10 Best Master’s in Real Estate Online

The best master’s in Real Estate online degree programs offer a flexible and affordable path to advance your career in real estate.

There has been a rise in professionals applying for accelerated online master’s in Real Estate Programs and there’s a reason why. The field is now offering better opportunities for professionals with graduate degrees. Because the real estate field includes commercial and residential properties, investments, and development projects, it is important to have a solid foundation in the field. An online program can provide the education a professional needs.

Real estate professionals are busy and do not have time to attend a traditional campus program. Therefore they must find a program that will adapt to their needs. Universities understand this, which is why they have made their real estate graduate programs easy to obtain online. This ranking will help professionals find which degree is right for them.


Methodology for Ranking the Best Master’s in Real Estate

The research conducted to compile this ranking was done through the use of the National Center for Education Statistics website. Using the College Navigator database, an initial pool of 12 schools was established by using the search term of online master’s in Real Estate.

Factors such as accelerated track options, online master offerings, and total graduate program tuition were considered before the ranking was narrowed down to 10 schools. These are listed below based on the total in-state graduate tuition cost for the program.


Featured Schools:


10. The University of Denver

  • Degree: Master of Science in Real Estate and the Built Environment
  • Credits: 48
  • Tuition: $77,376
  • More: Website

The Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver provides students the opportunity to complete an online master’s in real estate in just 12 months. Additionally, students can earn credit towards the following certifications while earning this degree.

  • Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM)
  • Design Build Institute of America
  • Designated Design-Build Professional
  • Certified Property Manager (CPM)
  • FIABCA International Real Estate
  • Appraisal Institute
  • Procore Construction Software

Students can also choose from three concentrations including Real Estate Development, Construction Management, and Integrated Project Delivery. There is just one campus residency; students must visit campus for three days during their degree plan. All other coursework is available asynchronously or synchronously through the school’s learning management system in 10 week classes. Full time students can complete the program in 12 months, and part time students in 18 months. This real estate degree requires 48 credit hours of coursework, the Strategic Leadership and Integrated Teaming capstone project, and also comprehensive written and oral exams. Sample courses include Real Estate Financial Analysis, Construction Project Management, and also Lean Construction Project Management.


9. Auburn University

  • Degree: Master of Real Estate Development (MRED)
  • Credits: 39
  • Tuition: $58,500
  • More: Website

Students can earn an online Master of Real Estate Development at Auburn University. This is a unique low-residency online degree that incorporates field learning experiences with online classes. The program of study follows the cohort model and it takes two years to move through the curriculum.

All students will turn in their assignments and converse with their classmates and professors through the school’s virtual school in between residencies. This program requires students to attend seven on-campus residencies, including an orientation and graduation residency. There are also four domestic and one international field study experiences that take place all over the country and abroad. The curriculum concludes with an in-depth capstone project in which students will work together to create an actual development plan for a real-world real estate firm or company. Students can also expect to complete 39 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Real Estate Market Analysis, Site Planning and Infrastructure Development, and also Principles of Real Estate Development.


8. The University of Texas at Dallas

Top 10 Most Affordable Accelerated Master's in Real Estate Online for 2018
  • Degree: professional MBA with a Real Estate concentration
  • Credits: 53
  • Tuition: Resident $58,024, Nonresident $95,523
  • More: Website

The University of Texas at Dallas has an opportunity available for students who are interested in pursuing an accelerated online master’s in Real Estate. The Master of Business Administration offers a Real Estate concentration designed to help further a professional’s career goals. Taking an MBA with this concentration is a great choice for professionals who would like to go into business for themselves.

This is a 100 percent online real estate degree that does not require any campus residencies. The school delivers all courses for this program through the school’s virtual portal. Full-time students will be able to complete this degree in 18 months. Most students study part-time and will graduate within two years. Students are required to complete 53 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Introduction to Real Estate, Real Estate Law and Contracts, and also Real Estate Market Analysis and Investment.


7. Georgetown University

  • Degree: Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: $34,122
  • More: Website

This online master’s in Real Estate is the perfect two-year program for working professionals. This degree is 100 percent online and has no residency requirements. Students will learn from Georgetown’s full-time professors, most of which have real-world experience in the field. The curriculum does not offer concentrations, but students have a substantial amount of free electives with which to create their own specializations.

The school delivers all courses for this program through the school’s virtual portal. Courses are 16 weeks in length and part-time students will graduate within two years. It is also possible to earn a one-year online master’s in real estate if a student chooses to study full-time and during the summer term. This degree requires 33 credit hours of coursework, a capstone course, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Sustainable Development and Construction, Impact of Globalization on Real Estate, and also Development and Construction Project Management.


6. Florida State University

Top 20 Most Affordable Accelerated Master's in Educational Psychology Online for 2019
  • Degree: MBA with a Real Estate specialization or a Master of Science (MS) in Finance with a Real Estate specialization
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: $29,250
  • More: Visit the school for more info about the MBA program or the MS in Finance program.

Florida State University has an online Master’s in Real Estate that is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This is a 100 percent online program that does not require residency. Students will find a comprehensive Master of Business Administration program that houses a valuable set of real estate courses within it.

The school delivers all courses for this program through the school’s virtual portal. Most students earn this degree on a part-time basis, making it possible to graduate within 28 months. However, professionals can opt to study full-time and earn their degree in 14 months. Students will complete 39 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and also comprehensive written and oral exams. Sample courses include Real Estate Investments, Real Estate Valuation, and also Topics in Real Estate and Finance.


5. Florida International University

  • Degree: MS in International Real Estate
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: In-State Tuition Cost $28,000, Out-of-State Tuition $30,000
  • More: Website

The Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Graduate School of Business at Florida International University has a 12-month online master’s in Real Estate. Students will sit for the ARGUS certification, known to be the most in-demand certification in the real estate industry. The exam fee is included in the tuition of this program and is taught by an ARGUS-accredited professor, just one of three in the state that can do so.

This is a 100 percent online cohort program. Students can choose the Fast Track option, which will see them complete the degree in 10 months and begins in the fall, or the Flexible Track option, which begins in the spring and takes one year to complete. Students will work on synchronous courses in eight-week sessions, providing an intensive overview of each subject before moving on to the next course. This degree requires 30 credit hours of coursework, a capstone seminar, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Legal Environments of Real Estate, Real Estate Markets and Institutions, and also Corporate Real Estate Management.


4. The University of Arizona

Top 50 Most Affordable Accelerated Master's in Business Management Online University of Arizona
  • Degree: Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: $25,500
  • More: Website

The accelerated online Master’s in Real Estate conferred by the University of Arizona focuses on sustainable and responsible development, making it a great choice for professionals already in that specialization or who have an interest in specializing in sustainable real estate.

This program is 100 percent online. The school delivers all courses for this program through the school’s virtual portal. This is a three-stage curriculum; students move through modules that focus on the fundamentals of the field, the key financial concepts, and finally, a look at the real estate development process from a macro perspective. Students who are interested in this program are invited to speak to a graduate admissions advisor to learn more about program requirements and to learn about possible courses included in the curriculum.


3. New England College

  • Degree: MBA in Strategic Leadership
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: $23,800
  • More: website for more about this real estate program.

New England College is home to an accelerated online master’s in Real Estate that is nationally ranked by US News and World Report. This degree can be completed in two years and is not distinguished as an online course of study on the diploma.

This is a 100 percent online course of study and there are no campus residencies. Designed specifically for working professionals, this degree features six start dates a year, asynchronous and synchronous sessions, and seven-week courses. It is possible for an ambitious professional to complete this degree as a 12-month master’s online in real estate if students study full-time. This is a cohort model that focuses on small class sizes and access to both resources and professors. Students can expect to complete 36 credit hours of coursework, a strategic capstone project, and a comprehensive written and oral exam. Sample courses include Strategic Planning and Policy, Real Estate Market and Feasibility Analysis, and also Organizational Communication, Negotiations, and Conflict Resolution.


2. Longwood University

  • Degree: MBA
  • Credits: 30
  • Tuition: $20,988
  • More: Visit the school Website for more about this real estate program.

Students at Longwood University will be able to earn an accelerated online master’s in Real Estate that is housed within the Master of Business Administration. This degree is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This is a low residency cohort course of study that can be taken as a full-time or part-time plan. Students will be required to complete two residencies, one at the beginning of the program and one at the end.

Full-time real estate students will be able to complete the requirements for this degree in just 14 months; part-time students will complete the degree in two years. The school delivers all courses for this program through the school’s virtual portal. Students will take part in a lock-step curriculum sequence and will choose their own directed electives. This degree is unique in that it requires students to complete a consulting practicum. Sample courses include Real Estate Law and Taxation, Decision Making Within the Legal and Ethical Environment, and also Real Estate Economics and Development.


1. The University of Missouri at Kansas City

  • Degree: PMBA with a Real Estate concentration
  • Credits: 36
  • Tuition: $15,811
  • More: Visit the school website for more about this real estate program.

The University of Missouri at Kansas City has a online Masters in Real Estate. It is also possible for a student to complete a dual degree with a Juris Doctor. The school’s adherence to 16-week sessions means that full-time students will be able to complete this degree in two years should they decide to study full-time.

All students have up to five years to complete this degree. This degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework, a capstone project, and also comprehensive written and oral exams. Sample courses include Entrepreneurial Real Estate Process, Legal Context of Real Estate, and also Real Estate Property and Portfolio Management.


What are the Types of Master’s in Real Estate Degrees?

  • MPS or Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate Development
  • Master of Science in Real Estate
  • MBA or Master of Business Administration in Real Estate
  • Master of Science in Real Estate Finance
  • MREI or Master of Real Estate Investment and Development
  • Master of Science in Real Estate and Finance
  • MS Master of Science in Real Estate Economics
  • Master of Science in Real Estate Management
  • Master in Real Estate Laws
  • Master of Science in Real Estate Investment and Development Strategy

Accreditation for Online Masters in Real Estate Programs

The Association of Real Estate License Officials (ARELLO) is the primary organization for real estate accreditation and licensing assessments. ARELLO conducts the evaluation and reviews processes independently in program methodology and examinations.

MBA programs typically have accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).


What Career Options Are Available With A Master’s in Real Estate?

  • Real Estate Broker / Real Estate Brokers
  • Investment Manager
  • Asset Manager
  • Development Manager
  • Real Estate Developer
  • Rural Practice Surveyor
  • Estate Agent
  • Planning and Development Surveyor
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Project Management
  • International Real Estate
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Commercial Real Estate
  • Real Estate Valuation
  • Asset Management
  • Real Estate Portfolio Management

How Much Can You Earn With a Master’s in Real Estate?

The salary range for a real estate professional is currently between $32,000 and $250,000. However, this range covers all position levels, professionals who work domestically or internationally, and commercial and residential real estate professions. But, it does not cover bonus compensation in the form of stocks and commissions which are common in this field.

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), individuals earning a master’s degree achieve higher earnings and have lower levels of unemployment. A master’s degree in real estate prepares students for many exciting career opportunities.


Who Can Benefit from a Master’s in Real Estate?

Professionals working in the real estate industry, or wanting to enter the field, would likely benefit from the program. The knowledge and skills learned in future classes would enable these professionals to gain more effective strategies on how to manage their investments.

Some professionals who can benefit from a master’s degree in real estate include property investors, financial analysts, commercial directors, real estate agents, planners, developers, and also appraisers.


What are the Various Disciplines of Real Estate?

Professionals who work in commercial or residential real estate may focus on different specializations within the field. But there are some main disciplines that will continue to show up throughout their careers. Real estate is primarily concerned with business, development, property, and finance. This should come as no surprise as the field requires all four in order to work properly.


Why Should You Get a Master’s Degree in Real Estate?

It is true that it is possible to get into the real estate field without earning a degree in the field. Many individuals flip homes without a degree. In fact, many professional flippers will tell students that it is not necessary to earn a degree in order to do what they are doing. While this may be true, real estate is not just about buying homes, fixing them up, and then flipping them.

Real estate encompasses commercial and residential properties, development, and also construction. It is a complex industry for real estate developers. Real estate professionals come from all backgrounds and have varying interests in the field. For example, it may be useful for an architect who is looking to move into development to think about earning an accelerated online master’s in Real Estate. It may also be useful for a businessperson with many investments in real estate to learn about how to better control and understand their assets.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while property and land are important in the field, finance drives it. Students must understand how finance and investment work in the field.


Does a Real Estate Degree Grant Credibility in the Field?

A degree in Real Estate is an important step in building credibility with people. This is because real estate degrees are generally earned by professionals who have prior work experience in the field. If a student can find an accelerated online master’s in Real Estate that offers certification as part of its program, it will give them more credibility than a professional who does not have a degree, regardless of how much background they have in the field.


Is a Master’s in Real Estate Worth It?

Real estate can be finding a client their forever home or making a really good investment in an apartment building across the country. But, whatever the case may be, this is a field that is challenging and rewarding. Professionals in this field are always looking for a way to advance in their careers and some have even chosen to go back to school in order to do so. An accelerated online master’s in Real Estate degree can be a great choice for any real estate professional, especially one who chooses to advance their career while continuing to stick to their personal obligations.


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