Best Illinois Real Estate Schools & Online License Courses 2025

If you're ready to start your real estate career in Illinois, the first step is choosing the right school. Without a solid education, you may struggle to pass the Illinois real estate exam. And you can't get your Illinois real estate license until you complete this essential step.

The good news? There are several great options. The challenge is knowing which one fits your learning style, schedule, and goals. We've done the homework for you—evaluating each of the most popular online real estate schools in Illinois based on:

• Curriculum: Is the material clear, engaging, and exam-focused?

• Accessibility: Can you learn on your schedule from any device?

• Value: Are the features worth the price? Any hidden costs?

Schools We'll Review:

• AceableAgent

• Colibri Real Estate

• The CE Shop

• Kaplan Real Estate Education

• Illinois REALTORS®

AceableAgent - Our Top Pick

It may seem obvious that we would choose our own school as the top option, but there are several compelling reasons. Compared to other providers, our curriculum, flexibility, and transparent pricing put AceableAgent at the top.

Our 75-hour Illinois pre-licensing course is designed by industry experts and Harvard-educated instructional designers. You won't find walls of text—instead, we use videos, flashcards, quizzes, and real-world examples to help the content stick.

AceableAgent is fully approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and built for busy lives. Study from your phone, tablet, or laptop whenever and wherever it works for you.

Over 195,000+ Illinois professionals have trusted Real Estate Institute (now part of AceableAgent) with their education needs over the past 30+ years.

AceableAgent's Complete Illinois Real Estate Education

Unlike many competitors who only offer broker pre-licensing, AceableAgent provides a complete pathway for every stage of your Illinois real estate career.

Residential Leasing Agent (15 hours) - Get started quickly helping tenants and landlords with rental properties.

Real Estate Broker (75 hours) - Our most popular course. Represent buyers, sellers, and renters across all property types with unlimited earning potential.

Managing Broker (45 hours) - Launch your own brokerage, manage your practice, and supervise other agents.

Post-Licensing & Continuing Education - Stay licensed and keep your skills sharp with ongoing education requirements.

What sets us apart: Most schools force you to choose different providers as you advance. With AceableAgent, you get consistent quality and seamless transitions between license levels—all backed by our 30+ years of Illinois expertise.

Where AceableAgent could use work: We're optimized for online learners, so if you're looking for a traditional classroom setting, another provider might be a better fit.

Colibri Real Estate (Real Estate Express)

Colibri Real Estate—formerly known as Real Estate Express—has helped thousands of students get licensed through its long-standing online platform and offers comprehensive Illinois coursework.

Colibri offers multiple packages for its 75-hour Illinois-approved course. Each one builds on the last, with additional features like CompuCram exam prep, instructor Q&A, and post-licensing resources.

Their base package covers the required education. You can add test prep tools, instructor support, and other extras by choosing a higher-level package. This lets students tailor their experience based on how much guidance they want.

The course is built as an online textbook with interactive elements. While it's clear and thorough, it's best suited for students who prefer a reading-based approach to learning.

Colibri offers a "Pass or Don't Pay" guarantee on most packages, which provides some confidence for students worried about exam success.

Where Colibri excels: Flexible pricing options, reliable national reputation, comprehensive coverage of Illinois requirements, and strong pass guarantee.

Where Colibri could use work: The course is more traditional in format, with fewer engaging visual elements than some newer platforms. Pricing can add up quickly when you include necessary features.

The CE Shop

The CE Shop is a modern provider known for its clean design, tech-forward tools, and consistently strong pass rates across multiple states.

Courses include self-paced modules with glossaries, quizzes, and dashboard features that help you stay organized and motivated throughout your 75-hour requirement.

The base course covers the required education. Additional options include flashcards, exam simulators, and digital eBooks, giving students the choice to add support as needed.

The CE Shop prides itself on modern course design and user experience, making it appealing to tech-savvy students who want a polished online learning environment.

Where The CE Shop excels: Tech-savvy students will appreciate the sleek interface, modern tools, and high exam success rates.

Where The CE Shop could use work: Some of the best study tools are only available in the higher-priced packages, and the base-level "Courses Only" package doesn't include exam prep—you need to upgrade to get the test prep that helps achieve their high pass rates.

Kaplan Real Estate Education

Kaplan Real Estate Education is a nationwide provider that has helped thousands of students get licensed through their established platform across all 50 states, including comprehensive Illinois coursework.

Kaplan offers multiple packages for their 75-hour Illinois-approved course. Each package builds on the previous one, with additional features like adaptive learning technology, practice exams, and instructor support.

Their base package covers the required education with adaptive learning features that adjust to your pace and knowledge level. You can add enhanced exam prep, instructor support, and other extras by choosing higher-level packages.

The course uses Kaplan's established curriculum with practice exams and study materials. While comprehensive, the platform feels more traditional compared to newer online-first providers.

Kaplan's name recognition and long-standing reputation in education give some students confidence in their choice.

Where Kaplan excels: Strong national brand reputation, adaptive learning technology, comprehensive curriculum, and extensive support resources.

Where Kaplan could use work: The online experience isn't as modern or engaging as newer platforms, and pricing can be on the higher side when you add exam prep and support features.

Illinois REALTORS®

Illinois REALTORS® is the state's largest real estate trade association, representing over 50,000 members and serving as the only advocate for private property rights at the state capitol in Springfield.

Unlike other real estate schools, Illinois REALTORS® brings decades of advocacy, education, and ethics experience directly to their courses. They offer courses in online, virtual hybrid, and traditional classroom formats at over 65 locations statewide.

Their standout program is a 9-week accelerated broker course that provides online access to instructors with live weekly sessions, allowing students to complete all 75 hours in a structured timeframe with real instructor interaction.

Illinois REALTORS® offers unique benefits including scholarships through the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (REEF) and GI Bill® education benefits for eligible students.

The association's courses are powered by established platforms but may use multiple providers, which can create some inconsistency in the learning experience.

Where Illinois REALTORS® excels: Unmatched industry credibility as the state association, extensive classroom network, scholarship opportunities, and unique advocacy background that enriches course content.

Where Illinois REALTORS® could use work: Multiple course providers can create inconsistent experiences, and their focus on association members might make non-members feel like second-class students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Real Estate Schools

Q: How many hours are required for Illinois real estate education? A: Illinois requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education through an approved provider. This is less than many states, making it relatively quick to get started in your real estate career.

Q: Can I take my Illinois real estate course entirely online? A: Yes! All the schools we've reviewed offer fully online options that meet Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation requirements. Online courses offer flexibility for working professionals and busy students.

Q: How much should I expect to pay for Illinois real estate education? A: Basic courses range from $199 to $500, but be careful about hidden costs. Some schools charge extra for essential features like exam prep, which can double your total cost. Always check what's included in the base package.

Q: Do I need exam prep beyond the required course? A: While not required, exam prep significantly improves your chances of passing. Look for schools that include comprehensive exam prep in their base price rather than charging extra for it. Schools with included exam prep typically see much higher pass rates.

Q: How long does it take to complete the 75-hour requirement? A: With self-paced online courses, dedicated students can complete their education in 1-2 weeks, while others prefer to spread it over several weeks or months. The choice is yours with most online providers.

Q: What does "100% mobile" mean for Illinois real estate courses? A: This means the best online real estate school programs sync across all your devices (phone, laptop, tablet) so you can study anywhere using either a mobile app or desktop website. This feature allows maximum flexibility in completing your real estate course requirements.

Choose the Right Illinois Real Estate School for You

Which of the best online real estate schools in Illinois is the right fit for you? Consider your learning style, budget, and how much support you'll need to succeed.

If you prefer interactive, mobile-friendly courses with strong pass rates, transparent pricing, and Illinois-specific expertise backed by 30+ years of experience, AceableAgent offers everything you need to launch your Illinois real estate career.

Don't keep your new career waiting; take the first step toward your real estate agent's license by enrolling in a real estate school today!

The Illinois real estate market offers diverse opportunities, from Chicago's bustling urban market to growing suburban communities throughout Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties, plus rural properties across the state. With the right education, you'll be prepared to help clients navigate any type of transaction.