With U.S. home prices up 2.0% this year, there’s never been a better time to consider a career in real estate. If you’re ready to earn your license, choosing the right real estate school is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
After comparing dozens of online real estate schools, Hondros College of Real Estate remains one of my top recommendations thanks to its flexible learning options, outstanding exam prep, and career-focused resources. Now part of the Colibri Real Estate family, Hondros combines more than 40 years of experience with the backing of one of the industry’s largest professional education companies.
Key Takeaways
- Hondros College of Real Estate is one of my top-rated online real estate schools thanks to its flexible learning options, excellent exam prep, and strong student support.
- As part of the Colibri Real Estate family, students benefit from expanded educational resources and modern learning technology.
- Hondros offers everything from pre-licensing and exam prep to post-licensing, continuing education (CE), broker licensing, and professional development.
- Students can choose from self-paced online courses, livestream instruction, or in-person classes in Ohio.
- While it isn’t the least expensive option, I believe the quality of instruction and included resources make it one of the best values available.
Overview of Hondros College of Real Estate
Founded in 1981, Hondros College of Real Estate has helped thousands of students launch careers in real estate. Today, the school offers much more than just pre-licensing education. Students can complete nearly every stage of their real estate career with Hondros, including pre-licensing, exam prep, post-licensing, continuing education (CE), broker licensing, and professional development courses. The school also offers education for mortgage, appraisal, insurance, and contractor licensing.
One of the biggest reasons I recommend Hondros is its flexibility. Students can choose from self-paced online courses, livestream instruction, or in-person classes in Ohio, making it easy to fit coursework around work, family, and other commitments.
Course Packages
As you can see below, Hondros makes it easy to find the right education for every stage of your real estate career. Whether you’re earning your license for the first time, completing your required post-licensing education, or taking continuing education courses to maintain your license, the platform is well organized and simple to navigate. For new agents, Hondros offers two pre-licensing package options: Essentials and Professional.
Essentials Package
The Essentials Package includes everything most aspiring real estate agents need to complete their state’s licensing requirements and prepare for the licensing exam. Students receive the required pre-license coursework, physical textbooks, audio course narration, fingerprinting, a Live Crammer Course, flashcards, Exam Prep powered by CompuCram, a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, Career Expos, and, where applicable, the required 20-hour post-licensing course. I like that Hondros goes beyond the basics by including valuable study tools and career resources, making this package an excellent fit for most students.
Professional Package
The Professional Package builds on the Essentials Package by adding premium learning resources and support for students seeking an even more comprehensive educational experience. If you’re someone who prefers extra guidance throughout the licensing process or wants additional tools to help build confidence before exam day, I think this package is worth considering. It provides even more support while maintaining the same flexible learning experience Hondros is known for.
My Experience Reviewing Hondros Courses
After reviewing Hondros’ curriculum and comparing it with other online real estate schools, I think it strikes an excellent balance between flexibility and student support.
Students can choose between self-paced online courses and live, instructor-led classes, allowing them to learn in the format that best fits their schedule and learning style. I especially like the weekly instructor Q&A sessions, which give students direct access to experienced professionals whenever questions come up.
Another feature that stands out to me is Hondros’ customer support. Online learning can feel intimidating for first-time students, so having responsive support available throughout the process adds real value.
If you’re located in Ohio, you also have the option of attending classes at one of Hondros’ campuses. Students in many other states can complete their education entirely online.
The only recommendation I have is to double-check that you’re enrolling in the correct state program since Hondros offers licensing education across multiple states.
Hondros College of Real Estate Pricing
Pricing varies depending on your state and licensing requirements, but I think Hondros delivers excellent value considering everything included in its course packages. Beyond the required education, students receive quality exam preparation, instructor support, career resources, networking opportunities, and ongoing educational options that many lower-cost schools simply don’t provide.
One of my favorite features is CompuCram, an industry-leading exam prep platform that helps students prepare for their licensing exam through realistic practice questions and study tools.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✅ More than 40 years of experience in real estate education.
✅ Part of the Colibri Real Estate family.
✅ Flexible self-paced, livestream, and in-person learning options.
✅ Weekly instructor Q&A sessions.
Cons
❌ Course availability varies by state.
❌ Ohio remains its strongest market.
Honorable Mentions
While Hondros College of Real Estate is my top recommendation, it isn’t the only quality real estate school available. Depending on your budget, learning style, and state requirements, these providers are also worth considering.
The CE Shop
The CE Shop is an excellent choice for students who prefer a completely self-paced learning experience. Its intuitive online platform, interactive coursework, and nationwide availability make it one of the strongest alternatives for independent learners.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Kaplan is one of the most established names in education and is a great option for students who enjoy live instruction. Its instructor-led classes, extensive study materials, and decades of experience make it a solid choice for those who want a more traditional classroom experience.
AceableAgent
AceableAgent stands out for its modern, mobile-friendly learning platform. If you plan to complete much of your coursework on your phone or tablet, AceableAgent offers one of the most user-friendly experiences available.
Final Verdict
Hondros College of Real Estate remains one of my favorite online real estate schools because it offers much more than the minimum education required to earn your license. Between the flexible learning options, excellent exam prep, instructor support, and long-term career resources, I think it delivers outstanding value. If you’re looking for a school that can support you from pre-licensing through continuing education, Hondros is easily one of my top recommendations.
FAQs
Yes. I think Hondros is worth the investment for students who want quality instruction, strong exam preparation, and ongoing career support. While it isn’t the cheapest option, it offers significantly more resources than many lower-cost competitors.
Yes. Hondros College of Real Estate is part of the Colibri Real Estate family, giving students access to expanded educational resources, technology, and support while maintaining the trusted Hondros brand.
Yes. In addition to pre-licensing courses, Hondros offers post-licensing education, continuing education (CE), broker licensing, exam prep, and professional development courses for real estate professionals.
Yes. Students can choose from self-paced online courses, livestream instructor-led classes, or in-person classes in Ohio, depending on their location and learning preferences.
I think the Essentials Package is the best choice for most students because it includes everything needed to earn a real estate license and prepare for the exam. If you prefer additional study resources and extra support throughout the process, the Professional Package may be the better fit.
