Top Business Schools for Real Estate 2023

Why pursue an MBA in Real Estate? Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the US real estate industry was valued at almost $1 trillion, according to some estimates. Additionally, real estate markets in India, China, and other countries are still emerging. 


Because of this growth, opportunities are bountiful for students who pursue MBAs in Real Estate.

To tap into these opportunities, some business schools offer specialized MBAs in Real Estate; and the best MBAs in Real Estate look closely at the intersection between real estate, finance, and investments. Business schools also may house estate research centers, which research not only transactions, but also emerging topics such as sustainability and innovation. 

For students who want a more robust coverage of the real estate field, some business schools offer the opportunity to pair an MBA with a Master of Real Estate or similar degree.

Post-MBA real estate jobs can range from a corporate real estate broker to a property investment executive.

See below for the 10 best MBA programs in Real Estate.

Los Angeles, California 89 Followers 147 Discussions
UCLA - Anderson

The school’s Ziman Center for Real Estate produces a range of research and puts on relevant events. As part of the school’s MBA, students have the opportunity to pursue a concentration in Real Estate, where they can explore topics like real estate law and taxation, entrepreneurial real estate development, and securitization, among others. 

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Irvine, California 41 Followers 40 Discussions
UC Irvine - Merage

Through working groups and research, the school’s Center for Real Estate takes a critical look at the industry. Students at the school can pursue an MBA Certificate in Real Estate and Urban Development, which includes courses in capital markets, international real estate, the development process, and more. 

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Washington, District of Columbia 37 Followers 64 Discussions

Students in George Washington’s MBA program have the option of pursuing a certificate in Walkable Urban Real Estate Development. The school hosts the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis, which supports research on real estate development in Washington, DC and around the United State. 

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Madison, Wisconsin 21 Followers 46 Discussions

The Wisconsin MBA in Real Estate prepares students for careers in a variety of subfields, including asset and portfolio management, lending and financing, and development. The school’s James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate puts on relevant events and helps MBA students land internships in the real estate field. In recent years, upwards of seventeen percent of the school's MBA class has gone into the real estate industry.

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Ithaca, New York 89 Followers 136 Discussions
Cornell - Johnson

Cornell's Baker Program in Real Estate is similar to an MBA, with a specific industry focus. MBA students can choose from some real estate electives, or choose to pair their degree with an MPS (Master of Professional Studies) in Real Estate.

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Singapore, Singapore 82 Followers 168 Discussions
NUS

The school is one of the few in the region to offer an MBA specialization in Real Estate. The finance-heavy curriculum focuses on the unique aspects of real estate investment and development in Asia.

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Houston, Texas 25 Followers 16 Discussions

MBA students can choose to pursue the school’s well reputed “Real Estate Program” which addresses a number of important topics in the industry, with classes like “Real Estate Finance & Investment” and “Developing a Real Estate Project.” Through the program, MBA students can also arrange to do an internship in a real estate organization. The school also hosts the “Stanford Alexander Center for Excellence in Real Estate,” which serves as a hub for the academic offerings in real estate. In recent years, upwards of fifteen percent of the school's MBA cohorts have gone into real estate roles.

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Toronto, Canada 77 Followers 115 Discussions

Real estate is major industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and Rotman is tapping into this with its Centre for Real Estate and Urban Economics, which looks at housing markets, commercial real estate, and more. Rotman MBA students can pursue a major in Real Estate; three percent of the most recent MBA class landed jobs in the real estate industry. 

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Dallas, Texas 14 Followers 45 Discussions
SMU - Cox

Since 1984, the school has hosted the Folsom Institute for Real Estate, through which students can gain hands-on experience in the Dallas real estate market. Students can pursue a concentration in real estate as part of the school’s MBA program; almost one-fifth of the most recent MBA class went into the real estate industry. 

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Chapel Hill, North Carolina 37 Followers 76 Discussions
UNC - Kenan-Flagler

Through the Wood Center for Real Estate Studies, the school offers an MBA concentration in Real Estate as well as networking opportunities. Seven percent of the MBA class of 2021 went into real estate.

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