What can you do with a Real Estate Degree?

Real Estate is a booming business these days. In fact, real estate is a great business to be in most days. Real estate is more than just selling homes, although if you’re a born salesperson then this is definitely the career for you! Creative types may find their niche in marketing homes for sale while number crunchers may excel in wheeling and dealing with investors. There are a variety of job opportunities in real estate including:

Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Broker
Sales Manager
Office Manager
Seller Liaison
Buyer Liaison
Investor
Property Management
Marketing

Is a Real Estate Degree hard?

No, a Degree in Real Estate is not hard! Earning a certificate or degree in Real Estate is a smart and savvy investment for anyone looking begin a career in this field. For those already working in real estate, a certificate or degree can enhance one’s job prospects and earnings. A certificate or degree can even facilitate self-employment or entrepreneurship as one becomes an expert in the field.

Certificate in Real Estate

Earning a Certificate in Real Estate is a great introduction to this career and all that it has to offer. A Certificate in Real Estate is not a real estate license, rather it gives students a quick yet comprehensive study of the real estate field. With a Certificate in Real Estate, students are given sufficient background to determine which career and job avenue they would like to pursue. Students will have a solid foundation if they choose to pursue professional real estate licensure. Students will also be prepared to pursue other avenues in the real estate field such as property management, marketing, or office management.

Jobs with a Certificate in Real Estate:

- Real Estate Sales Agent- Help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Median Annual Salary: $50,000.
- Real Estate Broker- Help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Median Annual Salary: $60,000.
- Property Manager- Take care of the many aspects of residential, commercial, or industrial properties for clients. Median Annual Salary: $60,000.
- Real Estate Office Manager- Take care of the many aspects of residential, commercial, or industrial properties in an agency’s inventory. Median Annual Salary: $60,000.

Keep in mind that brokers and agents make a significant portion of their income in sales commission, which is not factored into the above salaries. It is not uncommon for brokers and agents to regularly make six-figures, even while working part-time. Brokers and agents must be licensed in the state(s) they are working in. Similarly, many real estate workers (such as property managers) make additional income related to their transactions.

Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate

A Bachelor’s in Real Estate will establish the graduate as an industry professional with in-depth knowledge of the field. While many real estate professionals may have an undergraduate degree and work in real estate, those that have a Bachelor’s in Real Estate are less common and highly sought after for their well-rounded expertise.

A comprehensive undergraduate degree will explore the multiple facets of the real estate industry including:

Development
Finance
Sustainability
Construction
Management

Real estate students would be best served in a program that offers a broad partner network, internships, mentoring, and a variety of networking opportunities.

Jobs with a Bachelor’s Degree in Real Estate:

Public Relations Specialist- Create and maintain a favorable public image for the organization they represent, specifically as it relates to a real estate professional (including large agencies, investment firms, professional contractors, etc.). Median Annual Salary: $63,000.
Top Executive- Plan strategies and policies to ensure that an organization (i.e., a real estate related business) meets its goals. Median Annual Salary: $105,000.
Public Relations Manager- Direct the creation of materials that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Median Annual Salary: $118,000.

Master’s Degree in Real Estate

A Master’s Degree in Real Estate is an achievement that sets one apart as a dedicated expert in the field. In a graduate program students will gain the practical skills needed to succeed in real estate including investment, development, and asset management. Students may specialize in areas such as:

Financial analysis
Law
Economics
Commercial sales
Residential development

A graduate degree will also further develop student skills in research, communication, and writing. An advanced degree is a great choice for real estate professionals choosing to branch off into career paths such as research, writing, or teaching.

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Real Estate:

Postsecondary Teacher– Instruct students in Real Estate courses beyond the high school level. Median Annual Salary: $80,000.
Public Relations Manager- Direct the creation of materials that will enhance the public image of their employer or client. Median Annual Salary: $118,000.
Author- Develop written content for various types of media on real estate topics. Median Annual Salary: $122,000.

Is a Real Estate Degree worth it?

Yes, a Degree in Real Estate is worth it! Real Estate can be a lucrative career. In addition to jump starting a great career with fantastic pay and flexible hours, a Degree in Real Estate provides students with a degree which is an essential component for personal, academic, and career growth!

VA-Approved Schools with Real Estate Degree Programs

These schools have programs that are approved by the VA. However, as degree programs are approved for VA tuition funding, and not the schools, you will need to check with the schools to ensure that their Real Estate degree programs are approved by the VA.

Contra Costa College

Offers a Certificate of Achievement in Real Estate and an Associate of Arts Degree in Real Estate. Contra Costa College has GI Bill®-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, awards credit for the CLEP exam, and is approved for Military Tuition Assistance.

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Real Estate. UNLV also offers Real Estate as a minor for its undergraduate degrees. UNLV has GI Bill®approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for both the CLEP and DSST exams. UNLV is a MyCAA-approved school and is approved for Tuition Assistance. UNLV is a Yellow Ribbon school.

Virginia Tech

Offers three Real Estate Degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Commercial, BS Real Estate Residential, and a BSBA Real Estate Finance. Virginia Tech has GI Bill®-approved programs, offers credit for military experience, and awards credit for the CLEP and DSST exams. Virginia Tech is a Yellow Ribbon school and is approved for Tuition Assistance.

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