5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Minnesota for 2023 (Updated!)
Need to get your real estate license in Minnesota? I’ve spent over 153 hours evaluating the 11 most popular courses approved by the Minnesota Commerce Department. I’ve checked out each and every course, and there are clear winners and losers – so be sure to read my guide thoroughly!
5 Best Real Estate Schools in Minnesota
- Best Online Real Estate School in Minnesota: The CE Shop
- Most Flexible Online Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate
- Easiest Online Real Estate School: AYPO
- Most Affordable Real Estate School (The CE Shop): Tuition Reimbursement
- Best for Preparing New Agents for Success: The CE Shop
- Best Refund Policy: AYPO
What did I evaluate?

I looked at the 5 most important factors for each course, including course value, ease of use, unique features, student satisfaction, and pass rates.
I also took into account thousands of online reviews from other agents who have attended the courses. Each course is different, so I’ve included video walkthroughs so you can really understand what you’re getting. My video reviews include my opinions too (I promise, they’re short and sweet).
How’d I do it? I “secret-shopped” each and every course in Minnesota. I got access to the courses, I contacted their support team as if I were an active student, and I took a look at the content. These Minnesota real estate schools may appear to be really similar when you’re first taking a look, but trust me – as probably the ONLY person who has actually evaluated all these Minnesota courses – they are very, very different!
A bit about Pass Rates:
You’ll see me refer to Pass Rates in my article – these are estimated using a variety of sources – pass rates directly from the providers, estimations from other states where providers operate in multiple states, and user-reported qualitative information.
School | Estimated Pass Rate |
---|---|
The CE Shop | |
Colibri Real Estate | |
Aypo |
Alright, let’s get to it…After spending hundreds of hours evaluating each course and taking into account all these factors, I have narrowed down the list to the 5 best online real estate schools in Minnesota. Here they are!
Best Online Real Estate School in Minnesota: The CE Shop

When it comes to online real estate courses in Minnesota, The CE Shop has become my top choice without a doubt. Its self-paced learning structure allows for personalized progress, and I found it to be consistently engaging. I’m not alone in my positive experience, as an impressive 95% of CE Shop students have given the Minnesota course a perfect 5-star rating or highly recommended it to others.
Now, let’s discuss the pricing aspect. It’s important to note that The CE Shop falls on the higher end of the price spectrum, making it one of the more expensive options among online real estate courses in Minnesota. However, I firmly believe that the quality and value provided justify the cost. The unparalleled flexibility it offers sets it apart, solidifying its position as my top choice for the best overall real estate course in Minnesota.
One notable feature that distinguishes The CE Shop from other online providers is the range of packages available. While the most affordable option can certainly meet your needs, I highly recommend considering the “Premium” package due to its additional benefits and advantages.
Convenience: 4.7 out 5. The CE Shop truly sets itself apart with its user interface, which greatly enhances the overall learning experience. The online platform has been designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making sure you can move through the course smoothly. What impressed me the most was the convenience of accessing the course on both my tablet and phone, allowing me the flexibility to study anytime and anywhere.
The dashboard provided by The CE Shop proved to be an invaluable tool during my study sessions. It presented all the course sections in a clear and organized manner, making it easy to review and revisit specific topics as needed. One feature that stood out was the inclusion of a percentage calculator that continuously updated my progress. Every time I logged in, seeing my current completion percentage and the remaining sections provided a sense of clarity and helped me effectively manage my study time.
In contrast to some states where real estate courses tend to be text-heavy, I was pleasantly surprised by the interactive nature of the Minnesota course offered by The CE Shop. The course incorporated a variety of engaging elements such as videos, animations, charts, and interactive quizzes.
Pass Rate: 4.5 out 5. The CE Shop has a 64% pass rate among students in Minnesota, placing it among the top-tier schools in terms of successful exam outcomes. In comparison, several other schools in the state have pass rates hovering around the 52% mark. When considering the thousands of students who have enrolled in The CE Shop’s Minnesota course, a remarkable chunk of them pass the exam on their initial attempt. An additional 3% who didn’t succeed on their first try go on to pass the exam after a second attempt.
Course Duration: 4.8 out of 5. Minnesota’s real estate course is 90-hours, so it’s definitely not a short one. That’s why it’s important that you choose a course that works well with your learning style. The CE Shop packages come with three 30-hour mini courses that you must finish in one years time. After that year mark your course access will expire, and in Minnesota there are no extension options. That being said, you can re-purchase the course for a 50% discount if you haven’t finished it yet.
Support: 4.6 out of 5. The CE Shop stands out with its efficient and accessible customer support team, ensuring that getting in touch with a real person is quick and hassle-free. Whenever I had a question or needed assistance, I appreciated the various options available to receive prompt responses. The live chat feature was particularly convenient, allowing for real-time troubleshooting through screen sharing. Additionally, reaching out via phone or email was equally effective, with support available 7 days a week.
While the customer support team was generally helpful, I did encounter a limitation in terms of instructor access. While the technical support team could address around 85% of the issues, there was a lack of direct contact with instructors for questions regarding the course content. However, The CE Shop made a commitment to assist by reaching out to instructors on behalf of students. They would then follow up via email within 48 hours, making sure that any questions about the course material were addressed in a timely manner.
Refund Policy: 4.7 out of 5. The CE Shop offers a pretty standard, but generous refund policy. I didn’t need a refund, but I decided to review it because it’s one of the most frequently asked questions. As long as you haven’t finished more than 50% of the course, you can get a full refund within the first 30-days. This is pretty common, and other schools like Colibri and AYPO offer something similar.
What does set The CE Shop apart though is their new 5-day free trial offer. This recently added perk allows you to enroll in the course, explore the content, and experience firsthand what it has to offer without any financial commitment. The best part is that you have the freedom to cancel the course within the trial period without any penalties or charges. This generous opportunity provided immense peace of mind, as I could confidently assess the course’s suitability for my needs before making a purchase.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: All in all, I would highly recommend The CE Shop’s Minnesota pre-licensing course. For those looking to start a career in real estate, I’d suggest signing up for the Premium package. The added benefits like the instructor-led webinars on exam topics, and business building courses make it an excellent value that is sure to help you succeed long after the course is over.
- Self-paced to fit any schedule
- Courses are VERY interactive
- 96% student satisfaction rate
- 5-day free trial available
- Interface can be glitchy at times
- More work than other courses
Most Flexible Online Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate

In terms of pricing, Colibri falls on the higher end of the spectrum. However, they offer four packages with varying prices ($448-$725), allowing you to select the features that suit your needs. Additionally, there are frequent discounts and sales available, providing valuable cost savings.
Convenience: 4.6 out 5. Regardless of the package you choose, Colibri ensures similar course content. All four packages include study guides and coaching videos from Buffini & Company. These videos provide real-world examples of situations and questions commonly encountered in the industry. With a standalone value of $150, they complement the other course materials effectively.
For the best test preparation, access to live Q&A sessions, and simulated exams, you’ll need to upgrade to the more premium options. However, even the most affordable package can still fulfill your requirements, depending on your learning style.
My personal favorite aspect of Colibri is the “readiness assessment,” which evaluates your preparedness for the exam. It assigns you a score from 1 to 10, helping you determine whether to continue studying or proceed with enrollment.
Pass Rate: 4.2 out 5. Colibri boasts a higher pass rate among Minnesota students compared to the state average. Approximately 62% of Colibri students pass the state exam, and they have aided over 520,000 aspiring agents in obtaining their real estate license in Minnesota. While it may not have the highest pass rate among the schools on our list, you can certainly find more interactive options at a lower price that adequately prepare you for the test.
Course Duration: 4.5 out of 5. The Minnesota pre-licensing course offered by Colibri requires 90 hours to complete (three 30-hour mini courses). However, for those who prefer extra time due to potential busy schedules, they provide the option to extend your course access. You can choose from 7, 30, or 60-day extensions (with prices increasing accordingly). Moreover, they offer a “retake” option, granting a $25 discount to restart the course. Colibri’s policy is comparatively generous, although initial course access is limited to 6 months, necessitating an extension if required.
Support: 4.6 out of 5. Colibri has established itself as one of the most reliable online real estate education providers, backed by excellent customer support. They offer various contact options, including an enrollment phone line and a dedicated support line, catering to your specific needs. Furthermore, their “live education specialist” promptly responds to inquiries via live chat, providing a wealth of resources.
Colibri’s active social media presence ensures updates on scheduled maintenance, and it facilitates easy connections among students in the same area through their active Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Refund Policy: 4.6 out of 5. Colibri is one of the best courses to take if you think you may need a refund. There are lots of safe-blocks in place so you don’t lose all of your money. If you sign up for self-paced online courses (most popular), you can get a 100% refund if you don’t like the course after taking it for a week. If you haven’t started it yet, you can request a full refund for up to a month. If you choose the livestream package, you have 24 hours to change your mind or swap to an online-only format if you do want a refund.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: I would recommend Colibri’s Minnesota pre-licensing course. For aspiring agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Ultimate Learning package. The extra perks like the career success tools, the coaching videos, and the CompuCram Exam Prep make it a great value that will help you find success long after you finish your real estate course.
- Live Q&A chat available
- Very flexible scheduling
- Can pick and choose features
- Great for different learning styles
- Checkout process is confusing
- Interface can be glitchy
- Study resources cost extra
Easiest Online Real Estate School: AYPO

At Your Own Pace Online is one of the most straightforward courses in Minnesota. If you’re not sure which course format is more your speed, this is the course for you. Because of their “best price guarantee,” you’re also guaranteed to get a cheaper price (just make sure to ask!).
AYPO is not available in many states, but it has quickly become one of the easiest real estate courses in Minnesota. A lot of the professors and teachers are based in the Minnesota market as well, so that means they understand what it takes to be successful in the state (this is a huge advantage because many other online real estate schools don’t offer any teacher access).
Unlike other courses, there are also lots of à la carte options to choose from, so you can be picky about your learning experience.
Convenience: 4.5 out of 5. I really enjoyed the flow of the content – it was easy to navigate and seemed less repetitive, especially compared to other providers that just feel like they’re checking the boxes.
The course starts with the basics and builds from there, which makes it really easy to get the hang of, especially since the layout is broken out into smaller sections and modules.
My favorite part of AYPO, though, is the study options. All packages come with the test simulator, which closely resembles the real thing (it’s also 130 questions so you can work at your own pace). There are also seven topical practice quizzes throughout, along with an option to print out the course so that you can easily study on the go. It’s not for everyone, but sometimes using a pen and paper can really help you get the hang of the material.
Pass Rate: 4.7 out of 5. AYPO has a pretty high pass rate among Minnesota students (60%). The courses are written and published by industry-leading real estate professionals who are very familiar with the Minnesota real estate market. This is one of the biggest pros of AYPO – because you’ll feel prepared to start your career as soon as you pass your exam. Also, as mentioned above, it’s truly one of the best courses out there for test prep.
Course Duration: 4.6 out of 5. If you struggle in school or have a unique way of learning, then AYPO is probably your best bet. You can tailor your learning experience to your specific needs. You have the opportunity to spend more time on challenging topics and move quickly through concepts you already understand well. This personalized approach can enhance your understanding and retention of the material.
Support: 4.7 out of 5. AYPO’s customer support team is pretty amazing! Because they are a smaller online school that doesn’t offer courses in many states, they are usually super quick to respond. You can reach out via phone, email, or even live chat. I personally chose the live chat option and received course access within minutes. I was also able to fax in my information so that they could print out my completion record for my exam.
Refund Policy: 4.9 out of 5. I was not looking for a refund, but this is a frequently asked question, so I’ve reviewed the policy here. If you are unhappy with your course for any reason, AYPO will happily refund 100% of the purchase price upon request prior to course completion. All you have to do is get in touch with someone and explain your concerns. This is one of the best policies I’ve come across because there are no questions asked.
Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I really liked AYPO’s Minnesota’s pre-licensing course, especially if you’re on a budget and are looking to get your license with ease.
For incoming agents who can afford it, I’d suggest taking a look at the Deluxe package. The extra perks like the state exam simulator, 300+ practice questions, and printable sheets make it a good value. If you have a tight budget though, the cheapest package is “good enough”. If you change your mind and want to pay for the exam prep separately at the end, that is always an option.
- Downloadable resources
- 7 practice quizzes throughout
- Test simulator that closely resembles the licensing exam (130 questions)
- Still relatively small, so response times are slow
- Exam prep costs extra
Most Affordable Real Estate School (The CE Shop): Tuition Reimbursement

We’ve built the most affordable way for you to get your Real Estate License. All you have to do is attend at least 1 interview with one of our recruiters (+ provide feedback) after passing the state exam & before joining another brokerage, and we’ll reimburse you for the entire cost of The CE Shop course that you purchase from us.
That’s right – we’ll reimburse you whether you choose to join our team or not (but we hope you do!). About 50% of our tuition reimbursement graduates choose to work for our team after interviewing with us. The other 50% of our tuition reimbursement students that choose to join another brokerage still get their course costs fully reimbursed.
Why are we the only real estate company that reimburses your course costs even if you don’t join our brokerage? There are a few key reasons that we’ve decided to set our program this way:
- Our 50% join rate is way higher than the industry average for recruiting, and we really want agents to be excited when they join us, which only works if they love what we have to offer. Most brokerages only want experienced agents, but we specialize in helping new agents build their real estate careers from the ground up. We have hundreds of agent training courses that range from helping you build out your social media presence to learning the ins and outs of commercial real estate; we have mentors dedicated to new agents to help them through their first sales; we even have a dedicated coach to help with mindset and motivation; and more. So we don’t need to force new agents to join our team to save a few bucks.
- If you choose to join another team, we also hope you change your mind someday and come back to join us. Many agents reach out to us months or years after trying another brokerage first, and this gives us a chance to keep the door open for the 50% of new agents who don’t join us immediately. If we can’t be the right brokerage for you right now, then we still hope to be the right brokerage for you some day in the future.
- Too many real estate organizations fail to live up to their promises. We’re not perfect, but we really try to follow-through on every promise we make, including our tuition reimbursement promise.
At the end of the day, we’re betting on you becoming a great agent, and if we can make obtaining your real estate license more affordable, then hopefully you’ll return the favor and join us after graduation or come back to us any time you’re ready for a new brokerage. It’s that simple, and we’re happy to invest in you.
How does the reimbursement work?
Email us (support@agentadvice.com) once you receive confirmation from the state that you’ve passed the state exam, and one of our recruiters will reach out to you to get to know you and share any and every thing you’ll want to know to decide if our brokerage is the right fit for you.
We’ll schedule the interview at a time that works for you. All you have to do is attend the interview and provide a little feedback to our support team, and our support team will reimburse your credit card for the amount that you’ve paid us within 2 business days. All in, it’s about an hour commitment between the interview and feedback. No other strings attached.
Tip: If you’ve already started a different course at your own expense, or prefer to pick your own school at your own expense, we’d still love to interview you. Just reach back out when you’re licensed, and we can connect you with our hiring team, however, we’re unable to reimburse your course costs at this time unless you purchase the course directly from us.
AgentAdvice.com is not the provider of any courses, and all state certifications, ongoing support questions, etc. will be provided by and fulfilled directly through the school.
Think you have what it takes to be a successful real estate agent?
“When I interview people who have just passed their real estate course, I’m looking for agents that meet a couple of characteristics. If you have these characteristics, it will determine who is successful and who is not in real estate.
It’s not an easy industry. If it was easy, we’d all be rich. First, I’m looking for agents that have a vision for what they want to be, people who want more than what they have. Now, I’m not talking about money, motivated people necessarily. If money motivates you that’s fine, but in most cases, money’s not the motivator.
I am looking for agents that are in touch with their motivations to grow. Is it having a house for your family? Is it providing an education for your children? Is it providing security for your future retirement? It doesn’t matter, I’m looking for agents that have a vision, and are passionate about taking care of present and future concerns, whatever they are. So that’s number one: ambition.
Number two is looking for people that have a little bit of courage. This business requires courage. In my experience, having now been in conversations with well over a thousand agents over the last 18 months, and recruited more than a hundred, there’s one characteristic successful agents have. They don’t shrink from a challenge. They don’t, they still take action even if they don’t know all of the answers to all of the questions. They know that if they get faced with a question that they don’t really answer to, they know they can find the answer.
I’m looking for people that are ambitious, are courageous, and then finally are ready to grow. I want to help give people the opportunity to be the best version of themselves.
Usually, it’s not easy, and many times there are tears, and sweat, and frustration involved, but you go through that because you are so ambitious and in love with the future you’re trying to create. That passion for your future, it gives you courage to press through the hard times. So if you’re ambitious, courageous, and you’re ready to grow, and you think being in a conversation with a guy like me might be helpful to your future then let’s get you the tuition reimbursement you deserve!”

Agent Advice Success Stories:

Terrica C.
New Keller Williams Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient
“I always wanted to become a real estate agent, and finally decided to take the next step. Getting started with my course was easy. Agent Advice just sent me a link, and I did the whole thing online. I finished the class, now I just need to get scheduled for the state test. I would definitely recommend Agent Advice to anyone looking to get their license, especially if they’re wanting to do it for free.”
Rachel K.
New Real Estate Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient
“I was moving from Tennessee to Florida, so I was considering a career change. I always thought real estate might be something I’d be good at, so I connected with someone at Agent Advice and decided to take the course. It was easy to follow and understand, and the course I chose kept me interested. It didn’t take long for me to finish the class and I passed my state exam on the first try! I then reached out again to Agent Advice and set up an interview with a tuition reimbursement sponsor, and got my money back that same day. All in all, it was really simple and easy.”
Marcus W.
New Real Estate Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient
“The entire process was seamless, and the communication from the very beginning was great. When I first came across Agent Advice I had lots of questions, but I was able to get in touch with someone right away who helped explain the process from start to finish. Once I completed the course and set up an interview with a brokerage, they stopped the payments immediately. I also enjoyed the subscription payment option that Agent Advice has. It gave me the flexibility and motivated me to finish the course quickly. I’m still deciding on which brokerage is the right fit for me, but I enjoyed getting to interview with someone so that I could ask questions about what the day-to-day would look like at that company.”
Our Methodology:
I ranked and rated each school on 8 different factors to come up with the very best real estate schools in Minnesota. Our full guide on how we rank courses is available here, but the short version of factors considered are:
- Course value
- How easy the courses were to navigate
- If there were any technical glitches
- Return policies
- Overall performance of each school as a whole
- Reviews directly from agents who’ve attended the school
There are dozens of options (some of them not so great!), so we’ve taken the work off your plate by narrowing down the list to only the ones that scored high enough. Whether you’re dedicating yourself full time to your new career, are looking to fly through the courses quickly to get them over with, or are busy and looking to work through them when you have downtime, here is a list of the best online real estate schools in Minnesota you should consider.