by our College Data Analytics Team
[Real Estate](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/real-estate/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong real estate education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for real estate students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in real estate, balancing cost against outcomes.
Lorain County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools in Ohio. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for real estate. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,718 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $34,934. Set against $13,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cincinnati State Technical And Community College one of the best values for real estate. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,517, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Students borrow a median of $25,667 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the real estate program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Zane State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Located in the town of Zanesville, Zane State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,766. Students borrow a median of $9,405 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Zane State College generally make around $35,764. Set against $9,405 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College came in at #6 for value in real estate this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Students borrow a median of $19,857 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edison State Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Piqua. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,406 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College came in at #8 for value in real estate this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $20,740. Real Estate graduates of Clark State Community College earn a median of $39,734 early in their careers. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern State Community College earned the #9 position for value in real estate this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,912, while out-of-state students pay about $10,818. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $15,282 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $45,611. That is a strong return on a $15,282 median debt.
Northwest State Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Archbold. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $9,170. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $11,565. Early-career real estate graduates make about $45,123. Set against $11,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for real estate value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $19,000. Real Estate graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $72,769 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for real estate. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.