If you’ve been wondering how to become a real estate agent in Illinois (IL) but feel stuck trying to decide where to take your coursework, don’t worry, we’ve done all the heavy lifting for you. I compiled various course options, classroom types, and career resources so you don’t have to. Take a look at the top picks for Illinois real estate schools and get ready to kick-start your new career!
- Kaplan: Best for interactive learning
- The CE Shop: Best for career resources
- Real Estate Institute: Best for mobile learning
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for course offerings
- Inland School of Real Estate: Best for live instruction
Want to learn more about the Illinois licensing process before jumping into school details? Click here to jump to the “How to Get a Real Estate License in Illinois” section below.
The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in Illinois
| Kaplan: Best for interactive learning | |||
| The CE Shop: Best for career resources | |||
| Real Estate Institute: Best for mobile learning | |||
| Colibri Real Estate: Best for course offerings | |||
| Inland School of Real Estate: Best for live instruction |
Best for Interactive Learning: Kaplan
My Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan really has it all when it comes to real estate education. It’s known for interactive learning, which offers direct access to instructors and other students through live webinars. Students can take advantage of study groups, career mentorship, and community forms to help boost their careers. I personally took my prelicensing class through Kaplan years ago and found the information easy to digest. The quizzes throughout the coursework really helped me prepare for the exam.
Kaplan has a “commitment to pass,” which offers students continued support at no cost if you do not pass your exam on the first try. You will receive a personalized study plan and have access to exam prep tools and instructors for up to 18 months as long as you continue your studies.
💡Room for improvement: Kaplan offers a lot of training and resources for the price students pay. However, it does not currently offer a broker-in-charge course. Adding this feature could increase enrollments and retention for those that want to upgrade their license after some time.
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 | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $489-$889 |
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| Post-licensing | $119-$299 |
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| Continuing education | $29-$69 |
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| Exam prep | $99-$199 |
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Save 25% when you use promo code “KAPRE5”
Need to see more before deciding if this is the best school for you? Check out this informational video from Kaplan below:
Best for Career Resources: The CE Shop
My Expert Opinion on The CE Shop
Don’t let the name fool you – The CE Shop offers much more than just continuing education courses. It’s your one-stop shop for getting your license, upgrading, and renewal, making sure all your bases are covered. If you’re looking for a more flexible schedule, this could be a great option, as the courses are available online, and you can learn at your own pace. Plus, it includes exam prep in all packages, so you feel confident and ready to ace your test.
💡Room for improvement: No options for networking with peers or study groups make it hard for students who may need more direct engagement to learn. Since each license course, including an Illinois real estate license, comes with information specific to the state, students would benefit from connecting with other students there.
The CE Shop Cost
The CE Shop 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 | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $359-$779 |
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| Post-licensing | $115-$369 |
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| Continuing education | $19-$189 |
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| Managing Broker prelicensing | $275-$335 |
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| Exam prep | $75-$135 |
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Save 35% when you use promo code “TheClose35”
Need to see more before making a decision? Check out this video to see what The CE Shop offers:
Best for Mobile Learning: Real Estate Institute by Aceable
My Expert Opinion on Real Estate Institute by Aceable
Real Estate Institute has teamed up with AceableAgent to provide convenient real estate courses. Its mobile-friendly learning platform allows students to access their coursework at any time. Although the Real Estate Institute only operates in Illinois, Florida, and North Carolina, its course offerings meet the specific requirements of each state. Exam preparation is included in the coursework, and if a student fails the licensing exam on the first attempt, they can retake the class for free.
Real Estate Institute puts an emphasis on instructor support and makes sure students have access to instructors by encouraging them to call the school and speak to an Illinois-state licensed instructor as needed.
💡Room for improvement: Real Estate Institute offers exam prep in two prelicensing classes, but it would help students be fully prepared if it was offered in the standard package as well.
Real Estate Institute by Aceable Cost
Real Estate Institute offers a variety of classroom types and packages. Students have access to all of the necessary coursework to get their license, upgrade, or stay active.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $599-$699 |
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| Post-licensing | $299 |
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| Continuing education | $95-$169 |
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| Managing Broker prelicensing | $349-$399 |
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| Exam prep | $49-$59 |
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Best for Comprehensive Course Offerings: Colibri Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate is great for students looking for a variety of courses with different tools and support features. Whether they want to learn at their own pace or prefer the guidance of an instructor, students have the option to take advantage of interactive learning to enhance their understanding of the material. Since Colibri offers the ‘pass or don’t pay’ feature, students can receive a refund if they don’t pass the exam on their first try.
One standout feature from this school is the “readiness indicator,” which gives students feedback about how “ready” they are to take and pass the exam. It tracks your progress with vocabulary, practice tests, and simulated exams.
💡Room for improvement: Colibri offers extensive exam prep; however, it comes at a higher cost than most other schools. It would be beneficial to include exam prep in licensing packages or at a lower cost. This may help students feel more inclined to enroll and get the resources they need to pass the exam.
Colibri Real Estate Cost
Colibri Real Estate has various package options in multiple states, so you can pick one that fits your budget perfectly.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $356-$670 |
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| Post-licensing | $99-$279 |
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| Continuing education | $29-$129 |
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| Managing Broker prelicensing | $199 |
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| Exam prep | $115-$499 |
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Save 30% when you use promo code “TheClose30”
Not convinced yet? Check out our walkthrough video for Colibri Real Estate below:
Best for Live Instruction: Inland School of Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Inland Real Estate School
Inland is a great option for students looking for a local school that has been operating for over 20 years, specifically in Illinois real estate education. The school offers live instruction or self-study courses. Where the exam prep is limited to only 12 questions, Inland offers additional exam prep add-ons and 30 days of free online coaching support to prep students. A helpful three-month extension to complete the course is offered if students need the extra time. Another feature worth mentioning is that Inland honors US Veterans by offering $100 off classes.
💡Room for improvement: Inland’s course offerings are limited. It should consider adding CE to its catalog. If it cannot add CE, the school should provide resources to students on where to access those courses.
Inland Real Estate School Cost
Inland Real Estate School focuses on three course options including prelicensing, managing broker, and exam prep. Its pricing is straightforward and among the more affordable options when considering the cost of a real estate license in Illinois.
| Type of Education | Price Range | Standout Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prelicensing | $527-$577 |
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| Managing Broker prelicensing | $349 |
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| Exam prep | $59-$129 |
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How to Get Your Real Estate License in Illinois
Now that you’re well-versed in school options, how do you get your real estate license in Illinois? Let’s go over the step-by-step process to put your hard-earned work to use and obtain your license.
| Step 1: Meet Requirements |
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| Step 2: Complete Prelicensing Courses |
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| Step 3: Take the Real Estate Exam |
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| Step 4: Apply for Your License |
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| Step 5: Get Fingerprints & Background Check |
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| Step 6: Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage |
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| Step 7: Start Your Real Estate Career |
How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Illinois
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 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 important 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 stream, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Illinois?
The length of time it takes to get an Illinois real estate license varies depending on which class you sign up for. If you take a scheduled virtual or in-person course, it may be a set number of weeks. However, many self-paced courses don’t have a timeframe. That said, self-paced courses may have a limit of six months from the time of purchase.
How much does it cost to get your real estate license in Illinois?
Once you have completed your coursework and passed the course exam, you can sign up to take the licensing exam. The Illinois real estate exam costs $58 per attempt.
How much do realtors make in Illinois?
On average, real estate agents in Illinois make about $76,016 per year. However, one of the best parts about having a real estate license is that there is no cap on your income. Create a business plan, put processes in place, and give it time.
How many times can you take the Illinois real estate exam?
You have four chances to pass the exam before you are required to retake the course. This is why it’s important to consider exam prep and additional support when studying for your exam. If you are finding it difficult to pass the exam, use the resources available through your school or by studying with peers.
Your Take
You can now say you officially know how to become a real estate agent in Illinois. You have your school options, understand crucial study resources, and know the cost of a real estate license in Illinois. It’s time to hit the ground running and pursue your new career. These resources will also apply if you’re leveling up your license!
What features stand out to you the most when considering where to take your coursework?
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