As the world’s urban population grows, demand continues for professionals who understand real estate development, planning, finance, and the built environment. The real estate industry changes alongside cities, investment markets, technology, and sustainability priorities.
Universities in major cities worldwide offer real estate programs that prepare graduates to work across development, investment, planning, valuation, and property management.
Read on for our guide to some of the world’s top real estate schools.
Top Real Estate Schools in the World
1. New York University
New York University (NYU) has degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai. Its New York campus includes the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS), which houses the Schack Institute of Real Estate.
NYU SPS currently offers three real-estate-focused degrees: the BS in Real Estate, MS in Real Estate Development, and MS in Real Estate.
The BS in Real Estate curriculum covers areas such as finance, urban real estate economics, legal principles, development, sustainability, risk, and portfolio management. The master’s programs provide advanced study for students pursuing careers in real estate and development.
2. National University of Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, NUS ranked eighth worldwide and first in Asia.
NUS Business School’s Department of Real Estate offers a BBA in Real Estate and an MSc in Real Estate. The undergraduate major provides multidisciplinary training across fields such as real estate finance and investment, urban planning, and property development.
Eligible students can study real estate as a BBA major, a second major, or a minor, subject to the applicable curriculum rules. These options allow students to build knowledge relevant to different parts of the real estate industry.
3. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is located in Philadelphia. At Penn’s Wharton School, students can study real estate through an undergraduate concentration, an MBA major in Real Estate, and a Ph.D. in Applied Economics with a research focus in Urban Economics and Real Estate.
The undergraduate concentration combines required coursework with electives covering areas such as development, finance, investment, housing markets, capital markets, and urban fiscal policy. The MBA major also allows students to develop specialized knowledge through required courses and electives.
These academic options allow students to explore real estate from several perspectives, including finance, economics, development, public policy, and law.
4. Cornell University
Cornell University is home to the Baker Program in Real Estate, which offers a multidisciplinary graduate education in real estate.
The program offers a two-year, full-time, residential Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate (MPS-RE). Students begin in Ithaca, complete four semesters and a summer internship, and may choose an optional New York City experience during their second year.
Students may select one of five concentrations or create an independent concentration. The listed concentrations are Development & Sustainability; Real Estate Finance & Investments; Property, Asset, & Portfolio Management; Real Estate Consulting & Market Analysis; and International Real Estate.
5. University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge offers real estate programs through its Department of Land Economy.
The two-year, part-time MSt in Real Estate is designed for experienced professionals and emerging industry leaders. The blended program combines online learning with five residential blocks in Cambridge.
The university also offers a ten-month, full-time MPhil in Real Estate Finance. Candidates may apply to continue to a Ph.D. if they meet the stated requirements and identify a suitable supervisor and research proposal.
6. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC) offers real estate programs through the USC Price School of Public Policy and other USC schools.
The USC Price School offers a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Development (BRED). The program brings together finance, urban planning, architectural design, and public policy, with internships and capstone projects that apply classroom learning to real estate challenges.
USC also offers a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Finance and Development (BREFD) and the Dollinger Master of Real Estate Development (MRED).
MRED students can pursue dual-degree options with a Juris Doctor (JD), an MBA, or a Master of Planning.
7. University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow offers an MSc in Real Estate that is developed in consultation with industry. Students can pursue pathways in finance and investment, sustainability, or housing.
The MSc can be completed in 12 months of full-time study, 24 months of part-time study, or up to 60 months through modular study. Students may also take part in an optional, self-funded field trip to London.
The program is accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and provides a quicker pathway toward chartered surveyor status. Graduation alone does not automatically confer chartered status.
We hope that you found this article on notable real estate schools informative and helpful. To learn more about studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
