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Property appraiser education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a property appraiser. Property appraisers usually study business, real estate, or finance. 58% of property appraisers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 470 real property appraiser resumes to see exactly what property appraiser education sections show.

The most common colleges for property appraisers are the Miami Dade College and the Miami Dade College.

There are also many online property appraiser courses to help get the education required to be a property appraiser.

What education do you need to become a property appraiser?

What degree do you need to be a property appraiser?

The most common degree for property appraisers is bachelor's degree, with 58% of property appraisers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 20% and associate degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 58%
  • Associate, 20%
  • Master's, 10%
  • High School Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a property appraiser?

You should major in business to become a property appraiser. 28% of property appraisers major in business. Other common majors for a property appraiser include real estate and finance.

Most common colleges for property appraisers

Property appraisers often get their degrees at Miami Dade College, Florida International University, and Daytona State College. Here are the most common colleges for property appraisers in the US based on their resumes.
Property appraiser common collegePercentages
Miami Dade College8.57%
Florida International University8.57%
Daytona State College7.14%
University of Central Florida7.14%
Florida State University7.14%

Best majors for property appraisers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business28.2%
2Real Estate9.9%
3Finance6.6%
4Accounting6.1%
5Political Science5.5%

Best colleges for property appraisers

The best colleges for property appraisers are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A property appraiser with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for property appraisers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become property appraisers.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for property appraisers

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Intellectual Property

coursera

Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world, with the world’s most valuable intellectual property assets dwarfing the value of their real-world counterparts. Apple’ trademarked brand was valued at over $100 billion as of 2017. J.K. Rowling’s Harry potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date. But how did the law come to create such enormous value in intangible assets? This course will introduce the various types of U.S. intellectual property: patents, which cover...

2. Intellectual Property Law

coursera

Intellectual property is the currency of the tech world. The pharmaceutical patent for Lipitor generated over $100 billion in revenue, the copyright for the Harry Potter franchise has generated over $25 billion to date, and the trademarked brands of the world’s largest tech companies now eclipse $100 billion in value. But what makes these intangible assets so valuable?\n\nThrough the courses in this specialization, you will learn the differences between the various forms of U.S. intellectual...

3. Fundamentals of Residential Property Management

udemy
4
(490)

Understand the foundation of residential property management as a property manager or landlord...

4. Property Management 101

udemy
4.4
(773)

Learn the basics of managing rental property and becoming a landlord...

5. Hardening, Polymers, Properties

coursera

This course will introduce age hardening and how to use a phase diagram to identify an alloy that is eligible for age hardening. The key factors that affect nucleation and crystal growth will be investigated. In addition, an introduction to polymer science will be given. The key differences between thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers will be introduced. Strengthening mechanisms will be introduced. We explore what happens to the properties of a polymer as you increase or decrease the extent...

6. TypeScript String Properties and Methods

coursera

This project will teach you TypeScript string properties and methods in the TypeScript playground which will make string handling easier.Since text data is commonly used as a “string” in TypeScript, the ability to use and manipulate strings is a core component of TypeScript programming. So in this guided project you are going to learn different string properties and methods which are important for string manipulation operations. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the...

7. U.S. Residential Real Estate, Property & Mortgage Business

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4.6
(2,324)

Property & Mortgage Underwriting Loan Processing Financial Analysis Mortgage Operations Origination...

8. Intellectual Property Security Awareness

udemy
4.8
(651)

How to Use Social Media without Infringing on Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets and Patents...

9. Federal Taxation II: Property Transactions of Business Owners and Shareholders

coursera

This course examines the U.S. federal tax system as it relates to property transactions of business owners and shareholders. Topics include cost recovery, such as depreciation, amortization, and depletion; calculation of realized versus recognized gains and losses; evaluation of the potential tax effects of nontaxable exchanges; and the combining, or netting, gains and losses that are different in nature. Assignments facilitate self-discovery of knowledge and development of a variety of...

10. Intellectual Property in the Healthcare Industry

coursera

This course begins with an overview of general intellectual property law in the United States, then examines how the policy choices behind those laws shapes the behavior of major players in the healthcare industry. We will examine how patents and trademarks shape the behavior of pharmaceutical companies, and how complex issues involving medical research in university settings, and ownership of genetic information and material, are resolved by intellectual property laws. The course concludes...

11. Effectively Lease Commercial Real Estate Properties

udemy
4.6
(266)

Learn how to lease industrial, office, and retail properties with ease...

12. Intro to Analyzing Rental Income Properties

udemy
4.5
(1,803)

Learn the fundamentals of investment analysis specifically for rental income property investments...

13. Shape and Property Control of Metals I & II

coursera

This course introduces students to the basic concepts of shaping materials and their impacts on properties and structure. An introduction to the fundamentals of diffusion in a solid follows. We present different types of diffusion mechanisms and their dependence on temperature. The role of dislocation on mechanical properties and how it can be used to strengthen materials will be shown...

14. Crystal Structures and Properties of Metals

coursera

In this course, we will present atomic bonding and its relation to crystal structure and physical properties. A particular focus will be on the different types of cubic structures. There will be an introduction to planes and Miller Indices. We will discuss the principal planes in the cubic system. Their common crystallographic defects will be shown and discussed. Finally, the tensile test will be used to extract various materials parameters...

15. Certificate course in Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

udemy
4.4
(260)

This course has been designed by experts to cover the basics of IPR and understand Patents, Trademarks and Copyright...

16. Investment Appraisal Mastery - NPV, IRR, Payback, PI, ARR

udemy
4.6
(459)

Become a PRO at Investment Appraisal / Capital Budgeting including the Net Present Value & Beyond Finance Fundamentals...

17. The Effect of Fires on People, Property and the Environment

coursera

Fires impact people, property and the environment in all countries around the world. In some cases, the resulting losses are extraordinary, causing hundreds of deaths, widespread damage to property and contents and significant impacts on the environment. More often, fires may cause a single casualty or affect a single home, though the effects are still highly significant to those affected and collectively are substantial. This course will provide an overview of the challenges posed by fire as...

18. Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments

udemy
4.5
(13,458)

Learn professional investment analysis techniques for real estate investing in residential and commercial properties...

19. The Complete Guide To Retail Real Estate Investing

udemy
4.9
(295)

How To Analyze & Invest in Retail Shopping Centers, Strip Centers, and Single-Tenant Net-Leased Retail Properties...

20. Real Estate Acquisitions 101

udemy
4.7
(1,176)

How To Identify Commercial Properties, Run Due Diligence, Raise Capital, and Close Commercial Real Estate Transactions...

Top 10 most affordable universities for property appraisers

The most affordable schools for property appraisers are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for property appraisers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for property appraisers.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for property appraisers

The hardest universities for property appraisers to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for property appraisers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for property appraisers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for property appraisers

The easiest schools for property appraisers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a property appraiser without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for property appraisers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average property appraiser salary by education level

Property appraisers with a Associate degree earn more than those without, at $44,989 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, property appraisers earn a median annual income of $43,509 compared to $38,156 for property appraisers with an High School Diploma degree.
Property appraiser education levelProperty appraiser salary
High School Diploma or Less$38,156
Bachelor's Degree$43,509
Some College/ Associate Degree$44,989

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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