by our College Data Analytics TeamMany 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 degree in Real Estate explores Real Estate. Read on to learn the essential details every real estate student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering real estate programs.
Nationwide, real estate is a widely-pursued major, with 7,906 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Real Estate Schools ranking analyzes these 209 schools to determine the best overall colleges for real estate students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of real estate programs later in this article.
Programs in Real Estate emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations real estate graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills developed in a real estate program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a real estate major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several real estate degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 142 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 658 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,894 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 4,446 |
People currently working in careers related to real estate tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 17.0% |
| Some college courses | 14.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.1% |
| First professional degree | 5.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.5% |
| Master’s degree | 3.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in real estate careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
A degree in real estate can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to real estate.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to real estate.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Brokers | 1,031,675 | 5.1% |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | 904,074 | -3.0% |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | 814,640 | 8.0% |
| Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate | 575,561 | 13.0% |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | 261,248 | 0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of real estate graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,651 |
| 4 years | $89,642 |
| 5 years | $105,222 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for real estate graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers real estate grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | $118,242 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,609 |
| Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate | $61,167 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $44,773 |
| Real Estate Brokers | $36,148 |
With 209 different real estate programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased real estate school rankings to help you.
Students interested in real estate, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Real Estate | 7,906 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 402,942 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 81,835 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 62,236 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 57,976 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 57,564 |
| Marketing | 53,750 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 25,424 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 16,153 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 14,306 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 13,333 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
