Whether you’re just entering into real estate, renewing, or leveling up your license, our top picks for the best online real estate courses in NC have various course options, classroom types, and career resources. Get ready to break through the barriers of becoming a licensed real estate agent because we’ve compiled a list of the best real estate schools in North Carolina. So sit back, relax, and grab your composition notebook to take notes on which features suit you best.
The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in North Carolina
| Our Top Picks | Starting Price | Promo Code | Read More Below |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan: Best for interactive learning | $449 | KAPRE5 | Kaplan ↓ |
| The CE Shop: Best for career resources | $675 | Theclose35 | The CE Shop ↓ |
| Superior School of Real Estate: Best for class options | $529 | Superior School of Real Estate ↓ | |
| Aceable Agent: Best for mobile | $479 | Save 25% | Aceable Agent ↓ |
| Trav Talks Real Estate: Best for local instructors | $465 | Trav Talks Real Estate ↓ | |
| Carolina School of Real Estate: Best for instructor support | $460 | Carolina School of Real Estate ↓ |
Need to learn more about North Carolina education requirements before choosing a school? Check out our article How to Become a Real Estate Agent in North Carolina in 5 Easy Steps or jump to our section below with Helpful North Carolina Licensing Info to get all the info you need.
Best for Interactive Learning: Kaplan
Education Available
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Exam prep
My Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan shines in its interactive learning environment. It consistently provides direct access to instructors and other students through live webinars, such as interactive study groups, career mentorship, and community forms.
Years ago, I took my prelicensing class through Kaplan and really enjoyed the format. The information was easy to digest, and the quizzes along the way helped me feel prepared for the test. Kaplan takes education seriously and even provides textbooks, like “Modern Real Estate Practice,” recommended by the same people who designed the licensing exam.
💡Room for improvement: With all that Kaplan offers, adding a pass guarantee would strengthen its already strong education model and add more value to its prelicensing and exam prep packages. Additionally, if it adds a broker-in-charge course, the company may see an increase in enrollments and keep students coming back.
Kaplan Cost
Kaplan offers various tiers of course packages with self-paced and live online options. All packages include an interactive study group and exam proctoring. However, students can enjoy add-on benefits such as live coaching and real estate math courses in some of the more expensive packages.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $449-$849 |
|
| Post-licensing | $165-$629 |
|
| Continuing Education | $69-$133 |
|
| Exam Prep | $99-$199 |
|
Need to see more before deciding if this is the best online real estate school in NC for you? Check out this informational video from Kaplan below:
Best for Career Resources: The CE Shop
Education Available
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
- Exam prep
My Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
While The CE Shop offers an interesting array of continuing education (CE) courses that will pique your interest each renewal period, don’t let the name fool you. This NC real estate license online school is not just limited to continuing education classes. It provides everything from obtaining your license to upgrading and renewal, ensuring your bases are covered.
The self-paced, online learning style makes this school appealing to those who need a more flexible schedule. The cherry on top? The site offers a ton of additional resources to help agents succeed and grow their businesses. It also has a referral program where you can earn $25 for each person you refer, and they get 35% off on The CE Shop courses. Today, $25 might not seem like a lot, but adding it to your real estate agent referral fees can add up fast. This best online real estate school in NC is an excellent choice for students who want to immerse themselves in the industry.
💡Room for improvement: No live, interactive class or networking options make it hard for students who may need more direct engagement to learn. Adding in study groups or virtual “office hours” with instructors could improve student confidence in choosing The CE Shop as their school of choice.
The CE Shop Cost
The CE Shop is the most expensive of the bunch; however, it’s easy to see why they are one of the best real estate schools in NC. Their courses and website are chock-full of bonus resources. Students can choose from multiple course package options based on their learning needs and budget.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $675-$1295 |
|
| Post-licensing | $249-$685 |
|
| Continuing Education | $59-$79 |
|
| Exam Prep | $59-$101 |
|
Need to see more before making a decision, check out this video to see what The CE Shop offers:
Best for Class Options: Superior School of Real Estate
Education Available
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
- Exam prep
My Expert Opinion on Superior School of Real Estate
Students have their pick of the litter with the diverse course options and hours offered by Superior School of Real Estate. Self-paced and virtual livestream are available, but for students who prefer an in-person classroom experience, multiple locations in NC are available. Class times that include half days, full days, nights, and weekends make this school an accessible choice for many.
The Career Nights and Crammer courses are standout offerings compared to other schools. The Crammer course is recommended for current or past students and a great option for out-of-state licensees looking for reciprocity. It’s evident that the school wants students to feel supported and confident in their decision to pursue a career in the industry.
💡Room for improvement: Although Superior School of Real Estate offers resources to help students get up and running in real estate, the website does not offer many career resources to keep students coming back for more. Providing additional content and resources as students’ careers grow might benefit the school/student relationship.
Superior School of Real Estate Cost
Superior School of Real Estate offers a range of package options for its courses, including free online proctored exams, regular instructor support, progress quizzes, and career fairs. It also provides a continuing education membership option with unlimited access for a 12-month auto-renew subscription.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $529-$949 |
|
| Post-licensing | $269 |
|
| Continuing Education | $69-$199 |
|
| Exam Prep | $109-$199 |
|
Best for Mobile: Aceable Agent
Education Available
- Prelicensing
- Post-licensing
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
- Exam prep
My Expert Opinion on Aceable Agent
The real estate industry is constantly changing, so Aceable Agent really sets itself apart as the best online real estate school in NC for real estate education designed for mobile. It was one of the first schools to offer this feature. While this may appeal to the more tech-savvy student, its website is straightforward to navigate for just about anyone.
With the “Ace or Don’t Pay” guarantee, you pass your test or get your money back. Although this may seem like a bold claim, I would feel compelled to give it a try if I saw a school offering this when I was deciding where to take my prelicensing course.
💡Room for improvement: Offering post-licensing and continuing education courses in more states will reach a larger audience and increase enrollments. It will also benefit past students, who can return for their real estate education needs. Currently, Aceable Agent only offers these courses in three states.
Aceable Agent Cost
When getting your real estate license in NC, Aceable Agent is among the more affordable options, offering abundant prelicensing resources. With an Ace or Don’t Pay guarantee, you will receive a refund if you don’t pass the real estate exam after three attempts.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $479-$779 |
|
| Exam Prep | $59-$99 |
|
Best for Local Instructors: Trav Talks Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Trav Talks Real Estate
Trav Talks Real Estate offers a cost-effective option when looking for NC real estate schools. Although the courses are only offered online, the owner and instructors are local to North Carolina.
In addition to the standard coursework offered, the school’s YouTube channel offers an abundance of free videos. The videos are highly viewed and appreciated by people taking real estate courses. Overall, this school puts a fun twist on learning the material and is passionate about helping students succeed.
💡Room for improvement: There are numerous North Carolina real estate classes online; however, since Trav Talks Real Estate is a local school, it would be nice if it offered some in-person class options. This could open up a whole new group of students who prefer in-person learning.
Trav Talks Real Estate Cost
Trav Talks Real Estate offers transparent pricing with no additional fees for books or exam prep. All its courses, except exam prep, are taught with a live instructor online via Zoom.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $465 |
|
| Post-licensing | $229 |
|
| Continuing Education | $55 |
|
| Exam Prep | $99 |
|
Best for Instructor Support: Carolina School of Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Carolina School of Real Estate
Get the basics with Carolina School of Real Estate. This school makes getting students through their main coursework its mission by offering prelicensing, post-licensing, and continuing education. It’s a great option for those interested in an in-person classroom setting, as it has a variety of course dates and locations available.
While you may not get the frills of career resources or coaching, this is a solid choice for having a more traditional classroom setting with an instructor working with you face-to-face. However, Carolina School of Real Estate partners with The CE Shop and Superior School of Real Estate for those who prefer self-paced online learning.
💡Room for improvement: The Carolina School of Real Estate website is dated, and the navigation makes it easy to miss courses and resources that it offers. I had to get lost on the site to find that it provides an exam prep course, among other features. Updating the information and design of the site could help draw in more students, as it offers a nice range of course dates and locations at a reasonable price.
Carolina School of Real Estate Cost
Compared to similarly priced schools, Carolina School of Real Estate offers more in-person options than most but lacks some bonus resources or add-on features. However, its CE and exam prep are among the more budget-friendly options across the board. Prices vary when taking its online courses via The CE Shop or Superior School of Real Estate.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $460-$529 |
|
| Post-licensing | $225 |
|
| Continuing Education | $55 per class or 2 for $100 |
|
| Exam Prep | $59-$75 |
|
How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools in NC
Regarding our methodology at The Close, our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors created a weighted rubric that evaluates each school. Our experts have done hours of research to analyze dozens of real estate schools to determine the best for our readers. The features we explored are essential for students to become successful agents and brokers in the real estate industry.
Our detailed criteria included:
- Course Features 25%
- This comprises items that assist agents and brokers in completing their education, like pass and refund guarantees, career and instructor support, coaching, training, interactive study groups, and course extensions.
- Value 20%
- Pricing and availability of coursework is an important factor to assess. This accounts for real estate school offerings in prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
- Learning Format & Accessibility 20%
- Real estate professionals must consider the best format for their learning, which includes self-paced, on-demand video, livestream, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines the convenience for users.
- Expert Score 15%
- The Close closely reviews each course for standout features, details, ease of use, and the value for money spent from a real estate expert’s perspective.
- Help & Support 10%
- If students need additional support, knowing the customer service options through phone, email, live chat, and ticket system is necessary.
- Reputation 10%
- This examines the reputation of each real estate school through the lens of current and past students, reviewing the customer reviews and popularity of each provider.
Helpful North Carolina Licensing Info
North Carolina Real Estate Governing Board:
North Carolina Real Estate Connection
Prelicensing Requirements:
75 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
90 Hours Within the First 18 Months
Continuing Education Requirements:
8 Hours Every 12 Months
- Prelicensing: How to Become a Real Estate Agent in North Carolina in 5 Easy Steps
- Continuing education: The 5 Best Real Estate Continuing Education Providers
- Exam prep: How to Study for the Real Estate Exam: Tips & Strategies and Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace It
FAQs
How much do real estate agents make in North Carolina?
It all depends on the number of deals and the commission splits. Still, according to The Close’s real estate agent salary information, the average real estate agent in North Carolina makes $94,772.25 each year.
How difficult is the North Carolina real estate exam?
The North Carolina real estate exam is known to be among the most difficult, although not impossible. According to the NC Real Estate Commission, students must correctly answer 57 of the 80 national and 29 of the 40 state questions to pass. You must pass both sections within the same 180-day period. If you pass one section and not the other, you only need to take the portion you did not pass.
How many Realtors are there in North Carolina?
According to the National Association of Realtors data, there are 54,108 Realtors in North Carolina. This is a very slight decrease from the previous month and a 1.5% decrease from this time last year.
What’s the average home price in North Carolina?
According to Zillow, home values in North Carolina rose almost 4.6% over the past year, reaching $329,225. Prices in big metro areas, like Raleigh, are higher, averaging $534,527.
Bringing It All Together
Now that we’ve broken down some of the best real estate schools in North Carolina, I hope this information has given you some guidance on what might work for you when pursuing your career in real estate, whether you want to become an agent or make money as a managing real estate broker. It’s my mission to help you find the best resources to build a successful business, make top dollar, and be the rock star real estate agent you want to be. So, what school features do you like best? Did any questions pop up? Leave us a comment below!
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