Do You Need a College Degree To Be a Real Estate Agent?

Posted on 11.06.25

If you’re considering a career in real estate but don’t have a college degree, you might be wondering if that’s a roadblock. The good news? It’s not. In most states, becoming a real estate agent doesn’t require a four-year degree, just the right pre-licensing training and determination. This blog breaks down what’s really required and how you can get started, no matter your educational background.

Do REALTORS® Need a Degree?

Here’s the short answer: No U.S. state requires a college degree to become a real estate agent.

So, what percentage of real estate agents have a degree? According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), here are the percentages of the higher education levels of REALTORS®:

Some college: 27%
Bachelor's degree: 34%
Graduate degree and above: 13%
Associate degree: 13%
Some graduate school: 5%

While a degree can definitely help if you want to branch out into other areas, like property management, real estate development, or investment analysis, it’s not a must if your goal is to start selling homes.

Real Estate Agent Requirements

What is required is something called Pre-Licensing. Before you can get your real estate license, you’ll need to complete a set of approved courses. These classes cover the basics you’ll need to know to pass your exam and get started in the industry.

Every state has its own rules about what’s required, so make sure you check your state’s specific education and licensing steps.

Whether you have a college degree or not, you’ll need to meet a few other basic requirements too, like:

Being at least 18 years old
Having a high school diploma or GED
Passing a licensing exam
Completing a background check
Keeping up with continuing education after you’re licensed

At the end of the day, what really makes a great real estate agent isn’t a diploma, it’s your drive, your honesty, and how well you take care of your clients.

Pros and Cons of Pursuing a Real Estate Degree

Before deciding whether to pursue a college degree, it’s important to weigh both the benefits and potential drawbacks.

Pros of Earning a Degree:

Stronger Appeal to Brokerages: Some firms may prefer agents with a college education, especially for specialized or higher-end markets.
Expanded Skills and Knowledge: A degree can give you a broader understanding of business, finance, marketing, or communications, all skills that can boost your effectiveness as an agent.
Broader Career Opportunities: With a degree, you could explore other paths in the real estate industry, such as property development, investment analysis, or urban planning.

While a degree can open doors, it’s not a requirement to succeed in real estate, and it’s important to consider the potential downsides too.

Cons of Earning a Degree:

No Guaranteed Advantage: Having a degree doesn’t automatically mean you’ll land better clients, close more deals, or earn a higher income.
High Upfront Costs: Tuition and related expenses can be steep, often requiring significant financial investment without a guaranteed return.
Time Commitment: Earning a degree typically takes years, time you could otherwise spend building real-world experience and growing your career.

At the end of the day, a college degree can be a valuable tool, but it’s not the only path to a successful real estate career. It all depends on your goals, your timeline, and how you want to build your future.

What’s the Best Degree for Real Estate Agents?

If you’ve decided to pursue a degree, choosing the right major is key. Your major will determine not only the type of courses you’ll take but also how long your program will last and how well it aligns with your career goals.

When selecting a major, consider factors like your ability to succeed in the program, whether you prefer classroom or online courses, how much time you're willing to commit, and how much you’re comfortable investing (or borrowing) for tuition.

Here are some of the most popular and useful majors for future real estate agents:

Business

A business degree is one of the most versatile options for aspiring real estate agents. It gives you a strong foundation in management, operations, negotiation, and entrepreneurship, skills that are critical whether you're working for a brokerage or running your own real estate business.

Courses in leadership, strategic planning, and business law can also help you better navigate contracts, client relationships, and growth opportunities.

Marketing

Real estate success is closely tied to your ability to market properties, and yourself. A marketing degree teaches you how to build a brand, create compelling advertisements, understand market trends, and master digital platforms like social media and email marketing.

With strong marketing skills, you can attract more clients, promote listings effectively, and differentiate yourself in a competitive market.

Finance

A finance degree gives you a deep understanding of how money moves, which is at the heart of almost every real estate transaction. You'll gain skills in investment analysis, mortgage lending, financial planning, and risk management.

These insights can be especially valuable if you plan to work with investors, help clients with financing options, or even build your own real estate investment portfolio.

Psychology

Buying or selling a home is often an emotional decision. A background in psychology can help you better understand your clients’ motivations, build trust, and negotiate more effectively. It can also strengthen your interpersonal skills, making you a better communicator and problem-solver when tensions rise during a transaction.

Accounting

A degree in accounting can be extremely valuable for real estate agents who want to stay on top of their business finances or help clients navigate financial paperwork.

You’ll develop skills in budgeting, tax planning, bookkeeping, and financial reporting, all of which are important whether you’re managing your commissions or advising clients on the financial implications of buying or selling property.

Get Your Real Estate License With VanEd

At the end of the day, whether you pursue a college degree is a personal choice. While higher education can open doors, real-world experience and specialized training are just as important in building a successful real estate career.

If you're ready to take your first step into the industry, you'll need to complete pre-licensing courses and pass your licensing exam. Or if you want to improve your knowledge, sign up for our Continuing Education Courses.

VanEd makes it easy to get started. Our online real estate pre-licensing course gives you the essential knowledge and skills to launch your career with confidence. Wherever your real estate journey takes you, it begins with the right education.

Enroll today and start working toward your future as a licensed real estate agent!