We’ve reviewed five of the most popular Illinois real estate schools and are ready to share what we’ve learned. There’s no better time than right now to get started as an agent, especially in Chicago—the country’s third largest city by population and one of the country’s hottest real estate markets.
We understand that you’re ready to dive into a new career in real estate, but before you do, you’ll need to complete a 75-hour prelicensing course. Take a look at our recommendations for the best online real estate education providers that will help you successfully launch your next career chapter.
4 Best Illinois Real Estate Schools for 2023
| Our Top Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate | ||
| Best All-in-One: Kaplan | ||
| Best for a Budget: The CE Shop | ||
| Best Live Instruction: Inland School of Real Estate |
(Illinois prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Illinois Real Estate Governing Body:
IDFPR Division of Real Estate
Prelicensing Requirements:
75 Hours + 15 Interactive Class Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
45 Hours Within 2 Years
Continuing Education Requirements:
12 Hours Every 2 Years
Illinois Real Estate Schools – Helpful Info
To become a real estate broker in Illinois, you must first take a 75-hour prelicensing course before you sit for the exam. There are several important pieces of information that you need to know before choosing from the many Illinois real estate schools that offer this course.
The first is that, in Illinois, the real estate agents who hold a supervisory role are called managing brokers, and all agents—even brand-new ones—are referred to as brokers. This may be confusing since most states use the word broker to refer to someone who has received additional training and passed a second state licensing exam that entitles them to manage agents.
Once you complete 75 hours of study, undertake an additional 15 hours of interactive education, pass the state’s broker exam, obtain your license, and get hired by a managing broker, you can begin your career. Here are the types of course packages Illinois real estate schools offer:
Prelicensing Courses
The first step to becoming a real estate broker in Illinois is to enroll in the 75 hours of prelicensing courses that are required by the state. If you need more guidance on the process of getting licensed in Illinois, check out our guide, How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois, for more details.
Interactive Courses
The state of Illinois requires aspiring brokers to complete an additional 15-hour interactive prelicensing course that’s focused on state-specific content. This course can be taken either in person or through a live webinar. Kaplan and Inland School of Real Estate both offer this required course. See each school’s packages and pricing for more details.
Exam Prep Courses
The broker test includes both national and state-specific questions. Some of the packages listed here include exam prep materials in the same package with your Illinois real estate prelicensing course.
Post-licensing Courses
Within two years of obtaining your initial license, you’ll need to take 45 hours of post-licensing courses. Some of the packages we mention also include those courses.
We know that finding schools that can fulfill these needs may seem overwhelming, but don’t worry. We’ll help you choose the right Illinois real estate school (or combination of schools) to help you get licensed and succeed in your new career. Let’s take a deep dive.
Best Overall Illinois Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate Offers:
- Prelicensing Courses
- Post-Licensing Courses
- Managing Broker Prelicensing Course
Colibri Real Estate’s programs are affordable and highly rated. They’ve created successful online real estate education programs for dozens of states, so they’re good at what they do.
You’ll be required to learn a lot of complicated material when becoming a real estate broker in Illinois. Colibri Real Estate presents this detailed information in a clear, concise format. The essential material is often repeated, giving you ample opportunities to learn it.
| Colibri Real Estate Pros | Colibri Real Estate Cons |
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Colibri Real Estate Pricing
Colibri Real Estate offers four 75-hour, self-paced online course packages for prelicensing in Illinois. They also offer a livestream course option. We’ve listed each package at the regular price, but they often go on sale. Please note that Colibri Real Estate does not offer the 15-hour interactive course required by the state.
- The Basics ($339): This entry-level package is for a “disciplined self-starter who has some real estate experience.” However, the package is far from basic, as it also includes three real estate e-books and state-approved instructor support via email and phone.
- Exam Preparation ($449): This package includes everything in the previous package as well as exam prep material. The company’s exam prep includes 10 progress exams, five practice final exams (including three that focus on state-specific questions), and flashcards. Colibri Real Estate’s Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee promises to refund the $55 exam fee if you don’t pass it the first time you take it.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($529): For $80 more, you’ll receive everything in the previous two packages and have 40 hours per month of live access to state-approved instructors. You’ll also receive 45 hours of post-licensing courses that you’re required to take to renew your license the first time.
- Ultimate Learning Package ($629): This top-tier package includes everything in the previous one, as well as a printed textbook. You’ll also receive a one-year membership with McKissock, a professional development company.
- Livestream Package ($649): This package includes scheduled classes during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or mornings only. It includes the Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee and a printed copy of the textbook.
(Illinois prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Illinois. Use promo code TheClose25 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: It takes a highly skilled team of people to develop an online course that is attractive, informative, and interactive. While some local real estate companies may offer at-your-own-pace online instruction, they can’t compete with the professional quality of courses that Colibri Real Estate provides.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Because Colibri Real Estate specializes in online, at-your-own-pace education, they don’t offer the 15 hours of interactive courses required by the state. If you choose Colibri Real Estate to take your 75 hours of classes, you’ll want to enroll in either Kaplan or Inland Real Estate School to take the additional required hours.
BOTTOM LINE: Colibri Real Estate offers an easy-to-use, self-paced online format. If you want a seamless learning experience for the bulk of your prelicense course and don’t mind going elsewhere for the 15-hour interactive course, you won’t be disappointed with Colibri Real Estate.
Best All-in-One Illinois Real Estate School: Kaplan
Kaplan Offers:
- Prelicensing Courses
- Exam Prep
- Post-Licensing Courses
- Continuing Education Courses
- Agent & Broker License Renewal Courses
Kaplan has been in the test and exam prep business since 1938, so they know a thing or two about preparing people for exams and new careers. Even as a national company, Kaplan has found a way to offer the 15 hours of state-specific interactive courses required by Illinois. That’s why they’re our top pick among Illinois real estate schools for one-stop shoppers.
We also like Kaplan’s Career Launcher Program. This online, interactive class connects you with professionals in the real estate industry who can offer business advice on launching and growing your career. You’ll also have one-on-one sessions with career counselors so that you can ask questions about your unique situation.
Kaplan offers seven different packages for prelicensing courses in Illinois. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll only discuss the online course packages. If you’d prefer to do a portion of your learning by reading a textbook, know that a home study course is also offered through Kaplan.
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Kaplan Pricing
Here are the three online packages that Kaplan offers. To fulfill all your prelicensing requirements, you’ll need to enroll in two of these courses.
- Illinois 75-Hour Broker Licensing With Master Exam Prep Online Package ($489): This package includes many resources to help you prepare for the Illinois broker exam. Besides the 75 hours of prelicensing class hours, you’ll also receive an online bank of practice questions from both the national and state portions of the exam, as well as access to a live interactive study session.
- Career Launcher Online Package ($689): This includes everything in the previous package, as well as resources that’ll help you prepare for your career: the 8-hour Real Estate Accelerator course and eight weeks of professional coaching.
- Illinois 15-Hour Broker Licensing Live Interactive Course ($119): Regardless of which of the previous two courses you choose, you’ll also need to enroll in this course with Kaplan to complete your prelicensing course requirements. This interactive course isn’t included in either of the two previous packages.
(Illinois prelicensing & interactive package prices as of December 2022)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 5% on any Kaplan prelicensing course in Illinois. Use promo code KAPRE5 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: Kaplan is the only national real estate education company that offers the 15-hour interactive course required by the state. Kaplan also offers exam prep materials with both of the packages we mentioned.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Kaplan’s prelicensing packages are expensive. Their most basic package is $489, which is quite a bit more than the entry-level package offered by other companies on our list. Check out The CE Shop or Colibri Real Estate for more affordable options.
BOTTOM LINE: Since Kaplan offers the 15-hour interactive course and post-licensing courses, it makes Kaplan your one-stop shop for all your Illinois real estate education. Even if you choose Colibri Real Estate or The CE Shop for your 75 hours of prelicensing courses, you may still turn to Kaplan for the 15-hour interactive course. Since Kaplan has been educating Americans for decades, we bet you won’t be disappointed in the course material.
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? (+ Free Guide & Videos)
Best Illinois Real Estate School for Students on a Budget: The CE Shop
The CE Shop Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing Education
- Managing Broker Prelicensing
Check out The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!
The CE Shop is the only school on our list that lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!
While The CE Shop initially offered only continuing education (CE) courses, they now offer classes that help you start your career as well. They include flashcards, a real estate glossary, and a study schedule. Even the entry-level package includes access to a live, instructional webinar by an industry expert who’ll answer your questions about complicated material.
Amazingly, The CE Shop can offer all of these resources at reasonable prices. They’re highly rated, and each package includes resources on getting hired by a managing broker. Let’s learn about the packages.
| The CE Shop Pros | The CE Shop Cons |
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The CE Shop Pricing
The CE Shop has four prelicensing packages for Illinois. Like Colibri Real Estate, the company doesn’t offer the 15-hour interactive course that Illinois requires.
- Courses Only ($339): You’ll love The CE Shop’s interactive content. It will keep you interested in the material through the entirety of the course.
- Standard Package ($399): You’ll receive the course and exam prep materials with the Standard Package. You’ll also receive a pass guarantee that’ll refund you the $55 fee you spent on the licensing exam if you have to retake it.
- Value Package ($449): You’ll receive everything in the previous package plus a business-building course designed for new agents. It’ll give you tips on organizing an office and launching your career.
- Premium Package ($689): As we mentioned, The CE Shop got its start offering continuing education courses. Their Illinois Premium Package includes everything from the previous package as well as all the post-licensing courses you’ll need to renew your license for the first time.
(Illinois prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 30% on The CE Shop prelicensing course in Illinois. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.
BEST FEATURE: Starting a real estate business is more than just getting a license and finding a brokerage. In order to be successful, you also need to know what it takes to get a real estate operation off the ground. We love the affordable options provided by The CE Shop, and included in those options are courses such as Building Your Sphere and Is Commercial Real Estate Right for You?
There’s always a concern that, when it comes to online real estate schools, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and content. But The CE Shop exceeds expectations by including this premium content in its value package.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Even though The CE Shop offers affordable, high-quality courses, you have to be self-disciplined to get through the sometimes dry material on your own. If you’d rather your classes were scheduled each week, consider enrolling in the Inland Real Estate School’s live, online class.
BOTTOM LINE: We’re guessing you’ll have such a good experience with The CE Shop that you’ll return to them repeatedly throughout your career for affordable continuing education courses. Visit the CE Shop to learn more details about their programs and get 30% off with the code TheClose30.
Best Illinois Real Estate School for Live, Online Instruction: Inland Real Estate School
Inland Real Estate School Offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam Prep
- Post-licensing
- Continuing Education
- Managing Broker Prelicensing
Inland Real Estate School has been perfecting their real estate courses for over 40 years. Within that time, they’ve helped more than 10,000 students get licensed. As if those statistics aren’t impressive enough, they made our list because they offer something no other company in our buyer’s guide does: all 75 hours of prelicensing courses in a live, online format.
Some of you may worry about getting through an online course that teaches less-than-exciting material. If you learn best in an interactive classroom, enroll in Inland Real Estate School’s live, streaming prelicensing classes.
Inland School of Real Estate Pros | Inland School of Real Estate Cons |
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Inland Real Estate School Pricing
Inland Real Estate School broke the 75 hours of prelicensing courses into two separate classes. You’ll need to enroll in both to fulfill your prelicensing education requirements.
- Classroom 75-Hour Prelicense ($577): Inland Real Estate School offers its 75-hour course Monday through Friday for three weeks. Students can choose between morning and evening classes. You can attend the classes in person or through a livestream service.
- Home Study 75-Hour Prelicense ($527): 75-hours of course work with everything included to prep for the exam, with the scheduling convenience of online home study.
- Classroom 15-Hour Interactive ($299): The extra 15-hour course can be scheduled in either morning or evening sessions for one week.
(Illinois prelicensing package prices as of December 2022)
BEST FEATURE: We love that the instructors at Inland Real Estate School have decades of real estate experience. We also love that their courses are highly rated. They made this list because they provide a service for those of us who need a living, breathing person to teach complicated material.
Even if you attend the live course from the comfort of your own home, you’ll still have access to a teacher. You’ll be able to learn from other students’ questions and ask for clarification when you need it as well.
ROOM TO IMPROVE: Inland Real Estate School offers in-person or group studying sessions and materials, but they’re expensive. For budget-friendly, quality exam prep materials, take a look at the packages The CE Shop has to offer, as they include exam prep and they even offer a free 5-day trial.
BOTTOM LINE: Inland Real Estate School has trained thousands of real estate agents. You’ll learn a lot about the unique world of Chicagoland real estate when you take your prelicensing courses with them.
Visit Inland Real Estate School
Illinois Real Estate Schools FAQs
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Below you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Illinois real estate schools.
Can I get my Illinois real estate license online?
You can complete the majority of the requirements needed to get your real estate license online in Illinois.
Your prelicensing course can be done online, either self-paced or through livestream classes. Your state-required interactive classes can be completed online. But you will need to find a managing broker to hire you, and you’ll need to take the broker license exam in person.
To learn more about the licensing process, see our checklist below, and for an in-depth look, read How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois in 4 Easy Steps.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois
✔ Complete a 75-hour prelicensing course
✔ Complete a 15-hour interactive course
✔ Pass the Illinois real estate broker exam
✔ Find a managing broker to hire you
✔ Complete the licensing process
How much does it cost to get my real estate license in Illinois?
It costs between $550 and $1,000 to get your real estate license in Illinois. To help you better understand your investment, here is how the cost is generally broken down for prospective brokers in Illinois.
- Prelicensing Course ($300-$600)
- Exam Prep Materials ($60-$129)
- Illinois Broker Exam Fee ($58)
- Broker License Application Fee ($125)
How long does it take to become a real estate broker in Illinois?
With a good work ethic, it can take you as little as three months to become a real estate broker in Illinois. Most people tend to take about six months to a year to complete their studies, depending on their schedule.
How long it takes you to become a real estate broker depends on how much time you need to confidently pass your prelicense course and your license exam. Some livestream classes run full time during the week and finish in as little as two weeks. So, you have flexibility to set your own timeline to complete the courses and exam.
Are self-paced or livestream classes better when choosing an online real estate school?
This depends solely on your learning style and motivation. Both livestream and self-paced course options cover the same material, so theoretically you have the same odds of success regardless of your decision. Consider asking yourself the following questions to narrow down the best option for you:
- Can I make a study schedule and stick to it?
- Do I prefer the accountability of a scheduled class?
- Am I likely to become distracted and push back my self-paced schedule?
- Do I have commitments that require a flexible learning schedule?
- Do I prefer interacting with others while I learn?
How many Realtors are there in Illinois?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ October 2022 data, there are 51,424 Realtors in Illinois. This is a very slight decrease from the previous month, and about a 1% increase from October 2021.
How much do real estate agents make in Illinois?
Of course, it all depends on the number of deals and the commission splits, but according to Indeed.com, the average real estate agent in Illinois made $104,893 in 2022. Agents in Chicago top the average, making $116,340. Agents with ten or more years of experience should make about $15,000 more a year.
What’s the average home price in Illinois?
According to Zillow, the home values in Illinois are up about 10% from last year in late 2022, settling in right at $267,321. Chicago values are higher, on average, at $314,791.
Real Estate Broker vs Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis
Bringing It All Together
You’ve learned a lot about the licensing process and the best Illinois real estate schools in this article. You can dig deeper in How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois. We’re thrilled to be a part of your journey toward finding the right real estate school and becoming a real estate broker in Illinois. If you have more questions, please drop them in the comments section of this article. We’d love to hear from you!
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