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With the recent proliferation of shows like Selling Sunset, the world has come to perceive real estate as a glitzy, glamorous and luxurious field. The nitty-gritty of day-to-day life in the real estate industry doesn’t always match that narrative; however, real estate is still an enticing field to many, offering strong earning potential and upward mobility.
While many real estate professionals do not earn advanced degrees, an online master’s in real estate can help you stand out from your peers and qualify for managerial roles in the field. Read on to learn about two accredited, nonprofit U.S. universities offering online real estate master’s degrees, and learn how to decide if this degree path is the right fit for you.
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Online Master’s in Real Estate Degree Options
- Georgetown University
- Florida International University
Degree Finder
Georgetown University
Located in Washington, D.C., Georgetown University‘s School of Continuing Studies offers an online master’s degree in real estate that many students complete in two years, although part-time learners may take up to five years to graduate.
The program strives for maximum flexibility, delivering all coursework asynchronously. As they work through the 33-credit curriculum, online students can virtually attend networking events and professional development seminars.
Applying to the program is free if students submit all materials by the priority deadline. Tuition costs $1,573 per credit.
What To Know
- School Type: Private
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 33 credits
- Program Enrollment Options: Full time, part time
- Notable Major-Specific Courses: Sustainable development and construction
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: No
Florida International University
Headquartered near Miami, Florida International University is among the largest universities in the nation—due in part to its large selection of distance learning programs, including a master of science in international real estate.
Full-time students can complete the 30-credit program in 10 to 12 months depending on whether they start in the fall or spring semester. The curriculum does not include a capstone or thesis requirement.
Applicants can receive a GMAT/GRE waiver if they earn a minimum 3.25 undergraduate GPA in a relevant field like business, architecture, engineering, economics or construction management. Total tuition costs $28,000 for in-state students and $30,000 for out-of-state learners.
What To Know
- School Type: Public
- Application Fee: $30
- Degree Credit Requirements: 30 credits
- Program Enrollment Options: Full time
- Notable Major-Specific Courses: Real estate development, real estate finance
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: No
How To Find the Right Online Master’s in Real Estate for You
Consider Your Future Goals
Before committing to any online master’s in real estate program, it’s worth asking yourself a few key questions to find your best fit.
- What are your career goals? A master’s in real estate can help you stand out from the field. According to the National Association of Realtors, as of July 2023, only 12% of realtors held graduate degrees. As such, a master’s degree in real estate isn’t necessary to become a real estate agent, but it can help you differentiate yourself in the eyes of employers. It can also help you advance to a managerial role more quickly.
- How quickly do you want to enter the workforce? While completion times vary, you should plan on spending at least 12 to 18 months to earn your master’s degree in real estate. In most states, earning a real estate license only takes a few months. If you want to enter the workforce immediately, pursuing licensure might provide a better fit.
- What’s your plan for getting licensed? If you eventually plan to buy and sell homes, you must first earn real estate licensure in your state. The process takes a few months. Some master’s programs build licensure into the curriculum, which allows you to check that box while also gaining more comprehensive finance and business knowledge provided by these degrees.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The two qualifying schools in our ranking of the best online master’s in real estate programs charged between approximately $28,000 and $55,000 in total tuition. For comparison, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, tuition and fees for a two-year master’s program average between approximately $22,000 and $40,000, depending on state residency status and whether a school is public or private.
To help fund your education, make sure to submit the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step to accessing financial aid opportunities like loans, grants, and work-study programs. You can also seek out scholarships from nonprofit organizations or your chosen school; these providers may also use FAFSA data to determine aid awards.
Should You Enroll in an Online Master’s in Real Estate Program?
A few key considerations can help you determine whether an online program is the right fit for you. The first factor is your learning style. Online learning generally includes less built-in structure than on-campus learning, so it requires a good bit of discipline, organization and time management. If you like the support and consistency of a peer group and a classroom, you might prefer in-person learning.
The second factor is your schedule. If you are a parent or plan to work full time while pursuing your master’s degree, the flexibility of online learning might help you juggle responsibilities. Many online programs allow you to access coursework and lectures at your convenience, allowing you to complete assignments around your schedule.
The third factor is your budget. While some online programs require occasional campus visits, distance learning generally eliminates campus-related costs like relocation, housing and transportation. Also, many schools provide in-state or otherwise discounted tuition rates to online students, regardless of where they live. As such, distance learning is often more affordable than on-campus learning.
Accreditation for an Online Master’s in Real Estate
When you research online master’s in real estate programs, institutional accreditation should be a non-negotiable factor. The U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation oversee this process, which ensures the quality of each school’s programs, services and faculty.
Enrolling at an institutionally accredited school is the only way you can qualify for federal student aid, and many employers, credentialing bodies and advanced degree programs only recognize diplomas from accredited colleges and universities.
Programmatic accreditation, which applies to specific departments and degrees, is not very prevalent in real estate. If you pursue a real estate degree within a business college, however—such as an MBA in real estate—your program or department might hold accreditation from a business-oriented accreditor like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Our Methodology
We scored two accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online master’s in real estate degree programs in the U.S. using 16 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process.
We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of January 2023.
We scored schools based on the following categories:
Student Outcomes:
- Overall graduation rate
- Median earnings 10 years after graduation
Affordability:
- In-state graduate student tuition
- In-state graduate student fees
- Alternative tuition plans offered
- Median federal student loan debt
- Percentage of students in federal student loan deferment
Student Experience:
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- Socioeconomic diversity
- Availability of online coursework
- Total number of graduate assistants
- More than 50% of graduate students enrolled in at least some distance education
Credibility:
- Fully accredited
- Programmatic accreditation status
- Nonprofit status
Application Process:
- Acceptance rate
We listed the two schools in the U.S. that met our ranking criteria.
Find our full list of methodologies here.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Master’s in Real Estate Programs
What is the difference between an MSRE and an MSRED?
A master of science in real estate, or MSRE, is a more general degree and often includes coursework in finance and asset management. A master of science in real estate development, also called an MSRED, typically focuses on the development aspect of real estate.
Is a master's degree in real estate worth it?
It depends on your career goals. If you aspire to managerial positions in real estate and want a broader background in finance, a master’s in real estate may be a good fit.
