Opinions on Undergrad Real Estate and Development degrees

What is the overall consensus on RE degrees for undergrad? More specifically from an upper tier west coast school like UCSD or USC. Would an RE degree from such a school be able to help me break into CRE or possibly a REIT out of undergrad? What kind of career outlook could I expect compared to getting a quantitative degree and applying for the same entry analyst positions?

10 Comments
 

Heard great things about USC.  In terms of schools elsewhere, UNC has a fantastic re tract.  And have heard Wisconsin is solid too 

 

Currently finishing out a RE undergrad degree and I recommend the real estate degree all the way. My school is pretty much a non target for most career paths but has a well known RE program, so I was basically able to go from “non-target” to “target” by simply switching my declared degree. Additionally, if you just pay attention and give a shit during RE UG it seems like you’re able to step into an analyst role at most places and know how to do the job on day one. Most importantly, RE programs give you access to a huge network of alumni that are loyal to their alma mater and very willing to help undergrads out. As far as programs on the west coast I’ve heard UCLA is great as well.

 

What kind of analyst positions are you looking at? I would love to place into either a REIT or small REPE out of UG but was not sure if that is feasible without a quantitative major like finance or Econ, However I do plan to minor in finance.

 

Most RE people at my school do a double major in finance and real estate. I recommend the double major because you are better able to see how RE fits into the investment world as an asset class and probably helps a bit with recruiting. As far as analyst roles, I’m interning with a PGIM/Nuveen/Invesco type firm on their debt team this summer so I’ll probably try to get a return offer with them. Not exactly “REPE” since it’s debt but same shit at the entry level IMO. Seen kids from my school go into acquisitions out of UG though at places like Walton st/Harrison St/LaSalle/CBRE/PGIM… been a couple over the past few years that have landed at MFs

 

Unfortunately my school only has a finance minor, I considered double majoring in business Econ but that would require an extra semester. I felt a real estate major and finance minor would be better to save me the extra time (and save me from calculus 3) but I am still debating it.

 

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