Earning your Massachusetts real estate license is a great career move. However, every successful career in the real estate industry starts with a good education. We want to help you get started by narrowing your search with our shortlist of the best real estate schools in Massachusetts. After all, you’ll need to take 40 hours of real estate classes and then pass the state exam to launch this exciting new career. Let’s dive in!
5 Best Real Estate Schools in Massachusetts
| Our Top 5 Picks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall: Freedom Trail Realty School | ||
| Best Course Design: The CE Shop | ||
| Best for Online: Colibri Real Estate | ||
| Best Fast-track School: Metropolitan School of Real Estate | ||
| Best for In-person Study: AREA Real Estate School |
(Massachusetts prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)
Massachusetts Real Estate Governing Body:
Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons
Prelicensing Requirements:
40 Hours
Post-licensing Requirements:
None
Continuing Education Requirements:
12 Hours Every Two Years
If you want to know the types of classes that you’ll need to take throughout your real estate career in Massachusetts, simply skip right to the helpful info section. But if you’re ready to choose the best education provider, keep reading to find out why these schools made our list.
Best Overall Massachusetts Real Estate School: Freedom Trail Realty School
Freedom Trail Realty School offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
Freedom Trail Realty School’s program is highly flexible. It lets students bounce back and forth between on-demand videos and livestream classes. The institution also offers the cheapest starter package of any of the schools that made our shortlist.
The company stands behind its service. While many schools offer to pay for your licensing exam fee if you don’t pass it the first time you take it, Freedom Trail Realty School takes it a step further. For those who opt for its Peak tier but don’t pass the license exam on the first try, the company will refund the cost of its program.
Freedom Trail Realty School Pricing
All of Freedom Trail Realty School’s four packages come with an e-book, audio book, unlimited on-demand access, at least 25 hours of livestream classes, and access to the company’s job board.
- Base ($229): This is the lowest-priced self-paced package among the five Massachusetts real estate schools we highlighted on this list. Aside from the features mentioned above, you’ll also receive digital flashcards, an exclusive alumni group invitation, and more than 1,100 practice questions to review for the exam.
- Ridgeline ($299): For $70 more, you can take all of your prelicensing classes live online with 40 hours of livestream access and a bonus Real Estate Forms 101 course.
- Peak ($359): This package includes everything in the previous one, an additional 600 practice questions, 60 hours of livestream access, and the Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee. You’ll also receive access to archived live class recordings and unlimited practice tests.
- Summit ($499): If you think you’d benefit from all the features of the previous packages plus three one-on-one tutoring sessions, this is the package for you.
(Freedom Trail Realty School prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Best Feature
If you’re a self-starter and highly motivated to begin working in the real estate industry, we recommend that you purchase the Base package with Freedom Trail Realty School. Not only is it highly affordable, but it’s also a local company, which may be beneficial in your job search once you’re licensed.
Room to Improve
Freedom Trail Realty School’s Base package comes with more than 1,100 questions, but sometimes more isn’t a good thing. If you have limited time to study, consider purchasing an exam prep package from The CE Shop (below) that will narrow your focus on the specific areas where you need more help.
Bottom Line
Freedom Trail Realty School offers flexible learning options. This flexibility, along with their job board, makes Freedom Trail Realty School an excellent choice for every student.
Best Massachusetts Real Estate School for Course Design: The CE Shop
The CE Shop offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
We don’t mean to confuse you, as the “CE” in The CE Shop does stand for continuing education. Despite its name, The CE Shop is one of the best Massachusetts real estate schools to offer online prelicensing courses. That dual focus makes it a one-stop shop for newcomers to the real estate industry.
The CE Shop’s courses are well designed. Its program prompts students to check their knowledge periodically before continuing to the next section of instruction. The CE Shop’s premium package will take care of all your real estate education needs for the first few years of your real estate career and beyond.
Check out The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!
The CE Shop lets you test-drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit The CE Shop’s website today!
The CE Shop Pricing
In Massachusetts, The CE Shop offers four prelicensing course packages.
- Courses Only ($285): You’ll get your prelicensing course and access to webinars that cover exam topics. This package also includes digital flashcards, business e-books, a study schedule, and career resources that help you determine your niche and ask the right questions during your interview with a brokerage.
- Standard Package ($349): You’ll receive everything in the previous package plus state and national exam prep materials. This package also comes with a guarantee that if you don’t pass the Massachusetts exam the first time you take it, they’ll reimburse your $85 exam fee.
- Value Package ($399): Enjoy everything from the Standard Package plus business-building courses to deepen your knowledge about starting your new career from the ground up.
- Premium Package ($525): This top-tier package includes all of the features above plus your 12-hour continuing education course so you’re ready to go when it comes time to renew your license.
(The CE Shop prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 35% off any The CE Shop prelicensing course in Massachusetts. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.
Best Feature
Your time is valuable, especially if you’re still working your day job while trying to get your real estate career off the ground. To simplify your path, why not purchase your prelicensing classes, exam prep materials, continuing education courses, and business-building seminars all from one source? The CE Shop’s Premium Package is a one-stop shop that gives you everything you need for the first few years in the industry.
Room to Improve
As much as we like the all-in-one approach offered by The CE Shop, it’s sometimes helpful to make personal connections with local real estate agents. If you prefer that route, check out Metropolitan School of Real Estate or Freedom Trail Realty School instead.
Bottom Line
The CE Shop offers you everything you need to get licensed and stay licensed in Massachusetts.
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Best Massachusetts Real Estate School for Online: Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Broker prelicensing
Colibri Real Estate is a powerhouse in real estate education across the country. An online career hub rounds out its comprehensive packages and vast collection of expertise in the real estate education space. The company’s courses are highly rated and allow you to work at your own pace.
Colibri Real Estate Pricing
All four of the prelicensing packages Colibri Real Estate offers in Massachusetts are in an at-your-own-pace format.
- The Basics ($399): This package includes a self-paced 40-hour course, three e-books, and email or phone access to an instructor.
- Exam Preparation ($499): Enjoy all the features of The Basics plus exam prep materials and a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
- Exam Preparation Plus ($576): You’ll get everything from the previous package as well as access to live Q&A sessions with qualified instructors.
- Ultimate Learning ($684): In addition to the benefits of the previous package, you’ll get one year of access to a Career Booster Pack to help you generate leads, negotiate contracts, and close deals.
(Colibri Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% off any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Massachusetts. Use promo code TheClose25 at checkout.
Best Feature
Colibri’s polished, professional courses present complex information so that it’s easy to understand. The course is easy to navigate and allows you to keep track of your progress. Colibri Real Estate has definitely perfected the online learning experience.
Room to Improve
There are many benefits to working with a national real estate education company, and it’s hard to find fault with the variety and quality that Colibri Real Estate offers. But sometimes it helps to talk with local real estate agents. If you want to make connections in your local market, we suggest Freedom Trail Realty School or AREA Real Estate School.
Bottom Line
Colibri Real Estate offers straightforward online real estate education with a wide variety of prelicensing course packages to suit your needs.
Best Fast-track Real Estate School in Massachusetts: Metropolitan School of Real Estate
Metropolitan School of Real Estate offers:
- Prelicensing
- Continuing education
Metropolitan School of Real Estate’s founder discovered a passion for teaching when he mentored new agents at his brokerage. The resulting institution is our top pick for those who want to whiz through course material quickly and efficiently. Please note that these courses are live online and not in person. If you miss a class, you can watch the video at your own pace.
Most real estate schools give you access to course materials for six months or a year. Armed with this knowledge, some students take a meandering approach to completing their education. Metropolitan School of Real Estate will get you through the required material in six non-consecutive days.
Metropolitan School of Real Estate Pricing
You’ll only find one package on offer at Metropolitan School of Real Estate. However, students can select a time that fits their preferred schedules and pacing. Some sessions meet one weekend a month for three months. Others allow you to complete all of the classes within a week.
- Real Estate License Course ($350): You’ll receive a course textbook, a downloadable e-book, a PDF of the instructor’s presentation, study tips, and 12 months of access to their online review videos. The company’s partner real estate brokerage will consider you for hire, and if you land a job with Metropolitan, you’ll earn full tuition reimbursement.
(Metropolitan School of Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Best Feature
We love an expedited path to completion. Metropolitan School of Real Estate courses are scheduled and designed to encourage students to get exam-ready in a short time period. If weekdays don’t work for you, they offer weekend courses as well.
Room to Improve
Metropolitan School of Real Estate isolates the tools they think work best to get you to the finish line quickly. That being said, you won’t find a ton of extra features or options here. If you want a course with more add-ons, consider Freedom Trail Realty School or The CE Shop.
Bottom Line
With Metropolitan School of Real Estate, you could be well on your way to a new career in as little as a week with their fast-track prelicensing package.
Best Massachusetts Real Estate School for In-person Classes: AREA Real Estate School
American Real Estate Academy (AREA) offers:
- Prelicensing
- Exam prep
- Continuing education
- Broker prelicensing
American Real Estate Academy is the state’s largest and longest-running local real estate school. They’ve been serving prospective Massachusetts real estate agents since 1972.
AREA is proud of their dedicated, expert instructors who help the institution maintain pass rates on the license exam that they describe as well above the state average. They ensure class time is valuable with in-depth instructor support and scheduled classes to keep you on track.
American Real Estate Academy Pricing
There are three options at American Real Estate Academy: two classroom prelicensing courses and one online prelicensing package.
- All Online ($245): In this package, you’ll get half of the course in a self-paced format and the other half via scheduled livestream classes. You’ll also enjoy practice exams, more than 400 practice questions, and access to on-demand course review videos.
- In-person Weekdays ($425): Enjoy scheduled classroom instruction in Weston, Massachusetts, over two weeks from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Again, your course includes practice exams, more than 400 practice questions, and access to on-demand course review videos as well as a textbook.
- In-person Weekends ($425): You’ll get all the features of the above package, but your course will be scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. across two weekends.
(American Real Estate Academy prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)
Best Feature
In-person real estate classes are almost always significantly more expensive than their online counterparts, but American Real Estate Academy offers instructors who can break down challenging content at a reasonable price. They’ll not only ensure you leave knowing your stuff, but they’re also available for in-the-moment questions during lesson time.
Room to Improve
We’d like to see AREA provide more exam prep tools to help students study. While they do provide practice exams and questions, it would also be nice to see helpful material for people on the go, like digital flashcards.
Bottom Line
If you prefer a scheduled in-person learning experience in MA, there’s no better place than American Real Estate Academy to get started.
How We Selected the Best Real Estate Schools in Massachusetts
Currently, there are more than 140 real estate schools authorized for prelicensing education by Massachusetts. You’re probably wondering how we handpicked the five here on our list. Here at The Close, we use a methodology that involves scrutinizing each school according to the following criteria:
Some criteria on our rubric are weighted more heavily based on our expertise about what matters most to students. We’re confident in our list—otherwise we wouldn’t be sharing them with you! Read more about our methodology here.
Massachusetts Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info
Becoming a real estate agent is a multi-step process that begins with taking prelicensing courses from one of many approved Massachusetts real estate schools. Let’s take a look at the kinds of programs they offer.
Prelicensing Courses
You must complete 40 hours of prelicensing courses from a state-approved real estate school before you can take the license exam. You’ll be able to choose between taking your course online or in person. Some online real estate schools offer both self-paced courses and scheduled livestream classes. There’s also variety in terms of extra features—some prelicensing packages include videos, real estate e-books, and access to instructor support.
Exam Preparation Courses
When it comes time for the license test, you may want some extra help to ensure you feel confident on exam day. Investing in preparation tools can make a difference, potentially ensuring you pass your exam on the first try. Exam prep packages tend to include helpful tools like flashcards, practice questions, and simulated exams to help you study for the real deal. Sometimes they’ll be included in your prelicensing package, while other schools allow you to buy them as standalone products.
Continuing Education Courses
Every two years, you’ll need to complete 12 hours of continuing education courses to renew your license. Take note of the features you enjoyed in your prelicensing course because you may want to continue with the same real estate school for your CE classes.
In fact, some schools will bundle this into your prelicensing package. The CE Shop, for instance, offers classes that will satisfy your 12-hour CE courses as part of their premium package so you’re already set for your first license renewal.
Massachusetts Real Estate Schools FAQs
We’ve included answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. But if there’s anything we haven’t covered, be sure to drop a note in the comment section below.
How do I get my real estate license in Massachusetts?
Getting your Massachusetts real estate license is a straightforward process. First, complete a 40-hour prelicensing course, and then you’ll need to pass the license exam. After that, you’ll file your license application. Then you’ll be ready to join a brokerage in Boston, Cambridge, or Martha’s Vineyard in no time!
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Massachusetts?
It takes two to three months to get your real estate license in Massachusetts. You could feasibly complete the 40-hour, at-your-own-pace online classes within five or six days. In fact, both Freedom Trail Realty School and Metropolitan School of Real Estate can get you through the material within a week.
How much does a real estate agent in Massachusetts make?
As of 2023, real estate agents working in Massachusetts earn $69,984 annually, according to The Close’s salary information database. While this is lower than the national average of $73,985, keep in mind that real estate is a commission-based career, so there’s virtually no limit to your income.
How many Realtors are there in Massachusetts?
According to the National Association of Realtors’ data, there are 25,938 Realtors in Massachusetts. This is a very slight increase from the previous month, and almost a 3.8% decrease from this time last year.
What’s the average home price in Massachusetts?
According to Zillow, average home values in Massachusetts are up 4.3% over the past year, coming in at $590,852. In Boston, home values are much higher, reaching $718,208.
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Bringing It All Together
It’s a great time to launch a career in real estate. We’re happy to share our expertise and research on the best Massachusetts real estate schools to help you choose one that’s right for you. Have additional thoughts or questions? Leave a comment below!
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