?

A person may way to know, “What degree is best for real estate.”

At an associate’s degree level, a person can a real estate college degree and choose to further his or her education.

When a person wants to earn a bachelor’s real estate college degree, a person has a few options, such as a business degree in real estate. Rather than work as an agent or a broker, this particular degree opens up opportunities to work with financial institutions that offer loans for real estate. 

Once a person decides on earning a real estate college degree or a business degree for real estate, a person has several options for career choices. A business real estate degree can help a person obtain a job with a mortgage company or investment management entities. A business real estate degree could also lead to a job with a property management company, appraisal firm, or residential brokerage firm. 

When a person inquires about what degree is best for real estate, a person may want to consider real estate development. When a person is looking for the best degree for real estate development, he or she will notice that this degree is only available at a master’s degree level. Before obtaining the best degree for real estate development, a person must earn an associate’s and bachelor’s in programs related to real estate. Once a person earns the best degree for real estate development, he or she will be able to become a real estate developer. 

What Kinds of Jobs are there in Real Estate?

Before a person earns a degree, he or she may wonder what are the options for real estate career paths. The most obvious options are a real estate agent or a broker. However, there are other professions in real estate, such as a real estate developer. Another one of the real estate career paths is a real estate developer. Professions in real estate also include working with banks, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions to help people acquire loans for real estate. Career options in real estate also include a real estate consultant, an appraiser, a leasing manager, a property manager, or a real estate zoning manager.  

When looking into the different types of careers in real estate, a person should think about what he or she would like to do. Some of the different career paths in real estate entail working with clients to find homes or sell homes. Some of the different types of careers in real estate entail owning a business and possibly having agents who work with the clients. Some of the different career paths in real estate work on the financial end or specializing in the appraisal process. 

Degrees in real estate online can lead to a promising future. The need for real estate agents is supposed to grow by seven percent from 2018 until 2028, as noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Therefore, by earning one of the online degrees in real estate, a person can partake in a field that’s supposed to grow, which means job security. 

Carrie Morris
Author

Warren Dahl
Editor-in-Chief