Best MBA Programs for Real Estate
A real estate MBA can lead to career advancement and leadership opportunities. Learn more about the best MBA programs for real estate.
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.
The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you're interested in joining our Integrity Network, contact us at media@bestcolleges.com. Integrity Network members typically have a graduate or terminal degree and several years of relevant professional experience.
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A master of business administration (MBA) program can prepare you for leadership roles — including in the real estate industry.
The real estate industry is projected to grow over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). General and operations managers in that industry earned a median annual salary of $102,490 in 2023, the BLS reports.
A specialized real estate MBA can help prepare you for those jobs. We’ve ranked some of the country’s best online MBA programs in real estate and included the types of jobs that may be available.
Read on to learn more about what a real estate MBA can do for you.
Featured Online MBA Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top MBA in Real Estate Online Programs
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA4 yearCampus
$7,176
$16,680
48%
33%
$5,742
$17,622
81%
26,671
Public
Yes
$7,176
$16,680
Los Angeles, CA4 yearCampus
$7,176
$16,680
48%
33%
$5,742
$17,622
81%
26,671
Public
Yes
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,980
$7,980
51%
92%
$15,417
$15,417
81%
85,586
Private
Yes
$7,980
$7,980
Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,980
$7,980
51%
92%
$15,417
$15,417
81%
85,586
Private
Yes
Longwood University
Farmville, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$6,480
$17,910
90%
8%
$7,940
$23,900
75%
4,468
Public
Yes
$6,480
$17,910
Farmville, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$6,480
$17,910
90%
8%
$7,940
$23,900
75%
4,468
Public
Yes
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$13,874
$27,796
79%
19%
$13,442
$38,168
89%
29,543
Public
Yes
$13,874
$27,796
Richardson, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$13,874
$27,796
79%
19%
$13,442
$38,168
89%
29,543
Public
Yes
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$54,918
$54,918
13%
12%
$52,760
$52,760
93%
12,923
Private
Yes
$54,918
$54,918
New Orleans, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$54,918
$54,918
13%
12%
$52,760
$52,760
93%
12,923
Private
Yes
What Can I Expect in an Online MBA Real Estate Program?
An online MBA in real estate program includes both broad instruction in business and a more focused curriculum on the real estate industry.
Program length varies by school. A typical MBA program takes about two years to finish. However, accelerated MBA programs allow students to complete their coursework in less time.
Other programs feature part-time, self-paced formats that might take longer to complete but better accommodate your personal schedule.
Cost also varies by program and school type.
An MBA program at a private, top-ranked university will generally be more expensive than one at a regional public school. Online MBA programs generally cost less than in-person programs.
Courses in Real Estate MBA Programs
Real Estate Finance
Courses in real estate finance cover the ins and outs of how money flows through the real estate industry. That includes deep instruction on loans, commercial real estate investing, and the tools used in real estate finance.Marketing
Marketing is a key component of many MBA programs, including real estate specializations. A marketing course typically includes instruction in digital marketing and how to reach potential clients. A marketing course focused on real estate may also cover how to market your business to both homebuyers and investors.Real Estate Market Analysis
A course in real estate market analysis will help you learn to analyze market trends — including local and regional trends — and incorporate them into your own real estate developments and practices.Risk Analysis
A real estate risk analysis course will teach you to identify and reduce risks in real estate investments. Risks in the real estate field are broad and numerous, from market-related factors to natural disasters. So risk analysis is a key skill for real estate industry leaders.Property Law
Property law varies widely among local, state, and federal governments. From coalitions of municipalities to regional development boards, property law expertise is a complex and must-have skill for any leader in the real estate industry. This course also will cover how to find and adapt to rules and regulations regardless of where you land a job.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements vary by school, but most MBA programs require a bachelor’s degree for admission.
Some MBA programs also require a certain number of years of work experience and letters of recommendation as part of the admissions process. However, this isn’t a hard rule for all MBA programs.
Some programs also require an admissions test, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), although a number of business schools have moved to test-optional policies in recent years. Schools typically include admissions requirements on their program website.
What Careers Could I Pursue With an MBA in Real Estate?
An MBA in real estate can lead to a number of opportunities within the real estate field and beyond. The intensive business degree can mean career advancement within your current role or a new, specialized leadership opportunity.
General and Operations Manager
A general or operations manager leads the day-to-day operations of a business. This includes managing employees, ensuring goals are met, and keeping the business operating smoothly.
- Median Annual Salary:$101,280 (BLS, May 2023)
Real Estate Broker
Real estate brokers work with clients to help buy and sell properties. This can be on an individual basis or for a much larger, commercial enterprise.
- Average Annual Salary:$73,850 (Payscale, May 2024)
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
These professionals manage apartment complexes, community associations, and developments. They ensure utilities and amenities are kept up and running, and they also oversee the staff.
- Median Annual Salary:$62,850 (BLS, May 2023)
Real Estate Development Director
A real estate development director helps plan developments and construction projects, works with local officials to ensure compliance with rules and regulations, and oversees projects.
- Average Annual Salary:$123,530 (Payscale, March 2024)
Real Estate Consultant
A real estate consultant works with businesses to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strategize for growth.
- Average Annual Salary:$89,730 (Payscale, April 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions About Online MBA Programs in Real Estate
Yes, you can work full time while pursuing an online MBA degree. Schools offer programs in online and part-time formats to accommodate students’ busy schedules.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 21, 2024.
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