IU Kelley Real Estate Major - Opinions?

Generally agree with ChicagoMan - It's up there with Wisco given Kelley's pedigree. The program is still relatively young (and shadowed by some of the more prominent majors at the school i.e. finance/accounting) so the alumni network isn't nearly as strong, but it's growing.

As for job ops, you will get good looks from Big4 (RE advisory), some IS, some banking, but similar to everyone in this world, it's all about how you leverage that first gig into your 2nd.

I’m with a regional bank (T-20 by assets). Our RE arm has hired a number of IU grads. We have quite a few within our IB arm as well. Looked upon quite favorably.

Met a kid from IU (not sure if Kelley or not) who's working in New York at CB. When I talked to him, seemed like he wasn't the only IU kid so the name has some pull. If I remember correctly, he networked with an MD who was also an IU grad. Think if you do some research, you'll find some solid people to talk with. 

I graduated from Kelley's real estate program in 2020 and work as an analyst for a MF developer in DC. In short, yes - the program is very good.

Pros: Like others have mentioned, it is relatively young, but has grown tremendously since I started in 2016, both in size and opportunities. In fact, I wouldn't consider it "young" anymore. There are plenty of opportunites to participate case competitions- which have you determine what you would build on a real world development site. The program does a good job of introducing you to development and real estate finance concepts. The alumni are very willing to connect with you and help you find jobs- I've never been ignored when contacting alumni, and I've contacted 20+ alums. 

Cons: If you know you want to do real estate when you first come to IU, you have to go through Kelley's general curriculum before you can really start taking real estate classes. The only class really available for sophomores to take is R-305. You don't get really into your real estate classes before senior year. The BIGGEST con by far IMO is the program is not nationally recognized. Very well respected in Chicago and Indianapolis. You can get into national PE firms (Harrison St, La salle) out of undergrad. But the reputation does not carry the same weight anywhere else, even in other midwest cities. Real estate is all about connections, and Kelley's connections are mostly local. Now- you will have the knowledge to apply for analyst roles in acquisitions/development anywhere in the country if you focused in school, so you can impress recruiters by your knowledge of the industry. This is how I landed my role. 

Overall, very good program would recommend, and being a Hoosier is a blast, you'll have a lot more fun going to Wisco/IU than you will wharton or NYU.