It’s impossible to overstate the importance of choosing the right real estate school. The right school can be the difference between passing and failing—between launching a lasting career or sputtering out before takeoff.
The question then becomes, “Well, how do I choose the best online real estate school?”
Luckily for you, I’ve pored through countless real estate courses and whittled dozens down to just the top five, plus two honorable mentions. In this guide, I’ll outline each course to the best of my ability. By the end, you’ll be ready to confidently invest in your future by purchasing your perfect-fit prep course.
Top 5 Best Online Real Estate Courses
- Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate
- Best Content: AceableAgent
- Best State Availability: The CE Shop
- Best Career Prep: Kaplan Real Estate
- Best Exam Prep: PrepAgent
Real Estate Course Comparison
 |  |  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $200-$1,000 | $149-$1,119 | $149-$1,000 | $179-$1,299 | $59-$99 |
| Discounts | Save 50% | Save 40% | Save 40% | No Discounts | Save 40% |
| Financing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Access | Six Months | Unlimited | 12 Months | Six Months | Subscription |
| Guarantee | Money-Back | Money-Back | Exam Fees Reimbursed | Extended Access | Money-Back |
| States Covered | 38 | 13 | 47 | 46 | 50 |
| Live Classes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mobile App | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now |
1. Colibri Real Estate: Best Overall
Want the best of the best, period? Say no more. Colibri Real Estate was one of the first companies to sell real estate courses online in 1998. Since then, they’ve helped over 520,000 students earn their real estate license, complete post-licensing requirements, and access top-quality continuing education classes. Over 130 local instructors support students, leading to a 4.4-star average rating on Google Reviews.
Some of the most compelling features of their exam prep and pre-licensing courses include a 100% money-back guarantee for failing the state licensing exam, live-streamed classes, and CompuCram® exam prep software. The rationale behind their premium placement on this list is simple: they offer stellar study tools students love, and they’re the most “complete package” of every entry.
How so? Let’s take a look at Colibri’s course features so you can see what I mean.
“Passed my test on the first try!! I highly highly recommend this program. And at your own pace just follow everything and Q&A /crammer classes to the finish line. Thank you Colibri!”
Sammie Comp
Course Features
⭐ $200-$1,000 | 38 States | Six Months of Access | 100% Money-Back Pass Guarantee ⭐
- State-Approved Instructor Support
- Real Estate Study Guides
- Narrated Course Materials with Adjustable Speeds
- Unlimited Simulated Exams
- Flashcards
- Readiness Assessment
- Audio Review Guides
- Exam Crammer Webinar Series
- Instructor Q&A
- Career Booster Pack
- Proctored Final Exam
Course Discounts
Get licensed for less with Colibri Real Estate! Right now, you can save on their comprehensive real estate courses, making it even easier to start your new career. Don’t miss this chance to get an expert-led education at a pleasantly surprising price.
Pros
- Pass or Don’t Pay: Study without the added financial stress, thanks to Colibri’s pass guarantee. If you fail your exams on your first attempt, you receive 100% of your investment back in your pocket.
- Accessible Materials: Colibri’s narrated course materials and audio resources with adjustable playback speeds are valuable tools for auditory learners and students with visual impairments.
- Live Content: Some students find online learning difficult due to a lack of instructor interaction. Colibri’s Exam Crammer webinars, Q&A sessions, and live-stream classes make learning easier.
- Exam Prep Perfection: With a readiness assessment, unlimited simulated exams, audio review guides, and the opportunity to take a proctored final exam, “prepared” is an understatement.
- Legacy of Success: Of all of the courses on this list, Colibri has the longest history in real estate education, serving over half a million students. The 4.4-star rating attests to their quality.
Cons
- Limited Career Resources: Though the Career Booster Pack is a welcome inclusion, competitors like The CE Shop and Kaplan offer more robust business-building content libraries.
Bottom Line
If you’re intent on becoming a successful real estate agent, Colibri Real Estate is an outstanding choice worthy of some serious consideration. Their risk-free packages and financing options make them a safe, affordable investment. With a collection of glowing reviews and over 520,000 students served, Colibri is a company you can trust.
Colibri Real Estate
2. AceableAgent: Best Content
Tired of back-breaking textbooks and lectures longer and drier than the Sahara? AceableAgent is the modern solution to exam prep, which means keeping the rapt attention of a generation whose attention spans have been desecrated by TikTok. And they actually succeed.
AceableAgent prides itself on making learning fun with humorous, engaging videos in a mixture of presentation styles, interactive games that help students learn (and actually remember what they learned!), and offering bite-sized lessons accessible via a mobile app for learning on the go. With an astonishing 9,000+ reviews on Trustpilot averaging 4.8 of 5 stars, AceableAgent is one of the most beloved prep providers on the market.
But it doesn’t stop there. AceableAgent has served over 300,000 aspiring realtors, and by this point, it’s safe to say they know what works and what doesn’t. In fact, their materials are all designed based on learning science, and, as a result, they offer some of the best tech a prep provider could create, like an AI instructor chatbot and their wildly popular mobile apps for iOS and Android (with 4.9 stars and over 11,000 reviews on the Apple Store alone). These phenomenal features led Fortune to crown AceableAgent as the best overall real estate school in 2024.
“Aceable’s real estate course has been very user friendly. It has made learning and retaining the information easy for me, as well as fun! It’s a thorough course with lots of easy to understand examples. This is the perfect course for someone who needs a little extra help when it comes to learning because it provides you with lots of real life examples. I’m extremely glad I decided to go with this course.”
Danielle
Course Features
⭐ $149-$1,119 | 13 States | Unlimited Access | 100% Money-Back Pass Guarantee ⭐
- Learning Opportunities with Interactive Activities and Games
- Mastery Tracking with Progress Monitoring and Personalized Recommendations
- iOS and Android Mobile Apps
- Audio Courses/Narrated Study Materials
- “Ace,” the AI Instructor Programmed to Answer Real Estate Questions
- PrepAgent Study Tools, Practice Questions, and Video and Audio Lessons
- Unlimited Use of the Custom Exam Generator
- 80+ Page Study Guide
- One Hour of Private Tutoring
- Five Live Webinars Weekly and Webinar Archive Access
- Live Q&A with Expert Tutors
- First License Renewal Bundle
Course Discounts
Ace your real estate exam without breaking the bank! AceableAgent is offering a discount on its interactive, mobile-friendly courses. Jumpstart your journey with one of the most flexible and engaging online real estate schools.
Pros
- Entertaining Education: AceableAgent is like the high school teacher who interested you in your least favorite subject by making it fun with games, humor, and quick and easy classes.
- Top Teaching Tech: Aceable’s top-rated mobile apps and 24/7 instruction via your AI professor make for an exciting experience oozing with innovation.
- Risk-Free Study: From Aceable’s 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy to unlimited course access to their 100% money-back pass guarantee, Aceable is a safe and easy bet on your future.
- Outstanding Support: Aceable’s support staff is fast and helpful, and you can reach them by phone, email, chat, and even text. The live webinars and Q&A sessions are gold for guided study.
- High Probability to Pass: With a 91% pass rate for Aceable customers, the odds are extraordinarily in your favor to pass your real estate exam on the first try.
Cons
- Minimal Availability: AceableAgent currently only covers 13 states, which is a shame. However, it’s certainly worth checking if your state is on that lucky list!
- Lacking Career Resources: AceableAgent’s otherwise wonderful packages noticeably lack career-building and business-boosting resources.
Bottom Line
I love companies that do things differently: those who disrupt the norm and go above and beyond to create a better world. AceableAgent is one of those companies. Their brilliant course design, cutting-edge tech tools, and service mindset for their students make them an exceptional choice. They lack career resources and don’t cover many states; nevertheless, they’ve more than earned their place near the top of this list for their compassion and empathy for their students, displayed through their engaging content, risk-free online courses, and sky-high pass rates.
AceableAgent
3. The CE Shop: Most State Availability
The CE Shop’s name is deceptive. Though they’re known for—you guessed it—continuing education courses, they’ve since expanded their product line to offer exam prep, pre-licensing, post-licensing, license upgrades, professional development, and even more education in the mortgage, home inspection, and appraisal fields.
With over 1,500 courses, 300,000 students served, a 96% student satisfaction rate, and an impressive 4.8-star-average review on Reviews.io, The CE Shop is a real estate giant whose faculty of industry experts knows what it takes to succeed. And hey, when you earn your license, you’ll know exactly who to buy your continuing education from!
“Loved the course! It was very detailed and I loved the way it went through bite-sized sections to make sure you got it. It really helped me pass the exam on the first try, even though it was quite difficult! I am very happy with this course and would highly recommend it to all agents!”
Julia R.
Course Features
⭐ $149-$1,000 | 47 States | 12 Months of Access | Exam Fee Reimbursement Pass Guarantee ⭐
- Exam Prep Edge (Includes Unlimited Exams, Candidate Handbook Content, and Exam Readiness and Progress Indicators)
- Kickstarter Professional Development Program
- Course 1: Build Your 30/60/90 Day Plan
- Course 2: Build Your Core Lead Network
- Course 3: Build Your Negotiation Skills
- Real Estate Basics eTextbook
- Business-Building eBooks
- Career Builder Tools and Guides
- Digital Flashcards
- Real Estate Glossary
- Custom Study Schedules
- Instructor-Led Exam Prep Webinars
Course Discounts
Looking for CE credits or pre-licensing courses? The CE Shop has you covered—and you can save on their top-rated programs right now.
Pros
- Get Realtor Ready: The CE Shop’s suite of career resources helps students go beyond passing the exam and set their real estate business up to be lucrative and long-lasting.
- Exam Prep Edge Excels: One of the best parts of CE Shop’s pre-license course features is Exam Prep Edge, which students rave over for giving them everything they need to pass.
- Heavy State Coverage: The CE Shop covers 47 states and Washington D.C., excluding only Alaska, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
- Extended Access Lengths: Most states have 12-month access periods for courses, which is double the length of competitors like Colibri and Kaplan.
Cons
- Minimal Support: The CE Shop’s customer service support feels lacking, with only phone and chat options. Some reviews complain about unhelpful reps and receiving inaccurate information.
Bottom Line
The CE Shop is a great, reliable option for students looking to earn their license and get a head start on crafting a rewarding career. CES lacks the support options and 100% money-back guarantee that some competitors offer. However, their stellar exam prep and business-boosting tools may make up for what they lack.
The CE Shop
4. Kaplan Real Estate: Great Career Prep
You were probably first introduced to Kaplan in high school, where they’re commonly recommended as top prep providers for the ACT and SAT Exams. However, their reach extends far beyond high school, and some of their most popular offers help aspiring experts become licensed professionals. The same applies to their real estate education sector, which services future realtors, home inspectors, and residential contractors.
Kaplan Real Estate sports a 4.4-star rating on Trustpilot. They boast that 9 in 10 students would recommend Kaplan to their friends as a study resource, and 92% of students experienced positive interactions with at least one of their instructors. Unsurprisingly, Kaplan is a little pricier than their competitors, but are they worth the markup? Long story short, maybe. To get the whole story, let’s dig into the details.
“I joined Kaplan California Real Estate salesperson licensing program 3-4 months ago and passed my exam this week. It is a really great program to start your real estate career. They have many tools and learning materials on their platform. Instructors are also very helpful.”
Yi Zhang
Course Features
⭐ $179-$1,299 | 46 States | Six Months of Access | Extended Course Access Pass Guarantee ⭐
- Live Online Classes
- Student Community
- LEARN Classes (Supplemental Lessons on Challenging National Laws and Math Topics)
- Career Mentor Connect
- Real Estate Accelerator Selling Skills Course with Live Coaching
- Exam Prep On-Demand Video Courses
- Drill and Practice Question QBank
- Print Textbooks and Workbooks
- 700+ Real Estate Flashcards
- The Language of Real Estate Textbook/MP3 with 2,800+ Terms and Definitions
Pros
- Career Catalyzer: Kaplan helps you launch a lucrative real estate business by connecting you with a career mentor and giving you access to their six-month career program with live coaching.
- Kaplan is Kaplan: Kaplan is a test prep juggernaut, and I always feel safe recommending their resources to aspiring professionals. Simply put, Kaplan doesn’t miss.
- Lengthy Live Calendar: Kaplan offers live real estate classes nearly daily for their students, sometimes even multiple times a day.
- Solid Supplements: If extras like flashcards, a glossary, and print materials help you succeed, Kaplan is a solid choice.
Cons
- Prestige Boosts the Price: Kaplan can often take advantage of being a household name by charging more, and the same is valid here. However, the increased price is relatively small.
- Can Feel Rigid: If you tend to feel overwhelmed by commitments and structure, Kaplan’s somewhat inflexible course composition may not be a good match for your needs.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, while Kaplan is a solid choice, I prefer a company that focuses on real estate for pre-license courses. Nevertheless, it’s tough to go wrong with Kaplan. Their historical significance in the exam prep world shows up in the quality and usability of their materials. Further, whereas some competitors lack career-building resources altogether, Kaplan includes some incredible tools for you to craft a lasting legacy mirroring their own.
Kaplan Real Estate
5. PrepAgent: Great Exam Prep
First things first: PrepAgent isn’t going to help you fulfill your pre-licensing requirements. However, if you’ve already completed pre-licensing and are moving on to exam prep, stick around.
PrepAgent is an Aceable company, and 3 months of PrepAgent access is included in some of the AceableAgent packages. However, you can also purchase PrepAgent and pair it with another course, like Colibri or The CE Shop, to strengthen your repertoire and prepare to pass your exams. They’re the only resource on this list to cover all 50 states, so no matter your location, PrepAgent is here to help.
PrepAgent has served over 300,000 users and boasts a whopping 35 million views on YouTube. Plus, 100% of their 1,000+ Facebook reviews recommend them. Ultimately, if your goal is prepping for your state and national exams, PrepAgent is the way to go.
“I passed my RE exam the first time. I cannot recommend PrepAgent enough. It wasn’t dry and boring and his lil stories and techniques to remember information cut through the mud and made the info I’d been exposed to in my Real Estate Express course retainable and comprehensive.”
Rachelle Kanuk
Course Features
⭐ $59-$99 | 50 States | 1 Week, 1 Month, and 3 Month Subscriptions | 100% Money-Back Guarantee⭐
- Live Webinars Five Days Per Week
- 75+ Real Estate Exam Prep Videos
- 100+ Page Study Guide
- Digital Flashcards
- Audio Lessons
- Interactive Vocabulary Worksheets
- Hundreds of Recorded Webinar Hours
- State-Specific Practice Questions for 28 States
Course Discounts
Pass your real estate exam for the first time with PrepAgent! Their highly rated test prep is now available at a discount on their practice tools and study resources.
Pros
- No-Brainer Price: At just $33 per month when purchasing the 3-month plan, PrepAgent is a no-brainer if you want to pass your exams on the first try. It’s not much more than Netflix!
- Every State Exam Covered: Wherever you live or plan to practice, PrepAgent can help you earn your real estate license.
- Pair With Any Course: If you live in one of the 37 states that AceableAgent doesn’t cover, you can still supplement your chosen course with outstanding prep materials.
- Live Webinars for How Much? Again, if you buy the 3-month package, you’ll receive live webinars five times a week for $33 per month. Find me a better deal on anything, anywhere. I’ll wait.
Cons
- Not a Full Course: While PrepAgent is fantastic for exam prep, it’s not a substitute for an entire pre-licensing course. You’ll still need to enroll in a state-approved program separately.
- No Long-Term Access: PrepAgent is a short-term solution to get you past the exam. Once you pass, you won’t have lifetime access to materials like some other study programs offer.
Bottom Line
Even though PrepAgent isn’t a comprehensive solution for all of your real estate licensing needs, they’re a phenomenal choice if your only concern is exam prep. As a supplemental study material, you won’t find anything better (or cheaper!). With five live webinars a week, digital flashcards, interactive worksheets and activities, and state-specific practice questions, PrepAgent could be the perfect addition to your study tools.
PrepAgent
6. Institute for Luxury Home Marketing: Honorable Mention #1
And now, for something completely different. This course didn’t make sense with the rest of the list, but I’d be remiss not to include it.
Real estate education is about so much more than just pre-licensing courses. And, if you’ve spent much time researching business strategy, you’ll know that “The riches are in the niches.” The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) agrees, offering courses and memberships to help you specialize in one of the most profitable real estate specializations: luxury homes.
Founded in 2003, the ILHM describes itself as “the premier independent authority in training and designation for real estate agents working in the luxury residential market.” They offer the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™ designation and publish a monthly market report on the state of the industry in 150 markets across both Canada and the U.S. But now, it’s time to dig into their luxury real estate course for beginners, Luxury Online.
“I did the online course. What a great training as it went into some topics at a high-level view and others very closely. Many different perspectives that make you think about your branding, marketing, and your business plan and how it all works together. Great concepts and thought provoking ideas to get you going in the right direction.”
Bryan Clark
Course Features
⭐ $545 | 50 States | Unlimited Access⭐
- 8 Hours of On-Demand Video Content
- Win affluent clients with marketing consultations, scripts, and insights into the 1%
- Sell high-end properties by developing your photography, storytelling, and marketing skills
- Build a luxury brand that attracts wealthy buyers and sellers
- Become a networking superstar to grow your influence and generate perfect-fit leads
- Includes One Year of ILHM Membership
- Gain Eligibility to Apply for CLHMS™ Designation After Course Completion
Pros
- A Course and a Membership: The program includes one free year of membership, which makes for an enticing offer.
- Make More Money: One of the easiest ways to make more money in any industry (and especially in real estate!) is to niche down. ILHM helps you do precisely that.
- Become Eligible for Certification: Taking the course is the most beginner-friendly way to earn a shot at becoming a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist™.
Cons
- High Price for Little Content: $545 is a lot to spend on 8 hours of instruction; that’s almost $70 an hour. It may be worth it, but it’s a risk.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, ILHM isn’t the right choice for most of you. However, that’s why it’s an honorary mention: for some readers, this course and membership program could be the perfect way to carve out your own space in the real estate industry and start making some serious money.
Luxury Home Marketing
7. Gold Coast Schools: Honorable Mention #2
Okay, this one’s a little weird, but hear me out. Colibri Real Estate offers prelicensing courses to Florida real estate professionals. However, they also own Gold Coast Schools, which exclusively serves Florida. Why would you buy your competition and continue to operate them? I don’t know; I just review courses. All I know is that Gold Coast Schools is something special and deserves a spot on this list.
One of their biggest distinctions is their in-person class options held across Florida in locations such as Boca Raton, Miami, Orlando, Kissimmee, Tampa, and Palm Beach, to name a few. Classes are offered in 1 week, 1.5 week, 3.5 week, and weekend time spans.
“Alessandro and Larry are simply AMAZING! […]Their classes were just as entertaining as they were informative. All of the anecdotes and real life application really helped breathe life into all that black and white text. A HUGE “Thank You” to them both! Got a 100 on my class exam and I passed the state exam on the 1st attempt. Now officially licensed, I am so excited to start my career in real estate!”
Bret G.
Course Features
⭐ $599-$799 | Florida | Two Years of Access⭐
- In-Person, Live Online, or On-Demand Delivery Options
- Gold Coast Exclusive Textbook
- Expert Florida-Based Instructors
- Chapter Review and Questions
- Next Steps Readiness Classes
- Slides and Study Guides
- Exam Cram Course
- Unlimited Simulated Practice Exams
- Digital Flashcards
- Weekly Tutoring Sessions
- Real Estate Negotiation Institute Course and Certificate
- Post-Licensing Course
Pros
- In-Person Classes: Of the course options on this list, Gold Coast Schools is the only one to offer live, in-person classes for students who learn best in a traditional environment.
- Networking Opportunity: One of the biggest pros is the ability to network with local and future professionals.
- Weekly Tutoring: Another massive benefit is 1-on-1 personalized support from a tutor every week. You’re practically ensuring that you pass at a surprisingly affordable rate.
Cons
- Florida Only: GCS is only a consideration if you want to earn a real estate license for Florida. Otherwise, it isn’t a relevant option for you.
Bottom Line
Like the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing, Gold Coast Schools isn’t for everyone, but that’s why it’s in a league of its own. For aspiring realtors in Florida who want access to live, in-person training, GCS is the perfect fit for you. However, if even one of those traits doesn’t accurately describe you, I’d recommend looking for a better fit.
Gold Coast Schools
Real Estate Courses by State
Are you looking for the top real estate schools and courses specific to your state? Here you go!
| State Real Estate License Courses | |
|---|---|
| Alabama | |
| California | |
| Colorado | |
| Florida | |
| Illinois | |
| Kentucky | |
| Louisiana | |
| Nevada | |
| New Jersey | |
| New York | |
| North Carolina | |
| Oklahoma | |
| Pennsylvania | |
| Texas | |
| Virginia | |
| Washington | |
Can’t decide between the courses above? Check out these reviews:
Also, if you’re looking into other real estate careers, here are the course comparisons:
- Best real estate broker schools
- NMLS test prep courses
- Notary signing agent courses
- Florida home inspection courses
Final Verdict
Colibri Real Estate is my #1 overall choice for the best online real estate school. Colibri’s reliability, proven track record, 100% money-back guarantee, glowing reviews, stellar exam prep materials, and live instruction make them a force to be reckoned with. They give you a phenomenal chance at passing your state and national exams on the first try.
However, every course is on this list for a reason, and everyone has their own perfect fit based on their needs, budget, and learning style. Whatever you’re looking for in your real estate school, I hope you found the perfect fit in this guide.
FAQs
Colibri Real Estate is the top choice for comprehensive, flexible courses, while AceableAgent, The CE Shop, and Kaplan also offer excellent options based on learning style and needs.
The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) are among the most respected certifications, boosting credibility and earning potential.
It varies by state, but with proper study, most people pass within a few months; the biggest challenge is mastering legal and contract knowledge.
California, Texas, and Colorado are among the toughest due to high education requirements, rigorous exams, and strict licensing standards.
While a degree isn’t required, majors like business, finance, marketing, or real estate provide valuable industry knowledge and skills.
