Becoming a real estate agent in the Golden State means tackling 135 hours of coursework — but the right school can make it a breeze. The best online programs balance flexible schedules, affordable pricing, and engaging lessons. To help you hit the ground running, here are our top picks for the best online real estate schools in California.
- US Realty Training: Best for live instruction
- The CE Shop: Best for continuing education
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for exam prep
- Kaplan: Best for career advice
- AceableAgent: Best for mobile
- OnlineEd: Best on a budget
- Allied Schools: Best for customer support
The Close’s Top Picks of Best Online Real Estate Schools in California
| Our Top Picks | Read More Below | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | US Realty Training ↓ | ||
 | The CE Shop ↓ | ||
 | Colibri Real Estate ↓ | ||
 | Kaplan ↓ | ||
 | Aceable Agent ↓ | ||
 | OnlineEd ↓ | ||
 | Allied Schools ↓ | ||
Need to learn more about California education requirements before choosing a school? Check our guide on how to become a real estate agent in California in 7 easy steps, or jump to our helpful California licensing info section.
Best for live instruction: US Realty Training
My Expert Opinion on US Realty Training
Besides being a local company with access to local brokerages in the state, US Realty Training specializes in both live instruction and online classes, making it one of the best online real estate classes in California. The school offers California real estate courses with many schedules on its campuses across the state. US Realty Training’s live, in-person classes deliver hands-on practice, real-time feedback, and valuable networking opportunities.
If you need more convincing on US Realty Training, I encourage you to register and use the three-day free trial to check out its magnificent online student dashboard and discover why it has the best real estate online courses. It’s definitely worth it!
💡Room for improvement: I’d like US Realty Training to improve by adding more interactive features for students. Study groups among students and one-on-one coaching sessions will lead to a more engaging experience.
US Realty Training Cost
Whether you end up with an online-only course or an in-person one, US Realty Training doesn’t skimp on extra features. Each course package comes with excellent online trainer support and job assistance.
| Type of Education | Standout Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Continuing Education |
|
|
| Broker Prelicensing |
|
|
| Exam Prep |
|
Best for Continuing Education: The CE Shop
My Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
If you’re looking for a California real estate school with many continuing education options after you get licensed, this is the one. In California, agents must complete 45 hours of CE every four years to renew their license.
The CE Shop prides itself on interesting CE courses that will keep you returning every renewal period. Whether you’re renewing your license for the first or tenth time, The CE Shop’s courses are always relevant to the ever-changing real estate landscape.
💡Room for improvement: In all the times I’ve reviewed The CE Shop, I’ve never seen it include networking opportunities for students and agents. I’d like The CE Shop to offer more interactive package features, such as live webinars and Q&A sessions.
The CE Shop Cost
Whichever package you choose from The CE Shop’s best real estate classes online, expect lots of bonus resources — even from its most basic ones.
| Type of Education | Standout Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Post-licensing and Continuing Education |
|
|
| Broker Prelicensing |
|
|
| Exam Prep |
|
Save 35% when you use our code “TheClose35”
Best for Exam Prep: Colibri Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate’s exam prep materials are worthy of special mention. The exam prep packages may be pricey, but everything included will help you pass the real estate exam. With Colibri’s test prep materials, you’ll get audio review guides to help you retain information easily, simulated exams to master common exam topics, and a readiness assessment to see how prepared you are for the exam. Check out our Colibri review for more information.
💡Room for improvement: I’d like Colibri to offer students direct access to local brokerages and an online community of nearby agents for real‑world networking and mentorship.
Colibri Real Estate Cost
Almost all of Colibri Real Estate’s packages come with a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee, which means you may be eligible for a full refund if you don’t pass the real estate exam on your first try.
| Type of Education | Standout Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Post-licensing |
|
|
| Broker Prelicensing |
|
|
| Exam Prep |
|
Use our code “TheClose40” to get 40% off!
Best for Career Advice: Kaplan
My Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan meets the demands of auditory and visual learners through its flexible learning options. I recommend its Career Launcher, which gives you access to mentorship sessions and live online coaching.
This sets Kaplan apart because, while most schools focus solely on helping you pass the exam, Kaplan goes a step further by teaching real-world skills you’ll actually use in your career. Read our in-depth review of Kaplan for more information.
💡Room for improvement: Kaplan should start offering a pass guarantee. This guarantee will increase the number of its students and add more value to its prelicensing and exam prep packages. If the other schools on our list have a pass guarantee, Kaplan should level up, too.
Kaplan Cost
All packages include weekly live mentorship sessions online and access to an interactive study group. The more expensive options include printed textbooks, live online coaching, and separate courses that cover test prep and sales techniques.
| Type of Education | Standout Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Post-licensing |
|
|
| Continuing Education |
|
|
| Broker Prelicensing |
|
|
| Exam Prep |
|
Use our code “KAPRE5” to save 5%
Best for Mobile: AceableAgent
My expert opinion on AceableAgent
AceableAgent has the best real estate classes in California for mobile learning. As the only school on this list with a mobile app, AceableAgent will give you the bang for your buck. Its basic package includes all the essentials, plus user-friendly learning tools. So, if you’re a go-getter who likes accomplishing tasks simultaneously, you’ll like AceableAgent’s mobile app. Read lessons, answer questions, and even listen to the narration on your app on the go!
💡Room for improvement: It would be great if AceableAgent could expand its services to more states and offer continuing education and post-licensing courses. Read more about AceableAgent in our review.
Aceable Agent Cost
AceableAgent’s prelicensing course packages include a pass guarantee and many practice questions to help you ace the real estate exam.
| Type of Education | Standout Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Exam Prep |
|
Best for Students on a Budget: OnlineEd
My Expert Opinion on OnlineEd
If you’re looking for good online real estate schools that won’t break the bank, OnlineEd is definitely one of them. Since it’s the most affordable option on my list, OnlineEd doesn’t include many bonus materials in its packages. You’ll get text-heavy courses, which are beneficial if you learn best by reading. In addition, you’ll have 24/7 access to all materials, allowing you to study on your mobile or desktop anytime.
💡Room for improvement: While I know that all of OnlineEd’s courses are designed for the budget-conscious, it wouldn’t hurt to include extra features such as prerecorded real estate videos for visual learners.
OnlineEd Cost
All of OnlineEd’s offerings come with a printable certificate, which you’ll get after finishing the course.
| Type of Education | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Continuing Education |
|
|
| Broker Prelicensing |
|
Best for Customer Support: Allied Schools
My Expert Opinion on Allied Schools
Allied Schools, now partnered with Colibri Real Estate, offers the best online real estate courses in California, backed by exceptional customer support.
Since Allied shares resources with Colibri, students get access to many of the same high-quality materials, like interactive lessons and practice exams. Allied’s team can always answer questions by phone, email, or live chat during business hours. Allied is a top choice if you seek dependable customer service.
💡Room for Improvement: Allied Schools’ prelicensing package starts at $199, making it the most expensive basic package on our list — but it doesn’t even include exam prep materials. At that price, Allied Schools should at least include tools like flashcards or a study schedule to help students prepare for the licensing exam.
Allied Schools Cost
Allied Schools offers top-notch student support regardless of the type of real estate classes you’re enrolling in.
| Type of Education | Features | |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing |
|
|
| Continuing Education |
|
|
| Broker Prelicensing |
|
|
| Exam Prep |
|
Save 30% when you use our code “TheClose30”
How we selected the best online real estate schools in California
Regarding our methodology at The Close, our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors created a weighted rubric that evaluates the best online real estate courses California.
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 the following:
- 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 are essential factors 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, live streaming, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines user convenience.
- 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, they must be aware of the customer service options available through phone, email, live chat, and the ticket system.
- Reputation (10%)
- This examines the reputation of each real estate school through the lens of current and past students, reviewing each provider’s customer reviews and popularity.
Helpful California Licensing Info
California real estate governing body:
California Department of Real Estate
Prelicensing requirements:
135 hours
Post-licensing requirements:
45 hours within four years of becoming licensed
Continuing education requirements:
45 hours every four years from the date of initial licensure
- Prelicensing: How to Become a Real Estate Agent in California in 7 Easy Steps
- Upgrading your license: How to Get a California Real Estate Broker License
- 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 California?
There’s no ceiling on how much you can earn, but according to ZipRecruiter1, real estate agents in California make an average of $89,943 per year.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in California online?
Getting your real estate license in California generally takes four to six months. The part of the process that takes the longest is completing your prelicensing education and the processing time for your license. The California Department of Real Estate processes licenses in about 5 to 6 weeks once you’ve met all requirements.
What’s the average home price in California?
According to Zillow2, home values in California are up 3% over the past year, reaching $784,840. Home values in Los Angeles and San Francisco are also up at $973,393 and $1.2 million, respectively.
Your take
I hope I’ve helped you choose from this list of top-rated online real estate schools in California. At The Close, we’re committed to helping you thrive and succeed in our industry. Still have unanswered questions? Leave us a comment below!
Sources
2 Zillow
