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2026 Best Real Estate Development Master’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
282 Real Estate Development Degrees Awarded
$87,261 Avg Early-Career Salary

Real Estate Development programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for real estate development students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Real Estate Development in the United States

Below are the best real estate development schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Real Estate Development

1

Leading the list is Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, our #1 school for real estate development. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cambridge. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 real estate development degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the real estate development program make about $142,235 in their early career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Read more about the real estate development program at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

2

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in real estate development, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 25 real estate development degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, real estate development degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $120,536. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. See the full real estate development program report for University Of Southern California

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in real estate development, landing the #3 spot 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. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 108 real estate development students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full real estate development program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

4

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best real estate development schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 real estate development degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Real Estate Development graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. Read more about the real estate development program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

5

Fordham University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best real estate development schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Fordham University awarded about 16 real estate development degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, real estate development degree recipients from Fordham University generally make around $59,403. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Get the full real estate development details for Fordham University

6

Arizona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best real estate development schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 real estate development students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Real Estate Development graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $74,032 early in their careers. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. More information about a degree in real estate development from Arizona State University

7

University Of Arizona earned the #7 position for real estate development this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 40 real estate development degrees in the most recent data year. Real Estate Development graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Get the full real estate development details for University Of Arizona

8

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best real estate development schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 real estate development degrees were awarded at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, real estate development degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. See the full real estate development program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

9
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University placed #9 among the best real estate development schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 real estate development students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their real estate development degree from Auburn University earn around $98,116 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree. See the full real estate development program report for Auburn University

Other Real Estate Development Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Real Estate Development rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Real Estate Development
Associate's Degrees in Real Estate Development
Bachelor's Degrees in Real Estate Development
View All Real Estate Development Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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