Looking to sell homes in the Natural State? Before you start showing lakefront retreats or handing over keys in Little Rock, you’ll need a real estate education that fits your life.
As a real estate agent who earned my license through an online school, I know how much the right learning environment matters when you’re juggling unfamiliar terminology, exam preparation, and everything else on your calendar.
I compared these Arkansas real estate schools to help you find the right balance of flexibility, instructor support, and practical preparation, whether you want to study independently, join a live virtual class, or pull up a chair in an actual classroom.
| School | Best for | Starting prelicensing price |
|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | Career preparation | $369 |
| Arkansas Real Estate School | Live online instruction | $450 |
| Colibri Real Estate | Exam preparation | $379 |
| The CE Shop | Flexible independent learning | $379 |
| The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School | In-person learning | $450 |
Why you can trust The Close
As a licensed real estate agent, I understand that choosing a school is an early investment in your career. Having completed my own licensing education online, I know the importance of clear explanations, manageable coursework, and support that helps you move past difficult topics.
For this guide, I combined that perspective with research into each school’s Arkansas offerings and published policies. The Close’s editorial approach prioritizes accurate, practical guidance so you can choose an education provider with a clear understanding of its strengths and limitations.
Sophia Doyle
Staff Writer–The Close
- The Close’s top picks for Arkansas real estate schools
- Kaplan: Best for career preparation
- Arkansas Real Estate School: Best for live online instruction
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for exam preparation
- The CE Shop: Best for flexible independent learning
- The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School: Best for in-person learning
- How to choose the right Arkansas real estate school
- Methodology
- Bringing it all together
The Close’s top picks for Arkansas real estate schools
| School | The Close score | Learning approach | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | 4.8 | Online coursework with supplemental live learning support | Visit Kaplan |
| Arkansas Real Estate School | 4.1 | Scheduled live virtual instruction | Visit Arkansas Real Estate School |
| Colibri Real Estate | 4.1 | Online coursework with additional support in select packages | Visit Colibri Real Estate |
| The CE Shop | 3.9 | Self-paced online learning | Visit The CE Shop |
| The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School | 3.2 | Local classroom instruction and online course through The CE Shop | Visit The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School |
Kaplan: Best for career preparation
My expert opinion on Kaplan
Kaplan is my top pick because I prefer an education provider that helps students think beyond completing the coursework. Getting licensed is exciting, but the transition into working with clients can feel surprisingly abrupt. From an agent’s perspective, exposure to the practical side of the business during school can help you ask better questions when interviewing brokerages and make more thoughtful decisions about how you want to start.
I also appreciate the balance between independent study and opportunities to ask questions. When you’re learning real estate terminology, it’s easy to recognize a definition without fully understanding how it applies. I would recommend Kaplan to someone who wants the flexibility of online learning but expects to benefit from discussing confusing concepts instead of repeatedly rereading the same explanation.
Kaplan cost
| Course or package | Price | What to know |
| Arkansas Real Estate Principles | $369 | Required 60-hour online prelicensing course |
| AR Exam Prep Package | $399 | Licensing coursework, exam preparation, and Live Online Learning Hub access |
| Career Launcher | $799 | Exam-preparation package plus Real Estate Accelerator and additional study materials |
Arkansas Real Estate School: Best for live online instruction
My expert opinion on Arkansas Real Estate School
Arkansas Real Estate School is the option I would point toward someone who knows they need accountability. Online school sounds convenient until studying keeps getting pushed behind work, family, and everything else. Having a class on your calendar gives that goal a dedicated place in your week, and the ability to ask a question while a topic is being explained can prevent a small misunderstanding from following you through the rest of the course.
The local focus also appeals to me as an agent. National concepts matter, but students need help connecting those concepts to the state where they intend to practice. I like the potential for a more conversational learning experience with instructors who work in the industry. This would be a strong fit for someone who wants to participate, discuss examples, and feel connected to the people teaching them.
Arkansas Real Estate cost
| Type of education | Price | What to know |
| Salesperson prelicensing | $450 | 60-hour live virtual course |
| Salesperson post-licensing | $250 | 18-hour course with materials |
| Continuing education | $70 | Seven-hour program |
| Broker prelicensing | $575 | 60-hour course with books and materials |
| Arkansas law exam-prep guide | $30 | Print or digital guide; print shipping costs extra |
Colibri Real Estate: Best for exam preparation
My expert opinion on Colibri Real Estate
Colibri is a strong choice for students whose biggest concern is walking into the licensing exam feeling prepared. From my own licensing experience, finishing a course and feeling ready to be tested are different milestones. I value an approach that encourages students to identify what they still misunderstand and spend their review time there, rather than repeatedly studying the topics they already know.
My advice would be to choose your level of support honestly. If you tend to second-guess answers or need someone to explain why a response is wrong, additional guidance may be worthwhile. If you’re comfortable organizing your own review, you may need less.
Colibri makes the most sense to me when students choose based on their learning habits instead of automatically buying the least expensive or most comprehensive option.
Colibri Real Estate cost
| Prelicensing package | Price | What to know |
| The Basics | $379 | Required coursework with instructor support, AI tutor, and narrated audio |
| Exam Preparation | $479 | Adds simulated exams, flashcards, and readiness tracking |
| Exam Preparation Plus | $549 | Adds live instructor Q&A and Exam Cram webinars |
| Ultimate Learning | $659 | Adds a printed textbook and Career Booster Pack |
The CE Shop: Best for flexible independent learning
My expert opinion on The CE Shop
I recommend The CE Shop for someone who wants to fit school around an existing routine. Having earned my license online, I understand the appeal of studying when you have the time and concentration for it. That flexibility can make a career change feel more manageable, particularly when attending a scheduled class would require rearranging your workweek.
However, I would be honest with yourself about how you handle independent learning. A flexible course works best when you give it structure, even if that structure is simply a recurring study appointment. I like this option for students who are comfortable checking their progress, reviewing mistakes, and keeping themselves moving. If you routinely put off tasks without a deadline, I would lean toward a more instructor-led experience.
The CE Shop cost
| Prelicensing package | Standard price | What to know |
| Course Only | $379 | Required 60-hour prelicensing course |
| Standard | $479 | Adds Exam Prep Edge and an eligible pass guarantee |
| Value | $555 | Adds professional-development coursework |
| Premium | $769 | Adds 18-hour Arkansas salesperson post-licensing |
The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School: Best for in-person learning
My expert opinion on The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School
Big R.E.D. would be my pick for someone who wants to step away from the laptop and learn in a room with other people. Real estate involves asking questions, listening carefully, and explaining unfamiliar ideas. A classroom gives students opportunities to practice those habits while learning, and hearing another student’s question can reveal something you didn’t realize you misunderstood.
I also see value in starting your education with a local connection to the industry. For someone entering real estate without an existing professional network, conversations with instructors and classmates can make the career feel more approachable. I would choose Big R.E.D. for that classroom experience. Its online option is provided through The CE Shop, so students choosing that route should evaluate the online provider’s platform and policies separately.
The Big R.E.D. Real Estate Development School cost
| Type of education | Price | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Salesperson prelicensing | $450 | 60-hour classroom course |
| Salesperson post-licensing | $180 | 18-hour course |
| Continuing education | $70-$75 | Seven-hour course; price varies by location |
| Exam prep | $150 | 16-hour classroom course |
How to choose the right Arkansas real estate school
If this sounds like you… | Prioritize this |
|---|---|
| “I need someone to explain things when I get stuck.” | Direct instructor access and live question-and-answer opportunities |
| “My work schedule changes every week.” | Self-paced coursework and clear access deadlines |
| “I keep putting off studying.” | Scheduled classes and a defined completion calendar |
| “I’m nervous about the licensing exam.” | Practice assessments with explanations and targeted review |
| “I want to meet people in the industry.” | Local classroom interaction and career guidance |
| “I’m trying to keep costs under control.” | Total required costs, including books, exam prep, and extensions |
Methodology
I evaluated these schools using the following categories, with attention to their Arkansas-specific offerings:
- Course features
- Instructor assistance, exam preparation, guarantees, course access, extensions, and career resources.
- Value
- Tuition, included materials, optional upgrades, and education available beyond initial licensing.
- Learning format and accessibility
- Independent study, live virtual instruction, classroom options, and practical scheduling considerations.
- Help and support
- Published contact options and the distinction between customer service and instructional assistance.
- Reputation
- Student feedback where available, with attention to whether it relates to the relevant course or location.
- Expert opinion
- How well each option fits an aspiring agent's needs, informed by my experience completing online licensing education.
I distinguished between courses a school teaches directly and courses supplied through a partner. These recommendations reflect my research and perspective as a licensed agent, not a claim that I personally completed every program.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Should I choose self-paced classes or live instruction?
Choose self-paced learning if you can maintain a study routine independently and need flexibility. Live instruction is a better fit if you learn through discussion, want immediate clarification, or benefit from a scheduled class. Think about how you have successfully learned difficult material before.
Can I complete Arkansas real estate school online?
Yes. Arkansas students can choose approved online prelicensing education, including self-paced and live virtual options. The required salesperson prelicensing education totals 60 hours. Completing the course is one part of the licensing process; applicants must also meet the Arkansas Real Estate Commission’s other requirements.
What if I finish the course but still don’t feel ready for the exam?
Use practice results to identify the topics causing difficulty, then ask for help or focus your review there. Check your school’s repeat-attendance and continued-support policies before purchasing another course. Some providers allow additional review, but the terms differ.
Bringing it all together
The best Arkansas real estate school is the one that keeps you engaged, helps you understand the material, and builds confidence for the next step. Choose based on your actual study habits, compare the support included, and make sure the schedule and total cost work for you. As an agent who started with online licensing classes, I’d encourage you to take the learning seriously while remembering that school is the beginning. The habits you build now, including asking questions and following through, will serve you long after exam day.
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