by our College Data Analytics Team
[Real Estate](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/real-estate/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for real estate students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the real estate degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in real estate, no school beat Milwaukee Area Technical College this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $18,296. Early-career real estate graduates make about $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in real estate, landing the #2 spot this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $16,595. Real Estate graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a great value for students pursuing a degree in real estate, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $24,637 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $46,561. Set against $24,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $73,239 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Stout one of the best values for real estate. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,701 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $21,220. Real Estate graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stout earn a median of $54,061 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Marquette University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $19,500. Early-career real estate graduates make about $58,246. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.