In this article, we will cover the 10 best online real estate schools in Illinois to help you find the best one to get your real estate education in this state.
There are many reasons to get a real estate license in Illinois. With such a booming economy and real estate market to match, the time is right. The major metropolitan areas in Illinois are ripe for lucrative real estate deals.
Despite lowering home prices in many other areas of the country, Illinois has stayed steady. They have not only seen a stabilization of their market, they have even seen some growth. In the first quarter of 2020, house prices raised 6%.
One of the best reasons to become a real estate agent in Illinois is having access to Chicago. Working in a state with such a major urban area immediately bumps up your chances of success. This is one of the reasons it is such a sought after market.
Becoming a real estate agent could be a good career choice for a wide variety of people. Real estate agents have the ability to make their own schedule and can even work other jobs. Because of this, it is a great idea for someone looking for a lucrative side hustle.
All of the below schools are accredited in Illinois and will satisfy the requirements for a license. By using this list, you are sure to find a real estate school in Illinois that will work for you.
1. Colibri Real Estate: Best Online Real Estate School In Illinois
(4.9)
Colibri Real Estate offers many different kinds of real estate classes in Illinois. They pride themselves on having a variety of packages to choose from. This opens up the curriculum to a wider range of people.
Colibri Real Estate’ packages come in basic and go all the way up to premium. The differences between these packages is in what is covered. Some are more comprehensive than others and cover more topics.
A Basic package at Colibri Real Estate is $230. The Ultimate Learner package is $415. The biggest difference between them is the instructor Q&A. The Ultimate Learner Package includes this perk.
A major downside of using Colibri Real Estate is that they are not focused on Illinois. If you are looking for a more locally-based school, there are other real estate classes in Illinois. They can possibly give you better insight into the local market.
(Read Our Colibri Real Estate Review)
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2. The CE Shop: Best Real Estate Classes In Illinois
(4.6)
The CE Shop is able to boast a 96% satisfaction rate among their students. This is due to their years of experience helping people get their license. They are able to narrow down how students learn best and expand upon it.
An interesting aspect of The CE Shop’s curriculum is they allow you to do it very quickly. If you are so inclined, you can complete your education hours in just two weeks. Not all real estate schools in Illinois allow you to finish so quickly.
There are three different tiers of package to choose from with The CE Shop. However, the difference between the least and most expensive is only $100. Because of this, you may want to invest in the premium class package.
One of the disadvantages of The CE Shop is that they are not specifically based in Illinois. With a locally minded area like Chicago, it is best to have a grasp of the local market. Because of this, you may want to look at other real estate classes in Illinois.
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3. AceableAgent: Top Illinois Real Estate Course Review
(4.7)
The classes at AceableAgent are scientifically designed to be as accessible as possible. Developed by Harvard education experts, they are some of the most advanced real estate courses in Illinois. Because of this, they are a great choice for the success-minded.
AceableAgent prides themselves on doing more than just helping you pass the test. They like to work alongside you to help give you a head start. This can be invaluable for people who want the best possible beginning.
AceableAgent was one of the first online real estate schools in Illinois to use a mobile app. This makes their courses very easy to complete if you are a busy student. This kind of accessibility is what makes them one of the best real estate schools in Illinois.
AceableAgent can’t boast as high of a success rate as other online real estate courses in Illinois. Their pass rate is just 76% as opposed to the much higher rate of other schools. Because of this, you may need to dedicate yourself a bit more if you plan on attending.
4. Kaplan Real Estate: Illinois Real Estate Online Course Review
(4.1)
Kaplan is a leading name in online education. They were one of the first providers of web-based schooling for trades like real estate. Because of this, they’re a premiere real estate school in Illinois.
Kaplan has many different packages available for completing your education hours. Depending on your readiness and how much help you may need, you can choose the package that fits. Sometimes, a basic package will be more than enough if you already have some knowledge.
When deciding the package for you, price will come into play. If you just need a basic package, you can take the classes for under $500. However, if you would like a more comprehensive experience, you could spend up to $799.
If you are nervous about taking tests, you may want a pass or no pay guarantee. Unfortunately, Kaplan Real Estate does not offer one of these. Plenty of other online real estate schools in Illinois will offer this guarantee.
5. Real Estate Institute: Illinois Real Estate License Training
Real Estate Institute is an all encompassing real estate school in Illinois. They have some of the most wide ranging styles of education. No matter what type of learner you are, you are sure to find something that fits at Real Estate Institute.
They offer three different tracks on the path to getting your real estate license. These tracks are divided up by the amount of time it takes to complete them. The fastest track can be completed in just two weeks.
The price difference of the different tracks is negligible. If you are able to do it, the two week track is only $30 more than the slower tracks. As long as you can do the work that quickly, it could be worth it to spend the extra few dollars.
One thing that might put some off of Real Estate Institute is that the packages are not different in content. They are only separated out by how quickly the content is introduced. If you want a more comprehensive curriculum, you could do well to look elsewhere.
6. Chicago Real Estate School: Online Real Estate Class in Illiniois
Chicago Real Estate School is dedicated to teaching students the ins and outs of Chicago real estate. If you are looking to specialize in the city itself, they could be a great choice. The key to any venture is niche specialization and real estate is no different.
Chicago Real Estate School does things a little bit differently. The first part of the course is completely self-guided. The second part is done in person through a Zoom webinar. If you like having a varied experience, they could be a great choice for you.
There are no different packages at Chicago Real Estate School. All courses are $499 regardless of how long you take. Because of this, they could be a good option if you think you can complete it quickly.
If you are looking to finish the curriculum as quickly as possible, there are other real estate schools in Illinois. Many offer fast track programs that Chicago Real Estate School does not. Due to their single package, all courses are the same length.
7. Net Real Estate School: Illinois Real Estate Course Review
Net Real Estate School is able to provide a rounded, complete education on top of satisfying requirements. They are invested in getting you to pass the course and as prepared for the exam as you possibly can be. They can be incredibly helpful to have on your side.
Classes are offered in a live webinar type setting. They do not offer any type of self-instruction to complete on your own. If this fits your learning style, it could be a plus, but if not, you may want to look elsewhere.
Net Real Estate School’s course packages range between $300 and $350. Due to the relatively small price difference, it may be worth it to take the more premium package. This includes fifteen additional hours of coursework which could be invaluable.
If you are looking for real estate classes in Illinois that you can complete on your own, these aren’t them. These are very personally based courses that rely on webinars. If you don’t like that kind of face-to-face contact, they may not work for you.
8. Your House Real Estate Academy: Top Real Estate School in Illinois
The education system developed by Your House Real Estate Academy has been tested on thousands of students. Their experience with training future real estate agents is unparalleled. If you want to benefit from that, they could be a good choice.
One of the unique features that Your House Real Estate Academy has is their print material. You receive two to three times more print material from them than at other real estate schools in Illinois. This is a very valuable resource to have on hand as you progress in your career.
As far as prices go, Your House Real Estate Academy is on the lower end. An online only course comes in at just under $300. This is very affordable if you are looking for a second income in real estate.
If you want to finish the required education hours as quickly as possible, you might look elsewhere. All of Your House Real Estate Academy’s courses are eight weeks long. If you want to get them done faster, you may want to look at another school.
9. Sure Win Inc: Accredited Real Estate Schools in Illinois
Sure Win is a real estate school in Illinois that is focused on convenience. They offer all kinds of hybrid classes to help you multitask. These can be incredibly helpful if you are looking to go further with your career.
A unique perk that comes with using Sure Win is the printed textbook. This is a very valuable resource that many people find is incredibly helpful. The fact that it is included with your tuition is a bigger benefit than it might seem like at first glance.
The basic classes for pre-licensure are just under $400. If you want to take the hybrid classes that allow you to become a broker, they are just under $500. These could end up paying for themselves if you follow through with your broker plan down the line.
Another unique perk of Sure Win is that they don’t make you pass a final exam. You can go straight from finishing to classes to the state exam. This could be a great benefit if you do not like taking a lot of tests.
10. The Hughes Academy: Real Estate Class in Illinois
The Hughes Academy is heavily experienced with the real estate market in Illinois. They have specialized in the state and don’t work outside of their market. This is a major plus if you want to be sure that you work locally.
Their classes have a comprehensive curriculum that covers every aspect of working in real estate. This includes things like closings, broker relationships and other practical concerns. By covering all these topics, they give you a well-rounded education.
At The Hughes Academy, you can choose between two different class styles. In person or completely self-guided classes are both available. They both come in at the same price of just under $400.
A downside of The Hughes Academy is that they do not offer any printed materials. All the texts are digital and downloadable. If you prefer to have hard copies of texts, you might want to find other online real estate classes in Illinois.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Illinois
In Illinois, the steps to becoming a real estate agent are not dissimilar to other states. You must be 18 years of age and have completed your high school education or equivalent. This requirement is one of the only things that is unique to the state.
You must complete 75 hours worth of education hours. These can be completed at any of the online real estate schools in Illinois. The list above is a very good start for finding the right one for you.
Depending on which real estate school you attend, you may have to complete a final course exam. Some online real estate schools in Illinois do not make you take this exam. If you get queasy at the thought of a test, it may be best to find one of those.
You must complete the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination. This test is 140 questions and has to be finished within 3.5 hours. If you have done your due diligence with your education, this should be no problem at all.
After passing the exam, you must find a broker to hire and sponsor you. Take a look at the local market where you live in Illinois and find brokers there with a good reputation. Getting hooked up with them early will be a good start to your career in the industry.
After getting sponsored by a broker, you must apply for your license. This process can take several weeks, so it is important that you start it early. Be sure to have all your paperwork in order so you do not have any delays in your employment.
Final Thoughts
The real estate market in Illinois is incredibly dynamic. It tends to stay strong, though, making it a good choice for a beginner real estate agent. Making sure that you are working in a solid market is the best leg up you can get.
Getting your real estate license is no easy task. Luckily, there are a great deal of online real estate courses in Illinois to help you through the process. By going through this list, you are already well on your way to reaching your end goal.