2026 Best Value Real Estate Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Real Estate master’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.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found Cornell University to be the best-value Real Estate school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Cornell University Real Estate students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. Get the full Cornell University report
Out of the 243 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #2 spot. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Real Estate students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
A rank of #3 makes Depaul University one of the best values in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, Depaul University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,751. Set against $25,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University has an acceptance rate of 76%. Read more about Depaul University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #4 place in the United States. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. The median Real Estate program debt is $20,031. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
Out of the 243 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Clemson University landed the #5 spot. Based in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Typical Real Estate student debt is $23,783. Median earnings reach $71,513 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Clemson University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Real Estate students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $111,371. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Fordham University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Based in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,470. Typical Real Estate student debt is $25,643. Median earnings reach $85,569 ten years out. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 59%. Get the full Fordham University report
University Of Utah landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. University Of Utah Real Estate students take on a median of $20,798 in debt. University Of Utah alumni report median earnings of $67,170 a decade after entry. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Utah profile
Iowa State University placed #9 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Real Estate students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. See the full Iowa State University profile
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,289. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
New York University landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Typical Real Estate student debt is $20,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New York University has an acceptance rate of 9%. Get the full New York University report
University Of San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. The median Real Estate program debt is $21,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $86,522. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants. See the full University Of San Diego profile
University Of Florida landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. The median Real Estate program debt is $17,669. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. See the full University Of Florida profile
Roosevelt University came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Set in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,315. Typical Real Estate student debt is $23,879. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,712. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roosevelt University admits about 97% of applicants. See the full Roosevelt University profile
Pepperdine University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Malibu, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $69,918. Students borrow a median of $23,645 to complete their Real Estate program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted. More on Pepperdine University
Georgetown University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. The median Real Estate program debt is $16,483. Graduates go on to earn a median of $103,494 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 13% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Georgetown University profile
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school based in Boulder, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. University Of Colorado Boulder Real Estate students take on a median of $20,373 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $69,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
Portland State University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 91% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Portland State University
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Texas At Arlington report
George Mason University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. The median Real Estate program debt is $23,529. George Mason University alumni report median earnings of $76,343 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full George Mason University profile
Johns Hopkins University placed #21 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. The median Real Estate program debt is $13,426. Median earnings reach $87,555 ten years out. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 6%. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
American University offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical Real Estate student debt is $24,139. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,370 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on American University
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Set in Kansas City, MO, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. University Of Missouri Kansas City Real Estate students take on a median of $23,741 in debt. Median earnings reach $59,637 ten years out. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City has an acceptance rate of 72%. More on University Of Missouri Kansas City
Nova Southeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fort Lauderdale, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete their Real Estate program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,209 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read more about Nova Southeastern University
Florida International University landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Miami, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Florida International University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Real Estate Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Harvard University placed #26 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Harvard University Real Estate students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $101,817. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University has an acceptance rate of 4%. More on Harvard University
University Of Denver placed #28 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical Real Estate student debt is $22,534. Median earnings reach $71,155 ten years out. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Denver report
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit school based in New Orleans, LA. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $63,268 ten years out. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%. Read more about Tulane University Of Louisiana
Blinn College
Blinn College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Get the full Blinn College report
California State University Los Angeles came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. More on California State University Los Angeles
Lake Tahoe Community College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Lake Tahoe Community College profile
Santa Rosa Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Santa Rosa Junior College
Coahoma Community College landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Coahoma Community College report
South Plains College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. More on South Plains College
Bristol Community College placed #35 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Read more about Bristol Community College
Collin County Community College District offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about Collin County Community College District
East Los Angeles College offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. See the full East Los Angeles College profile
Nichols College
Nichols College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. More on Nichols College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #39 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Ogden Weber Technical College placed #40 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. More on Ogden Weber Technical College
Irvine Valley College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Irvine Valley College report
Antelope Valley College ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Read the full report on Antelope Valley College
Endicott College
Endicott College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. See the full Endicott College profile
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pennsylvania Western University
Arizona State University landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Arizona State University
Hinds Community College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Hinds Community College report
Los Angeles City College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read the full report on Los Angeles City College
Mclennan Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. More on Mclennan Community College
Merritt College
Merritt College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Merritt College report
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #50 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. See the full Glendale Community College Glendale Az profile
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 Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Real Estate Graduate Certificate 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. Rankings consider 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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