2026 Best Value Real Estate Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Real Estate master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 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 help you make your decision, Business Degree Central analyzed schools to build 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:
Leading the list is Cornell University, our #1 best-value Real Estate school in the United States. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Typical Real Estate student debt is $15,005. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $104,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted. More on Cornell University
You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical Real Estate student debt is $20,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $73,792. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. About 45% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Out of the 243 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Depaul University landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Depaul University Real Estate students take on a median of $25,310 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,751 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read more about Depaul University
Out of the 243 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University College Station Real Estate students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station has an acceptance rate of 57%. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Clemson University earned it the #5 place in the United States. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $71,513 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 38% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Clemson University
University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Real Estate program here. University Of Pennsylvania alumni report median earnings of $111,371 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Fordham University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Students borrow a median of $25,643 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $85,569 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,643 median debt. Fordham University admits about 59% of applicants. More on Fordham University
University Of Utah offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. The median Real Estate program debt is $20,798. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,170 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Utah report
Iowa State University landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ames, IA. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,495 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%. Read the full report on Iowa State University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. The median Real Estate program debt is $24,673. Median earnings reach $57,289 ten years out. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
New York University offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. The median Real Estate program debt is $20,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,509 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 9% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on New York University
University Of San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Based in San Diego, CA, University Of San Diego is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $59,486. Typical Real Estate student debt is $21,000. Median earnings reach $86,522 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. About 52% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of San Diego
University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Set 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Florida
Roosevelt University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Based in Chicago, IL, Roosevelt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Graduates carry a median of $23,879 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,712. That is a strong return on a $23,879 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. See the full Roosevelt University profile
Georgetown University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Pepperdine University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit school based 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. That is a strong return on a $23,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%. See the full Pepperdine University profile
University Of Colorado Boulder offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Boulder, CO, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical Real Estate student debt is $20,373. Median earnings reach $69,738 ten years out. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
Portland State University placed #18 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Located in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical Real Estate student debt is $26,475. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,906. That is a strong return on a $26,475 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Portland State University
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full The University Of Texas At Arlington profile
George Mason University came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Real Estate program here. Median earnings reach $76,343 ten years out. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. More on George Mason University
Johns Hopkins University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $87,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 6%. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
American University placed #22 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. American University alumni report median earnings of $77,370 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted. See the full American University profile
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Kansas City, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. The median Real Estate program debt is $23,741. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,637. Set against $23,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Kansas City has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full University Of Missouri Kansas City report
Nova Southeastern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. The median Real Estate program debt is $25,021. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,209. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants. Read more about Nova Southeastern University
Florida International University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Florida International University is a public school based in Miami, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Florida International University alumni report median earnings of $60,249 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Florida International University report
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 came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical Real Estate student debt is $16,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $101,817 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. More on Harvard University
University Of Denver landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. The median Real Estate program debt is $22,534. University Of Denver alumni report median earnings of $71,155 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #29 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Located in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete their Real Estate program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,268. That is a strong return on a $22,077 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Tulane University Of Louisiana
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of South Florida Main Campus report
Lake Tahoe Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Read more about Lake Tahoe Community College
Rio Salado College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read the full report on Rio Salado College
Syracuse University placed #32 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Read more about Syracuse University
Columbia College Missouri offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Columbia College Missouri
South Dakota State University offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read the full report on South Dakota State University
Ball State University landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ball State University
Cerritos College
Cerritos College placed #36 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. More on Cerritos College
Los Angeles City College placed #37 among the best-value Real Estate schools in the United States. Get the full Los Angeles City College report
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Akron Main Campus
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Delgado Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Delgado Community College profile
Los Angeles Southwest College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Los Angeles Southwest College
Butte College
Butte College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Butte College
Sacramento City College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. More on Sacramento City College
Menlo College
Menlo College came in at #44 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Menlo College
Villanova University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Villanova University report
Colorado Mountain College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Colorado Mountain College
Madison Area Technical College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Real Estate schools. Read more about Madison Area Technical College
Morgan Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Morgan Community College profile
Cisco College
Cisco College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Cisco College report
Modesto Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. More on Modesto Junior College
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 Business Degree Central (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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