Are real estate degrees worth it?

[Matt Lefebvre]

Hello everyone!

I come here asking a rather important question that pertains to me personally. My big question is, is it worth going to college for a real estate degree if planning on being a full-time investor?

Let me give a bit of background information here...
I'm currently 16 years old and near the end of my junior year in high school. I'm "homeschooled" having finished most of my credit requirements in my previous years of high school, so I have a very flexible schedule. I have an internship lined up with the largest real estate brokerage in New Hampshire (Keller Williams). Assuming I like what I see there, I potentially plan on working as a real estate agent (once I turn 18) while I build up enough cash to finance my first investment. However, as has been drilled into my and generations before me, I'm still considering going to college just because I've heard its worth it. Of course, with the price tag and time commitment attached, I'm not sure how beneficial it'll be. So this all circles back to my question...

Is it worth going to college for a real estate degree if planning on being a full-time investor?

Please, if you have any opinion at all, I would love to hear it; regardless of if you know anything about the subject or not. I just would like to hear as many opinions as possible so I don't end up wasting my time and money in a four-year degree, or going broke because I'm completely unprepared for the "real world" of investing.

Thank you fellow BiggerPockets members!

-Matt Lefebvre

[Bill Gulley]

I've never heard of a RE degree allowing you to skip the state required class to sit for a license, pretty sure that's not done anywhere as state regulations are part of the class and RE commission matters which are not taught in college.

A degree in finance would be much more valuable than an RE degree, real estate falls under finance. Load up with 12 hours of accounting too. Your business in F/A can include RE classes. That will be a much better degree in the business world as well as for investing for yourself. Frankly, I doubt an RE degree would get you much, an undergrad might get you a mid management job in a larger RE firm or as a managing broker after you got experience. Of all business degrees, F/A encompasses all businesses.

Generally, only those who suggest not getting a degree don't have one, many feel that it's specialized training, it's not so much. You have demonstrated the ability to learn in a structured environment and in a social setting, it doesn't make you smarter it will make you better educated to address issues in life, not just a job. It's about the quality of life, you'll have a better life overall even if you don't make millions.

At 16, you can begin looking at what you enjoy and lean that direction, but you have plenty of time to map out where you will be going. Often, you won't end up following the map, opportunities come and you need to recognize them and be flexible in following what you enjoy doing more than trying to work in one degree field. F/A will be the most flexible in business, trust me on that one! Good luck. :)