7 Best Real Estate Schools In Illinois For 2026
If you’re looking for the best real estate schools in Illinois to complete the required 75 hours of class time, we’re here to help. Keep in mind that in Illinois, real estate agents are called brokers, and an upgraded license is a managing broker license.
Whether you’re looking for a real estate school to get a broker license or you’re already licensed and want to find an online program to become a managing broker, there are many Illinois real estate schools to choose from. We’ll help you make an informed decision and find the right real estate classes to best fit your budget, timeline, learning style and schedule.
7 best real estate courses in IL: Our top picks
Best for aspiring REALTORS®
Illinois School of Real Estate
From $389
VISITBest for Chicago-area licensees
REALTORS® Real Estate School
From $610
VISITBest for getting licensed on a budget
Colibri Real Estate
From $203
Use HousingWire40 to Save 40%Best for high exam pass rates
Aceable Agent
From $319
Click to Save 20%Best for instructor support
Kaplan
From $489
VISITBest for in-person classes
Your House Real Estate Academy
From $449
VISITBest for self-paced study
The CE Shop
From $251
Use HW30 to Save 30%7 best real estate courses in IL: Our top picks
Best for aspiring REALTORS®
Illinois School of Real Estate
From $389
VISITBest for Chicago-area licensees
REALTORS® Real Estate School
From $610
VISITBest for getting licensed on a budget
Colibri Real Estate
From $203
Use HousingWire40 to Save 40%Best for high exam pass rates
Aceable Agent
From $319
Click to Save 20%Best for instructor support
Kaplan
From $489
VISITBest for in-person classes
Your House Real Estate Academy
From $449
VISITBest for self-paced study
The CE Shop
From $251
Use HW30 to Save 30%Illinois School of Real Estate: Best for aspiring REALTORS®
Starting from: $389
Powered by the Illinois Association of REALTORS®, the Illinois School of Real Estate is an excellent option for soon-to-be real estate agents who are interested in getting involved in the board of REALTORS®. The state branch of one of the country’s largest trade associations, with 50,000 members involved in nearly every aspect of real estate sales, purchase, exchange or lease of residential or commercial property in Illinois.
Unlike other real estate schools, Illinois REALTORS® is also the only advocate for private property rights at the state capitol in Springfield, Illinois, and in communities across the state. Illinois REALTORS® brings this background in advocacy, education and ethics for real estate practitioners to the courses it offers students.
Pros & Cons
- Powered by the state board
- Scholarships available – click here
- Free trial period
- Guidance on choosing a sponsor
- Pricier than other schools
- No refund policy or guarantee
Features
- Course formats: Self-paced, live online and in-person classes available
- Course access: Course available 180 days from date of purchase
- Refund policy: N/A
- Guarantees: N/A
- Exam prep: Instructor-led exam prep webinar and modern real estate practices e-book (available with $439 package only)
- Student support: Ability to ask questions during live online webinars
- Final exam: You may re-take the final exam up to three times if you do not pass the first time
Pricing
If you’re looking for the full 75-hour required course, there are two packages available, one offering a bit more support and exam prep than the other.
- Online self-guided pre-license package ($389): A self-paced option for more independent learners. Includes the 75-hour class with a free trial and 24/7 tech support.
- Online broker pre-license package with 15-hr webinar ($439): Includes a combination of self-paced and instructor-led courses, a live exam prep webinar with an instructor, plus a textbook or ebook.
REALTORS® Real Estate School: Best for Chicago-area licensees
Starting from: $610
Powered by the Chicago Association of REALTORS®, this real estate school is perfect for people in the Chicagoland area looking to complete their real estate prelicensing coursework locally. While this school is one of the most expensive on our list, having the option to take your classes in person in downtown Chicago makes it worth it. You can also choose a fully self-paced or webinar version, making this school a very flexible option.
Being involved in your local board of REALTORS® is hugely beneficial (I say that from my own experience). You’ll quickly grow your local network of newly licensed agents, be able to support each other and potentially even do deals together. Real estate can be a lonely business, and having colleagues who could turn into friends is important. Choosing a local real estate school is a great way to build your network in Chicago. As a bonus, students can attend YPN (Young Professional Network) breakfast events for free, to facilitate getting involved and meeting other agents even before they have their real estate license.
Pros & Cons
- Powered by the local Chicago board
- Scholarships available – click here
- Flexible format options to fit your schedule
- Discounted board dues (save $275)
- Pricier than other schools
- No tutoring services
Features
- Course formats: Self-paced, live online and in-person classes available
- Course access: Online and self-study courses available six months from date of purchase
- Refund policy: (Classroom) For cancellations five or more days prior to the start of the course, the refund is subject to a 10 percent cancellation fee. For cancellations received less than five days prior to the start of the course, the refund is subject to a 25% cancellation fee.
- (Online) The school must receive written notification of a student’s cancellation within seven days of the purchase date for a student’s registration to be eligible for a refund. All refunds are subject to a 25% cancellation fee. If a student cancels more than seven days after the purchase date, their registration fee is non-refundable.
- Guarantees: N/A
- Exam prep: Exam prep course, practice exams, flash cards and study aid bundles available
- Student support: Instructor support in classroom and live online formats
- Final exam: N/A
Pricing
There are two packages available, one offering a bit more support and exam prep than the other. Within each package, students can choose from either the online version (at a lower cost) or opt for the classroom in-person course.
- Standard ($610-$704): Includes 75-hour course, flash cards, and broker exam video prep series
- Premium bundle ($699-$799): Includes standard package plus exam pro and broker exam prep course
Colibri: Best for getting licensed on a budget
Starting from: $203
Colibri Real Estate is a licensed real estate education provider in Illinois with more than 132 instructors experienced in real estate sales and teaching best practices. For over 40 years, more than 520,000 students have enrolled in Colibri to complete their education requirements and prepare for the Illinois real estate license exam.
Colibri offers multiple formats for taking each course, enabling you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and learning style. In addition to online courses, students appreciate that the prelicensing course comes with a physical textbook to read, highlight, and reference (included in the Ultimate Learning package). With basic courses starting at just $203, Colibri is the most budget-friendly option on our list.
Pros & Cons
- Budget-friendly
- Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
- Unlimited practice exams
- Course formats cannot be mixed and matched
- No in-person classes
Features
- Course formats: Self-paced or livestream
- Course access: Varies from 3 days to 6 months, depending on which package students choose
- Guarantees: Colibri’s Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee is available with all packages, with the exception of The Basics package. If a student does not pass the Illinois real estate license exam within 30 days of completing Colibri’s exam prep course, the school will reimburse the original cost of either your prelicensing package or the exclusive exam prep you purchased after receiving a formal reimbursement request via email.
- Exam prep: Unlimited practice exams and flash cards are provided with every package except The Basics
- Student support: Expert local instructors are available to answer questions by phone or email
- Final exam: Must score a minimum of 75% to pass
Pricing
Colibri offers four different packages to fit each student’s individual preferences:
- The Basics ($203): Includes the 74-hour course, instructor support, study guides and accessible narrator audio
- Exam Preparation ($263): The Basics, plus simulated exams, flash cards, readiness tracker and pass or don’t pay guarantee
- Exam Preparation Plus ($305): Exam Preparation, plus instructor Q&A and exam cram webinar series
- Ultimate Learning ($371): Exam Prep Plus, plus printed textbook and career booster pack
Aceable Agent: Best for high exam pass rates
Starting from: $319
Aceable Agent outpaces the competition when it comes to their students’ exam pass rates. The Illinois state average is a 60% pass rate, while Aceable Agent students have an 84% pass rate on the first try.
Formerly Real Estate Institute, Aceable has taken the trusted, expert content and repackaged it to be accessible on desktop, tablet and mobile. It also has self-study and/or webinar options, which allows aspiring brokers to be flexible with their learning and tailor education to their needs. Aceable is one of the few real estate schools that provides a physical textbook and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee included in all of their packages.
Pros & Cons
- High exam pass rate
- Private tutoring session with a real estate expert (Premium package)
- Financing available
- No in-person classes
Features
- Course formats: Self-paced or livestreamed
- Course access: Course available for six months
- Refund policy: Full refund available within 30 days of purchase
- Guarantees: N/A
- Exam prep: Comprehensive exam prep suite includes: practice exams, PrepAgent access for three months (Premium package)
- Student support: Livestream Q&A sessions with instructors five times per week and private tutoring sessions (Premium package)
- Final exam: The state charges $58 per attempt
Pricing
Aceable Agent has two packages available for the 75-hour pre-licensing course. Both have the option to finance your purchase through Affirm, for students who wish to spread out their payments, as well as a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Basic ($319): A self-paced option for more independent learners. Includes the 75-hour class plus instructor support via text and email and both a printed and digital textbook
- Premium ($479): A webinar option that can be completed in as little as three weeks, this package includes livestreamed sessions, three months of PrepAgent access, practice exams, Q&A sessions with instructions and a 1:1 one-hour tutoring session
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Kaplan: Best for instructor support
Starting from: $489
Kaplan Real Estate Education works with thousands of students each year, equipping them with the education and tools to begin and advance their Illinois real estate careers. Students appreciate the school’s high-quality prelicensing, exam prep and continuing education courses, along with the expert instructors who lead them.
The school offers different Illinois prelicensing packages at various price points, ensuring that you receive a unique learning experience at a price you can afford. With full access to the class instructor, Kaplan’s online prelicensing courses also enable you to complete your required education when and where it is most convenient for you.
Pros & Cons
- Exam prep videos and practice questions included in both packages
- Commitment to Pass included
- Career Mentor Connect program included
- Zoom account required for live online classes
- No in-person classes
Features
- Course formats: Self-paced or livestreamed
- Course access: Course available 6 months from date of purchase
- Refund policy: Full reimbursement available within 30 days if course has not been completed
- Guarantees: If you do not pass after completing our program, Kaplan will continue to support your studies at no cost to you through the Kaplan Commitment. The instructors will help you create a personalized study plan, and you’ll continue to have access to the exam prep tools and instructors for up to 18 months as long as you continue your studies.
- Exam prep: Comprehensive exam prep included state and national laws, plus a section on math
- Student support: Career Mentor Connect allows students to understand a “day in the life” of a real estate agent
Pricing
Both packages include the full 75-hour required course, plus Kaplan’s Commitment to Pass.
- Exam Prep Package ($489): 75-hour course, Commitment to Pass, access to Kaplan’s online learning hub with additional study materials, exam prep videos and drill and practice questions
- Career Launcher ($889): Includes the Exam Prep Package, plus real estate accelerator online course, printed textbooks and workbooks, flashcards and math online video course
Your House Real Estate Academy: Best for in-person classes
Starting from: $449
For students who prefer in-person classes, check out Your House Real Estate Academy. With over 40 years of real estate education experience, 10,000 students, and 25 locations throughout Illinois, Your House stands out among its competitors. They also offer everything you will need throughout your career, including managing broker and leasing agent pre-licensing courses, continuing education and career development courses.
Pros & Cons
- In-person classes in multiple locations
- Includes over 1,000 practice questions
- Pay in installments with Affirm
- No self-paced option for the full 75 hours
- Only one package available
Features
- Course formats: Live online and in-person classes available
- Course access: Course available 6 months from date of purchase
- Refund policy: N/A
- Guarantees: N/A
- Exam prep: Access to online portal with over 1,000 practice exam questions
- Student support: Periodic review opportunities are offered for $99 – these give students a chance to come together in person and review the material with instructors
- Final exam: Students have up to two years to take the exam
Pricing
Two options to choose from, one offers in-person classes and the other is entirely virtual.
- Virtual class ($449): 75-hour course entirely virtual. 60 hours are self-paced, and 15 hours are webinar-format
- In-person or webinar class ($599): Includes in-person classes and live online webinar classes, plus access to online study portal
The CE Shop: Best for self-paced study
Starting from: $251
According to The CE Shop, its prelicensing student satisfaction rate is 96% and students have a higher-than-average pass rate of 64%. A state-approved real estate school in Illinois, The CE Shop consistently updates its course material to stay on top of industry changes. Students find the school’s interactive teaching approach substantially more engaging and effective than simply reading a PDF.
The self-paced format makes it easy for students who are independent and wish to move through the coursework at their own pace. The CE Shop also features LEAP, a custom online learning platform, to help students retain key content.
Pros & Cons
- High student satisfaction rates
- Free 5-day trial period
- Option to complete coursework in as little as two weeks
- No in-person option
- Lack of access to live instructors
Features
- Course formats: Online, interactive
- Course access: Course available six months from date of purchase
- Refund policy: Full refunds for courses within 30 days of purchase, provided the request is submitted before the course expires and the course is less than 50% complete.
- Guarantees: With the CE Shop’s “Pass Guarantee,” prelicensing students can request a reimbursement of the cost of the initial licensing exam if a retake is required.
- Exam prep: The CE Shop’s Exam Prep Edge courses include an initial assessment, after which the school’s interactive dashboard guides you through each topic while gauging your competency. The course also prepares students for the licensing exam through unlimited practice tests with unique questions.
- Student support: Support is available seven days a week via phone, chat or email
- Final exam: At the end of each course, there is a final to ensure that you have read and retained the important information.
Pricing
The CE Shop offers four different options for students to choose from, depending on how much additional support and exam prep you’re looking for.
- Courses Only ($251): A basic package which includes the required 75-hour course plus business ebooks, career resources, downloadable resources, digital flash cards, real estate glossary and study schedule
- Standard Package ($321): Everything in the courses only package, plus Exam Prep Edge and pass guarantee
- Value Package ($374): Standard package, plus three-month kickstarter professional development program
- Premium Package ($570): Value package, plus 45-hour IL post-licensing package and essential guide to real estate e-textbook
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Methodology: How we chose the best online real estate courses in Illinois
To determine the very best Illinois real estate schools, we conducted extensive research, rating each school based on the following:
- Affordability and flexibility
- Course offerings, including study tools and technology
- Course access and format options
- Instructor expertise and accessibility
- Pass rates and student satisfaction
- Return policies or pass guarantees
- Student support and engagement
Finally, we considered each school’s unique features and professional development opportunities, which can be of lasting value to real estate agents like yourself.
FAQs: Best real estate courses in Illinois
What are the requirements for taking the Illinois real estate salesperson exam?
- Complete your prelicensing education by taking an approved 75-hour course that includes 60 education hours and 15 interactive hours.
- Meet the education requirement by completing the course and passing the practice exam. Then, take and pass the course’s final exam with a minimum score of 75%.
- Obtain required documents before taking (and passing!) the Illinois Real Estate Broker Examination.
- Find a sponsoring brokerage.
- Apply for your Illinois Real Estate Broker License with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
- Start your exciting career in real estate!
Can I take the Illinois real estate exam online?
Yes, there are proctored online exams available, as well as traditional in-person exams.
How long is the Illinois licensing exam?
The Illinois Real Estate Licensing exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is based on the 75-hour prelicensing education. The exam is broken out into two sections: The state portion consists of 40 multiple-choice questions. The national portion of the exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. You will be given 3.5 hours to complete the entire Illinois real estate licensing exam.
How much does real estate school in Illinois cost?
The cost of real estate school in Illinois will depend upon which courses you choose and whether you select add-on products, such as exam prep packages. In addition to start-up expenses, there are ongoing costs associated with practicing real estate in Illinois. Here’s what to budget for:
- Prelicensing exam coursework = $99 to $599
- License application fee = $125
- Examination fee = $58
- Post-licensing CE coursework = $29.95 to $299
- Estimated total = Between $311 to $1081
The full picture
Starting a new career in real estate is exciting! Knowing more about Illinois real estate school programs and offerings means you’re well-positioned to pick the best option for your needs and goals.
At Vetted, we want to help you kickstart your real estate career and succeed down the road. From tips on choosing the right school for your real estate licensing education to passing the state real estate licensing exam and succeeding as an Illinois real estate agent, we’ve got your back.
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