When it comes to the best online real estate school in Pennsylvania, the most esteemed schools offer affordable pricing and features, like one-on-one coaching or mentoring, course aids, and customer support that enhance the process of getting your Pennsylvania real estate license. This will help you complete the state’s prelicensing, post-licensing, broker licensing, and continuing education (CE) prerequisites.
Our comprehensive assessment of online real estate courses in Pennsylvania recommends the following schools based on pricing, features, learning formats, ease of use, and customer reviews:
- Colibri Real Estate: Best for flexible learning options and course packages
- Kaplan: Best for online learning tools and formats
- Fortune Academy: Best for broker prelicensing
- The CE Shop: Best for course duration extension
Want to learn more about the Pennsylvania licensing process before jumping into school details? I’ve got you covered! Click here to jump to the “How to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania” section below.
Colibri Real Estate: Best for Flexible Learning Options & Course Packages
Pros
- It has live Q&A sessions.
- It has live chat available for students.
- Live stream sessions, on-demand videos, and self-paced online classes are available.
Cons
- You will need to pay extra for physical study materials.
- It only allows six months of course access.
- No mobile app is available.
Colibri Real Estate offers a comprehensive range of Pennsylvania real estate courses that you can customize with a self-paced or live learning experience. Engage and interact with experienced instructors to ensure your progress and provide the guidance you need to help you become a real estate agent.
The school also includes a one-year professional development membership, granting you ongoing access to additional learning opportunities and updates within the real estate industry. That said, it would be advantageous if Colibri Real Estate provided broker prelicensing to students.
- Accreditations: Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC)
- Refund/cancellation policy: Students have 30 days to request a refund for online courses.
- Customer support: Students can seek assistance through phone, email, and live chat.
- Accessibility: Courses can be accessed on all gadgets, such as laptops, tablets, or phones.
Colibri Real Estate enhances your learning experience with additional features that complement full-course packages while you are pursuing your Pennsylvania real estate license.
Pros
- Formats include home study, on-demand, and live online classes.
- It offers affordable license renewal options.
- It has an optional career launcher program.
Cons
- It doesn’t offer a pass guarantee.
- Live stream/webinar is not available.
- Course access is only for six months.
- In-person class option is not available.
When it comes to online real estate classes in Pennsylvania, Kaplan stands out as a leading provider of comprehensive real estate education. Kaplan ensures that students have access to essential study resources, such as practice manuals, in both digital and physical formats.
To enhance the learning experience, interactive study groups are facilitated by instructors who use engaging online materials like videos and PowerPoint presentations. It would help students if Kaplan had a mobile app that students could access on the go.
Kaplan’s video course list
- Accreditations: ARELLO, IDECC, and Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)
- Refund/cancellation policy: You are eligible for a full refund of the program tuition if you request it within 14 days of your purchase date and before the first scheduled class session takes place.
- Learning management system: Kaplan’s LMS provides a user-friendly interface and displays purchased courses, essential links, and easily accessible navigation icons for a streamlined experience.
- Career resources: It offers a range of resources for agents aiming to excel in the real estate industry, providing a comprehensive platform for career advancement.
Kaplan offers a flexible and competitive pricing structure for its real estate school courses. It provides various pricing options, including package deals—allowing students to choose the most suitable and cost-effective option based on their individual needs and budget.
Fortune Academy: Best for Broker Prelicensing
Pros
- It has courses for every stage of career.
- Financial assistance is available.
- It has experienced instructors.
Cons
- It has no live stream courses in Pennsylvania.
- It can be pricier than other options.
- It has no individual exam prep course in Pennsylvania.
I choose Fortune Academy as one of the best Pennsylvania real estate schools because of its comprehensive broker prelicensing program. It offers individual courses and full packages ranging up to 240 hours of required education. The school also covers topics ranging from commercial to residential real estate, fair housing, investments, and office management. All of these courses will help aspiring brokers have a full picture of how to run a successful brokerage. However, not all students learn best through self-paced learning, so it would be advantageous for Fortune Academy to provide live-streamed courses in Pennsylvania.
Video from Fortune Academy (Source: YouTube)
- Accreditation: Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission (PREC)
- Refund/cancellation policy: Refunds must be requested before course access; no refunds are issued after course login. However, there is a money-back guarantee for students who don’t pass the exam on their first attempt.
- Expert Connect: Support is available 24/7 via phone, email, and chat to answer questions.
- Grow Your Business Podcast: Fortune Academy experts participate in a regular podcast to answer burning real estate questions and provide career guidance.
Course packages include all required materials and topics to fulfill licensing requirements. Prelicensing packages include exam prep classes in higher-tiered packages.
The CE Shop: Best for Course Duration Extension
Pros
- It has engaging content with audio, video, and interactive quizzes.
- It has no additional cost to request an initial extension in their course.
- It offers a five-day trial.
Cons
- It lacks direct access to an instructor.
- It doesn’t provide one-on-one coaching.
- It has no live stream courses.
When it comes to Pennsylvania-approved real estate schools online, The CE Shop is widely recognized and respected. It provides convenience, boasting a user-friendly interface that seamlessly adapts to various devices. Initially, The CE Shop course is accessible for six months upon purchase. If more time is needed, a one-month extension can be requested without extra charges.
Extensions for the course after the initial request can be acquired every 30 days by paying 20% of the current retail price. The CE Shop doesn’t offer a live stream learning format, which would benefit agents who prefer a live learning experience.
Agent Essentials free resource library (Source: The CE Shop)
- Accreditation: ARELLO
- Refund/cancellation policy: If you are dissatisfied with your course, you can request a refund within 30 days.
- Exam Licensing Pass Guarantee: The CE Shop offers a guarantee of passing the state licensing exam when you purchase its prelicensure program. If you do not pass, the school will refund the cost of the initial licensing exam.
- Exam Prep Edge: This online study platform offers an initial assessment, candidate handbook-based content, topic-specific lessons, unlimited practice exams, and interactive dashboards for effective exam preparation.
The CE Shop offers pricing options that cater to various educational and budget requirements. Its tiered packages come with multiple add-ons, ensuring flexibility and customization to meet your specific needs.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Pennsylvania
How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Pennsylvania
To find the best online real estate school in Pennsylvania where you can obtain your real estate license, several key factors come into play. These factors include your career stage, budget, preferred learning approach, and resource requirements. The top real estate schools in Pennsylvania understand these considerations and strive to offer a diverse range of learning approaches, flexible pricing options, and comprehensive support systems to ensure your success in achieving your real estate goals.
We’ve reviewed the following criteria:
- Breakdown
- Learning Style/Course Features
- Pricing
- Education Provided
- Additional Features
- Customer Reviews
- Expert Score
- Help & Support
25%
Learning Style/Course Features
25% of Overall Score
These consist of various formatting and learning styles for each course to meet the specific needs of the agent as well as ease of course accessibility.
20% of Overall Score
Pricing is based on the cost and availability of pre- and post-licensing, CE courses, and exam prep for each online institution.
15% of Overall Score
The availability of each level of education for different stages of licensure. This would include pre- and post-licensing, CE courses, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
15% of Overall Score
Extending services past licensure, such as coaching and training and career assistance. Also, whether the provider offers pass or refund guarantees for its courses.
10% of Overall Score
Based on customer feedback for each program, with particular attention given to reviews of the product and popularity of the provider, to certify the course meets user satisfaction.
10% of Overall Score
Expertise in the field and firsthand experience with the providers allow us to evaluate the standout features, value for the money, and ease of use for each school.
5% of Overall Score
We looked into the convenience and attainability of customer service for technical support and instructor assistance.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To obtain a real estate license in Pennsylvania, you must actively complete 75 hours of approved real estate education and meet certain eligibility criteria. This includes being at least 18 years old and holding a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. 75 hours can be completed within a few weeks to a few months.
Passing the real estate exam in Pennsylvania can be challenging. It requires thorough studying, an understanding of key concepts, and dedication to exam preparation. However, success can be achieved with diligent preparation and a solid understanding of the exam material.
Yes, the Pennsylvania real estate exam includes math-related questions. It is important to have a solid understanding of fundamental math concepts, such as calculations involving percentages, prorations, and property measurements. Familiarizing yourself with these mathematical principles and practicing relevant problems will help you navigate the math component of the exam successfully.
Bottom Line
Finding a reputable online real estate school to get your Pennsylvania real estate license is paramount to your success in the real estate industry. It will set you up with the fundamentals of the role and provide opportunities to interact with other real estate professionals. However, always consider how you learn best and choose the best real estate school for your needs.
