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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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.
Top MBA in Real Estate Online Programs
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA4 yearCampus
$7,176
$16,680
48%
33%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $975
Out of State | $975
Credits to Graduate
36
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Cal State LA offers an MBA in real estate program that has operated since 1960. The program's 36-credit curriculum includes a nine-credit real estate concentration, with course options like real estate finance, real estate valuation, real estate investment, and real estate practice/management.
All applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores, along with two letters of recommendation, transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a professional resume.
$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
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $975
Out of State | $975
Credits to Graduate
36
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Based in the heart of Los Angeles, Cal State LA offers an MBA in real estate program that has operated since 1960. The program's 36-credit curriculum includes a nine-credit real estate concentration, with course options like real estate finance, real estate valuation, real estate investment, and real estate practice/management.
All applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores, along with two letters of recommendation, transcripts, a statement of purpose, and a professional resume.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$7,980
$7,980
51%
92%
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $565
Out of State | $565
Credits to Graduate
45
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty serves more than 100,000 learners worldwide in large part thanks to its distance learning offerings, which include an online MBA program with a real estate development specialization. The program's 45-credit curriculum includes noteworthy courses like property law, real estate development, investment analysis, and real estate operations.
Prospective students must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA to qualify for admission.
$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
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $565
Out of State | $565
Credits to Graduate
45
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty serves more than 100,000 learners worldwide in large part thanks to its distance learning offerings, which include an online MBA program with a real estate development specialization. The program's 45-credit curriculum includes noteworthy courses like property law, real estate development, investment analysis, and real estate operations.
Prospective students must have a 3.0 undergraduate GPA to qualify for admission.
Longwood University
Farmville, VA4 yearCampus + Online
$6,480
$17,910
90%
8%
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $426
Out of State | $436
Credits to Graduate
31
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Based in Farmville, Virginia, Longwood offers an accelerated online MBA program that full-time students can complete in 10 months. While the 31-credit curriculum does not include an official real estate concentration, students can choose to take two real estate-specific elective courses: real estate economics and development and real estate finance and investments.
Admission requirements include a combination of undergraduate GPA, work experience, and GMAT scores. Prospective students with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA do not need work experience and do not need to submit GMAT scores.
$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
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $426
Out of State | $436
Credits to Graduate
31
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Based in Farmville, Virginia, Longwood offers an accelerated online MBA program that full-time students can complete in 10 months. While the 31-credit curriculum does not include an official real estate concentration, students can choose to take two real estate-specific elective courses: real estate economics and development and real estate finance and investments.
Admission requirements include a combination of undergraduate GPA, work experience, and GMAT scores. Prospective students with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA do not need work experience and do not need to submit GMAT scores.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX4 yearCampus + Online
$13,874
$27,796
79%
19%
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $578
Out of State | $1,125
Credits to Graduate
53
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Located in Richardson, Texas, UT Dallas offers an online professional MBA program exclusively for part-time students. Learners can pursue a 21-credit real estate concentration that blends practice and theory through case studies and lectures. Coursework covers relevant topics like real estate loans, real estate finance, capital markets, and investment.
Prospective students must submit GMAT scores unless they earn a minimum GPA of 3.5 or 3.6 at certain types of undergraduate schools.
$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
100% Online | Self-Paced Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $578
Out of State | $1,125
Credits to Graduate
53
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Located in Richardson, Texas, UT Dallas offers an online professional MBA program exclusively for part-time students. Learners can pursue a 21-credit real estate concentration that blends practice and theory through case studies and lectures. Coursework covers relevant topics like real estate loans, real estate finance, capital markets, and investment.
Prospective students must submit GMAT scores unless they earn a minimum GPA of 3.5 or 3.6 at certain types of undergraduate schools.
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA4 yearCampus + Online
$54,918
$54,918
13%
12%
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,825
Out of State | $1,825
Credits to Graduate
61
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tulane offers a full-time MBA program that requires learners to complete 61 credits over the course of two years or four semesters. The curriculum includes an 18-credit real estate specialization with relevant courses like hospitality/real estate development, cases in real estate, business of real estate development, and real estate financial products and incentives.
All applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores and complete an interview. Test waivers are available for certain qualified applicants.
$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
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $1,825
Out of State | $1,825
Credits to Graduate
61
Program Information
Program Accreditation | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tulane offers a full-time MBA program that requires learners to complete 61 credits over the course of two years or four semesters. The curriculum includes an 18-credit real estate specialization with relevant courses like hospitality/real estate development, cases in real estate, business of real estate development, and real estate financial products and incentives.
All applicants must submit GMAT or GRE scores and complete an interview. Test waivers are available for certain qualified applicants.
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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