Let's do the #'s on your question: Let's say it's utopia-ville where all properties are always $100k, tenants always pay $1k, and everything is always perfect and right, to keep it simple math. 

On a lot of free XLS, I find some basic math errors.

There can be good profits if you know what you are getting into and if do your homework, but those are two pretty big "IFs."

You have to do your homework to know what your sales price, rehab costs (budget) and carrying costs are going to be before you make your purchase.

Make sure the numbers work, have a great team and do your homework prior to jumping in.

REI does have math involved, but nothing that an Algebra class wouldn't adequately prepare them for.

Let them know that the price might be kinda high, but you are willing to take a look at the house and give your opinion.By the time you see the house, you have done your homework and can offer them a firm price.Usually as I am talking with them, I am looking up the house on the county appraisers office, google maps, and realtor dot com to see what market prices are in the area.

If you do the math on my investing career, you'll know I started in 2005....right before the biggest real estate crash in history. 

It just makes me a better agent and quite frankly I like homework.

Lot of math and theoretical, not much on dealing with tenants.Bigger question - What do you want to do with the degree?