2020 Real Estate Degree Guide
Many people desire to own their home. It is a big investment, but one that usually grows over time. There to help them through the process is a Real Estate Agent. However, there is much more to the field of Real Estate than simply selling houses.
Real Estate Professionals act as the bridge between people and properties. They are the masters of purchasing and constructing properties all around the world. Majoring in Real Estate will teach students how to develop, buy, sell and apprise, and manage homes, residential or commercial properties, and land for other use.
Some of the classes you will take are real estate law, real estate investment, real estate-residential, and real estate-commercial. These courses will help you gain knowledge of the fundamentals. This major is commonly offered as an Associate's degree, but some schools also offer it as a Bachelor's. Obtaining a bachelor degree allows a more in-depth knowledge of the field with the chance of higher paying jobs with more responsibility.
A Spike in Real Estate Degrees
Real Estate was the 148th most popular major in the 2017-2018 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 5,183 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 754 over the prior year, a growth of 14.5%.
There are 47 schools offering degrees in real estate in the United States. This year's Best Colleges for Real Estate ranking compares 29 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom real estate rankings further below.
Requirements for Getting a Degree in Real Estate
This is a great major for students who love interacting with people. The ability to relate to others and competently address concerns and answer questions is important. It is vital to be goal-oriented and driven, as many jobs pay a salary that is mostly commission based. If you enjoy being creative and seeing through a project to the end, this major would be suited for you.
Internships and work experience are advised to help you get ahead. This becomes even more important for students who choose to get an Associate's.
Getting Accepted Into a Real Estate Program
real estate degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic real estate program qualifications, to serve in some real estate careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Types of Real Estate Degree
Real Estate degree levels vary. You can get anything from a award taking less than 1 year in real estate to the highest real estate degree, a research/scholarship based doctorate. How long it takes to complete some common real estate degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to real estate, with approximately 31.0% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for real estate workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 31.2% |
| High School Diploma | 21.7% |
| Some College Courses | 15.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 13.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.3% |
About 51.2% of workers in careers related to real estate obtain at least associate's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in real estate careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the real estate career you are seeking.
Career Opportunities for A Degree In Real Estate Graduate
Graduates with a degree in Real Estate can become more than just Real Estate Agents. Other opportunities include Stockbrokers, Financial Service Sales Agents, Personal Financial Advisors, Insurance Sales Agents, and Real Estate Appraisers. The common focus in all these careers is working with people.
Real Estate Appraisers determine how much a piece of land or property is valued at. Insurance Sales Agents assist client with choosing what insurance policies would protect their lives, property, and health. The demand has for these professional has grown immensely.
Solid Growth Projected for Real Estate Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your real estate degree? Real Estate careers are expected to grow 8.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to real estate.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sales Agents | 369,000 | 5.8% |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | 349,900 | 10.3% |
| Real Estate Brokers | 100,000 | 4.9% |
| Real Estate Appraisers | 92,400 | 14.4% |
How Much Money Do People With a Real Estate Degree Make?
Real Estate graduates between 2015-2017 reported earning an average of $59,476 in the 2017-2018 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $29,400 to as high as $158,000. As you might expect, salaries for real estate graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
High Paying Careers for Real Estate Majors
Salaries for real estate graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers real estate grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Brokers | $78,940 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $71,730 |
| Real Estate Appraisers | $61,870 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $61,720 |
Getting Your Real Estate Degree
With over 416 different real estate degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased real estate school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Real Estate
Majors Related to Real Estate
One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Real Estate has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Real Estate
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 399,810 |
| Accounting | 107,851 |
| General Business/Commerce | 58,413 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 56,960 |
| Marketing | 49,179 |
View All Real Estate Related Majors >
References
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Featured Real Estate Schools
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Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
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Purdue University Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online. Learn More > |
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Grand Canyon University (GCU) With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments. Learn More > |
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| Northcentral University Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences. Learn More > |
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| Colorado Technical University (CTU) CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, faculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology. Learn More > |
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