Which online California real estate school should you choose? Compare the specific package, not just the school name. License Solution, The CE Shop, AceableAgent, Kaplan Real Estate Education, and OnlineEd offer different combinations of required coursework, exam preparation, learning formats, and support. The best fit depends on your budget and how you study.
Disclosure: License Solution publishes this comparison and is one of the providers included. This is a comparison of published offerings, not an independent ranking or a hands-on test of every platform. No placement represents a DRE endorsement.
Updated October 21, 2026. Prices below are a dated snapshot of representative packages. Discounts, features, and terms may change. Check the linked provider pages and enrollment agreements before purchasing.
Need help deciding which features matter? Start with our checklist for choosing an online California real estate school.
California Real Estate Schools: Package Comparison
Each package below includes 135 hours of qualifying education according to its provider. The prices do not represent identical benefits: a courses-only package should not be compared directly with a package that includes extensive exam preparation or live instruction.
| School | Representative package | Published price | Main distinction to compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| License Solution | Bronze / Silver / Gold | $89 / $129 / $179 | One-year access; Silver adds audio and exam prep; Gold adds video resources, crash course, and AI Instructor. |
| The CE Shop | Courses Only / Standard | $139 / $239 | Compare required coursework with the package containing Exam Prep Edge. |
| AceableAgent | Basic | $199 | Dedicated mobile app and audio narration; higher tiers add preparation and support options. |
| Kaplan Real Estate Education | California Licensing with Exam Prep | $399 | Required courses, exam preparation, and Live Online Learning Hub. |
| OnlineEd | Standard | $229 | Online coursework, exam prep, and a first-time pass guarantee subject to terms. |
These are school tuition figures. DRE examination, license application, and fingerprinting charges are separate. See our California real estate licensing cost guide for the broader budget.
Compare License Solution’s Bronze, Silver, and Gold packages.
How the Five Schools Differ
License Solution: California-Focused Packages and One-Year Access
License Solution offers DRE-approved pre-license courses under sponsor number S0572. All three packages include the required coursework and one year of access. Bronze is designed for students who need the required courses without state exam prep. Silver adds audio coursework and exam preparation. Gold adds video learning, a crash course, and an AI Instructor.
Student telephone support is available Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with weekend email assistance. Eligible Silver and Gold students receive a first-attempt state exam pass guarantee; review the written guarantee and exclusions. View current package inclusions and enroll.
The CE Shop: Coursework and Exam-Prep Package Options
The CE Shop lists Courses Only, Standard, Value, and Premium options. Its comparison includes Exam Prep Edge and career or renewal resources that vary by package. Its published California terms describe six months of initial course access plus a one-month extension at no charge; further extensions have conditions and fees.
This may suit students who want to compare several bundles. Confirm which features are included at the selected price and whether its access period fits your schedule. Source: The CE Shop’s California packages and course terms.
AceableAgent: Dedicated Mobile App and Multimedia Learning
AceableAgent’s California offering includes a dedicated mobile app, audio narration, and online coursework. Its Basic package is listed at $199. Deluxe and Premium add resources such as expanded exam preparation, AI assistance, and, at the relevant tier, tutoring or webinars.
This may appeal to students who specifically want an app. Check device requirements for final examinations separately from course access, and distinguish the satisfaction refund policy from any state-exam pass guarantee. Source: AceableAgent’s California package comparison.
Kaplan: Live Learning Hub and Exam Preparation
Kaplan lists a $399 California Licensing with Exam Prep package and a $699 Career Launcher package. Its Live Online Learning Hub offers instructor sessions and questions and answers alongside the required courses. Career Launcher adds career-development resources.
This may suit students who value scheduled opportunities to ask instructors questions. Check session availability and the selected package’s access and refund terms. Kaplan’s continuing study support after a failed exam should not be treated as the same benefit as a tuition refund. Source: Kaplan’s California salesperson packages.
OnlineEd: Online Coursework Bundled With Exam Prep
OnlineEd’s published Standard package lists 135 hours of California salesperson coursework, exam preparation, and a first-time pass guarantee at $229. Its package description includes online delivery with a print-friendly option and instructor availability for course questions.
Compare the required elective, support arrangements, access period, and written guarantee with your other shortlisted packages. A package name alone does not establish that two providers offer equivalent benefits. Source: OnlineEd’s California Standard package.
Compare the Complete Package Before Enrolling
For each school on your shortlist, record these details:
- Required education: Are all three qualifying courses, final examinations, and completion certificates included?
- Exam preparation: Are state-exam practice questions and simulated exams included, or only course quizzes?
- Access: When does enrollment expire, and what do extensions cost?
- Support: Who answers course questions, through which channels, and at what times?
- Guarantee: Does it refund tuition, reimburse an exam fee, or provide additional study access? What conditions apply?
- Learning format: Is it browser-based, app-based, self-paced, or supplemented by live sessions?
Use the full school-selection checklist to work through these questions.
DRE Course Approval Is Different From Accreditation
California’s DRE approves qualifying courses offered by private schools. That approval is distinct from institutional accreditation and is not an endorsement of a school’s quality or a ranking of providers. Verify the provider and specific courses in the DRE’s approved statutory course database.
For eligibility and required subjects, consult the official salesperson requirements and our California real estate license requirements guide.
How to Evaluate Student Reviews and Pass Rates
Read recent, specific reviews about instructional clarity, technical reliability, support, and preparation resources. A positive review does not establish a school’s examination pass rate. Before comparing success percentages, check the measurement period, number of respondents, first-time versus repeat candidates, and whether results were verified or self-reported.
This comparison does not rank schools by pass rate because we have not established a consistently measured dataset across all five providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which California real estate school is best?
There is no single best choice for every student. Shortlist approved courses, compare equivalent packages, and choose the learning format, support, access period, and total price that fit your needs.
Is the lowest-priced package enough?
It may be enough for students who need the required coursework and prefer independent study. Students who want state-exam practice, audio, video, or instructor sessions should compare those inclusions before buying. License Solution Bronze does not include state exam prep; Silver and Gold do.
Can I complete the required education online?
Approved online or correspondence courses can satisfy the education requirement. Minimum completion rules still apply: the DRE states that a single correspondence course cannot be completed in less than two and a half weeks, and no more than two courses may be completed in five weeks. See the DRE’s course availability guidance.
Are course final exams the same as the state exam?
No. Course finals establish completion of the required education. The DRE salesperson licensing examination is separate and administered in person. For preparation resources, visit our California real estate exam resource center.
Choose Your Next Step
Use the comparison to shortlist providers, then verify the selected package’s current price, course approval, access period, and written terms. For California-focused coursework with optional audio, video, and exam preparation, compare License Solution’s course packages, starting at $89.
