Finding the right real estate appraisal school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re earning your first appraisal license or completing continuing education, the best course is one that prepares you for success while fitting your schedule and budget.
We compared today’s leading appraisal schools based on course quality, pricing, flexibility, and student support to help you find the right fit. Here’s our list of the best real estate appraisal courses, beginning with our top overall recommendation.
Spoiler alert: We love McKissock the best!
Which Appraisal Course Is Right for You?
Best Real Estate Appraisal Schools Online
1. McKissock: Best Real Estate Appraisal Schools
For over three decades, McKissock Appraisal School has been a trusted companion in empowering individuals to embark on a rewarding journey into the world of real estate appraisal. With a rich history spanning more than 30 years, McKissock has played a pivotal role in nurturing countless successful careers for those wanting to become a real estate appraisers.
Over the years, McKissock has been the driving force behind the success of nearly 2 million real estate professionals across the United States. Their commitment to providing top-notch education has not only shaped careers but also contributed to the overall advancement of the real estate industry.
And it shows.
They also provide their courses at a reduced price. As described by Reddit user Charlesknob:
“I’ve utilized McKissock for my Trainee courses, Pre-licensing courses, test prep, and even my continuing education. I find the classes and their user-friendly portal highly satisfying. Whenever I reach out to them, I simply request a sales representative, and they consistently offer coupon codes, granting discounts ranging from 10% to 20% off.”
However, there’s no need to spend your valuable time on the phone when you can conveniently access our McKissock School discount here.
It’s worth noting that McKissock Learning is part of a highly regarded network of educational sites, including Colibri Real Estate and the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. This affiliation with reputable institutions further solidifies McKissock’s standing as a trusted authority in real estate education, ensuring that learners receive a comprehensive and valuable learning experience. With such a strong foundation and network, McKissock continues to be a beacon of success for those aspiring to thrive in the real estate appraisal field.
Course Features
The courses offered by McKissock are really all-encompassing for anyone looking to start or maintain their career as a professional appraiser.
Whether you’re looking to get your appraisal license or upgrade your license, they have exactly what you need.
Here are the courses offered by McKissock:
- Qualifying Education Course
- Upgrading A License
- Their Licensing Subscription
- Exam Prep Package
- USPAP
- Continuing Education Package
- Unlimited Learning Membership
- Corporate Solutions
- Luxury Home Certification
- Professional Development
As you can see, they offer everything you will ever need to get your appraisal license, prep for your licensed residential or certified residential exam, upgrade your license, USPAP courses, and more.
Qualifying Education Course
The McKissock qualifying education course is your first step to becoming a licensed appraiser in your state.
One thing our expert reviewers love about McKissock is that they have qualifying education courses for every state in the United States. So, it’s no wonder they are the leader in appraisal education. No other online appraisal school offers more than McKissock.
Their qualifying education course will give you the required 75 hours (Colorado, California, Florida, Kansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Wisconsin require more than 75 hours) you will need to become a trainee.
Kenneth Boyd, an esteemed expert reviewer, highlights a key advantage of McKissock’s appraisal courses: the flexibility of online learning. As he notes, all their pre-license qualifying education courses are accessible online, offering the convenience of setting your own pace without ever having to step out of your home.
This self-paced approach aligns perfectly with Kenneth Boyd’s preferences, making McKissock an exceptional choice for those seeking convenience and control in their appraisal education journey.
Pre-License Qualifying Education Course Packages
The McKissock qualifying education course comes in three different packages so you can choose what works best for you:
- Basic: The Basic package is for those who have never taken an appraisal course, are good self-starters, and only want the basic requirements required to become an appraiser trainee. This is also the least expensive package of all the options.
- Advanced Pro: The Advanced Pro package is for those who have not taken an appraisal course but want extra help. You will get everything you get in the Basic package to help you become an appraisal trainee, but you gain access to other upgrades such as weekly instructor questions and answers and other upgraded materials.
- Unlimited Learning Subscription: The Unlimited Learning Subscription is by far the best overall package; it gives you so much more for your money. With this package, you will get access to everything you get in the Basic and Advanced Pro packages, but you will have up to 300 hours of the required licensing courses as well as upgrade education courses, including USPAP.
You will also gain access to monthly webinars, an online community, their content library, and much more.
Continuing Education
Their continuing education courses have everything you will need to maintain and renew your appraisal license in every state. No other online appraisal school offers this but McKissock.
The CE course allows you to get the additional credit you may need as well. The continuing education courses offered are fairly priced and by far the most up-to-date courses you will find on the market. Just choose your state and renew your license. It’s very easy and all online! You never have to leave your home.
Other Courses
As mentioned above, McKissock offers many more courses for those who already have an appraisal license, need to renew, and so much more. Visit McKissock here to get a full view of what they offer.
Pros and Cons
- Pro – Instructional Team: The team of instructors at this real estate appraisal school is really quite impressive. It consists of 23 instructors who all have extensive backgrounds in the real estate and appraisal industries.
- Pro – Offered in Many States: One of the most difficult parts of finding the best appraisal School is that not every provider offers their course in every state. McKissock is one of the exceptions, providing training in almost every corner of the U.S. This is one thing that makes them our top pick!
- Pro – Highly Reputable: McKissock has a solid reputation to back its course offerings. At the time of this writing, they have over 468,000 reviews from former students with a 4.3 out of 5-star rating.
- Pro – National Approval: When you’re looking for the best real estate appraiser school, you want to be sure the school you’re considering is approved by your state. Unlike other appraisal schools, McKissock is approved in every state and is even listed on state appraisal board websites as a recommended school.
Bottom Line
McKissock is the pinnacle of excellence in real estate appraisal education. With a 30-year legacy, they’ve empowered millions of professionals. Their affiliation with esteemed networks further cements their authority. Offering top-notch education and stellar customer service, McKissock is the ultimate choice for real estate appraisal success.
2. CompuCram: Best Real Estate Appraiser School
Currently, our top pick for the best online real estate appraisal school is McKissock but CompuCram isn’t far behind.
They provide a unique web-based study platform that’s compatible with any smart device and uses modern educational tech like adaptive learning to help you prepare for your exams quickly and effectively.
Course Features
CompuCram offers one online course for real estate exam appraisal that costs around $150. For six months, you’ll have access to these features:
- Interactive flashcards
- Vocabulary building exercises
- Realistic practice exams based on practice questions written by experts
- Pre-assessment and progress tracking
- Money back guarantee
Pros and Cons
- Pro – Unique Teaching Style: Many online courses only provide one type of practice question: multiple choice. However, CompuCram also includes fill-in-the-blank, matching games, and other interactive study techniques.
- Pro – Cutting-Edge Learning Tech: Through the use of adaptive learning technology, CompuCram will generate a custom study plan that’s made to fit your specific needs. They also provide a progress tracker that will help you determine when you’ve studied enough to successfully pass your exam.
- Pro – Compatibility: Whether you want to study on your home computer or on a tablet or smartphone, CompuCram offers full compatibility. You can access all of their content on any device; you can even switch from one to the other without losing your progress!
- Con – Lacks Live Instruction: A potential con of CompuCram Appraisal School could be the absence of a live instructor component in their courses. While their courses may offer interactive and dynamic practice tests, some students may prefer or benefit from real-time guidance and support from a live instructor, which CompuCram may not provide.
Bottom Line
CompuCram Appraisal School distinguishes itself with diverse and interactive learning methods, along with adaptive technology for personalized study plans. However, it lacks live instructor support, which some students may prefer for real-time guidance. Overall, it’s a suitable choice for self-motivated learners seeking flexibility and innovation in their appraisal education.
3. VanEd: Best Real Estate Appraiser Classes
VanEd has a unique take on the traditional online learning model. They offer a variety of effective study tools, although they lack availability in many states.
- Appraisal classes for WA, CO, TX, SD, IA, VA, and NJ
- Continuing education courses for all 50 states
- 30-75 credit hours (meets USPAP requirements)
- Discounts and free trials
- Visual study aids and flashcards
- Practice questions and exams
- Exam proctoring
Course Features
- Pro – Requirements Met: VanEd offers a combined course package that covers all the necessary material and meets the education hour requirement to take the exam. Additionally, this company offers exam proctoring, which is extremely convenient.
- Pro – Flexible Budget: If you only need a few more hours of education before sitting for the exam, VanEd offers smaller packages for a reduced price. They also have frequent discounts and promotions, so be sure to check back regularly to save some money!
- Con – Limited Availability: As previously mentioned, VanEd only offers full real estate appraisal courses for 7 states; if you don’t plan to work in one of these states, you’ll have to get help somewhere else. However, they offer continuing education for every state.
- Con – Limited Interaction: VanEd’s courses may lack the level of interaction and engagement some students seek in their real estate appraisal education. If you prefer a more hands-on or collaborative learning experience, the course format provided by VanEd might not fully align with your preferences.
Bottom Line
VanEd provides comprehensive appraisal material and convenient exam proctoring. Their budget-friendly options and discounts make them cost-effective. However, their limited availability in only seven states may pose challenges for those elsewhere, though they offer continuing education for all states. Also, if you seek highly interactive learning, VanEd’s format may not fully suit your preferences.
FAQs
What is the best real estate appraisal school?
McKissock is our top pick because it offers qualifying education, exam prep, continuing education, and license upgrades for nearly every state, making it one of the most comprehensive appraisal schools available.
How do I choose a real estate appraisal school?
Look for a school approved in your state that offers the courses you need, flexible learning options, experienced instructors, and positive student reviews. Comparing pricing and ongoing support can also help you find the best fit.
Can I complete real estate appraisal courses online?
Yes. Many of the best appraisal schools, including McKissock and CompuCram, offer online courses that allow you to study at your own pace from anywhere.
Does McKissock offer appraisal courses in every state?
McKissock offers qualifying education in virtually every state and provides continuing education nationwide, making it one of the most widely available appraisal education providers.
What is the best appraisal exam prep course?
CompuCram is an excellent choice for exam preparation thanks to its adaptive learning technology, realistic practice exams, flashcards, and personalized study plans.
Do real estate appraisers need continuing education?
Yes. Licensed appraisers are generally required to complete continuing education to maintain or renew their licenses. Many appraisal schools, including McKissock and VanEd, offer state-approved continuing education courses online.
