Whether you are just starting your journey into real estate or an experienced agent desiring to learn more, finding the proper online real estate school will be paramount. New York has a range of elite programs that can suit all levels of experience, from prelicensure courses to continuing education. All of these options offer flexibility in learning and plenty of resources to continue your career. I’ve rounded up the top five online real estate schools in New York, so you understand how to become a real estate agent in New York.
- New York Real Estate Institute: Best for in-person learning
- Kaplan: Best for career assistance
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for 12-month course access
- AceableAgent: Best for access to AI-powered virtual instructor
- RealEstateU: Best for affordable prelicensing courses
Colibri Real Estate has paid for this placement. However, our team of experts approved Colibri Real Estate as an appropriate product and our content remains editorially independent.
Use Our Code “TheClose30” to Get 30% Off on All Colibri Real Estate Prelicensing Courses.
Want to learn more about the NY licensing process before jumping into school details? I’ve got you covered! Click here to jump to the “How to Get a Real Estate License in New York” section below.
The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in New York
| Our Top Picks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Real Estate Institute: Best for in-person learning | |||
| Kaplan: Best for career assistance | |||
| Colibri Real Estate: Best for 12-month course access | |||
| AceableAgent: Best for access to AI-powered virtual instructor | |||
| RealEstateU: Best for affordable prelicensing courses |
Best for In-person Learning: New York Real Estate Institute
My Expert Opinion on New York Real Estate Institute
A great school for figuring out how to become a real estate agent in New York is New York Real Estate Institute (NYREI). The school is ideal for those who prefer a more traditional classroom experience. The school offers one of the rare combinations of in-person and online learning and the chance to have in-person contact with instructors. This setup provides the options for real-time feedback, question-asking, and engaging directly with peers to enhance further learning and a successful real estate career.
💡Room for Improvement: New York Real Estate Institute would be even better with the addition of a dedicated mobile learning application for those who want to study on the go.
New York Real Estate Institute Cost
NYREI offers competitive pricing to accommodate both online and in-class learning. Below is an overview of their course pricing:
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| Prelicensing |
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| Continuing education |
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| Broker prelicensing |
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| Exam prep |
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Best for Career Assistance: Kaplan
My Expert Opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan certainly goes the extra mile to provide resources far beyond the classroom for those interested in a New York real estate license by providing adequate career support to their students. More impressively, the school embodies a long-term career development focus with job placement services, access to an industry network, and career growth tools. Their courses are designed to help you pass your licensing exam and set you up for success with mentorship and ongoing professional development.
💡Room for Improvement: Kaplan could include 24-hour student support to provide students with easier access to support at any time
Kaplan Cost
With flexible pricing to fit the different needs of students for support and resources, Kaplan offers everything from basic courses to comprehensive packages inclusive of added career tools.
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| Prelicensing |
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| Continuing education |
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| Exam prep |
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Use Promo Code: KAPRE5—Save 5%
Best for 12-month Course Access: Colibri Real Estate
My Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate
If flexibility is your priority, then the 12-month access to course materials from Colibri Real Estate makes it the top real estate school in New York. It provides a large window for students to go at their own pace and accommodate those students who have full-time jobs, families, or other commitments. Being able to review the content throughout the year is helpful for those multitasking between work and undertaking a real estate education. This flexibility is ideal since students are allowed to learn at their own pace without compromising their educational standards.
💡Room for Improvement: Colibri Real Estate would be even better if there was live chat support to assist students in real-time as they study.
Colibri Real Estate Cost
The Colibri Real Estate learning system offers students the option of choosing from one of the few pricing options that would suit their budget needs and learning requirements. You can either go for a basic package or choose from bundles inclusive of add-ons.
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| Prelicensing |
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| Continuing education |
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| Broker prelicensing |
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| Exam prep |
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Use Promo Code: TheClose30—Save 30%
Need to see more before making a decision, check out our walkthrough video for Colibri Real Estate
Best for Access to AI-powered Virtual Instructor: AceableAgent
My Expert Opinion on AceableAgent
With its AI-powered virtual instructor, AceableAgent is a New York real estate school that’s taking online learning to the next level with an interactive learning experience. The program is designed to make the learning process more dynamic and responsive with real-time support. The AI system offers personalized feedback and guidance that helps in mastering difficult concepts. For students who love technology and learn more from a very hands-on, guided approach, the innovative use of AI within AceableAgent is a change from other online schools.
💡Room for Improvement: AceableAgent can add broker licensing courses to its inventory, providing more options for those students who want to further their careers.
AceableAgent Cost
Affordability is one reason students love AceableAgent, with a variety of course packages to meet different learning styles. Whether a completely self-directed experience or needing additional tools, AceableAgent has a pricing tier to accommodate it.
| Type of Education | ||
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| Prelicensing |
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| Continuing education* |
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| Exam prep |
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* Offered through Kaplan Real Estate
Click here to save 25%
Need to see more before making a decision, check out our walkthrough video for AceableAgent below:
Best for Affordable Prelicensing Courses: RealEstateU
My Expert Opinion on RealEstateU
The most significant strength of RealEstateU is the affordability of its courses, making this an excellent option for those who want to become licensed agents without breaking the bank. Despite these low costs, the school still maintains a good educational standard that will provide students with enough knowledge to pass the licensing examination. The courses cover all essential areas and offer great value for budget-conscious people who still need a comprehensive prelicensing education. For new agents that need an affordable alternative but no sacrifice of quality in education, RealEstateU offers the best balance between affordability and content.
💡Room for Improvement: A full pass guarantee would help RealEstateU ensure students’ confidence in passing the exams.
RealEstateU Cost
RealEstateU is very budget-friendly. Their pricing is simple and competitive, not with crazy hidden fees or huge costs for a proper education.
| Type of Education | ||
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| Prelicensing |
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| Continuing education |
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Use Promo Code: TheClose10—Save $10
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in New York
| Step 1: Meet New York Requirements |
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| Step 2: Complete Prelicensing Courses |
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| tep 3: Get Fingerprints & Background Check |
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| Step 4: Apply for Your New York License |
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| Step 5: Take the Real Estate Exam |
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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 New York
In terms of our methodology at The Close, our team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors created a weighted rubric that involves evaluating 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 to determine the best New York real estate schools 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, livestream, 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 obtain a real estate license in New York?
It can take an average of 3 to 6 months to become a licensed real estate agent in New York. How quickly this can be done depends on how fast you go through the required 77-hour prelicensure course to apply for your license. Students who are studying full-time complete it much faster, while others take longer than that depending on the situation. Upon completion of the course, you will then have to take and pass the state licensing exam. The period it takes to prepare and pass the exam differs, although most students can complete the entire process within a few months based on their schedule.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in NY?
Getting a New York real estate agent license costs upwards of $500 to $1,000. Major expenses will include a prelicensing course, which usually ranges from $200 to $500, depending on the school. Apart from the course fees alone, you are looking at an extra $15 to take the state exam and a license application fee of $65. Additional costs may include fingerprinting at about $50 to $100, background checks, and other study materials or exam prep courses you may want to purchase. Some of these costs could vary a little depending on the school or services you might choose during your licensing process.
Can I get my New York real estate license online?
You can take the 77-hour prelicensing course completely online via an accredited real estate school. Most schools these days offer flexible online courses where you set up your pace to study, which will work for people with busy schedules. While the prelicensing course is taken online, the state licensing examination itself needs to be taken in person at an official testing center. Upon passing the exam, you can submit your license application online, and thereby much of it is accessible remotely.
Your Take
Of the several online real estate schools in New York, you’ll find courses and training that fit almost every learning style, budget, and career objective. Whether you need flexibility in self-paced options or prefer hands-on guidance, there is a program to suit your needs. Because of the high demand for online education, finding the right school while exploring how to become a real estate agent in New York is way easier now than ever for aspiring and active agents in New York.
We want to hear from you! Would you prefer to learn online or in a classroom? Let us know below in the comments!
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