Best MBA Programs for Real Estate
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
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
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate48%
- Students Enrolled26,671
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$15,417
- Out-of-state$15,417
- In-State$7,980
- Out-of-state$7,980
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate51%
- Students Enrolled85,586
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment92%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$7,940
- Out-of-state$23,900
- In-State$6,480
- Out-of-state$17,910
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled4,468
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment8%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,442
- Out-of-state$38,168
- In-State$13,874
- Out-of-state$27,796
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled29,543
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$52,760
- Out-of-state$52,760
- In-State$54,918
- Out-of-state$54,918
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled12,923
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
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.
Explore More College Resources
5 MBA Facts to Know Before Applying
Launch a successful business career with a top MBA program. Learn about MBA costs and getting your MBA online.
by Tyler Epps
Updated September 22, 2021
MBA Interview Tips and Tricks
Want to ace your MBA interview? Learn about MBA interview formats, common questions, and the best ways to prepare.
Updated March 16, 2023
Do I Need an MBA to Start a Business?
A master of business administration (MBA) degree isn’t a requirement to start a business, but it can help teach you the fundamentals of growing a successful enterprise.
Updated June 27, 2024