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Property developer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a property developer. Property developers usually study business, accounting, or education. 65% of property developers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 324 real property developer resumes to see exactly what property developer education sections show.

The most common colleges for property developers are the San Diego State University and the San Diego State University.

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

What education do you need to become a property developer?

What degree do you need to be a property developer?

The most common degree for property developers is bachelor's degree, with 65% of property developers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 14% and associate degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Associate, 14%
  • Master's, 11%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a property developer?

You should major in business to become a property developer. 35% of property developers major in business. Other common majors for a property developer include accounting and education.

Most common colleges for property developers

Property developers often get their degrees at San Diego State University, Johnson & Wales University, and University of Illinois at Chicago. Here are the most common colleges for property developers in the US based on their resumes.
Property developer common collegePercentages
San Diego State University10.87%
Johnson & Wales University6.52%
University of Illinois at Chicago6.52%
Ashford University6.52%
Texas Southern University4.35%

Best majors for property developers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business34.7%
2Accounting13.5%
3Education5.3%
4Finance4.7%
5Economics4.1%

Best colleges for property developers

The best colleges for property developers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

A property developer 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 developers. 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 developers.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

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. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

5. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

6. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

10. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Enrollment

21,404

20 best online courses for property developers

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. 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...

6. 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...

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

udemy
4.6
(2,324)

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

8. Effectively Lease Commercial Real Estate Properties

udemy
4.6
(266)

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

9. 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...

10. 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...

11. Intellectual Property Security Awareness

udemy
4.8
(651)

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

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. 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...

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. 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...

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. 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...

19. The Ultimate HTML5 Elements & CSS3 Properties BOOTCAMP

udemy
4.7
(407)

The Most Comprehensive Course That Covers All the Essentials of HTML5 & CSS3 with 200+ Examples & Challenges...

20. Real Estate Investing: Strategies, Tools & Investing Mindset

udemy
4.5
(317)

Real Estate Investing: Property & market analysis, action plans, tips, negotiation & real estate investing strategies...

Top 10 most affordable universities for property developers

The most affordable schools for property developers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and university of florida.

If the best universities for property developers 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 developers.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

10. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for property developers

The hardest universities for property developers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for property developers 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 developers 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

6. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

10. Tulane University

New Orleans, LA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,428

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

The easiest schools for property developers to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and la roche college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a property developer 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 developers.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

7. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average property developer salary by education level

Property developers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $72,089 annually. With a Master's degree, property developers earn a median annual income of $71,082 compared to $61,043 for property developers with an Bachelor's degree.
Property developer education levelProperty developer salary
Master's Degree$71,082
High School Diploma or Less$49,333
Bachelor's Degree$61,043
Doctorate Degree$72,089
Some College/ Associate Degree$51,504

Property developer education FAQs

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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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