You have decided to get your real estate license. The first major decision is not which state to get licensed in or which brokerage to join -- it is how to complete your pre-licensing education. And for most aspiring agents in 2026, that choice comes down to two options: an online real estate school or a traditional in-person classroom program.

Both formats can prepare you to pass your licensing exam. Both are accepted in the vast majority of states. But they are very different experiences, and the right choice depends on your learning style, your schedule, your budget, and your career goals.

This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each format, covers the real cost differences, and helps you make a confident decision. No hype. No sales pitches. Just an honest comparison based on what matters.

Most States Accept Both Formats

The first thing to know: the overwhelming majority of states accept both online and in-person pre-licensing education. When state real estate boards approve education providers, they typically approve the provider's curriculum regardless of delivery method, as long as the provider meets specific standards for content, assessment, and student support.

For example, Virginia explicitly lists “classroom, correspondence, and online/distance learning” as approved delivery methods for its 60-hour pre-licensing course. Colorado, Michigan, and Tennessee all similarly approve online providers alongside classroom schools.

That said, not every state treats the two formats identically. A few states have specific rules around how online coursework is structured -- minimum time-per-module requirements, mandatory timed assessments, or restrictions on how quickly you can complete the course. Check your state's specific requirements before enrolling. Our state comparison tool links to the official board website for every state we cover.

Online Real Estate School: The Case For

Online real estate education has grown dramatically over the past decade. In 2026, the majority of new licensees complete their pre-licensing education online. And for good reason -- the advantages are significant for the right type of learner.

1. Flexibility and Convenience

This is the number-one reason people choose online. You study when you want, where you want. Early mornings before your current job. Evenings after the kids go to bed. Weekend marathon sessions. You are not locked into a schedule set by someone else.

For career changers who are still working full-time -- which describes the majority of people pursuing a real estate license -- this flexibility is not a nice-to-have. It is the only realistic option.

2. Lower Cost

Online courses are almost always cheaper than their classroom equivalents. In Virginia, online pre-licensing courses start around $130, while classroom programs can cost $250-$500. In New Jersey, the gap is similar. Across most states, you can expect online courses to cost 30-60% less than in-person alternatives.

The cost savings extend beyond tuition. No commuting costs. No parking. No meals out. If you are counting every dollar on the path to licensure, online is almost always the more affordable route.

3. Self-Paced Learning

Most online schools let you move at your own pace. If you already have a background in business, finance, or law, you can breeze through the familiar material and spend more time on the real estate-specific content you actually need to learn.

Conversely, if a topic like real estate math or contract law is difficult, you can slow down, rewatch videos, re-read material, and take practice quizzes until it clicks. In a classroom, the instructor moves on whether you are ready or not.

4. Access to Modern Learning Tools

Top online schools offer features that classrooms cannot match: interactive flashcards, adaptive practice exams that focus on your weak areas, progress tracking dashboards, mobile apps for studying on the go, and video lectures you can replay. Some platforms even use AI to personalize your study path.

Online Real Estate School: The Case Against

Online learning is not for everyone. Being honest about its limitations will help you make a better decision.

1. It Requires Self-Discipline

This is the uncomfortable truth. Online course completion rates are lower than classroom rates across all types of education, and real estate pre-licensing is no exception. When nobody is taking attendance and the deadline is flexible, it is easy to push your studies to tomorrow. And then the next day. And the next.

If you know from past experience that you struggle with self-paced learning, a classroom setting may serve you better. There is nothing wrong with needing external structure. Knowing yourself is a strength.

2. No Networking Opportunities

A classroom full of future real estate agents is a room full of future colleagues, referral partners, and friends. Online courses eliminate that opportunity almost entirely. You will not share stories with the person next to you. You will not exchange numbers with someone who plans to specialize in the same market.

In real estate, relationships are everything. The connections you make during education can lead to your first deal, your first mentor, or your first referral. Online students have to build that network elsewhere.

3. Limited Access to Live Instruction

Most online courses are pre-recorded. Some offer live webinars or Q&A sessions, but the interaction is limited compared to sitting in a classroom where you can raise your hand and get an immediate answer. For topics like real estate contracts, agency relationships, and state-specific law, the ability to ask clarifying questions in real time can make a real difference in understanding.

In-Person Real Estate School: The Case For

1. Built-In Structure and Accountability

You show up on Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM. The instructor starts. You take notes. You take the quiz. You come back next week. For many people, this rhythm is exactly what they need to get through the material efficiently.

Classroom programs also tend to have fixed end dates, which creates a natural deadline. You cannot procrastinate indefinitely when the final exam is on March 15 regardless of whether you are ready.

2. Networking and Community

In a classroom, you meet people who are on the same path as you. Many of these relationships last for years. You may find a study partner, a future co-agent, or even a connection to a brokerage. Several major brokerages run their own in-person pre-licensing schools partly for this reason -- it is a pipeline for recruiting new agents into their office.

3. Live Instructors with Industry Experience

The best classroom instructors are not just educators -- they are working or recently retired real estate professionals who bring decades of real-world experience to the material. They tell stories about deals that went sideways, explain how contract clauses play out in practice, and answer questions you did not even know you had.

This context is genuinely valuable. The licensing exam tests textbook knowledge, but a career in real estate requires practical understanding. Good instructors bridge that gap.

4. Higher Completion Rates

Research across multiple education sectors consistently shows that in-person programs have higher completion rates than online alternatives. While exact figures for real estate pre-licensing are hard to come by, the pattern holds. If finishing is your biggest concern, classroom gives you better odds.

In-Person Real Estate School: The Case Against

1. Higher Cost

Classroom programs carry the overhead of physical space, in-person instructors, and smaller class sizes -- all of which get passed on to you. The price premium varies by state, but expect to pay 1.5 to 3 times more than an equivalent online course.

2. Fixed Schedule

Classes happen when they happen. If you work nine-to-five and the only available section is weekday afternoons, you are out of luck. If a class fills up, you may wait weeks for the next session. This rigidity is the biggest practical barrier for most working professionals.

3. Geographic Limitations

Not every city has a real estate school, especially in rural areas. If you live outside a major metro, the nearest classroom program might be a 45-minute drive each way. Over a multi-week course, that commute adds up to significant time and expense.

4. Pace is Locked

In a classroom, the instructor moves at a set pace. If you grasp contract law in 20 minutes, you still sit through the full two-hour lecture. If you need more time on real estate math, the class moves on. You cannot rewind a live lecture.

Side-by-Side Comparison

State-Specific Considerations

While the core decision is about your learning style and schedule, some states have rules that may tilt the balance. Here is what to know in a few popular states:

Virginia (60 hours): Approves classroom, correspondence, and online/distance learning. Online courses start around $130, making Virginia one of the more affordable states for online pre-licensing education. The state board publishes a full list of approved schools and courses on their website.

Colorado (168 hours): With one of the highest hour requirements in the country, Colorado students spend significantly more time in coursework. Online programs are popular here because the time commitment for classroom attendance at 168 hours is substantial. Self-paced online lets you spread the load across several months without missing work.

New Jersey (75 hours): New Jersey approves both online and classroom formats. The state has a dense population of approved schools in the Newark-Jersey City-New York metro area, giving classroom students strong options. But for agents in southern New Jersey or more rural areas, online may be the more practical path.

Tennessee (90 hours): Tennessee requires 90 hours of pre-licensing education with both formats approved. Several prominent national online schools offer Tennessee-approved courses, and the Nashville metro area has multiple classroom options.

Indiana: Indiana accepts online education from approved providers. With Pearson VUE administering the state exam (rather than PSI, which most states use), Indiana students should be aware that the scheduling and testing process is slightly different, but this does not affect the education format choice.

Maryland: Maryland approves both online and classroom pre-licensing education. The state is part of the busy DC-Maryland-Virginia metro area, where classroom options are plentiful but expensive. Online courses tend to be especially popular in Maryland given the competitive commuting landscape.

Michigan: Michigan approves multiple online and classroom providers. The state has a growing online education market, and several well-reviewed national providers offer Michigan-specific courses.

Minnesota: Minnesota accepts both formats and has a strong online education ecosystem. For students in the Twin Cities metro, classroom options are accessible, but the long Minnesota winters make online an appealing year-round option.

How to Make Your Decision

Here is a simple framework. Answer these four questions honestly:

Are you currently working full-time or have caregiving responsibilities? If yes, online is probably the only realistic option. Do not set yourself up for failure by committing to a fixed-schedule classroom program you cannot consistently attend.

Have you successfully completed self-paced online learning before? If yes, you know the format works for you. If no (or if you have started online courses and not finished them), be honest about that. A classroom may be the better investment.

Is budget a primary concern? If you are bootstrapping your way into real estate and every hundred dollars matters, online saves you money on tuition, commuting, and time. The savings can be substantial -- enough to cover your exam fee or application costs.

Do you already have a network in real estate, or are you starting from zero? If you are entering the industry with no connections, the networking opportunity of a classroom program has real, measurable career value. Your first deal may come from someone you met in class. If you already know agents, brokers, or have a brokerage lined up, this advantage is less relevant.

The Hybrid Approach

There is a third option that many successful agents use: complete your pre-licensing education online, then supplement it with in-person experiences. This gives you the best of both worlds.

Complete the coursework online at your own pace and on your own budget. Then attend local real estate association events, open houses, and industry meetups to build your network. Many local Realtor associations host free or low-cost events specifically for aspiring agents. Some brokerages hold informational sessions or “career nights” that give you face-to-face interaction with working professionals.

This hybrid approach lets you control your time and budget while still building the relationships that matter. It requires more initiative than simply showing up to class, but many agents find it more valuable because the networking is targeted and intentional rather than incidental.

What to Look for in an Online Real Estate School

If you go the online route, not all schools are created equal. Here is what to evaluate:

State approval. This is non-negotiable. The school must be approved by your state's real estate commission or board. Verify this directly on the state board's website -- do not rely on the school's own claims.

Pass rate or exam prep quality. Look for schools that include practice exams, exam prep modules, or exam guarantees. Some schools offer a money-back guarantee if you do not pass on the first attempt.

Student reviews. Look for reviews from students in your specific state, not general platform reviews. A school may be great for Virginia students but mediocre for Colorado.

Instructor access. Can you reach a live instructor if you are stuck? Some schools offer live chat, phone support, or scheduled office hours. Others give you nothing but a help desk email.

Mobile access. If you plan to study during commutes, lunch breaks, or while waiting in line, make sure the platform has a functional mobile app or mobile-responsive website.

Course expiration. Some online courses expire after 6-12 months. If you are not sure you can finish quickly, check the access window before purchasing.

The Bottom Line

There is no universally “better” option. The right choice is the one that gets you through the material, prepared for the exam, and into the industry without unnecessary stress, debt, or delay.

If you are self-disciplined, budget-conscious, and already juggling a full schedule, online is likely your best path. If you thrive in structured environments, value face-to-face learning, and want to build a network from day one, in-person is worth the premium.

Either way, the most important thing is to start. The real estate market does not wait, and the sooner you complete your education and pass your exam, the sooner you can begin building your career.

Sources

• Individual state real estate commission and board websites (primary sources for approved education provider lists and delivery method policies).
• Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation -- Real Estate Board Pre-License Education (dpor.virginia.gov).
• Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (arello.org) -- national standards for real estate education providers.
• National Association of Realtors -- 2024 Member Profile, data on education format preferences among new licensees.
• U.S. Department of Education -- research on completion rates in online vs. in-person post-secondary education.