Real Estate Development programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best real estate development schools.
The school you choose for real estate development can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Real Estate Development Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Real Estate Development School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Real Estate Development Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Real Estate Development in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the real estate development degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 school for real estate development. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 67 real estate development students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their real estate development degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $60,797 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101.
See the full real estate development program report for University Of California San Diego
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in real estate development, landing the #2 spot this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology awarded about 26 real estate development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their real estate development degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $142,235 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
Get the full real estate development details for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best real estate development schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 real estate development students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the real estate development program make about $58,084 in their early career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
See the full real estate development program report for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Students looking for a strong real estate development program will find one at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 133 real estate development degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their real estate development degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $102,555 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Read more about the real estate development program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the top schools for real estate development. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 23 real estate development degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their real estate development degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in real estate development from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Southern California ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best real estate development schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 154 real estate development degrees in the most recent data year. Real Estate Development graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $84,945 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in real estate development from University Of Southern California
Fordham University landed the #7 spot for real estate development this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 13 real estate development students who graduated with this degree at Fordham University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their real estate development degree from Fordham University earn around $59,403 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans.
See the full real estate development program report for Fordham University
University Of Arizona earned the #8 position for real estate development this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 41 real estate development degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, real estate development degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
See the full real estate development program report for University Of Arizona
Auburn University placed #9 among the best real estate development schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 real estate development degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, real estate development degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $98,116. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree.
Get the full real estate development details for Auburn University
University At Buffalo landed the #10 spot for real estate development this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 19 real estate development degrees were awarded at University At Buffalo in the most recent year. Graduates of the real estate development program make about $68,347 in their early career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans.
See the full real estate development program report for University At Buffalo
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #11 spot for real estate development this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 real estate development degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Real Estate Development graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree.
See the full real estate development program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana
Arizona State University placed #12 among the best real estate development schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Arizona State University awarded about 23 real estate development degrees in the most recent data year. Real Estate Development graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $74,032 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,842.
Get the full real estate development details for Arizona State University
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 schools evaluated.
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).
