Before you can help someone buy a Minneapolis condo or cabin up north, you have to choose where to complete Minnesota’s 90 hours of prelicensing education. That choice can shape how manageable the process feels, especially if you’re fitting classes around a job, family, or everything else Minnesota life throws at your calendar.
I earned my real estate license through an online school, so I know flexibility matters, but so does having the support to understand what you’re learning. For this guide, I compared five Minnesota real estate schools on course formats, exam prep, instructor access, and overall fit to help you find one that works for the way you study.
| School | Best for |
| The Realty School | Local and live instruction |
| Kaplan | Career guidance |
| Colibri Real Estate | Exam prep |
| The CE Shop | Interactive self-paced courses |
| RealEstateU | Budget-friendly learning |
Why you can trust The Close
I’m a real estate agent who earned my license through an online school. I know how important it is to find a course that fits your schedule and helps you understand the material. For this guide, I researched each school’s Minnesota offerings, pricing, learning formats, and support. The Close’s goal is to give clear, practical information so future agents can choose a school that works for them.
Sophia Doyle
Staff Writer, The Close
- The Close’s top picks for Minnesota real estate schools
- The Realty School: Best for local and live instruction
- Kaplan: Best for career guidance
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for exam prep
- The CE Shop: Best for interactive self-paced courses
- RealEstateU: Best for budget-friendly learning
- What to check before enrolling in a Minnesota real estate school
- Methodology
- Bringing it all together
The Close’s top picks for Minnesota real estate schools
| School | The Close score | Starting price for 90-hour course | Learn more |
| The Realty School | 4.4 | $837 | Visit The Realty School |
| Kaplan | 4.3 | $729 | Visit Kaplan |
| Colibri Real Estate | 3.8 | $679 | Visit Colibri Real Estate |
| The CE Shop | 3.2 | $689 | Visit The CE Shop |
| RealEstateU | 2.3 | $299 | Visit RealEstateU |
The Realty School: Best for local and live instruction
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My expert opinion on The Realty School
When I was getting licensed, the hardest part was making sure I understood the material well enough to use it, rather than just finishing the required hours. The Realty School appeals to me because students can ask questions in a live class and learn from instructors focused on Minnesota real estate. If you know you stay more engaged when someone is teaching in front of you, that structure could make a difference.
I also like that “live class” does not mean only one schedule. The school offers in-person and live online classes across different days and times, giving working students some room to choose. Its on-demand Course 1 provides another way to begin, but on-demand Courses 2 and 3 are still in development. Students who want to complete the entire program at their own pace will need to use another approved provider for those courses or choose The Realty School’s scheduled classes.
The Realty School cost
| Option | Listed price |
| One 30-hour prelicensing course | $279 |
| All three prelicensing courses | $837 |
Kaplan: Best for career guidance
My expert opinion on Kaplan
Getting through the licensing exam is one goal. Figuring out what to do once you pass is another. Kaplan is a strong choice for students who want help connecting those two stages. Its live online sessions give you a chance to work through difficult concepts with instructors, while its career-focused resources can help make the move from student to new agent feel less abrupt.
As an agent, I would especially value the chance to ask questions while studying Minnesota law and real estate math. Reading an explanation and feeling like you understand it are two different things. Kaplan’s combination of on-demand video, instructor-led study sessions, and a student community gives students several ways to revisit a topic when it does not click the first time.
Kaplan cost
| Option | Listed price |
| Course 1 package, 30 hours | $249 |
| Licensing with Exam Prep package, 90 hours | $729 |
| Career Launcher package, 90 hours | $999 |
Colibri Real Estate: Best for exam prep
My expert opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri is the school I would consider if exam day is already on your mind. Some students are comfortable completing the required hours but want more reassurance that they can answer licensing questions under pressure. Colibri lets you choose a basic path through the coursework or add practice tools that show where you need more review.
I also like that its course dashboard gives students a sense of what comes next. When you are balancing licensing classes with everything else, it helps to see your progress and return to the right lesson without losing momentum. Before buying, though, I would look closely at the package comparison: simulated exams, live Q&A, and webinars are not included in every tier.
Colibri Real Estate cost
| Minnesota prelicensing package | Listed price |
| The Basics | $679 |
| Exam Preparation | $779 |
| Exam Preparation Plus | $849 |
| Ultimate Learning | $959 |
The CE Shop: Best for interactive self-paced courses
My expert opinion on The CE Shop
The CE Shop makes sense for a student who wants to decide when and how much to study each week. That kind of independence worked well for me when I earned my license online, but it also requires a plan. I would set aside regular study blocks from the beginning rather than assuming I could catch up whenever I found spare time.
I especially like the choice between individual courses and a complete package. You can enroll in one 30-hour course first if you are still testing whether online learning suits you. If you already know it does, the 90-hour package puts all three required courses together. The key is to decide whether you also want exam prep before you buy, since the lowest-priced package contains the licensing courses without that added toolkit.
The CE Shop cost
| Option | Listed price |
| One 30-hour Minnesota salesperson course | $295 |
| 90-hour Courses Only package | $689 |
| 90-hour Standard package | $790 |
| 90-hour Value package | $865 |
| 90-hour Premium package | $1,025 |
RealEstateU: Best for budget-friendly learning
My expert opinion on RealEstateU
RealEstateU is a practical choice if your priority is completing Minnesota’s required education on your own schedule without paying for a larger package of extras. The entry package includes all three courses, so you can see the full prelicensing cost upfront. Its audio-focused format may also appeal to students who would rather listen through a lesson than read a long stretch of text.
That freedom comes with more responsibility. When I studied online, having access to a course whenever I wanted was useful, but it did not automatically mean I was making progress. I would recommend RealEstateU to someone who can set a consistent study routine and knows they do not need live classes to stay engaged.
RealEstateU cost
| Option | Listed price |
| License Essentials, 90 hours | $299 |
| Exam Prep Plus, 90 hours | $369 |
| License Accelerator, 90 hours | $399 |
| Standalone Minnesota exam prep | $79 |
What to check before enrolling in a Minnesota real estate school
Minnesota requires three 30-hour prelicensing courses, so compare the cost of all three rather than the price of Course 1 alone. A school’s least expensive listing might be an individual course, while another school’s price may cover the full 90 hours.
Next, picture how you will actually study. A self-paced course is convenient if your schedule changes every week. A live class can help if you learn by asking questions and keeping pace with an instructor. Pay attention to each course's format: at The Realty School, for example, Course 1 is available on demand, while on-demand Courses 2 and 3 are still being developed.
Finally, check what the price includes. Exam prep, career resources, printed materials, and proctoring may be included, optional, or sold separately. Those details matter more than the package name when you decide what to use.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How many hours of prelicensing education do I need in Minnesota?
Minnesota requires 90 hours, divided into three 30-hour salesperson courses. When comparing schools, confirm that the option you select includes Courses I, II, and III if you want to purchase the full requirement at once.
Can I complete my Minnesota real estate classes online?
Yes. Several schools in this guide offer all three required courses online. The available formats differ, though: you may study through self-paced audio or video, or attend scheduled live online classes.
Do I need to buy exam prep separately?
That depends on the school and package. Some Minnesota packages include practice questions or other exam prep tools, while entry-level packages may include only the required coursework. Compare the contents before enrolling so you can budget for any extra study support you want.
Methodology
I reviewed each school’s Minnesota course catalog and compared the complete prelicensing cost, learning formats, exam preparation, instructor access, student support, and usability. I also considered what each option offers someone preparing for the exam and starting a real estate career.
My experience earning a license through an online school informed the practical questions I asked, while the schools’ published Minnesota offerings informed the course and pricing details.
- Course features: 25%
- I evaluated pass and refund guarantees, course extensions, instructor assistance, exam-prep resources, career support, coaching, tutoring, and interactive study opportunities.
- Value: 20%
- I compared published pricing with the education and resources included. I also reviewed whether each provider offers prelicensing, first-renewal education, continuing education, broker education, and exam preparation.
- Learning format and accessibility: 20%
- I considered self-paced learning, livestream classes, on-demand video, in-person education, mobile access, and compatibility with computers, phones, and tablets.
- Expert score: 15%
- I assessed each school’s standout features, ease of use, course organization, practical value, and overall suitability for Minnesota students.
- Help and support: 10%
- I reviewed instructor access and the availability of phone, email, ticket, and live-chat support.
- Customer rating: 10%
- I considered student reviews, overall reputation, and each school’s popularity among real estate students.
Bringing it all together
The best Minnesota real estate school is the one you can stick with through all 90 hours. If live conversation helps you learn, prioritize instructor access and a class schedule you can keep. If you work better independently, look for a self-paced course that fits your budget and gives you enough time to finish.
Before you enroll, check the price of all three courses, each format, and what exam prep is included. A little comparison now can make the path from your first lesson to exam day much easier to manage.
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