2027 Best Value Real Estate Development Master’s Degree Schools

[Real Estate Development](/majors/architecture-and-related-services/real-estate-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong real estate development education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value real estate development schools.
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2027 Best Value Real Estate Development Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the real estate development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Real Estate Development Schools
Leading the list is Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, our #1 best value for real estate development in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the real estate development program here. Early-career real estate development graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in real estate development will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Real Estate Development graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, real estate development degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $74,032. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #3 place for real estate development. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for real estate development graduates is $21,861. Real Estate Development graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the best values for real estate development. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Real Estate Development graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Real Estate Development graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $142,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University At Buffalo earned it the #5 place for real estate development. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for real estate development graduates is $22,232. Early-career real estate development graduates make about $68,347. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #6 position for value in real estate development this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for real estate development graduates is $23,258. Real Estate Development graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $102,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Auburn University placed #7 among the best values for real estate development. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the real estate development program here. Real Estate Development graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $98,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Southern California came in at #8 for value in real estate development this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for real estate development graduates is $17,000. Early-career real estate development graduates make about $120,536. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Fordham University came in at #9 for value in real estate development this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete the real estate development program here. Real Estate Development graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $59,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,643 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Other Real Estate Development Degree Levels
Explore the best-value real estate development schools at other degree levels:
View All Real Estate Development Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.