Best MBA Programs for Real Estate
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A master of business administration (MBA) program can prepare graduates for managerial roles in many different kinds of businesses in various industries. Equipped with broad skills in finance, marketing, and management, MBA graduates are prepared to lead both multinational corporations and small businesses.
Some students choose to earn a specialized MBA in real estate. These programs prepare graduates to take charge of and design strategy for different kinds of real estate firms. They do not prepare graduates for positions as realtors. Rather, degree-holders can pursue opportunities in real estate acquisitions, appraisals, and development.
Best Real Estate MBA Programs
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA - 4 years
- Campus
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, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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, VA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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, TX - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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, LA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
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.
How We Selected These Schools
In order to create our directory list of MBA in real estate programs, the BestColleges Rankings Team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 5 schools that qualify for our alphabetical list based on the following criteria.
- Each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution.
- Must offer a master's degree program in the given subject.
- Must submit an annual report to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Review our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more about the standards we uphold.
Still looking for the right fit? Check out online MBA programs.
Popular Online Real Estate Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About MBA Programs for Real State
How much money can I make with an MBA in real estate?
According to Payscale, graduates with MBA degrees in real estate earned an average annual salary of approximately $109,000 as of August 2022. These professionals boast a job satisfaction of 3.9 out of five stars.
Remember that salary potential depends heavily on several fluid factors, including your experience, employer, location, and professional certifications. Furthermore, real estate development can prove especially volatile and heavily dependent on local markets. No degree, even an MBA, can guarantee you a specific salary or job title.
What can I do with an MBA in real estate?
With an MBA in real estate, you can pursue higher-level managerial and executive jobs in real estate development and acquisitions. With an MBA in hand, you will generally not work as a realtor, although some degree-holders do choose to continue to practice realty.
Possible job titles include financial analyst, real estate appraiser, real estate development manager, and vice president of real estate acquisitions. Job titles may vary by location and employer.
Is an MBA in real estate worth it?
The value of any degree is subjective and depends heavily on each individual student's circumstances and goals. Nevertheless, for most learners, an MBA in real estate is ultimately worth it. MBA programs in general offer a high return on investment, so even though tuition rates may be high, the degree can pay for itself in a couple of years.
Nevertheless, like any graduate program, an MBA in real estate can lead to significant debt if you must take out student loans. While MBA graduates can often get high-paying jobs, no single degree can guarantee you a job. Weigh all of the costs and benefits before committing to an MBA program.
Are real estate MBA graduates in high demand?
Yes, real estate MBA graduates are generally in high demand.
Investment yields and property values are fluid, which can make the demand for real estate MBA graduates somewhat valuable. However, graduates with the right skill set should be able to find demand for their services in the field.
What are the highest-paying jobs with an MBA?
Many students choose to attend MBA programs because they want to become top executives like CEOs and CFOs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2021, top executives earned a median annual wage of $98,980. The top 10% of earners among top executives made more than $208,000 annually, while management occupations in general paid a median annual wage of $102,450 in May 2021.
A possible job title for a real estate MBA graduate is vice president of real estate acquisitions. According to Payscale, these professionals earned an average annual salary of around $138,000 in August 2022.
