According to the CE Shop, its prelicensing student satisfaction rate is 96% and its students have a 64% pass rate (12% better than the national average). They attribute these success rates to their consistently up-to-date course content and interactive approach to learning. An interactive user interface is proven to be considerably more effective than reading a PDF or textbook.
The CE Shop leverages their exclusive online learning platform, LEAP, to encourage students to engage with essential content. The CE Shop offers two learning formats for online students:
Get expert advice, independent reviews and product recommendations from our editorial team of experienced real estate agents, brokers and coaches.
ENROLL NOW & SAVE 30%
Use Code HousingWire30 at checkout
Overview
For over 40 years, more than 500,000 students have enrolled in Colibri to prepare for their real estate license exam using the school’s all-inclusive CompuCram exam preparation. Colibri Real Estate is a state-approved real estate education provider with over 132 instructors experienced in Massachusetts real estate sales and teaching best practices. Students appreciate the well-organized, easy to comprehend content presented by experts in simplifying complex concepts likely to be included in the state exam, as well as the visual aids for assistance with retention and understanding. Colibri’s online prelicensing courses are self-paced.
Course Options
Pricing
Course Type
Prices Starting at
Package Features
Upgrade Features
Upgrade Features
Upgrade Features
Prelicensing
$399
The Basics: Online package for disciplined self-starters. Required 40 hrs of coursework includes 3 study guides, streamlined course navigation, and 800+ new visual learning objects & videos
Exam Preparation: All features of The Basics + Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee and CompuCram Exam Prep, including simulated exams, flashcards, readiness assessment & audio review guides
Exam Preparation Plus: All features of Exam Prep + Live Q&A with local instructors and Exam Crammer webinar series
Ultimate Learning: All features of Exam Prep Plus + Career Booster Pack, including over 20 “how-to” videos, new agent job aids, customizable action plan templates, buyer and seller checklists & printed textbook
Exam Prep
$115
Exam Prep: Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, and CompuCram Exam Prep, including simulated exams, flashcards, readiness assessment & audio review guides
Exam Prep Live: All features of Exam Prep + Live Q&A with local instructors and Exam Crammer webinar series
—
—
Broker Prelicensing
$429
Broker Basics: Required 40 hrs of Coursework, math eBook, instructor support discussion board, free 1-yr RISMedia premier membership including monthly market reports, free admission to webinars and virtual events & in-person event discounts
Broker Ultimate Learning: All features of Broker Basics + printed course textbooks
—
—
Pros + Cons
Pros:
Self-paced options idea for students who are balancing school, work, and family demands
Next-gen student dashboard allows students to track their progress
Unlimited practice tests are part of Exam Prep packages
Cons:
Online and livestream classes cannot be mixed and matched. Each class must be completed in the format it was started
Features
Course Formats: Self-paced online courses.
Course Access: Six months from your registration date in most cases. The Prelicensing Ultimate Learning package offers one-year access.
Pass Guarantee: Colibri’s Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee is available with all packages, with the exception of the Prelicensing Basic package. If students don’t pass the Massachusetts real estate license exam within 30 days of completing the course’s exam prep, Colibri will reimburse the original cost.
Student Support & Engagement: Expert local instructors are available to share their real-world insight. Additionally, Colibri’s courses have recently been upgraded with hundreds of new visual learning objects and videos, as well as streamlined course navigation, created to improve learning engagement and retention. And Exam Prep Plus includes 40 hours a month of Live Q&A with local instructors for a personal, guided approach.
Exam Prep: The Basic Prelicensing package features three e-books and a course manual designed to help you retain essential real estate concepts and prepare for the state exam.
And the Ultimate, Exam Prep, and Exam Prep Live Prelicensing packages include six 1-hour, instructor-led webinars that provide a hyper-focused approach to exam prep.
Freedom Trail Realty School
Best real estate schools in MA for career support
Overall Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Visit Freedom Trail
Overview
Freedom Trail is Massachusetts’ first-ever board certified online real estate school. With pass rates that are 14 points higher than the state averages, student surveys reveal that 99.4% of those that used Freedom Trail’s study materials as directed passed the Massachusetts Real Estate License exam on their first try. If your priority is landing a job as soon as you pass the exam, Freedom Trail provides access to its Massachusetts real estate job board, enabling you to get hired faster and start your new career. You can also opt-in to Freedom Trail’s broker recruitment program to be contacted directly by local brokerages that are hiring new agents.
Course Options
Pricing
Course Type
Prices Starting at
Package Features
Upgrade Features
Upgrade Features
Upgrade Features
Prelicensing
$229
Base: Required 40 hrs of coursework. Audio book, eBook, 1100+ practice questions, 24/7 on demand classes & Livestream online classes. 25 hrs livestream access. 6 months course access
Ridgeline: All features of Base + Livestream option and Forms Training 101. 40 hrs livestream access. 9 months course access
Peak: All features of Ridgeline + over 1700 practice questions, archived live class recordings, unlimited practice tests. 60 hrs livestream access. 12 months course access
Summit: All features of Peak + RE14R07: Architecture Class and 1 on 1 course & study support. 100 hrs livestream access. 12 months course access
Post-licensing CE
$15
Online CE Courses: Select 1 of 10 two-credit CE classes ala carte. Classes are broken into short lessons with videos, illustrations & text
Level Up License Renewal Package: Required 12 hrs of coursework includes 6 classes: Architecture, Fair Housing Law, Investment Property Basics, MA Licensing Law, Protecting the Protected Classes and Tech & Real Estate Brokerage
Refresher License Renewal Package: Required 12 hrs of coursework includes 6 classes: Brokerage Relationships, Contract Law, Fair Housing Law, Financing, MA Licensing Law & Protecting the Protected Classes
—
$129
Non-credit MA Reciprocal Licensing Course: For those with out-of-state licenses applying for an MA reciprocal license. Covers reciprocal application process, relevant laws & regulations
Base Non-Credit NH Reciprocity: For anyone licensed in MA seeking NH reciprocity eligibility. Covers licensing laws & the reciprocal licensing process. Includes eBook, unlimited on- demand access, 3 months of course access, job recruiting & more
Peak Non-Credit NH Reciprocity: All features of Base + 10 hrs of live-streaming class access with practice questions and exams. Includes NH Salesperson Licensing course
—
Pros + Cons
Pros:
Access to a real estate job board helps you jumpstart your career
Course software makes it easy to study part or full time, automatically tracking progress and requirements
Mix and match options let you combine live online and archived classes to complete the program in under two weeks
Self-paced
Cons:
Exam prep packages are not available
Features
Course Formats: Take self-paced online courses on your computer, phone, or tablet.
Course Access: You have from six months to one year of course access, depending on the package you purchase. And every required class topic is available both live and on demand.
Pass Guarantee: Freedom Trail will refund your purchase under the Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee within 30 days of your request if you purchase the Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee access, score higher than 85% on all sections of online practice exams, and take your licensing exam within 90 days of course completion. The guarantee only applies to first-time exam takers and is not available as part of Base or Ridgeline Prelicensing packages.
Student Support & Engagement: Regularly scheduled, interactive live online classes are taught by Massachusetts-licensed real estate instructors who are available to answer questions, much like an in-person class. You can also participate in class discussions with both your instructor and your classmates.
Reciprocal Licensing: You can get your Connecticut and / or Rhode Island license with any Massachusetts prelicensing class. Once you’ve taken the Massachusetts real estate classes and passed the licensing exam, you can apply to the Rhode Island Real Estate Commission for a Rhode Island real estate license and the Connecticut Real Estate Commission for a Connecticut real estate license. Since you’ll already have your Massachusetts license, you’ll receive your CT and RI license automatically.
AREA School of Real Estate
Best real estate schools in MA for part-time students
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Visit AREA School
Overview
American Real Estate Academy (AREA) has 46 years of experience as a Massachusetts real estate education provider, making it the oldest continuously owned and operated real estate school in Massachusetts, and one of the oldest in the nation. Licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to teach real estate continuing education, AREA students appreciate the exam prep materials and course review videos of the online classes while the in-person classes are known for being conveniently located in Weston, MA. And with unlimited access to course review for up to two years from the date of registration, students with scheduling constraints who are taking classes part-time won’t feel rushed. In-person classes available.
Course Options
Pricing
Course Type
Prices Starting at
Online Features
In-Person Weekdays
In-Person Weekdays
Prelicensing
$245
Required 40 hrs of coursework, self-paced and livestream. Full practice exams, quizzes with over 400 exam prep questions, on-demand course review videos, e-textbook, online note taking feature, Terms & Definitions, makeup for missed classes
All features of online class + textbook. Classes meet 4 x per week for 2 weeks.
All features of online class + textbook. Classes meet Sat. and Sun. for 2 weeks.
Broker Prelicensing
$375
Required 40 hrs of coursework. Includes e-textbook, over 700 practice exam questions, free review videos. Self-paced and streaming, half of the course is self-paced and half is completed via scheduled classes, streamed online & offered on a rotating basis
—
—
Post-license CE
$125
Select two-credit classes ala carte or all required 12 hrs of CE coursework for a discounted price. Includes HI-Def video classes
Full 12 hours of CE coursework offered in-person. Held at the Weston School on specific dates.
—
Pros + Cons
Pros:
Discounts available for military, first responders, and nurses
HI-Def video classes that are mobile and tablet compatible
Unlimited access to course review for up to two years from registration date
Cons:
Online students only have 90 days from the registration date to complete the course
Features
Course Formats: In-person and online classes. Self-paced or livestream, online classes can be attended via your computer or smartphone.
Course Access: Online students have 90 days from the registration date to complete each course. If a student needs more time, AREA will extend the time by 90 more days at no charge. In-person students must complete their live course within the scheduled dates. Unlimited access to course review is available for up to two years from the date of registration.
Refund Policy: AREA’s online course students may be eligible for a full refund, minus a $25 cancellation fee, if you withdraw from a course before attending the class within 90 days of registration. Live, in-person students may also be eligible for a full refund, minus a $25 cancellation fee, if you cancel the course up to 48 hours before the scheduled first day of class. If you’ve already started your course, you are not eligible for a refund.
Student Support & Engagement: Experienced instructors are available via phone during normal business hours. You can also email the instructors, who will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.
Exam Prep: AREA’s Real Estate Drill and Practice QBank offers comprehensive review of every topic students need to know for the licensing exam. QBank features custom quizzes that concentrate on your problem areas, as identified by the performance tracker.
Final Exam: After students finish the prelicensing real estate class, AREA provides the education certificate necessary for the real estate exam, as well as instructions and paperwork for the state exam. You’ll have two years from the date you complete your class to take and pass the Massachusetts real estate exam.
Lee Institute
Best real estate schools in MA for every stage of your career
Overall Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Visit Lee Institute
Overview
The Lee Institute School of Real Estate combines professional instruction and video format training to make the concepts of the real estate business more digestible and engaging. Students chose the school for its offering of live instruction classes for salespersons, brokers, appraisers, mortgage, and home inspection courses at various locations and convenient times, including weekend classes. The Lee Institute has many decades of course preparation and research, and has given millions of students the proper training to pass the Massachusetts exam on the first try.
Course Options
Pricing
Course Type
Prices Starting at
Package Features
Upgrade Features
Upgrade Features
Prelicensing
$390
Live Salesperson Course: Required 40 hrs of coursework. Includes text and study materials. Class scheduled for specific dates, 2 weekends in a row
Online Salesperson Supervised Video Course: Required 40 hrs of coursework. Webinar format. Mon – Sun access. 60 days given to complete course
Gold Online Supervised Video Salesperson Course: Webinar. 330+ PowerPoint electronic image slides outlining study lessons for each video and 120 questions for the National and State part for online practice exams. Student has 30 days to complete 40-hr course, access course Mon-Sun
Exam Prep
$199
National PSI & Pearson Vue Salesperson Refresher Course: Webinar. Mon – Sun. 30 days to complete the course
National PSI & Pearson Vue Broker Refresher Course: Webinar. Mon – Sun course access. 30 days to complete the course
—
Post-licensing CE
$78
Online Course Packages, 12 Hrs Each: Includes 12 hrs of CE for MA featuring various combinations of six 2-hr classes
C R Silver Package: Includes 12 hrs of CE for MA commercial real estate and residential continuing education. Features Commercial Lease Clauses of Tenant Concerns: Part III and other residential courses
C Gold Package 12 Hrs: Includes 12 hrs of CE for MA commercial real estate. Features Commercial Real Estate Basics and 5 other landlord and tenant courses
Broker Prelicensing
$420
Online Broker Supervised Video Course: Webinar. Mon – Sun access. 60 days to complete course
—
—
Pros + Cons
Pros:
Provides students with career assistance
Offers one-on-one coaching and training
Cons:
Website is not easy to navigate
Textbooks not included
Features
Course Formats: Online live streaming and virtual classes.
Course Access: 60 days to complete courses.
Refund Policy: While the Lee Institute does not offer a pass guarantee, the school can refund a student within seven business days from your registration date if you send an email canceling your registration and requesting a refund, and you have not logged onto and/or begun the online course.
Student Support & Engagement: Should you have any comments or questions, the Lee Institute staff is available via email, phone, or 24-hour live chat. Technical support is available during normal business hours via a submission form.
Exam Prep: The Lee Institute’s exam tutorials help both the salesperson and broker prepare for the licensing exams. Students who access the online practice exam questions will also find support from a team of experts.
New England Real Estate Academy
Best real estate schools in MA for inclusivity
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Visit NEREA
Overview
Since 2010, New England Real Estate Academy has been offering real estate classes and it was one of the first schools to be accredited to offer online training in 2016. In addition to Massachusetts-approved, prelicensing courses and continuing education courses for MA and NH license renewals, New England Academy provides professional development courses for sales and management development in an online, multimedia format.
Webinars are hosted by expert instructors, so you’ll get practical, real-world insights based and lessons based on advanced learning methodologies. The academy also customizes design courses to meet the ever-evolving needs of the real estate industry, and offers courses to accommodate real estate students who speak Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Course Options
Pricing
Course Type
Prices Starting at
Package Features
Package Features
Package Features
Prelicensing
$299
Required 40 hrs of coursework divided into 2 parts. Part A: 20 hrs of self-directed videos and 1,000+ quiz questions to be completed in 180 days. 180 extra days for review videos and quiz review.
Part B: 20 hrs of online live, instructor-led webinars at set dates/times. 6 month access to interactive classes, either mornings or evenings. Digital manual and audiobook included
—
—
Broker Prelicensing
$349
Required 40 hrs of coursework (5 topics, 4 hrs each) divided into 2 parts. Part A: 20 hrs of self-directed videos & test-prep quiz questions.
Part B: 20 hrs of instructor-led, live webinars at set dates/times. 6 month access to on-demand videos. Classes held quarterly. Manual and all materials provided online
—
—
Post-licensing CE
$15
A La Carte courses: Select 2-jr courses ala carte or all Required 12 hrs of CE credits for a special bundle price. Receive one certificate for each completed course
MA Bundle A: Includes Buyer Agency, Financing, Offers, Fair Housing, Code of Ethics (with optional REALTOR component), and Conducting Open Houses and Developing a Safety Plan
MA Bundle B: Includes Intro to Commercial Real Estate Basics, 1031 Exchanges, Investment Property Basics, Chapter 93A- Consumer Protection, and Residential Rental-Landlord Tenant Issues Part 1 & 2
Pros + Cons
Pros:
Mix and match morning, evening, and Saturday online sessions to fit your schedule
Closed caption course options in Chinese, English, Portuguese, and Spanish for live and online licensing classes
The 40-hour courses have two parts and can be completed in any order
Cons:
There is only one prelicensing real estate agent course offered
School is lacking 24/7 or live chat customer support
Features
Course Formats: Live and on-demand classes.
Course Access: 180 days from the date of registration to complete your 40-hour course.
Course Guarantee: With New England Academy’s Prelicensing Course Guarantee, you may retake your class for free within 12 months of your course completion date if you don’t pass the Massachusetts Real Estate exam the first time.
Student Support & Engagement: Real-life instructors are available to answer any questions, Monday through Friday, via email. During the week, you can also contact the Student Concierge team by phone. General support is available daily via phone, email, or chat.
New England’s instructors are available to answer questions, provide support on technology and course materials, or address application/exam concerns. They can be reached by phone or email, Monday through Friday from 9AM to 4PM.
Exam Prep: Designed to refresh your memory and prepare you to take the Massachusetts real estate exam, the License Exam Review Course features over 12 hours of video recapping the most critical licensing topics from your real estate license course. It also includes 535 quiz questions, as well as access to the videos and quiz questions for up to three months.
Reciprocal Licensing: If you have dual licenses in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, you can save time with the 15-hour MA & NH Combined CE Package, which includes courses designed to satisfy both states’ CE requirements. After the class, you will receive the certificate for each state to renew both states’ licenses. The MA & NH package includes required Core Course, Buyer Agency, Financing, Disclosures / Seller Due Diligence, 1031 Exchanges, Code of Ethics, and Conducting Open Houses and Developing a Safety Plan.
Metropolitan School of Real Estate
Best real estate schools in MA for getting your license fast
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Visit Metropolitan
Overview
Not only does Metropolitan School of Real Estate offer a fast track package for completing your Massachusetts prelicensing education requirement in less than two weeks, but students report that even the more moderately-paced courses fly by thanks to the engaging instructor and content. All courses are created by Michael Albano, Massachusetts real estate broker and professional real estate educator for two decades. Albano’s teaching style is meant to get students excited about real estate. What’s more, Metropolitan offers students the chance to be hired by its partner real estate brokerage, with optional participation in a career seminar during a class break.
Course Options
What are the requirements for taking the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam?
Methodology: How we chose the best real estate schools in Massachusetts
To determine the very best Massachusetts real estate schools, we evaluated and scored each school based on the following:
Course offerings, including study aids and tools
Flexibility and format options
Pass guarantees or return policies
Pricing and affordability
Instructor quality and accessibility
Student support and engagement
User reviews and pass rates
Finally, we considered the schools with unique features and professional development opportunities that can have lasting value to real estate agents like yourself.
FAQs: Best real estate schools in Massachusetts
How long is the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam?
The Massachusetts real estate license exam for salespeople is a two-part exam that consists of 120 multiple choice questions. It’s broken out into two sections that cover Massachusetts law and general real estate knowledge. You’ll be given four hours to complete both sections of the exam.
While the exam is known for being challenging, people who have taken the 40-hour prelicensing course are sufficiently prepared to pass the exam with the necessary 70% passing grade.
If you want to level up and take the Massachusetts broker licensing exam, you can expect 115 multiple choice questions and a four-hour exam.
What is the average salary of a Massachusetts real estate agent?
According to ZipRecruiter, first-year real estate agents in Massachusetts make an average of $104,395, while Salary.com lists an agent’s average earnings as $50,077 (as of this writing). According to Glassdoor.com, the estimated median salaray for a Massachusetts Realtor is $154,301 annually (as of this writing).
Additional pay is estimated to be $47,028 per year and may include cash bonus, commission, profit sharing, and tips.
Your best bet is to ask some new and experienced agents that you know and trust in your area what you can expect to earn.
How much does real estate school cost in Massachusetts?
Getting your real estate license in Massachusetts will require an investment, especially when you’re just getting started. But considering that the average Massachusetts real estate agent earns nearly $155,000 per year, it’s worthwhile. Here’s what to budget for:
Prelicensing coursework = approx. $200 to $600
Salesperson exam, initial application fee = $31
Salesperson written exam fee: $54
A licensing fee that ranges from $103 to $150
A $12 PSI licensing fee
License renewal fee after 2 years = $103
Estimated total = Between $400 and $800
What are the requirements for taking the Massachusetts real estate salesperson exam?
To be eligible to sit the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam:
You must be at least 18 years old
You must have a high school diploma
You must have a social security number
Complete 40 hours of approved Massachusetts prelicensing real estate coursework
What are the requirements for applying for a Massachusetts real estate salesperson license?
Receive a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate after finishing your required coursework
Receive three endorsement letters from individuals who aren’t related to you or who aren’t classmates
Apply for and pass the real estate licensing exam within two years of completing your real estate course
File and pay all of your Massachusetts state tax return
Can I take the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam online?
In addition to taking the Massachusetts real estate licensing exam at one of the state-approved locations, you can take the real estate licensing exam online. To take the online exam, you must read and submit the Candidate Information Bulletin as instructed on the application here.
The full picture: Best real estate schools in Massachusetts
Starting a new career in real estate can be both exciting and daunting. Our guide to the best real estate schools in Massachusetts will help you choose the program that’s best for your goals and needs.
At HousingWire, we provide the information you need to start and advance your career in real estate. By providing tips on finding the right school and strategies to help you pass the MA licensing exam, our primary goal is to help you thrive and succeed as a newly licensed Massachusetts real estate agent.
Helpful links for Massachusetts real estate schools
Here are some helpful links and sites you’ll want to visit as a prospective Massachusetts real estate agent:
Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons
Real Estate Exams Offered for Massachusetts Real Estate
Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons Licensing
PSI Services: MACandidate Information Bulletin
Mass.gov: Renew your Real Estate License
