Top 3 Best Online MBA in Real Estate Degree Programs Ranked for 2023

By Dave Tomar

Published: Dec 13, 2022
Updated: Sep 8, 2023

Key Takeaways

The online MBA in real estate degree is an excellent degree for graduate students seeking advanced leadership roles in the real estate industry.

Getting the online MBA in real estate degree can open the door to roles in real estate finance, real estate investment, and even real estate law.

A select number of excellent business schools offer a fully online MBA program in real estate.

Table of Contents

Featured Programs

Online MBA programs in real estate are designed for students or working professionals interested in the leadership side of real estate. Students who complete undergraduate business degree programs may qualify for roles as mortgage loan officers and real estate brokers. But the graduate degree in real estate can lead to opportunities in real estate finance and development.

Only a select number of online MBAs include a real estate specialization. For students seeking the online MBA in real estate, the options listed here will be your best opportunities for a remote real estate education at the graduate level.

Real estate MBA programs are ideal for those with an interest in real estate and the desire to play a variety of specialized roles in real estate markets such as aspiring real estate brokers, corporate real estate developers, real estate economics experts, and more.

Most students who earn an online MBA in real estate will pursue executive leadership roles in the real estate business. However, there are numerous related career paths that you could take including roles in property law, financial reporting, international real estate, and more.

For a look at other top schools, check out our complete College Rankings Guide. Otherwise, read on.

Real estate agent with a family in front of a house

About Online MBA in Real Estate Degree Programs

Students in the online MBA in real estate degree program will study topics such as real estate valuation, urban real estate markets, and real estate market analysis.

These skills can easily be transferred to careers in other business contexts including real estate law, investment management, and economics.

In most cases, however, the online MBA in real estate is designed to prepare you for a career as a real estate development manager, which is a career with a high average annual salary.

In fact, this advanced online master can lead to various well-paying opportunities in the field. Urban and regional planners, for instance, earned a median salary of $78,500a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Bottom Line: An online MBA in real estate can lead to career advancement and lucrative positions in leadership roles within the real estate field and several other related fields including law, investing, economics, and development.

Admission Requirements for an Online MBA in Real Estate

Schools that offer an online MBA in real estate have different admission requirements.

These are the admission requirements common to schools offering the online MBA in real estate:

A completed online application

An accredited bachelor’s degree

Official college transcripts

A cumulative college GPA of 3.0 - 3.5

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) Score or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Score

Personal statement or essay

Reference Letters

Professional Resume or CV

Key Point: Some programs might also require an interview process.

Learn more about online MBA admission requirements.

Curriculum and Courses in Online MBA in Real Estate Degree Programs

Schools offering the online MBA in real estate have different courses, although there are similarities in programs. There are typically core online MBA in real estate courses, an individualized capstone, and practicum, laboratory, or residency requirements.

The typical courses offered in the online MBA in real estate program include:

Real Estate Operations

Real Estate Acquisitions

Marketing Strategy in Real Estate

Financial Accounting

Assessing Property Values

Land Economics

Understanding Market Demand vs. Supply

Key Point: Online MBA in real estate programs will cover business fundamentals such as financial accounting, marketing strategy, and real estate acquisitions.

Real estate agent showing an apartment to a man

Careers for Online MBA in Real Estate Degree Holders

The online MBA program in real estate prepares students for several careers, including:

Real Estate Market Analysis

Real Estate Investment

Corporate Development

Urban Planning and Development

Investment Banking

Investment Analysis

Key Points:According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job openings for property appraisers are projected to grow by 4% from 2021 to 2031.

Similarly, those who use their graduate degree to pursue careers as Loan Officers will see their job prospects grow by roughly 4% from 2021 to 2031.

See what else you can do with an online MBA.

Factors for Choosing MBA in Real Estate Online Programs

If you aspire to a career in real estate development, you must be sure that you can tackle the challenges of an accredited online MBA in real estate program.

Choosing a top-notch online degree program will help to make your professional journey easier by allowing you to balance your pursuit of an advanced degree with any existing professional demands.

Furthermore, an online degree program in a reputable college or university should have the integrity, reputation, and track record to convince employers that their graduates deserve a place in the employer’s organization.

Here are the factors that you need to consider when choosing a school that offers the online MBA in real estate degree:

Accreditation: Accreditation is vital. It signifies that the school’s education is in compliance with the standards of the Department of Education and the accrediting body. A school must also be accredited in order to offer federal financial aid to its students.

In addition to institutional accreditation, be sure your degree in online MBA in Real Estate is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This national board provides programmatic accreditation, which is an important mark of credibility for the master’s of business administration degree.

Cost: Cost is an inherent element of every educational pursuit. But since cost differs from one school to another, you must ensure that the online school you choose is affordable while still providing a quality education.
Financing Options: Accredited colleges and universities will offer financial aid options including grants, scholarships, and loans for students who qualify. Some will also offer work-study programs.
Course Delivery: Online education courses are delivered in three different ways: synchronous (live online classes), asynchronous (classes that can be attended anytime), and blended or hybrid (a mix of both synchronous and asynchronous). Choose a school that offers the type that suits your schedule.
Academic Support: Academic support is a valuable element of distance learning. Give due credit to schools that provide students with online resources such as references and tutorials. You will need these to gain a deeper understanding of your lessons.

Learn how to find accredited online MBA programs.