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
VISIT
Best for self-paced online learning
The CE Shop
From $1499
Use HW30 to Save 30%
Best for exam prep
Kaplan Real Estate
From $799
VISIT
Best for college-style learning on a budget
Sinclair Community College
From $1340
VISIT
Best for affordable learning
Perry Real Estate College
From $1099
VISIT5 best real estate courses in Ohio: Our top picks
Best for flexible learning with instructor support
Hondros College by Colibri
From $999
VISITBest for self-paced online learning
The CE Shop
From $1499
Use HW30 to Save 30%Best for exam prep
Kaplan Real Estate
From $799
VISITBest for college-style learning on a budget
Sinclair Community College
From $1340
VISITBest for affordable learning
Perry Real Estate College
From $1099
VISITHondros 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
- Free career resources included
- 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: Best for self-paced online learning
Starting from: $1499
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
- User-friendly interface
- 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.
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Kaplan Real Estate: Best for exam prep
Starting from: $799
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
- Fully online, self-paced course options
- 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
- Budget-friendly college campus experience
- 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
- 100% online, self-paced courses
- 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
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