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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Real Estate Schools

66 Colleges in the United States
$16,830 Avg Student Debt
$53,588 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Real Estate Badge [Real Estate](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/real-estate/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 243 schools to find the best return on investment for real estate students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Real Estate School for You

The right real estate school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Real Estate Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

See how we build our rankings

Customizing Your List

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Real Estate Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Real Estate
Bachelor's Degrees in Real Estate
Master's Degrees in Real Estate
Doctorate Degrees in Real Estate

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Real Estate Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the real estate degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Real Estate Schools

1

Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in real estate in the United States. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

2
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for real estate. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

A rank of #3 makes Irvine Valley College one of the best values for real estate. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the real estate program here. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $42,920. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

5
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #5 place for real estate. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career real estate graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Mt San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Santiago Canyon College earned the #7 position for value in real estate this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

8
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College placed #8 among the best values for real estate. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $17,063. Early-career real estate graduates make about $34,398. Set against $17,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Lewis And Clark Community College placed #9 among the best values for real estate. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. Set against $9,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA

Chabot College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Set in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $8,686. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $14,122. Early-career real estate graduates make about $85,175. That is a strong return on a $14,122 median debt.

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11
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.

12

Austin Community College District came in at #12 for value in real estate this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $36,939. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Metropolitan Community College Area placed #13 among the best values for real estate. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,375, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Riverside City College earned the #14 position for value in real estate this year. Located in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,767 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $37,102 early in their careers. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College landed the #15 spot for real estate value this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.

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16

Lamar State College Orange earned the #16 position for value in real estate this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the real estate program here. Real Estate graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.

17

Lorain County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value real estate schools. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $17,611. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College came in at #18 for value in real estate this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Santa Rosa Junior College placed #19 among the best values for real estate. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the real estate program here. Early-career real estate graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #20 spot for real estate value this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $17,669. Real Estate graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $77,016 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

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21
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College placed #21 among the best values for real estate. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete the real estate program here. Soon after graduation, real estate degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $37,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College came in at #22 for value in real estate this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for real estate graduates is $9,205. Real Estate graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College earned the #23 position for value in real estate this year. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

El Camino Community College District placed #24 among the best values for real estate. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.

25

Sinclair Community College earned the #25 position for value in real estate this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Real Estate graduates carry a median of $13,718 in student loans. Real Estate graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $34,934 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,718 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Real Estate Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for real estate this year:

26
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
27
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA
28
Cosumnes River College crest
Cosumnes River College
Sacramento, CA
29
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
30
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO
31
San Antonio College crest
San Antonio College
San Antonio, TX
32
33
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
34
35
36
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
37
38
39
40
41
42
West Los Angeles College crest
West Los Angeles College
Culver City, CA
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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View All Rankings >

Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Real Estate. See all related rankings.

Major Annual Graduates
Real Estate 6,987

View All Real Estate Concentrations >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 243 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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