Do You Need a College Degree to Be a Real Estate Agent? (2024)

No degree? No problem. You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in most states. A degree or certificate program can help you learn skills that you’ll use while on the job, but it’s not required. In fact, there are only a few things required to become a real estate agent in each state. Familiarizing yourself with those requirements is the first step you can take towards starting your career in real estate.

Thinking about starting a real estate career? Download the Launching Your Real Estate Career eBook.

How do I become a real estate agent without a college degree?

To become a licensed real estate agent without a college degree, the process is straight-forward. Each state has its own set of requirements for real estate licensure, but they all involve taking a certain amount of prelicensing education and passing an exam.

Once you figure out how to satisfy your state’s requirements, you can start taking your prelicensing education and preparing for your exam. Luckily, there are many options out there to help you succeed, including online and weekend real estate courses and exam prep tools.

It’s a good idea to plan out the next few months of your time so that you can stick to a schedule of completing your prelicensing education and preparing for your exam. Choose a real estate school that’s approved by the state where you want to earn a license and offers courses that fit your schedule and instructional preferences. Many people find the prelicensing education usually isn’t enough to fully prepare for their real estate exam. You can get a head start on your exam day prep by investigating exam study tools and making a plan for success on exam day.

View Licensing Packages

What are the best college majors for real estate agents?

Popular majors for future real estate agents include marketing, finance, accounting, psychology, and business. Even though going to college isn’t required, you may find it helpful to complete a degree or certificate program to gain knowledge that would help you succeed as a real estate agent.

Passing your exam and completing your prelicensing education doesn’t guarantee you a thriving career, which is why many agents find it beneficial to have additional background knowledge in marketing themselves, maintaining their finances, and understanding the psychology of their clients.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time at a four-year university to gain an understanding of these topics, either. For a busy parent or professional, it might not be feasible to find the time and money needed to earn a four-year degree in real estate. Local community colleges offer two-year associate’s degrees in areas like marketing, business, and accounting, and many offer night and online classes. Boosting your marketing or business knowledge could be as simple as taking a few classes.

Which schools offer degrees or certificates in real estate?

If you’re looking for something more comprehensive, some four-year colleges and universities have begun offering specific real estate degrees and certificates. Attending a four-year university to study real estate is a good option for prospective students who are planning to attend college regardless of their major. At many of these colleges, you’ll receive a solid educational background in real estate law, finance, and development.

A few schools that offer degree or certificate programs in real estate are the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin—Madison, and the University of Texas at Austin. You can see a full list of top schools for real estate degrees here.

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One of the benefits of the real estate salesperson’s licensure process is that its accessible to people from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. You don’t need a college degree, and the requirements are minimal. Ready to start preparing? Find your state from this list to learn more about your required prelicensing education.

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Becoming a real estate agent is an attractive career option for many people because of the minimal requirements to get started. Regardless of educational or professional background, most people can start a new career as a real estate agent within a few months. For motivated self-starters, the combination of minimal requirements and high earning potential makes real estate sales a perfect fit.

No degree? No problem. You don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in most states. A degree or certificate program can help you learn skills that you’ll use while on the job, but it’s not required. In fact, there are only a few things required to become a real estate agent in each state. Familiarizing yourself with those requirements is the first step you can take towards starting your career in real estate.

Thinking about starting a real estate career? Download the Launching Your Real Estate Career eBook.

How do I become a real estate agent without a college degree?

To become a licensed real estate agent without a college degree, the process is straight-forward. Each state has its own set of requirements for real estate licensure, but they all involve taking a certain amount of prelicensing education and passing an exam.

Once you figure out how to satisfy your state’s requirements, you can start taking your prelicensing education and preparing for your exam. Luckily, there are many options out there to help you succeed, including online and weekend real estate courses and exam prep tools.

It’s a good idea to plan out the next few months of your time so that you can stick to a schedule of completing your prelicensing education and preparing for your exam. Choose a real estate school that’s approved by the state where you want to earn a license and offers courses that fit your schedule and instructional preferences. Many people find the prelicensing education usually isn’t enough to fully prepare for their real estate exam. You can get a head start on your exam day prep by investigating exam study tools and making a plan for success on exam day.

View Licensing Packages

What are the best college majors for real estate agents?

Popular majors for future real estate agents include marketing, finance, accounting, psychology, and business. Even though going to college isn’t required, you may find it helpful to complete a degree or certificate program to gain knowledge that would help you succeed as a real estate agent.

Passing your exam and completing your prelicensing education doesn’t guarantee you a thriving career, which is why many agents find it beneficial to have additional background knowledge in marketing themselves, maintaining their finances, and understanding the psychology of their clients.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money or time at a four-year university to gain an understanding of these topics, either. For a busy parent or professional, it might not be feasible to find the time and money needed to earn a four-year degree in real estate. Local community colleges offer two-year associate’s degrees in areas like marketing, business, and accounting, and many offer night and online classes. Boosting your marketing or business knowledge could be as simple as taking a few classes.

Which schools offer degrees or certificates in real estate?

If you’re looking for something more comprehensive, some four-year colleges and universities have begun offering specific real estate degrees and certificates. Attending a four-year university to study real estate is a good option for prospective students who are planning to attend college regardless of their major. At many of these colleges, you’ll receive a solid educational background in real estate law, finance, and development.

A few schools that offer degree or certificate programs in real estate are the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin—Madison, and the University of Texas at Austin. You can see a full list of top schools for real estate degrees here.

----------

One of the benefits of the real estate salesperson’s licensure process is that its accessible to people from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds. You don’t need a college degree, and the requirements are minimal. Ready to start preparing? Find your state from this list to learn more about your required prelicensing education.

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Do You Need a College Degree to Be a Real Estate Agent? (2024)

FAQs

Do You Need a College Degree to Be a Real Estate Agent? ›

13. What are the qualifications for a Real Estate Salespersons license? To qualify for a Real Estate Salespersons license you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school education or equivalency, complete a 75 hour pre-licensure course at a licensed school and pass the New Jersey examination.

Is a degree in real estate worth it? ›

While enticing real estate career opportunities are available without a college degree in real estate, pursuing higher education offers several advantages. These include higher earning potential, access to specialized roles, and a deeper understanding of industry concepts and practices.

Do you have to go to college to be a real estate agent in Texas? ›

You do not need a college degree, a high school diploma, or prior real estate experience to get your real estate license in the state of Texas. All you need to do is follow these steps and you'll be out in the world selling homes in no time. Getting your real estate license can be easier than ever before.

How many times can you take the NJ real estate exam? ›

How Many Times Can I Take The NJ Real Estate Exam? You can take the NJ real estate exam three times.

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate agent? ›

The Pros and Cons of a Real Estate Career
  • Pro #1. Achieving Freedom. ...
  • Pro #2. Feeling Responsible. ...
  • Pro #3. Being Respected. ...
  • Pro #4. Excitement. ...
  • Con #1. Having Nothing to Do. ...
  • Con #2. Doing the Wrong Things. ...
  • Con #3. Weird Working Hours. ...
  • Con #4. Irregular Income.

Which degree is best for real estate? ›

Popular majors for future real estate agents include marketing, finance, accounting, psychology, and business. Even though going to college isn't required, you may find it helpful to complete a degree or certificate program to gain knowledge that would help you succeed as a real estate agent.

Is real estate easy in college? ›

A real estate education will be challenging, especially if you don't have prior experience. The courses you take in a California real estate school are college-level, so there is a degree of difficulty, particularly for some students. Because everyone is different, everyone will have different experiences.

How hard is the NJ real estate exam? ›

The exam covers national and state-specific topics, including property rights, contracts, financing, and licensing requirements. There may be math-related questions, and the passing rate is challenging. The exam consists of 110 questions, and you must score 70% to pass.

How many people pass NJ real estate exam first time? ›

The fact is, at best, only about 63% of salesperson license students pass the New Jersey real estate exam on the first try. When we look out at our pre-licensing class of 20 students, that means—statistically—that at least seven of them will not pass the exam on the first try.

Is the NJ real estate exam open book? ›

No, the real estate license exam administered across different states is not open-book.

What do realtors struggle with the most? ›

Here are five of the biggest challenges real estate agents encounter on their road to success – and how to overcome them.
  1. Market Fluctuations. Nothing stays the same in real estate. ...
  2. Fierce Competition. ...
  3. Long Hours. ...
  4. Time Management.
Nov 18, 2023

What is the hardest thing about being a real estate agent? ›

One of the hardest things about being a real estate agent is smoothing your income so that it is consistent throughout the year. This requires discipline and rigorous budgeting. Some agents take second jobs.

Do I have the personality to be a real estate agent? ›

An Engaging Personality

A good real estate agent doesn't just sell properties – they sell themselves. It's important to show your real personality. People will respond to you if you have a great attitude, are personable and honest, have confidence in your abilities, and are interested in helping them and others.

Does investing in real estate pay off? ›

A solid real estate investment strategy can absolutely boost your net worth and help you earn a big chunk of extra income.

What is MBA in real estate? ›

Earning a master of business administration (MBA) in real estate prepares you for career opportunities in the real estate industry. This degree equips learners with foundational knowledge and fundamental leadership, which are necessary business skills for a career in real estate.

Is a marketing degree worth it for real estate? ›

To become a real estate agent, you do not need a degree, but having one will only help you improve skills, gain more knowledge, and succeed as an agent in the competitive industry. The best degrees for education are in marketing, finance, accounting, business administration, and communication.

How important is real estate? ›

Although California accounted for a smaller share of the real estate market relative to its vast overall economy, at 17.6%, the value of real estate contributions to its GDP was the highest among all states, amounting to approximately $680 million.

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