4 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio (+License Guide)

Diving into a career in real estate is an excellent endeavor in Ohio, but you must get the right education. Online real estate schools allow you to take the courses from anywhere in the state, whether you’re in the bustling Columbus area or the scenic countryside. When exploring how to become a real estate agent in Ohio, students should select a school that offers flexibility and support for a successful real estate career. I’ve gathered the top 4 real estate schools in Ohio to help you get started.

Fortune Academy: Best for mobile learning application
Hondros College: Best for broker prelicensing courses
Colibri Real Estate: Best for live exam prep courses
The CE Shop: Best for affordable continuing education

Want to learn more about the Ohio licensing process before jumping into school details? I’ve got you covered! Click here to jump to the “How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio” section below.

The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio
Best for Mobile Learning Application: Fortune Academy
Best for Broker Prelicensing Courses: Hondros College
Best for Live Exam Prep Courses: Colibri Real Estate
Best for Affordable Continuing Education: The CE Shop
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio
How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Your Take

The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio

Our Top Picks	Starting Price for Prelicensing	Promo Code	Read More Below
Fortune Academy: Best for mobile learning application	$1049	Close30—Save 30%	Fortune Academy↓
Hondros College: Best for broker prelicensing courses	$1099	No promo code	Hondros College↓
Colibri Real Estate: Best for live exam prep courses	$1099	TheClose40—Save 40%	Colibri Real Estate↓
The CE Shop: Best for affordable continuing education	$1499	TheClose35—Save 35%	The CE Shop↓

Best for Mobile Learning Application: Fortune Academy

Pros

Pass guarantee
Direct instructor assistance
Career assistance provided to students
Accessible on all devices

Cons

No broker licensing course
Small fee for a course extension
Artificial intelligence tools not used
Course access for only 6 months

The Close Score

4.9

Value:

2.4

Learning Format & Accessibility:

5.0

Course Features:

3.5

Help & Support:

5.0

Reputation:

1.8

Expert Score:

5.0

/ 5

My Expert Opinion on Fortune Academy

With the world moving so fast, Fortune Academy students can access courses on the go with a mobile application. This is especially helpful if a student juggles their educational and professional needs. Ohio students can study anywhere or complete assignments using their mobile app anytime. It’s intuitive and keeps you connected with the coursework without sacrificing the quality of the learning experience.

💡Room for Improvement: One addition that may be made is offering specific real estate license classes for exam prep to better prepare the students for their exams for licensure.

Fortune Academy Cost

Fortune Academy provides online courses for real estate and offers a range of formats for students who need flexibility and/or mobility. Below is a table detailing the real estate license Ohio cost and courses.

Type of Education	Price Range	Standout Features
Prelicensing	$1049 to $1301	Interactive online courses 24/7 support OHREC approved courses
Post-licensing	$209	Self-paced format Money back guarantee 20 credit hours
Continuing education	$$65 to $145	Required and elective courses Online course format Packaged or individual courses available

Enroll in Fortune Academy

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Best for Broker Prelicensing Courses: Hondros College

Pros

Courses for any stage of a real estate career
In-person course format available
Refund guarantee
Interactive study groups

Cons

No AI tools leveraged by school
Mobile application not offered
On-demand video format not provided
Expensive CE courses compared with competitors

The Close Score

4.8

Value:

3.3

Learning Format & Accessibility:

3.5

Course Features:

4.1

Help & Support:

4.5

Reputation:

3.9

Expert Score:

4.3

/ 5

My Expert Opinion on Hondros College

Hondros College is an Ohio real estate school ideal for aspiring real estate brokers because of its solid broker prelicensing course offering. The detailed curriculum they put together will get you through passing the state exam and prepare you for your career as a real estate broker. With in-depth material, experienced instructors, and an emphasis on practical knowledge, Hondros provides specialized education for brokers.

💡Room for Improvement: Hondros can also do better by changing with the times and embracing the AI tools that allow for better personalization of learning experiences and improved student outcomes.

Hondros College Cost

When deciding how to become a real estate agent in Ohio, select a school with the most variety of real estate courses in Ohio. Hondros College has programs that cater to both aspiring agents and those looking to advance their careers.

Type of Education	Price Range	Standout Features
Prelicensing	$1099 to $1999	Instructor assistance 7 days a week Textbooks included National exam review provided
Post-licensing	$199	Livestream or online format 20-hour course Flexible learning schedule
Continuing education	$27 to $199	Online, livestream, or live course format Individual or packaged course options Taught by expert faculty
Broker prelicensing	$999 to $3999	Financial assistance offered Covers state and national portion of the test Self-paced learning format
Exam prep	$59 to $299	Livestream options available Flashcard add-ons for purchase In-person prep in some locations

Enroll in Hondros College

Best for Live Exam Prep Courses: Colibri Real Estate

Pros

Accessible on all devices
Pass guarantee
Course extensions available
Direct instructor assistance

Cons

Broker prelicensing course not offered
In-person courses not offered
Interactive study groups not available
Support during specific business hours

The Close Score

4.5

Value:

3.1

Learning Format & Accessibility:

3.5

Course Features:

3.8

Help & Support:

3.0

Reputation:

2.1

Expert Score:

4.6

/ 5

My Expert Opinion on Colibri Real Estate

One of the best Ohio real estate schools providing live exam prep courses is Colibri Real Estate. The school is ideal for those seeking real-time support while studying for Ohio real estate exams. It will provide you with a classroom-like experience where you can ask instructors questions and get feedback immediately. Their live exam prep courses are perfectly designed for those students who perform better in a more interactive and structured environment.

💡Room for Improvement: In-person classes would be a nice option for those students who learn better hands-on in the classroom.

Colibri Real Estate Cost

Many of the courses offered at Colibri for Ohio real estate agents are through a partnership with Hondros College. However, Colibri does offer its own exam prep materials.

Type of Education	Price Range	Standout Features
Prelicensing*	$1099 to $1999	Instructor assistance 7 days a week Textbooks included National exam review provided
Post-licensing*	$199	Livestream or online format 20-hour course Flexible learning schedule
Continuing education*	$27 to $199	Online, livestream, or live course format Individual or packaged course options Taught by expert faculty
Exam prep	$115 to $219	Flashcard included Simulated exams provided Available audio review guides
*Offered through Hondros College

Enroll in Colibri Real Estate

Use Promo Code: TheClose40—Save 40%

Best for Affordable Continuing Education: The CE Shop

Pros

Course access for 12 months
Career assistance
Refund guarantee
Phone, email, and live chat support options

Cons

Limited course offerings for OH real estate professionals
No in-person courses
Mobile learning application not provided
Course extensions not offered

The Close Score

4.5

Value:

2.8

Learning Format & Accessibility:

3.5

Course Features:

2.8

Help & Support:

4.5

Reputation:

2.1

Expert Score:

4.6

/ 5

My Expert Opinion on The CE Shop

The CE Shop is the most appropriate choice if you’re looking for continuing education (CE) on a budget. Whether it’s renewing your Ohio real estate license or learning something new, The CE Shop offers affordable CE courses without compromising on quality. It has a range of continuing education courses to help you meet Ohio’s licensing requirements while keeping abreast of the newest industry trends. Their pricing is competitive, and the online format is easy to complete at your own pace, making it an excellent choice for long-term professional development.

💡Room for Improvement: While great for continuing education, The CE Shop could extend better prelicensing courses at an affordable rate to attract new real estate students.

The CE Shop Cost

Although known for its continuing education courses, The CE Shop offers additional exam prep and prelicensing programs to help students obtain their Ohio real estate license.

Type of Education	Price Range	Standout Features
Prelicensing	$1499 to $1859	Career resources provided Digital flashcards included Downloadable resources offered
Post-licensing	$29 to $265	Individual or packaged course options Packages include NAR’s ethics course For both required and elective hours
Exam prep	$79 to $135	Individual lessons by topic Support 7 days a week Simulated exams provided

Enroll in The CE Shop

Use Promo Code: TheClose35—Save 35%

Need to see more before making a decision? Check out our walkthrough video for The CE Shop below:

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Ohio

Step 1: Meet OH Requirements	You must be at least 18 years old. You must be a US citizen or lawfully admitted resident. You must possess a high school diploma or GED.
Step 2: Complete Prelicensing Courses	Take 120 hours of prelicensing classes Check out our list of approved schools by clicking here
Step 3: Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage	Find a brokerage that fits your business needs How to Choose a Real Estate Company or Broker to Work For
Step 4: Get Fingerprints & Background Check	Schedule fingerprinting through Fast Fingerprints $72
Step 5: Apply for Your OH License	Application for salesperson examination Course completion certificate Proof of legal presence Broker hire form State and FBI background check information Fingerprint card Apply through eLicense Center $81 fee
Step 6: Take the Real Estate Exam	Exam details (number of questions/length of time) The exam costs $63 Schedule real estate exam through PSI Exams 70% pass rate
Step 7: Start Your Real Estate Career	The Ultimate Checklist for New Real Estate Agents: Your Path to Success How to Get Clients in Real Estate: Our Top 11 Tips

How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio

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 for determining the best Ohio real estate school online 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)

Obtaining a real estate license in Ohio takes about 2 to 6 months. The time will vary depending on your schedule and the speed at which you follow through on the steps involved. First, you’ll take 120 hours of state-approved prelicensing coursework, which can be done online or in the classroom. After you have completed the coursework, you will be taking the Ohio real estate exam, getting a background check, and applying to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Extra factors that might affect your timeline include time to schedule and pass the exam, plus any processing times to get your license application.

There is no limitation on the number of attempts you could make for the real estate exam within one year from the time you completed your prelicensing education, though a separate charge would be paid for each retake. For this reason, many students feel it’s worth investing in additional courses in exam preparation that will help raise the chances of success should subsequent attempts be necessary.

The typical cost associated with becoming a real estate agent in Ohio ranges from $1,200 to $2,000. This includes the required 120 hours of prelicensing education one needs to take, which can range in price from $1000 to $2,000, depending on the school and if the classes are taken online or in a classroom. Other costs include the Ohio real estate exam fee, a license application fee, and background check fees that will cost up to $500. You might also want to invest in optional examination preparatory courses or study materials, which will add to the overall cost.

Your Take

Whether you are a busy professional who needs access to your coursework on your cell phone or an aspiring broker in search of advanced prelicensing education, the real estate schools of Ohio have got you covered. These schools offer a combination of affordability, comprehensive content, and convenience. Their courses are designed to allow you to succeed on your terms. The online schools focus not only on foundational knowledge for new agents, but also on continuing education for experienced professionals, making them very supportive of real estate careers at all levels.

What do you think is the most important thing to consider when choosing a school for your Ohio real estate license? Leave a comment!

The Best 4 Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio (+ OH License Guide)

The Close’s Top Picks of Online Real Estate Schools in Ohio