Real Estate Development: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Real Estate Development is a multidisciplinary field focused on transforming land and existing structures into functional, sustainable, and economically viable properties. This program equips students with the strategic, technical, and regulatory knowledge needed to lead complex projects across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.
- Architectural Design and Construction: Explores principles of building form, function, and structural integrity, emphasizing innovation and efficiency in project execution.
- Historic Preservation: Addresses the conservation and adaptive reuse of culturally significant buildings and districts within modern development contexts.
- Landscape Architecture: Integrates outdoor spaces into development plans, enhancing environmental quality and community engagement.
- Urban Planning and Design: Focuses on shaping cities and neighborhoods through land use strategies, transportation systems, and community-oriented development frameworks.
- Business and Finance for Real Estate: Covers investment analysis, capital structuring, risk assessment, and financial modeling essential for project feasibility and profitability.
- Real Estate and Land Use Law: Provides a foundation in zoning regulations, property rights, permitting processes, and legal compliance across development phases.
- Public Policy and Governance: Examines how governmental decisions, incentives, and regulatory environments influence development outcomes and community impact.
- Engineering and Infrastructure Integration: Applies civil and environmental engineering principles to support site development, utilities, drainage, and sustainable systems.
Real Estate Development Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Real Estate Development Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Real Estate Development degrees, including Urban and Regional Planners, Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other and Real Estate Brokers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 597,410 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners 19-3051 | $83,720 | $55,590 - $128,550 | 43,040 | $40.25 |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other 25-1069 | $75,040 | $45,280 - $176,350 | 17,540 | N/A |
| Real Estate Brokers 41-9021 | $72,280 | $36,920 - $166,730 | 49,590 | $34.75 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers 11-9141 | $66,700 | $39,360 - $141,040 | 296,640 | $32.07 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents 41-9022 | $56,320 | $31,940 - $125,140 | 190,600 | $27.08 |
Real Estate Development Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,218 in Arkansas to $91,646 in Colorado—a 72% difference. The highest-paying states include Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 597,410 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Real Estate Development by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 17 institutions offering Real Estate Development programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Real Estate Development is found at University of Southern California (USC) (161 graduates), Columbia University in the City of New York (108 graduates), University of California (UCSD), San Diego (65 graduates), University of Arizona (44 graduates), and Tulane University of Louisiana (42 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 555 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
161 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
108 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
|
65 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
44 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
|
31 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Master's
|
23 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| Fordham University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
18 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Master's
|
15 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Master's
|
12 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
9 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Other Award
|
9 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Virginia (UVA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
7 | Charlottesville, Virginia | Public | virginia.edu |
| Boston Architectural College (BAC) |
Master's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | the-bac.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Pratt Institute |
Master's
|
2 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Real Estate Development programs
How much can I earn with a Real Estate Development degree?
Salaries for Real Estate Development graduates vary by role and location. Urban and Regional Planners earn a median of $83,720 annually, while Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other earn around $75,040. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Colorado average $91,646 compared to $53,218 in Arkansas. Approximately 597,410 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Real Estate Development programs?
Currently 17 accredited institutions offer Real Estate Development degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Southern California (USC) (161 graduates), Columbia University in the City of New York (108 graduates), and University of California (UCSD), San Diego (65 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Real Estate Development growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 97 in 2010 to 555 in 2023-24. This represents a 472% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Real Estate Development degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Urban and Regional Planners, Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other, and Real Estate Brokers. Related occupations employ approximately 597,410 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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