10 Best Online Real Estate Schools in California

With its picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and high quality of life, California has become one of the most appealing and most expensive real estate markets in the country. So, when it comes to building a lucrative real estate career, a look into the best online real estate schools in California is a helpful first step.

Real estate education serves as a foundation for understanding the complex housing market, laws, and principles. And given California’s dynamic real estate environment, a top-quality real estate school is crucial to succeed in this field.

On top of imparting necessary knowledge, real estate schools also help students pass the licensing exam. This is a requirement in securing a real estate license as a salesperson, broker, or property manager.

In California, the DRE (California Department of Real Estate) mandates aspiring agents to complete three college-level real estate courses (each with a minimum length of 45 hours) or a complete 135-hour prelicensing real estate course.

Fortunately, the state is home to many providers of real estate classes online, making it easy for students to access quality education anytime, anywhere.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 10 best California real estate schools, including online options. The reviews include their real estate course features, package inclusions, and pricing.

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AceableAgent – Online Real Estate School in California

Launched in 2012, AceableAgent revolutionized traditional real estate education with its digitally forward vision.

The school’s California prelicensing course is accessible through an online platform compatible with computers, tablets, and smartphones, enabling students to learn anytime, anywhere. Coursework materials are made for self-paced yet interactive learning. These include e-books, videos, audio lessons, instructor support, as well as live webinars and Q&A forums for more premium packages.

Overall, AceableAgent is a good choice for those looking for convenience without compromising quality. The school boasts a 92% pass rate for California real estate exam takers, a testament to its success as an educator.

Features and Benefits

• Interactive Curriculum: AceableAgent’s courses include video clips, animations, and engaging content that cater to diverse learning styles.
• Mobile Platform: Apart from computers and tablets, the school has an intuitive mobile app for learning on the go.
• Self-Paced Learning: Coursework materials are available anytime, allowing students to learn at their own pace.
• Dedicated Student Support: AceableAgent offers round-the-clock instructor support via email.
• Pass Guarantee: Students who complete the course but do not pass the exam do not need to pay for the course again.

Pricing and Tuition

*Aceable Agent often offers discounts on its packages.

Other pricing terms to take note of:

• 30-Day Refund Policy: Students can avail of a 30-day refund policy if they decide not to push through with the course.
• Course Extension: For students who do not complete the course within 12 months, there is an option to extend for six months for an additional cost of $49.

Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate is a well-known name in real estate education, offering state-specific courses across the country, including California.

With a heritage rooted in innovative e-learning, the school offers self-paced course packages with comprehensive resources. These include live instructor support, exam prep materials, and career enhancement tools.

Apart from self-paced learning, a standout feature is the school’s livestream courses. They are a great option for students who prefer a fixed class schedule and live interactions with instructors and peers.

Features and Benefits

• Multimedia Courses: Incorporates video lessons, podcasts, and interactive simulations to facilitate understanding.
• Live Instructor Support: Periodic webinars connect students with industry professionals, offering insights beyond textbooks.
• Livestream Classes: Apart from their self-paced courses, Colibri Real Estate school also offers livestream classes, which include real-time engagement with instructors and peers.
• Career Launch Support: Beyond licensing courses, the school also assists in career placements and growth through its Career Booster Pack.
• Pass or Don’t Pay: For students who don’t pass the exam on the first try, Colibri Real Estate promises a refund, whether prelicensing or exam prep.

Pricing and Tuition

*Colibri Real Estate often offers discounts on its packages.

Other pricing terms to take note of:

• 7-Day Refund Policy: For self-paced classes, students can get a full refund up to a week after enrollment. For live classes, they have 24 hours to get a refund or switch to online classes.
• Course Extension: Students are given 6 months to complete the course. If not, they may opt to extend for 7, 30, or 60 days for an additional fee.

Kaplan Real Estate

Kaplan is a name synonymous with education excellence. Established in 1938, the school is a global provider of educational programs, from SAT and BAR exam preps to engineering and healthcare courses. An addition to its long list of industries is real estate.

Kaplan Real Estate Education offers prelicensing, exam prep, post-license, and continuing education courses. Its complete curriculum is coupled with various course formats to cater to all learning styles, including live streaming, self-paced video courses, and textbook home study courses.

The school aims to guide aspiring agents throughout their real estate career, ensuring their success through convenient yet extensive education.

Features and Benefits

• Career-Spanning Courses: Kaplan takes pride in being an expert educator in real estate as it offers courses for all stages of an agent’s career.
• Dynamic Learning Paths: From self-paced video courses to live online classes, Kaplan offers something for every learner.
• Expert-Led Classes: Whether you opt for live or self-paced classes, coursework materials are led by instructors. These include video lessons, as well as the entirety of the curriculum created by real estate experts.
• Practice Exams: Kaplan also provides a vast repository of mock tests, ensuring students are exam-ready and confident.

Pricing and Tuition

Kaplan Real Estate offers a long list of real estate courses catering to different career paths, course formats, course hours, and exam prep inclusions.

• California Salesperson Licensing: Packages for complete 135-hour courses start at $179
• California Broker Licensing: Packages for complete 360-hour courses start at $399 and up

For the exact pricing and terms, explore the real estate schools website and filter options based on license type, credit hours, and training methods.

The CE Shop

The CE Shop is another reputable school in the realm of real estate. Its online real estate school in California include prelicensing, exam prep, post-licensing, and continuing education.

The school is popular for its simple and straightforward curriculum. Its course materials include multimedia materials like videos, audio lessons, slideshows, flashcards, and interactive quizzes. Students will also have access to resources for further career development.

Features and Benefits

• Easy-to-Use Dashboard: The school offers a user-friendly student dashboard that provides an easy and intuitive approach to learning.
• Engaging Online Modules: The CE Shop ensures interactive lessons through e-books, flashcards, videos, and audio lessons.
• Exam Prep Edge: Certain course packages includean exam preparation module, significantly boosting the chances of success for students.
• Pass Guarantee: Students who complete the course but do not pass the exam do not need to pay for the course again.
• 24/7 Support: Students can avail of round-the-clock assistance via phone, email or live chat.

Pricing and Tuition

*The CE Shop often offers discounts on its packages.

Other pricing terms to take note of:

• 5-Day Free Trial: Students have 5 days to enroll and try out the course for free before deciding if they want to continue.
• 30-Day Refund Policy: The school also offers a 30-day refund policy for students as long as they have not completed more than 50% of the course.
• Course Extension: Students are given 6 months to complete the course. If not, they may extend up to one month for free. Each 30-day extension after that will cost an additional 20% of the course’s retail price.

California School of Real Estate (easy2pass.com)

The California School of Real Estate has been a trusted name since its inception in 1941.

Claiming to offer the “quickest and easiest method” of securing a real estate license online in California, the school boasts a 99% pass rate and a 200% double money-back guarantee for those who don’t pass.

Apart from the basic real estate curriculum, its packages also come with an exam prep module. Other notable features include expert instructors, audio lessons for on-the-go learning, and an option for guaranteed career placement.

Features and Benefits

• Personalized Approach: Each student benefits from a free consultation with a head instructor. This one-on-one support is available via phone or email and is applicable throughout the course.
• Intensive Exam Prep: The school’s courses come with a PowerPrep Online Program led by a real estate expert. It is intended to provide students with a thorough exam preparation. Materials include a review guide, video classes, and practice tests.
• Drive & Prep Audio Review: Students can avail of additional features, one of which is the Drive & Prep Audio Review. It comes with 13 hours of audio classes, which you can listen to anytime, anywhere.
• “Open Book Finals”: While taking the final exam needed to complete the course, the school allows students to access all their textbooks and other study materials.
• Affordable Packages: Compared to other schools in this list, they offer some of the cheapest online real estate school in California.

Pricing and Tuition

Other pricing terms to take note of:

• 200% Money-Back Guarantee: Those who do not pass the state exam can avail of the school’s money-back guarantee, which promises to return 200% of the course fee.
• 10-Day Refund Policy: The school also offers a refund policy within 10 days after receiving the course materials. This is minus a 20% fee for administrative, handling, and restocking charges.

PrepAgent

PrepAgent, as the name suggests, is dedicated to ensuring students are thoroughly ready to pass the real estate exam.

With a focus on exam prep, packages include expert-led webinars, video lessons, flashcards, e-books, thousands of exam practice questions, and other interactive learning tools.

The school also aims to simplify complicated exam concepts, providing helpful resources on specific topics like mathematics and real estate principles.

PrepAgent is a good choice for students looking to prioritize exam preparation.

Features and Benefits

• Diverse Study Materials: From flashcards to webinars to audio and video lessons, Prep Agent offers varied materials catering to different learning preferences.
• Premium Exam Prep Resources: Aligned with the school’s expertise in exam prep, students will benefit from top-quality resources. These include thousands of exam practice questions.
• Webinar Access: Students will have access to interactive webinars that delve deep into core real estate topics. Apart from pre-recorded videos, PrepAgent offers live online webinars 5 times a week.
• Private Tutoring: For an additional cost, students can sign up for one-on-one tutoring with the school’s staff of real estate experts.
• 120-Day Money-Back Guarantee: PrepAgent offers a full refund within 120 days of paying for the course. This is a significantly better deal compared to refund policies from other real estate schools.

Pricing and Tuition

PrepAgent offers the following exam prep packages.

• 1 Week: $59
• 1 Month: $79
• 3 Months: $99

All packages come with the following features and benefits:

• Interactive study materials like flashcards, exam prep e-books, recorded webinars, exam prep videos, and audio lessons.
• Thousands of national and state-specific questions
• Access to live online webinars 5 times a week
• 120-day money-back guarantee

Although PrepAgent does not offer in-house prelicensing courses, they have a partnership with AceableAgent. The packages include 135-hour courses plus PrepAgent’s exam prep program.

CompuCram Real Estate

Similar to PrepAgent, CompuCram offers a comprehensive range of study materials aimed at ensuring California real estate exam success.

Offering only one exam prep package, its primary focus is to help students study efficiently with maximum retention in minimal time.

Features and Benefits

• Unlimited Practice Exams: Students have access to an extensive and unlimited repository of questions, never encountering the same question twice.
• Vocabulary Mastery: The school’s interactive tools help students develop proficiency in real estate terminology, a key to exam success.
• Simplified Learning: The curriculum includes simple and digestible concepts, ensuring students don’t feel overwhelmed.
• Pre-Assessment: Upon enrolling in the exam prep course, students will go through a pre-assessment to determine the real estate topics they need to master.
• Readiness Indicator: CompuCram offers a feature that tracks a student’s progress, a good indicator of whether they are ready to take the exam or not.

Pricing and Tuition

CompuCram offers a value-packed all-in-one exam preparation package for $105.

Apart from the features and benefits above, the package also includes:

• User-friendly virtual learning via computer, tablet, or mobile devices
• 180-day access to all study materials
• Money-back guarantee

AYPO Real Estate Course

Another top-rated real estate school in California is At Your Pace Online (AYPO) Real Estate.

Since its inception, AYPO’s primary objective has been to furnish students with the flexibility to learn at their desired pace. The school has an extensive list of course offerings catering to different states and career milestones.

For California, in particular, AYPO’s real estate education focuses on Continuing Education courses and MLO (mortgage loan origination) courses.

Features and Benefits

• Self-Paced Learning: Courses can be accessed at any time, allowing students to learn whenever they are most comfortable and receptive.
• State-Specific Continuing Education: AYPO’s CE courses focus on local insights and knowledge of California’s unique real estate landscape.
• Mobile-Friendly Platform: Apart from virtual learning via computers and tablets, students may also access course materials via mobile devices. This allows for on-the-go learning.

Pricing and Tuition

Real Estate Exam Scholar

According to its website, the Real Estate Exam Scholar has been awarded “The Best Real Estate Exam Prep” for seven years in a row.

The school’s curriculum is designed for comprehensive real estate knowledge coupled with flexible learning and engaging study tools.

The Real Estate Exam Scholar highlights its exam prep resources, high pass rate, low-cost packages, and money-back guarantee policy among its many impressive features.

Features and Benefits

• Comprehensive Coursework: The exam prep curriculum is equipped with a wide selection of study materials. These include video and audio lessons, flashcards, and practice tests.
• 24/7 Learning: Students will have round-the-clock access to the school’s online platform for 6 months.
• Unlimited Exams: Included in the study materials is a database of unlimited exams for students to keep practicing.
• 95% First-Time Pass Rate: The Real Estate Exam Scholar takes pride in its 95% pass rate for first-time exam takers.
• Cheap Courses: One of the school’s most attractive features is its low-cost packages. For as low as $39, students will have access to premium exam prep resources.

Pricing and Tuition

Other pricing terms to take note of:

• 365-Day Money-Back Guarantee: The school promises a full refund within the first year. This is applicable to students who have not passed the exam or are simply not satisfied with the course.

OnlineEd

Last on our list of best online real estate schools in California is OnlineEd. From real estate to home inspection, this school is known for its wide range of courses catering to different careers in the property market.

For California real estate, OnlineEd offers prelicensing, post-licensing, and continuing education courses. The school focused on flexibility, quality, and professionalism when it designed its curriculum.

Features and Benefits

• Diverse Course Offerings: From all-in-one packages to single courses, OnlineEd makes it easy to access quality education throughout your real estate career.
• Simple Learning Materials: OnlineEd keeps learning simple through e-books and practice tests. While this may not appeal to students who enjoy interactive tools, it may be suitable for those who prefer a straightforward approach.
• Instructor Support: Beyond just course content, OnlineEd connects students with real estate experts to clarify doubts and provide insights.

Pricing and Tuition

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Tips on Choosing the Best California Real Estate School

From digital e-learning innovations to comprehensive exam preparations, aspiring real estate agents in California have many excellent choices when it comes to education. To help guide you, here are some tips to consider when choosing the best real estate license course in California.

• Examine the curriculum: Ensure that the school’s curriculum is comprehensive, up-to-date, and aligned with the California state requirements.
• Determine your learning style: Some students may prefer interactive videos, while others might lean towards in-person instruction. Understand what works for you and choose a school that aligns with your style.
• Flexibility: If your schedule is erratic, opt for a school that offers self-paced courses or flexible timing.
• Budget considerations: While education is an investment, it’s crucial to find a program that offers value for your money. Compare the course inclusions, resources, and support against the price.
• Post-course support: Real estate is a continuously evolving field. Institutions that offer ongoing support, updates, or continued education can provide you an edge in your professional journey.
• Reviews and testimonials: There’s no better gauge of a school’s quality than the experience of its alumni. Scour through reviews, engage with past students, and gather first-hand feedback.
• Pass rates: Another indicator of success is a school’s pass rate among its students. California is said to have an exam pass rate of 50%, so it would be wise to choose a school that boasts a higher passing rate.

Pick the Best School to Launch Your Real Estate Career

Navigating the robust California real estate industry requires knowledge and expertise. This understanding has fueled the surge of top-tier online real estate schools.

Those included in this list are among the best real estate courses in California, each with its own strengths and unique offerings.

As such, choosing the right one is where your personal preferences meet professional requirements. To make an informed decision, make sure to delve deeper into each school and its offerings. With the right educational partner, a successful real estate career is well within reach.