5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Texas 2021

The Texas real estate industry is currently experiencing tremendous growth, and Texas has recently been ranked as a top state where real estate agents can earn the most money. If you’re interested in starting a career, you need to find the best real estate courses and schools to learn the ropes and get your Texas real estate license online.

We’re here to help you find the best online real estate courses in Texas to kick-start your new career or fulfill your license renewal requirements. Read on to find the right school for you.

5 Top Online Real Estate Courses & Schools in Texas for 2021

What You Need to Know Before Enrolling in a Real Estate School

According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, you have to complete 180 classroom hours of real estate courses before you can sit for the licensing exam. This is the breakdown of the courses:

• Principles of Real Estate I (30 classroom hours)

• Principles of Real Estate II (30 classroom hours)

• Law of Agency (30 classroom hours)

• Law of Contracts (30 classroom hours)

• Promulgated Contract Forms (30 classroom hours)

• Real Estate Finance (30 classroom hours)

After becoming licensed, you have two years to complete the next phase in your education. You need to complete 90 additional hours of Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) coursework plus eight hours of the Texas Real Estate Commission Legal Updates. Continuing education (CE) courses do not count for this first-time renewal.

After completing your first licensing requirements and then the SAE coursework, you need to complete 18 hours of continuing education courses every two years to maintain your license. Eight hours of the courses must cover the Texas Real Estate Commission Legal Updates, and the other 10 hours may be electives.

Now that you know the basic requirements, let’s take a closer look at each real estate school:

Best Overall Online Texas Real Estate School: Real Estate Express

There are many reasons that we chose Real Estate Express as the best online real estate school for those wanting to become a real estate agent in Texas.

First off, Real Estate Express is very user-friendly. You can take electronic notes on the material and attach them to the appropriate chapter. This makes studying for your prelicensing exam a breeze. All you have to do is go back and look at your notes.

The instructors for Real Estate Express’ classes seem to care about your education. If you don’t understand a concept, you can send a quick message to an instructor asking for clarification. You can see why they stand behind their content. Most of their packages come with a “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee.”

Real Estate Express also offers a unique 90-Day Boot Camp with some of their packages. This helpful set of videos advises how to make an income during your first three months as an agent. For a limited time, Real Estate Express is offering 25% off pre-licensing education and exam prep products for Texas. Just use promo code “Theclose25” at checkout. Click here to get started.

Real Estate Express Pricing

Real Estate Express offers four prelicensing coursework bundles, starting at $507.

Real Estate Express Prelicensing Packages

Real Estate Express: Our Favorite Features

One of our favorite features is that Real Estate Express allows you to reach out to industry experts any time you have a question. In fact, you can do it right from your class dashboard. This feature is available with even the least expensive package.

We also like that by purchasing the top-tier package, agents will not only be able to have access to the 90 additional hours of Sales Apprentice Education coursework, but you will also have access to continuing education courses for one year after you re-certify the first time. You won’t have to spend another dime on real estate education for the next four years.

Where Real Estate Express Could Improve

We are so impressed with Real Estate Express that it is difficult to find too much wrong with the program. We saw some online reviewers were frustrated that a printed course textbook only came with the highest-priced package, but aren’t we all used to reading on screens? If a printed book is crucial to you, you may want to look at Mbition.

Try Real Estate Express

Don’t take our word for it. Read the reviews for Real Estate Express. The packages are affordable, and you have easy access to helpful instructors, even from the privacy of your own home.

Visit Real Estate Express

Best Texas Real Estate School for Basic Instruction: Aceable Agent

Sometimes too many options is a bad thing. If you’re struggling to pick out an online real estate school because there are too many companies with too many package options, you may want to look at Aceable Agent. The only decision you have to make regarding their program is whether or not you wish to become a real estate agent in Texas or not. If you decide to become an agent, you click on “Get My License” and begin.

Our friends at Aceable Agent are offering a limited-time special offer to The Close readers. Use coupon code “Theclose” at checkout to receive 25% off their Texas real estate courses. 

Aceable Agent Pricing

The All-Inclusive 180-Hour Pre-License Bundle costs $422. It includes an exam prep guide, access to a mobile app, instructor support via email, and an Ace the Test guarantee. If you don’t pass the Texas state licensing exam in three tries, you get your money back. Aceable often runs regular discounts on this package, so be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date pricing.

Aceable students also have the option to fill out the Broker Agent Match Survey. Aceable will then share student information with their network of real estate offices throughout Texas to help students find a broker to work for and hit the ground running.

Aceable Agent: Our Favorite Feature

Our favorite Aceable Agent feature is that it is a no-frills prelicensing option for busy individuals. The app allows you to complete coursework from anywhere. The online reviews of Aceable Agent praise the comedic interludes within the instruction, even though some users thought the attempts at humor to be corny at best.

Where Aceable Agent Could Improve

Aceable Agent stands out as being a no-frills option. While we appreciate that, it would be nice if they at least offered Sales Apprentice Education options for those who are working on their first re-certification.

Real Estate Express and all the other online real estate schools listed in this article offer those required courses.

Try Aceable Agent

Aceable Agent’s clear, attractive website is easy to use. Even though it offers few bells and whistles, sometimes the essential information is all you need.

Visit Aceable Agent

Best Texas Real Estate School for Live Instruction: Kaplan

Kaplan certainly has the benefit of having a recognizable name. You or your children may have used Kaplan’s programs for college-entrance test prep, and the company has undoubtedly made a name for itself in the testing industry. Of course, a well-known name only gets you so far in 2021. Competition for online real estate schools in Texas is fierce.

But Kaplan maintains its position in the industry by offering a wide variety of instruction options, including on-site classes. You can choose among home study, on-demand, live online, or live class options.

Besides offering prelicensing programs, they also offer Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) and continuing education (CE) bundles as well.

Kaplan Real Estate Pricing

Kaplan offers four prelicensing coursework bundles, starting at $389.

Kaplan Real Estate Prelicensing Packages

Kaplan Real Estate Education: Our Favorite Feature

Kaplan offers courses for every learning style. They know that everyone learns differently. That’s why their four different learning options are our favorite feature. Whether you learn best with a real-life instructor standing in front of you or by listening to the material as you navigate through Texas traffic, Kaplan has the right option for you.

Kaplan also recognizes that there is more to being a real estate agent than passing a test. Because of this, you can upgrade your package to receive the Career Launcher Live option. This 16-hour course will teach you real-world skills you would use in your day-to-day life as an agent. In addition, you’ll receive four weeks of professional coaching to assist you with a successful career launch.

Where Kaplan Real Estate Could Improve

One major disadvantage of Kaplan’s live courses is that they are only in Dallas and Houston. Since it takes 13 hours to drive across the state of Texas, this option is only feasible for those living in only those two cities. And Texas traffic makes it impossible to get to some sections of Dallas within a reasonable time frame.

If you’re looking for live classes in areas other than Dallas or Houston, try Champions School of Real Estate.

Try Kaplan Real Estate

If you’re looking for a well-respected name with a variety of packages, check out Kaplan. The reviews are good, and customers say the instructors offer valuable information to help you pass the Texas real estate exam.

Visit Kaplan

Best Texas Real Estate School for Additional Help With Math Prep: Mbition

Mbition is another national online real estate school that offers online real estate courses for Texans. Although they may not be a household name like Kaplan, they’ve been around for 50 years.

Two options make Mbition stand out from their competitors. First, Mbition allows anyone to purchase Texas-specific textbooks to help you study for the classes and licensing exams. There aren’t very many schools that offer printed materials for their students, so if this is important to you, take a close look at their packages.

Second, Mbition also offers a feature called MathMaster. For those who want a little more math support, Mbition provides specific instructions on how to complete computations you need to know in your career as a real estate agent.

Mbition Pricing

Mbition offers four prelicensing coursework bundles, starting at $489.

Mbition Prelicensing Packages

Mbition: Our Favorite Feature

We love the MathMaster feature that Mbition provides. This is a unique offering, and we like that it comes in even the most basic package. We also like that Mbition allows anyone to purchase printed materials that are specific to Texas real estate. Sometimes it’s nice to have a book instead of reading all the content online.

Where Mbition Could Improve

Mbition’s most basic package is a bit pricier than some of the other options on our list. The $489 bundle comes with only the course material and math assistance. If you want help to prepare for the exam, you’re going to have to pay extra for test prep materials.

For about the same amount of money, you would receive the course materials plus test prep help from Aceable Agent.

Try Mbition

Mbition has a modern, attractive website that is easy to use. The ability to purchase printed textbooks is a nice perk as well. Check Mbition out to see if they’re right for you.

Visit Mbition

Best for Having the Most Versatile Program: Champions School of Real Estate

Champions School of Real Estate is similar to Kaplan. They offer a wide variety of programs for people of all learning styles. Not only are you able to study the material from your mobile device or laptop with the self-paced online option, but you can also attend live courses from home as well.

Similar to Kaplan, Champions also offers live, traditional classes. Thankfully, these courses are offered in more locations than the two cities Kaplan serves. Although there is a lot of versatility built into Champions’ program, it’s a rather pricey option.

Champions School of Real Estate Pricing

Champions’ pricing structure is rather difficult to maneuver through online. Here’s an overview of their main offerings:

The 6-Course Program Plus Prep includes 180 hours of prelicensing courses. You can complete this coursework in almost any way you wish except for a live class option. You can even complete the material through the mail. This least expensive option is $1,110.

The 11-Course Career Success Licensing Program allows you to mix up how you would like the material presented. You can even attend a live class. This package also comes with the 90 hours of coursework you need to complete the first time you re-license. You will also receive a coaching package called “30 Days to Success in Real Estate” and access to a Business Etiquette program. This course is $1,964.

Champions School of Real Estate: Our Favorite Feature

Our favorite feature is that you don’t have to decide on how you would like to receive the materials when you first start the program. Maybe you think you would learn the best in a traditional classroom setting, but you have a hard time getting off work in time to attend the classes. When you purchase a Champions Advantage program, you can also watch the live streaming class or read the material through your laptop. This flexibility comes at a high cost.

If you know you prefer to learn from online courses that allow you to go at your own speed, you can save money and purchase that program from the start.

We also like that the on-site courses are held all over the state. Whether you live in San Antonio or Dallas, you can have access to on-site instruction.

Where Champions School of Real Estate Could Improve

Versatility comes at a cost. The Champions programs are quite a bit more expensive than even Kaplan. And that’s saying something. We found that Real Estate Express offers the most bang for your buck if you’re looking for value.

Try Champions School of Real Estate

Champions School of Real Estate’s website has a ton of information to digest. Read about the various package options and discover when the nearest on-site class starts.

Visit Champions School of Real Estate

Getting a Texas Real Estate License Online: FAQs

Got questions? The Close has answers. Here are some of the internet’s most frequently asked questions about real estate schools in Texas.

How long does it take to get a Texas real estate license online?

The prelicensing requirements in the state of Texas involve 180 class hours spread across six different courses. If you maxed out the number of hours the Texas Real Estate Commission allows you to spend in class each day, you could be finished with your prelicense training in as little as 15 days. Add in a couple of days to study for your exam and actually sitting for your test, and you could feasibly be licensed in as little as three weeks.

For most soon-to-be real estate professionals in Texas, the process takes around eight weeks. For more information, check out our ultimate guide to getting licensed in the state of Texas.

Is the Texas real estate exam hard?

The Texas real estate exam is a challenging test. According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, a little over 57% of test takers pass the exam on the first try. But, the test is definitely not impossible. If you buckle down, study hard, and implement solid test-taking strategies like answering the questions you know first, never leaving a question blank, and eliminating wrong answers on questions you need to make an educated guess on, you can definitely pass this exam

How much do Texas real estate agents make?

According to Indeed, the typical Texas real estate agent makes a little over $80,000 a year. Remember, this is based solely on commissions; you’ll have no salary or hourly wage. If you don’t close any transactions, you don’t get paid.

Do Texas real estate courses expire?

Yes. Once you’ve completed your prelicensing courses, you’ve got up to one year to take the Texas real estate exam. If you do not pass the exam within one year of your course completion date, you’ll be required to retake your prelicensing classes.

Final Thoughts

Need more information on the best real estate schools? Or maybe you’re still on the fence about making the leap? Check out our guide on becoming a part-time real estate agent to see if starting slow is the right move.