The first decision you need to make when becoming a real estate agent is choosing a real estate school. Real Estate U and Colibri Real Estate are two options. Let’s compare Colibri vs. Real Estate U, so that you can learn which platform is right for you.
Key Takeaways
- Extensive Industry Experience: Colibri Real Estate brings over 25 years of expertise to real estate education, having helped more than 520,000 students launch and advance their careers through comprehensive learning programs.
- Diverse Learning Formats: Colibri offers flexible education options, including self-paced online courses and instructor-led livestream classes in select states, featuring text-based content with optional audio narration and interactive study tools.
- Comprehensive Educational Pathway: Colibri provides complete career development with pre-licensing, post-licensing, continuing education, exam preparation, broker licensing, and professional development courses across 41 states.
- Success-Focused Guarantee: Colibri’s “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee” demonstrates confidence in their curriculum by refunding course costs if students don’t pass their licensing exam on the first attempt (with exceptions in certain states).
- Premium Support Network: Colibri’s premium packages include live Q&A sessions with real estate experts, access to 132+ local instructors with market-specific knowledge, and career resources designed for long-term professional success.
Company Background and Experience
When choosing a real estate school, understanding the provider’s history and industry experience provides insight into their educational approach and reliability.
Colibri Real Estate (formerly Real Estate Express) has been a pioneer in online real estate education for over 25 years. Colibri has helped more than 520,000 students start and advance their real estate careers. Through strategic acquisitions of specialized education providers, such as the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, and local market specialists like Hondros Education Group in Ohio and Gold Coast Schools in Florida, Colibri has expanded its offerings to better serve aspiring real estate professionals nationwide.
Real Estate U was founded in 2013 with the mission to make real estate education more accessible and affordable. The company has served over 100,000 students across the United States with an audio-based learning approach.
Learning Options
Real Estate U allows students to study at their own pace, on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Real Estate U’s website emphasizes that its courses are designed for self-motivated learners. The audio/video courses include downloadable visuals to help explain key concepts.
Colibri Real Estate offers self-paced online courses and instructor-led livestream classes (in select states). The school’s learning approach focuses on flexibility and student success. The self-paced online courses feature text-based content with optional audio narration, allowing students to learn through reading or listening based on their preference. Embedded videos summarize key concepts in challenging areas like contract law and math.
The platform includes interactive study tools such as flashcards and simulated exams. A “Readiness Tracker” indicates when students are prepared for their state/national exam. Weekly “Exam-Crammer” webinars add live interaction for students who benefit from instructor guidance.
Course Quality and Content
Both schools offer pre-licensing education, but with different approaches to content delivery and support.
Real Estate U focuses on streamlined content, stating: “Our course isn’t bloated with unnecessary content—it’s focused exclusively on getting your real estate license as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Colibri Real Estate emphasizes expert-led instruction: “Active and seasoned real estate instructors offer experience, insights, and guidance about the real estate market in your state. Plus, real estate professionals with local expertise write and teach your courses.” Their platform has received recognition for quality, noting its “ARELLO® award-winning, next-generation student dashboard.”
Feature Comparison
The schools differ in their features and educational offerings.
Real Estate U operates in 20 states for real estate licensing courses and offers mortgage loan origination courses in numerous states. Real Estate U’s offerings include:
- Pre-licensing education
- Post-licensing education
- Continuing education
- Exam preparation
Colibri Real Estate offers educational services across 41 states, including:
- Pre-licensing education
- Post-licensing education
- Continuing education
- Continuing education membership
- Exam preparation
- Broker licensing
- Professional development courses
Colibri also provides unique features such as live Q&A sessions with instructors and livestream courses available in some states.
Pass Guarantee and Success Rates
The schools differ in their approach to exam success guarantees.
Real Estate U offers a satisfaction guarantee: “Try RealEstateU for 30 days. Go through the entire course. Dig into audio/video courses, try the workbooks, and soak up all the extra materials. You MUST be 100% delighted with the quality of the materials or just let us know. We’ll refund every penny of your investment, no questions asked.”
Colibri Real Estate offers a specific guarantee focused on exam success: Colibri’s Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee. If you do not pass your licensing exam on your first try, Colibri will refund your course costs (with exceptions in certain states).
Pricing and Value
When choosing a real estate education provider for pre-licensing courses, it’s important to compare value, features, and pricing. Below is a detailed comparison of Colibri Real Estate and Real Estate U packages in select states for October 2025.
Michigan
Colibri Real Estate:
Here’s the current pricing structure for Michigan pre-licensing packages (October 2025), with a 40% discount:
• Basic Package: $169 (regular $282)
• Exam Preparation Package: $219 (regular $365)
• Exam Preparation Plus Package: $259 (regular $432)
• Ultimate Learning Package: $299 (regular $499)
Real Estate U:
Here’s the current pricing structure for Michigan pre-licensing packages (October 2025), with a 33% discount on the basic course and 32% discount on premium packages:
• Basic Course Only: $99 (regular $149)
• Course + Study Guide + e-Textbook: $207 (regular $303)
• Course + Study Guide + e-Textbook + Agent Success: $764 (regular $860)
• State Exam Prep available separately: $79 (regular $125)
New York
Colibri Real Estate:
Here’s the current pricing structure for New York pre-licensing packages (October 2025), with a 40% discount:
• Basic Package: $189 (regular $315)
• Exam Preparation Package: $239 (regular $399)
• Exam Preparation Plus Package: $279 (regular $465)
• Ultimate Learning Package: $319 (regular $532)
Real Estate U:
Here’s the current pricing structure for New York pre-licensing packages (October 2025), with a 33% discount on the basic course and 39% discount on premium packages:
• 77-Hour NY Real Estate License Course Only: $99 (regular $149)
• Course + Study Guide + Start Successfully: $277 (regular $453)
• Course + Study Guide + Agent Success: $655 (regular $831)
• NY State Exam Prep available separately: $79 (regular $125)
Texas
Colibri Real Estate:
Here’s the current pricing structure for Texas pre-licensing packages (October 2025), with a 40% discount:
• Basic Package: $259 (regular $432)
• Exam Preparation Package: $299 (regular $499)
• Exam Preparation Plus Package: $339 (regular $565)
• Ultimate Learning Package: $379 (regular $632)
Real Estate U:
Here’s the current pricing structure for Texas pre-licensing packages (October 2025), with a 10% discount on the basic course and 13-14% discount on premium packages:
• Basic Course Only: $269 (regular $299)
• Course + Exam Prep: $348 (regular $398)
• Course + Exam Prep + Career Resources: $427 (regular $497)
• State Exam Prep available separately: $79 (regular $99)
Colibri Real Estate Greatest Value Points
- Instructor Access: Colibri offers 40 hours of live Q&A sessions per month with real estate experts, providing valuable guidance throughout your learning journey.
- Comprehensive Learning Materials: Their premium packages include interactive exercises, practice exams, and their proprietary CompuCram exam prep system, which has helped achieve pass rates exceeding the industry average.
- Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee: Colibri’s confidence in their curriculum is demonstrated by their money-back guarantee if you don’t pass your licensing exam on the first attempt.
- Multiple Learning Formats: Colibri offers both self-paced online courses and livestream classes for select states with real-time instruction from industry experts.
- Extensive Support Network: With over 25 years in the industry and 520,000+ alumni, Colibri provides access to a vast network of professionals and 132+ local instructors with market-specific knowledge.
- Career Development Resources: Premium packages include professional development programs and career resources to help you launch successfully after licensing.
- State Coverage: Colibri offers pre-licensing education in 41 states.
Choosing the right real estate school is key to building a successful career, and Colibri Real Estate is here to support you every step of the way. With over 25 years of experience, Colibri offers flexible pre-licensing courses designed to fit your schedule, plus a “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee to give you confidence.
But we don’t stop at licensing—Colibri’s career resources and professional development tools are designed to help you thrive long after you’ve earned your license. From day-one mentorship with Survive &Thrive to advanced luxury and negotiation credentials, Colibri is your trusted guide for lifelong learning and unlimited growth.
Savvy agents are signing up for Colibri’s CE Membership. This package gives you access to all CE courses in your state as well as professional development opportunities that will help you excel in the field.
Start your real estate journey with Colibri, a trusted partner dedicated to your success both now and in the future.
