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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for real estate students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in real estate, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in real estate, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $42,920. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in real estate will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $106,455. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Students looking for strong value in real estate will find it at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in real estate, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $205,583. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value real estate schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $70,544. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
New York University landed the #7 spot for real estate value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of New York University earn a median of $101,905 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University placed #8 among the best values for real estate. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $26,130. Real Estate graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $59,396 early in their careers. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Georgetown University landed the #9 spot for real estate value this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $16,483. Early-career real estate graduates make about $124,159. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Fordham University placed #10 among the best values for real estate. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $25,643. Early-career real estate graduates make about $91,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.