Real Estate: Undergraduate Pathways
Looking for a major in real estate? Cornell University offers multiple pathways for undergraduate students interested in pursuing real estate and related careers.
The Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate — a collaboration between the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning — is Cornell’s hub for real estate education and expertise.
Real Estate Studies: Related Majors at Cornell
Gain a solid understanding of core areas of the real estate industry: finance, markets, development, policy, sustainability, and more. Below are two prime examples of interdisciplinary majors that will prepare you for a successful future in commercial real estate and related fields:
Both programs give you access to world-class faculty, industry leaders, and a wealth of hands-on learning opportunities.
B.S. in Hotel Administration
Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration
This undergraduate degree builds real-world business and hospitality expertise that empowers students to thrive in real estate, from investment and development to property leadership.
Urban and Regional Studies
College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
Help shape cities and regions for generations to come. This program prepares you for exciting careers in real estate and urban development, as well as planning, policy, design, and city sustainability.
For Current Cornellians: Add a Real Estate Minor
Enrich your education and expand your career potential with an undergraduate minor in real estate. Open to all Cornell University students, this minor requires between 18 and 21 credits. You can customize the program to align with your goals, through enrichment courses, electives, and experiential learning opportunities.
Real Estate Minor for Hotelies
The real estate minor for Nolan School students builds analytical, financial, and market skills that prepare them to lead in development, investment, and property management roles.
Real Estate Minor for Other Cornellians
Cornell’s real estate minor for non-Nolan School students adds practical finance, development, and market insight, giving students across majors a strong foundation for real estate careers.
Questions
For more information, please contact the Real Estate Minor Coordinator at realestateminor@cornell.edu.
Prepare for a Graduate Real Estate Degree Program
Planning to study real estate at the graduate level? The Rubacha Department offers several paths.
Earn a Real Estate Master’s in One Extra Year
Any Cornell undergraduate can pursue the STEM-designated +1 master’s pathway, earning a graduate degree in real estate with just one additional year of study.
Deepen Your Skills With Real Estate Options
Students may also choose the renowned Baker Program in Real Estate or a dual degree in real estate and regional planning. Graduate students from any discipline can further strengthen their expertise by adding a real estate minor.
Industry Connections and Community
Get involved. Gain experience. Grow your network. When you study real estate at Cornell University, you tap into a vast network of industry expertise and a broad range of experiential learning opportunities.
Centers and Councils
The Center for Real Estate and Finance (CREF) is at the forefront of research and education in commercial real estate. The Cornell Real Estate Council is a volunteer-led organization offering a variety of programs and resources for students and alumni.
Clubs and Organizations
Cornell is home to several student-led groups related to real estate and hospitality. Get involved with organizations such as the Associate Real Estate Council, Hospitality Asset Managers Association, and Philip Payton Society for Minorities in Real Estate.
Hands-On Learning
Whatever you choose to major in, you can supplement your Cornell education with real estate-related internships, treks, competitions, and projects. You’ll also have access to renowned guest speakers and engaging networking events.
More to Explore: The Real Estate Ecosystem at Cornell
Whether you’re looking to launch a career in commercial real estate, dive into restaurant development, or explore possibilities in urban planning, Cornell University offers unparalleled academics and industry insight. Learn more about our expert faculty, enriching experiences, and impressive outcomes.