In attempting to weigh the costs and benefits of going back to school, what can I expect as a starting salary coming out of the Master of Real Estate Program?
For the past two years, Real Estate program graduates had an average starting salary of $59,000. Salaries ranged from for the last $40,000 to over $100,000. It is important not to focus on the averages as salary figures fluctuate depending on a number of factors including: the individual, the area of commercial real estate pursued, and the demand that exists in the various areas. For example, there is a good deal of demand in valuation, but the pay scale appears lower than in consulting. Commercial brokerage and mortgage banking sometimes negotiate lower starting salaries, but offer greater earning potential through commission based pay. Salaries may also be different depending on the location. For example, salaries in Los Angeles and New York may be higher to compensate for the cost of living.
