2026 Best Value Real Estate Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Real Estate associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 243 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Real Estate Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
American Public University System tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Real Estate associate's degree schools in the United States. Based in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical Real Estate student debt is $23,765. American Public University System alumni report median earnings of $44,409 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on American Public University System
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values in the United States. El Centro College is a public school based in Dallas, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical Real Estate student debt is $17,063. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,714 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full El Centro College report
Houston Community College came in at #3 on this year's best-value Real Estate ranking in the United States. Located in Houston, TX, Houston Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Students borrow a median of $22,743 to complete their Real Estate program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,254. Set against $22,743 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Houston Community College
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Real Estate ranking in the United States. Located in Pewaukee, WI, Waukesha County Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Graduates carry a median of $16,595 in student loans. Median earnings reach $46,894 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,595 median debt. See the full Waukesha County Technical College profile
A rank of #5 makes San Jacinto Community College one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Pasadena, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,490, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete their Real Estate program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about San Jacinto Community College
Clark State Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Clark State Community College is a public school based in Springfield, OH. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Graduates carry a median of $20,740 in student loans. Clark State Community College alumni report median earnings of $39,584 a decade after entry. Set against $20,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Clark State Community College
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical Real Estate student debt is $18,296. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,113 ten years after entry. Set against $18,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Milwaukee Area Technical College
Sinclair Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Dayton, OH. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $13,718 to complete their Real Estate program here. Sinclair Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,558 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Sinclair Community College report
Marion Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Marion Technical College is a public school based in Marion, OH. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Typical Real Estate student debt is $11,828. Median earnings reach $41,495 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Marion Technical College
Lorain County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Lorain County Community College is a public school based in Elyria, OH. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete their Real Estate program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Lorain County Community College
South Plains College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Based in Levelland, TX, South Plains College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,733 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete their Real Estate program here. South Plains College alumni report median earnings of $41,276 a decade after entry. Set against $13,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full South Plains College profile
Tarrant County College District placed #12 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Worth, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Tarrant County College District Real Estate students take on a median of $15,003 in debt. Tarrant County College District alumni report median earnings of $42,727 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Tarrant County College District report
Collin County Community College District placed #13 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. This public school is set in McKinney, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Collin County Community College District report
Cerritos College landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Cerritos College is a public school based in Norwalk, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical Real Estate student debt is $11,306. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,156 ten years after entry. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Cerritos College profile
Austin Community College District ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Located in Austin, TX, Austin Community College District is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical Real Estate student debt is $9,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,177 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Austin Community College District
Mt San Antonio College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Walnut, CA, Mt San Antonio College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Mt San Antonio College Real Estate students take on a median of $9,384 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,283 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt. See the full Mt San Antonio College profile
American River College placed #17 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. This public school is set in Sacramento, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete their Real Estate program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,162 ten years after entry. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on American River College
College Of The Canyons placed #18 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. College Of The Canyons is a public school based in Santa Clarita, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical Real Estate student debt is $9,776. College Of The Canyons alumni report median earnings of $49,022 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt. Read more about College Of The Canyons
Valencia College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Located in Orlando, FL, Valencia College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $9,576 for out-of-state students. Valencia College Real Estate students take on a median of $14,413 in debt. Valencia College alumni report median earnings of $40,594 a decade after entry. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Valencia College profile
El Camino Community College District ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. El Camino Community College District is a public school based in Torrance, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. El Camino Community College District alumni report median earnings of $41,589 a decade after entry. Read the full report on El Camino Community College District
Antelope Valley College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Lancaster, CA, Antelope Valley College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Typical Real Estate student debt is $10,729. Antelope Valley College alumni report median earnings of $36,526 a decade after entry. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Antelope Valley College
Riverside City College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Riverside, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Riverside City College Real Estate students take on a median of $8,767 in debt. Median earnings reach $41,091 ten years out. Set against $8,767 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Riverside City College
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Glendale, CA, Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,191, with out-of-state students paying around $10,935. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca Real Estate students take on a median of $19,800 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Glendale Community College Glendale Ca report
College Of Southern Nevada ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Based in Las Vegas, NV, College Of Southern Nevada is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,980 to complete their Real Estate program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about College Of Southern Nevada
San Antonio College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Set in San Antonio, TX, San Antonio College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,839 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $39,711 ten years out. Set against $11,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on San Antonio College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Real Estate Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Mt San Jacinto Community College District offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Set in San Jacinto, CA, Mt San Jacinto Community College District is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,448, with out-of-state students paying around $12,728. Typical Real Estate student debt is $8,770. Mt San Jacinto Community College District alumni report median earnings of $38,319 a decade after entry. Set against $8,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Mendocino College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Based in Ukiah, CA, Mendocino College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,423, with out-of-state students paying around $10,003. Typical Real Estate student debt is $20,000. Median earnings reach $40,243 ten years out. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Mendocino College
San Diego Mesa College placed #28 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, San Diego Mesa College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $45,120 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about San Diego Mesa College
Victor Valley College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Victor Valley College is a public school based in Victorville, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, with out-of-state students paying around $10,125. Students borrow a median of $7,995 to complete their Real Estate program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,119. Set against $7,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Victor Valley College profile
Hinds Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Located in Raymond, MS, Hinds Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,250, compared with $7,300 for out-of-state students. Hinds Community College Real Estate students take on a median of $16,385 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,774. That is a strong return on a $16,385 median debt. Get the full Hinds Community College report
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. San Bernardino Valley College is a public school based in San Bernardino, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $39,676 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Read more about San Bernardino Valley College
Orange Coast College placed #32 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Orange Coast College is a public school based in Costa Mesa, CA. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical Real Estate student debt is $8,978. Median earnings reach $47,348 ten years out. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Orange Coast College
Florida State University placed #33 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. See the full Florida State University profile
Arizona State University landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Arizona State University report
Saddleback College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Read the full report on Saddleback College
Coastal Carolina University placed #36 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Read the full report on Coastal Carolina University
Morgan Community College placed #37 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. More on Morgan Community College
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Lakewood University placed #39 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. More on Lakewood University
Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #40 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. See the full Lamar Institute Of Technology profile
Scottsdale Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. See the full Scottsdale Community College profile
Blinn College
Blinn College placed #42 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. See the full Blinn College profile
Ferris State University placed #43 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Get the full Ferris State University report
Cornell University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Get the full Cornell University report
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. More on Florida State College At Jacksonville
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Akron Main Campus profile
El Camino College Compton Center placed #47 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Get the full El Camino College Compton Center report
University Of San Diego came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of San Diego
Santiago Canyon College placed #49 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. See the full Santiago Canyon College profile
University Of Georgia came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Related Real Estate Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Real Estate Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Real Estate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 243 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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