Becoming a realtor means living your life on your own terms and making a solid income with unlimited earning potential. In fact, 88% of realtors are independent contractors who set their schedules and work an average of 35 hours per week.
But you’re already in, and you know your next step is earning your license to jumpstart your career.
The CE Shop and Kaplan Real Estate are two of the best online real estate schools on the market. Today, we’ll appraise these intellectual properties to help you make the best investment in an appreciating asset.
Which Course Should You Choose?
- Choose The CE Shop if you want an affordable, beginner-friendly course with straightforward packages and a pass guarantee.
- Choose The CE Shop if you prefer longer course access (12 months vs. Kaplan’s 6 months) to study at your own pace.
- Choose The CE Shop if you’re confident in self-study and want valuable career resources like ebooks and business planning tools.
- Choose Kaplan if you value live instruction, career mentorship, and interactive learning over affordability.
- Choose Kaplan if you prefer traditional study materials like printed textbooks and workbooks to supplement your online learning.
The CE Shop: Affordable, Beginner-Friendly Course
The CE Shop is a great choice for first-time real estate students, offering affordable pricing, structured exam prep, and self-paced learning. Since its founding in 2005, The CE Shop has helped over 300,000 students, earning a 96% satisfaction rate and a 4.8-star average rating.
The platform’s exam-focused curriculum ensures that students stay on track without unnecessary distractions. Additionally, their pass guarantee reimburses exam fees if you don’t pass on your first attempt.
“The website is easy to navigate, there are course goals that you can set and pace yourself accordingly, and the customer service team has been incredibly helpful. The most valuable tool I’ve found has been the Edge Prep for the Exam. It shows you where any weak spots are in your learning and helps you strengthen those areas. I definitely recommend The CE Shop if you’re looking at becoming a realtor!”
Isaac Alden
Kaplan: Well-Established Course with Live Instruction
Kaplan is one of the most established real estate education providers, offering live instruction, career mentorship, and traditional study materials. With a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating and a 92% instructor satisfaction rate, Kaplan is a top choice for students who prefer structured learning.
However, Kaplan’s higher pricing reflects its emphasis on interactive learning, printed materials, and personalized support. While this is a great option for students who thrive with live classes, those looking for a budget-friendly, self-paced approach may find The CE Shop more appealing.
“I completed my NJ realestate Salesperson course in 01/27/25. I passed my state licensing exam too. […] In addition to the course there were live classes available on weekends and evenings. The instructors were awesome.Their knowledge and industry experience really showed. Their enthusiasm made the classes fun and exciting.”
Cherylyne Vasquez
Kaplan vs The CE Shop Course Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | ~$150-$1,000 | ~$180-$1,300 |
| Discounts | Save 40% | Yes |
| Financing |  | |
| Access Length | 12 Months | 6 Months |
| Guarantees | Exam Fees Reimbursed | Extended Access |
| Live Classes | | |
| Unique Features | Exam Prep Edge, Professional Development Kickstart, First Renewal Package | Career Mentorship, Live Career Accelerator Course |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now |
Which is the Better Investment?
Both The CE Shop and Kaplan have unique advantages, depending on your learning style and budget. Here’s how they compare:
- Exam Pass Guarantee: The CE Shop refunds exam fees if you don’t pass, while Kaplan extends course access, allowing for additional study time.
- Pricing: The CE Shop offers more affordable options, with California pre-licensing courses starting at $399, while Kaplan’s ranges up to $839. However, Kaplan includes live instruction and mentorship in its pricing.
- Course Access: The CE Shop provides 12 months of access, while Kaplan limits access to 6 months. However, Kaplan students benefit from live support and interactive learning.
- Course Options: Kaplan offers a wide variety of packages, including live classes and career coaching, which may be overwhelming for some but beneficial for students seeking a structured learning experience. The CE Shop keeps it simple with four package choices.
The CE Shop is ideal for students who prefer self-paced learning and an affordable, all-digital approach. Kaplan, on the other hand, provides live instruction, interactive learning, and career mentorship, making it a better choice for those who learn best with direct instructor support.
Verdict: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers a monetary refund rather than just extended access, making it a safer investment.
State Availability
Luckily, both providers cover most states and U.S. jurisdictions. However, a few states aren’t available.
- The CE Shop: Available in 47 states, missing Alaska, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
- Kaplan: Available in 45 states, missing Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
As you might have realized, none of the states appear on both “not covered” lists, so if you’re torn and in one of those states, congratulations, you’ve made your decision.
Verdict: The CE Shop
CE Shop covers more states, making it accessible to more students.
Course Content and Study Tools
Both companies offer a mixture of class and delivery types, including live webinars, on-demand video lessons, and written course materials. However, the exact composition of what you’re getting isn’t uniform across the board; your state will determine what exactly comes in your package.
Instead of discussing what class might look like because it can vary so wildly, let’s examine some of the supplemental learning materials you’re getting from each provider.
The CE Shop
- Exam Prep Edge: Lessons covering national and state need-to-know for the exams, with questions to test your knowledge and unlimited practice exams
- Kickstarter Professional Development Program: Three courses to build your business and network
- Ebooks: Textbook-style ebooks for real estate education and business growth
- Career Resources: Guides and tools for interviewing brokers, finding your niche, and launching your career
- Digital Flashcards: Study essential terms and concepts with flashcard sets for every course
- Real Estate Glossary: The perfect study tool; it goes perfectly with your flashcards!
- Custom Study Schedule: Make the most of your time with a study plan based on your needs and timeline
It’s the perfect blend of exam prep, quality education, and career-building bonuses, all at an affordable price (and don’t forget that oh-so-satisfying pass guarantee!).
Kaplan Real Estate
- Exam Prep Video Course: Like The CE Shop, Kaplan offers lessons to help you pass your exams, as well as a practice question Qbank
- Real Estate Student Community: Collaborate with your peers; form study groups and ask questions
- LEARN Topic Videos: Niche videos on challenging concepts for national and state regulations, as well as math
- Career Mentor Connect: Get tips from actual real estate agents in your area, and ask questions on becoming a successful realtor
- Real Estate Accelerator Course: A live cohort with Q&A to boost your sales skills
- Print Textbooks and Workbooks: If you prefer traditional methods, you’ll appreciate these hard-copy study materials
- Real Estate Flashcards: Over 700 flashcards for your study sessions, organized by topic
- Real Estate Glossary and MP3: Read or listen to descriptions for over 2,800 vocab definitions
Verdict: Tie (Depends on Learning Style)
If you prefer a self-paced, tech-forward approach, The CE Shop is the better choice. However, if you learn best through live instruction, printed books, and structured classes, Kaplan is the stronger option.
Support
If you’re the kind of person who needs to ask a lot of questions, interact with your instructor regularly, or get tutoring to succeed academically, this section is crucial for you. Pay close attention!
First and foremost, what you’re about to read differentiates radically from one state to another. Double-check your state’s listing on the website to make sure it includes everything you need.
The CE Shop offers live, instructor-led webinars on the topics you have to study and dedicated Q&A sessions to ensure you’re staying on top of the content. Obviously, this is a huge benefit for students who struggle with self-study methods. Customer service is reachable via call and chat.
Meanwhile, Kaplan has conquered the support area in this face-off. You’re getting live classes with instructor support and earning career mentorship and webinars to help you launch a successful business on day one. Further, there are a lot more personalized support touchpoints with Kaplan, which justifies their inflated price tags. Kaplan students can ask for assistance through call, chat, and email.
Verdict: Kaplan
Kaplan provides stronger student support, especially with instructor interaction and career mentorship.
Access, Guarantees, and Value
As we’ve discussed, The CE Shop’s courses offer double the access of Kaplan’s: 12 months compared to just six. Further, some of CE Shop’s comparable products for the same state are 50% less than Kaplan’s counterpart. Finally, the pass guarantee: CE Shop’s exam fee refund is more generous than Kaplan’s extended access offer.
In that sense, The CE Shop is more valuable to most students. However, Kaplan’s emphasis on live options, mentorship, and coaching is well worth the investment if you learn best from personalized support.
For the student who prefers to go it alone, as well as students who don’t need extra bells and whistles to invest, The CE Shop is the better option for this category.
Verdict: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers longer access (12 vs. 6 months), a more generous refund policy, and lower costs, making it the better value for most students. Kaplan’s extended access policy is helpful but not as financially protective as The CE Shop’s refund guarantee.
Career Resources
Finally, let’s talk about the truth: yes, a realtor is a job. However, in many ways, when you’re choosing to become a real estate agent, you’re choosing to become an entrepreneur. That means you’ll have to learn more than legalese, rules, and regulations; you’ll have to master sales, networking, building relationships with clients, marketing, and how to close a deal.
Both of today’s online real estate education providers know this. So, let’s talk about how they prepare you not just for passing your exams but for building an unbreakable business.
The CE Shop offers three primary tools for your entrepreneurial venture: the Kickstarter Professional Development Program, business ebooks, and the Career Builder. That includes:
- Monthly ebooks on flourishing in your career, getting more clients and making more money
- The Career Builder is jam-packed with tools and resources to run a successful real estate business
- Three professional development courses:
- Build Your 30/60/90 Day Plan: Master goal-setting and planning to hit desired milestones
- Build Your Core Lead Network: Create a client attraction strategy to keep your biz in bloom
- Build Your Negotiation Skills: Discover persuasive techniques and communication strategies to close favorable deals for your clients
Kaplan has an excellent suite of career-catalyzing materials as well:
- Real Estate Accelerator Course: Learn how to sell like a pro during this live, 6-month program worth $399. You’ll gain access to 8 hours of video lessons and live instructor interaction. Learn how to write a business plan, set goals, create a marketing strategy, attract clients, and more.
- Career Mentor Connect: Discuss important aspects of succeeding as a real estate professional and discover top tips for success.
Verdict: Kaplan
Kaplan provides more robust career mentorship, live coaching, and networking opportunities. While The CE Shop offers useful business planning tools, Kaplan’s hands-on career accelerator program gives students a stronger foundation for launching their real estate business.
The CE Shop Discounts
Want an easy start to your budgeting goals? Check out our discounts for The CE Shop courses. Kaplan currently doesn’t offer promos on their real estate courses.
Bottom Line
Which course is right for you?
Kaplan Real Estate is a good choice if you value personalized support and interaction above all else. However, if you’re able to self-study your way to exam-day success, chances are that The CE Shop is a better fit. The CE Shop’s affordability, long access periods, partial money-back guarantee, stellar exam prep options, and resources to skyrocket your career make it an excellent choice for aspiring realtors.
Whichever you choose, remember: fortune favors the bold. You know what you want. Now go after it!
FAQs
Yes, all CE Shop final exams for pre-licensing courses are proctored, as required by state regulations.
Pre-licensing is required education before getting a license, while post-licensing is additional coursework needed after passing the exam in some states.
Yes, you can complete the required 135-hour coursework online, but the licensing exam must be taken in person.
No, Kaplan doesn’t have a dedicated app, but its real estate courses are accessible through a mobile-friendly website.
California and Texas are often considered the hardest due to their lengthy exams, strict requirements, and high fail rates.
