If you’re thinking about getting into real estate in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo or anywhere else in the Buckeye State, your first step is choosing the right school to complete Ohio’s required 100 hours of pre-licensing education. With colleagues born and raised in Ohio, we know firsthand how much the right program can set you up for success.
There are plenty of online options to pick from, but not all of them fit every budget, schedule or learning style. The goal is to find a school that fits your life and gives you a strong foundation for your career, not just a course that checks the box. That’s why I dug into the details and reviewed the programs that consistently rise to the top, so you can start your real estate journey in Ohio with confidence.
5 best real estate courses in Ohio: Our top picks
Best for flexible learning with instructor support
Hondros College by Colibri
From $999
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VISIT
Best for self-paced online learning
The CE Shop
From $1499
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Use HW30 to Save 30%
Best for exam prep
Kaplan Real Estate
From $799
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VISIT
Best for college-style learning on a budget
Sinclair Community College
From $1340
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VISIT
Best for affordable learning
Perry Real Estate College
From $1099
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VISIT
5 best real estate courses in Ohio: Our top picks
Best for flexible learning with instructor support
Hondros College by Colibri
From $999
VISIT
Jump to details ↓
Best for self-paced online learning
The CE Shop
From $1499
Use HW30 to Save 30%
Jump to details ↓
Best for exam prep
Kaplan Real Estate
From $799
VISIT
Jump to details ↓
Best for college-style learning on a budget
Sinclair Community College
From $1340
VISIT
Jump to details ↓
Best for affordable learning
Perry Real Estate College
From $1099
VISIT
Jump to details ↓
Hondros College by Colibri: Best for flexible learning with instructor support
Starting from: $999
Hondros College by Colibri Real Estate has been a go-to in Ohio for years, and a big part of that is how they teach. Their courses are led by instructors who actually work in the industry, so the examples and scenarios feel current and practical and not just textbook theory. Choose the learning style that fits your schedule, whether that’s in-person on campus, real-time livestream classes, or fully self-paced online.
Many students mix formats as they go, which is something Hondros is known for making easy for their students. They offer multiple pre-licensing packages, and each one includes access to their online platform, where you move through the coursework at your own pace. If you prefer more structure, their instructor-led livestream classes run on a set schedule via Zoom, giving you the classroom feel without the commute. Of course, if you want an in-person experience, they have that option as well.
Pros & Cons
Multiple online, virtual and in-person learning formats
Free career resources included
Scholarships available
Tends to be the most expensive option
Livestream classes are on a set schedule
In-person availability is dependent on the campus location
Features
Course formats: Complete any course in person, online at your own pace or via livestream (held in real time from any device). Hondros also lets you change your learning method at any time.
Course access: You have six months from the day of purchase to complete your class.
Refund policy: 30 days from the date of enrollment provided the course has not been completed.
Guarantees: With the “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee,” students enrolled in a pre-licensing course, or a Set for Success & Ultimate Real Estate bundle, will be refunded if you don’t pass your exam on the first try.
Exam prep: Hondros College offers several livestream exam prep options, including the Crammer Sales Review Course, which features an exam that simulates the national and state specific portion of the real estate exam, a Real Estate Math Review designed to prepare students for the exam’s math and real estate calculation questions, and CompuCram Exam Prep, which delivers vocabulary tools, practice testing and comprehensive simulated exams.
Student support: If you have a question, call the Student Services team members at 1-888-HONDROS. Anyone enrolled in a pre-licensing class can also access instructor support 7 days a week.
Certificate of Completion: In order to take the Ohio Real Estate Licensing Exam, you need to meet the 100-hour sales associate pre-licensing requirement. Upon successful completion of your real estate pre-licensing classes, Hondros will give you the necessary completion certificate.
Pricing
Hondros has typically been the most expensive option on this list, but since they’ve partnered with Colibri, they do run frequent discount codes that help bring the cost down. Even so, the higher price makes sense for a lot of students because you get more support, more learning format options, and a deeper level of instruction than many online-only schools offer.
NEW Quick Start Bundle ($999): 100 hours of prelicensing education and instructor support
Career Start ($1,299): Quick start bundle plus exam prep webinars
Set for Success ($1,499): Career start bundle plus extensive exam prep, pass or don’t pay guarantee and entrance to career expos
Ultimate ($1,799): Success Bundle plus 30 hours of continuing education and 20 hours of required post-licensing courses included
The CE Shop is a popular pick for Ohio students who want a fully online, self-paced program they can work through on their own schedule. Their courses are updated regularly and focus on the real issues Ohio agents deal with on a daily basis, from agency relationships to state-specific legal requirements and local regulations. The content is practical, easy to navigate and designed to help you feel confident going into the exam and into real-world transactions.
Pros & Cons
Fully online and self-paced program
User-friendly interface
Built-in exam prep tools
No live instruction
Text-heavy compared to other programs
Limited access to course instructors
Features
Course formats: 100% online, self-paced courses.
Course access: Six months after the purchase date and you can request a one-month extension.
Refund policy: The CE Shop will refund the purchase price of any course within the first 30 days if the course is not more than 50% completed.
Guarantees: If your package includes Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop will reimburse the cost of the initial licensing exam if a retake is required.
Exam prep: Exam Prep Edge is the CE Shop’s intuitive online study experience. It can give you the confidence to pass your exam and start your real estate career off on the right foot by providing you with an initial assessment, immediate feedback on the topics you’ve mastered and guidance on the ones you still need to work on.
Student support: Support is available from Customer Service Representatives via email, live chat, and phone, seven days a week.
Final exam: The CE Shop’s prelicensing, post-licensing and CE final exams must be passed with at least a 70%. You may, however, take the courses as many times as necessary in order to pass.
Pricing
The CE Shop is competitively priced compared to other online providers, and they frequently offer discounts that make the courses even more affordable. For most students, the value you get from their courses and exam prep easily justifies the price.
Basic Package ($199): All packages include 100 hours of prelicense education, business ebooks, career and downloadable resources, digital flashcards, real estate glossary and a study schedule.
Standard Package ($1,599): Basic package plus Exam Prep Edge and Pass Guarantee.
Value Package ($1,675): Standard package plus Kickstarter Professional Development Program.
Premium Package ($1,889): Value package plus 20-hour salesperson post-licensing course, Career Companion eTextbook.
Kaplan has been training real estate professionals for more than 65 years, and their Ohio program reflects that experience. Their courses are built for students who want structure, clear guidance and instructors who walk you through the material in a straightforward, exam-focused way.
Kaplan’s prelicensing classes combine video segments from their instructors with supporting text-based lessons, which makes the content easier to absorb if you prefer a more traditional study style. You can start, stop and pick up your course whenever you want, but the overall layout gives you a set path to follow. That’s something many students appreciate when they’re preparing for the licensing exam.
Pros & Cons
Long-standing reputation in providing real estate education
Fully online, self-paced course options
Excellent exam prep resources included in every package
No video or livestream options available
Packages offer limited supporting content
Interface can feel a bit more dated than other platforms
Features
Course formats: 100% online, self-paced courses.
Course access: Six months from the date of purchase.
Refund policy: Kaplan offers a full tuition refund within 30 days of purchase, but only if the course or class has not been completed.
Guarantees: Kaplan offers what they call the Kaplan Commitment, which means if you take your state exam within 30 days of finishing your course and don’t pass, they’ll keep working with you and give you continued access to study support for free.
Exam prep: Kaplan’s Exam Prep Packages include the National Drill & Practice QBank and Ohio Real Estate Drill & Practice QBank.
Student support: Real estate experts are available to answer any questions via email. General support is also available via live chat.
Final exam: No final course exam required.
Pricing
Kaplan’s pricing sits in the midline price range for the packages offered. They don’t run discounts as frequently as some competitors, but many students feel the structured format and instructor support justify the cost.
Exam Prep Package ($799): 100 hours of prelicensing coursework, live online learning hub and exam prep tools.
Career Launcher Package ($1,199): Includes everything in the exam prep package plus the Real Estate Accelerator Program, where you’ll learn real-life skills to generate income.
Sinclair Community College: Best for college-style learning on a budget
Starting from: $1340
Sinclair College is a great choice if you’re looking for a college-based real estate program without spending a ton of money. Their classes are state-approved, taught by instructors who actually know the Ohio market and you can usually choose between in-person or remote options depending on the term. It’s a good fit for anyone who likes having a set schedule and a more traditional classroom vibe.
And while Sinclair is one of the better-known programs in the state, it’s definitely not the only community college in Ohio offering real estate courses. A lot of local colleges across the state have the same required classes at similar price points. So if you’d rather learn face-to-face or just feel more comfortable in a campus setting, it’s worth checking what’s available close to home.
Ohio Real Estate Sales Associate Certificate (Source: Sinclair Community College)
Pros & Cons
In-person and remote options available
Budget-friendly college campus experience
Structured class schedule for traditional learners
Course availability varies by term
In-person learning is less flexible
Registration may be more cumbersome than other providers
Features
Course formats: In-person and online.
Course access: Access ends once the term has ended.
Refund policy: Refunds follow Sinclair’s standard academic refund schedule, which is usually tied to the college’s drop/add deadlines.
Guarantees: No pass guarantees included in this program.
Exam prep: Exam prep is built into the course and will vary by instructor. Some instructors may offer additional review sessions.
Student support: Hands-on instructor and academic support are available to students through the college.
Final exam: A course final is required and you must pass in accordance with the college’s academic standards.
Pricing
Sinclair’s pricing follows standard community-college tuition, which is typically less expensive than private real estate schools. The exact cost depends on how many credits you take and whether you’re an in-county or out-of-county student.
In-person ($1,340): 100 hours of prelicensing coursework available at the Dayton Area Board of Realtors and Sinclair’s Dayton and Centerville campuses.
Online ($1,407): Complete your 100 hours of prelicensing coursework online any time or day of the week without coming to campus – as long as you meet course deadlines. Students may work ahead of schedule.
Perry Real Estate College: Best for affordable learning
Starting from: $1099
Perry Real Estate College keeps things simple. If you’re looking for an online program that won’t blow your budget, this is one of the cheaper ways to knock out Ohio’s prelicensing hours. The course is fully self-paced, and the platform is pretty bare-bones, which honestly works well if you just want to get in, get the material done and move on. It’s a good match for someone who doesn’t need a lot of bells and whistles and is comfortable working through the content on their own.
What really stands out about Perry is the feedback from students who have actually taken the course. Their online reviews are consistently strong, especially from people who wanted an affordable option but were still worried about passing the exam. A lot of students mention finishing the program quickly and feeling prepared going into the state test, and Perry’s pass rates reflect that. It’s one of those lower-cost schools that actually performs better than you’d expect, which is why it’s earned such a strong reputation online.
Pros & Cons
One of the most affordable real estate course options
100% online, self-paced courses
Simple platform that’s easy to navigate
No live instruction
Less robust exam prep
Limited student support
Features
Course formats: Fully online, self-paced courses.
Course access: There is no set deadline for the course to expire. If you happen to need more time, an extension is available.
Refund policy: Perry Real Estate School offers a 3-day refund period for its courses; if you are within this timeframe after enrolling and decide you don’t like the course, you can request a refund.
Guarantees: The school will refund your initial exam fee if a retake is required.
Exam prep: Students have access to built-in practice questions, quizzes and topic reviews throughout the course.
Student support: Support is available through email or online messaging 24/7.
Final exam: You’ll take an online final at the end of the course. Passing it is required before you can register for the state licensing exam.
Pricing
Perry is usually on the lower end of the price range for Ohio prelicensing, which is the main reason many students choose it. It’s a budget-friendly way to meet the state requirements without sacrificing the essentials.
Lite ($1,099): 100-hour prelicense course including built-in exam prep and 24/7 customer support
Essentials ($1,399): Lite package plus the course ebook, state exam prep ebook and national exam ebook
Ultimate ($1,699): Essentials package plus real estate math ebook, PerryPrep+, MasterMath+ and 20 hours of post-licensing education
Methodology: How we chose the best online real estate courses in Ohio (OH)
To determine the very best Ohio 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 Ohio
How much does real estate school cost in Ohio?
When it comes to the education required to get your real estate agent license in Ohio, the fee for pre-licensing exam coursework can be under $1,000 or over $1,700. It all depends on the education provider you choose. Ohio State universities and colleges tend to be the most expensive, while online real estate courses taken through an Ohio education provider or real estate school tend to be the most affordable.
How long does it take to become an Ohio real estate agent?
The amount of time it will take you to become a licensed agent in Ohio depends largely on your education provider. If you choose to take your pre-licensing courses through a community college or state university, it will take you the entire semester, which is about four months. If you purchase a pre-licensing package through an online education provider or real estate school, you will generally have up to six months to complete your required 100-course hours, but you may be able to complete it in under a month if you treat your courses like a full-time job.
Can I get my Ohio real estate license online?
According to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, you can apply to be a new real estate salesperson online. You even have the option of taking the licensing exam remotely instead of in-person at a testing center site.
Is it hard to pass the Ohio real estate exam?
The Ohio real estate exam pass rate isn’t available to the public. The minimum passing score is 70% and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within 180 minutes. There is a broad range of topics on both the state and national exams that can be challenging for many test-takers.
What is the average salary for an Ohio real estate agent?
According to Hondros College 2025 Ohio Real Estate Salary Guide, part-time real estate agents in Ohio make an average of $46,250, while full-time agents make an average of $162,250. It’s important to note that most real estate agents are independent contractors or business owners who do not receive a typical salary, instead earning a commission for each sale they close.
The full picture: Best Ohio real estate courses
Whether you’re starting fresh or just getting licensed in Ohio, you should now have a clearer picture of the schools that actually deliver and which ones line up with the way you like to learn. At this point, you should feel confident choosing a program that fits your budget, your schedule and the way you want to show up in this business.
And as you work your way through the licensing process, HousingWire is here to help you stay informed. From step-by-step guidance on getting your Ohio license to market updates and industry news, we’re committed to giving you the information you need to build a career that lasts.
Helpful links
As a prospective or current real estate agent, it’s important to stay up-to-date on information on obtaining and renewing your license, choosing a school, requirements in Ohio and any changes the state may make. Here are the sites and links you’ll find the most helpful:
Ohio REALTORS
Ohio.gov, Real Estate Education Providers
Ohio.gov, Real Estate & Professional Licensing
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By: Sara Stover, Gina Baker Title: 5 best real estate classes in Ohio (OH) for 2026 Sourced From: www.housingwire.com/articles/real-estate-classes-ohio/ Published Date: Fri, 05 Dec 2025 20:50:26 +0000
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