Rutgers approves dedicated Bachelor of Science degree in real estate
Students can graduate with the new degree starting in May 2028
Coursework will cover real estate development, investment, financing, management
New Jersey commercial real estate contributed $32.1 billion to the state economy in 2025
Rutgers Business School in Newark and New Brunswick will add a new Bachelor of Science degree program in real estate.
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The state’s flagship public university announced the milestone Oct. 13. The Rutgers Board of Governors voted to approve the move during its Oct. 1 meeting.
The development expands upon the school’s Center of Real Estate in response to growing demand, RU said. The coursework will serve students interested in the field and related assets and provide training in development, investment, financing and management of real estate projects.
Students currently taking real estate courses will be eligible to graduate with the new bachelor’s degree in real estate starting May 2028, according to Rutgers.
Morris Davis, the Paul V. Profeta Chair of Real Estate and professor of finance and economics at Rutgers Business School noted, “Many students learn after having a class or two in the real estate program at Rutgers … that they wish to learn as much as possible and pursue commercial real estate acquisition, financing, or development as a career.”
Davis added that graduates who earn the degree arrive in the competitive job market with and edge, recognized as “trained, knowledgeable and ready to work.”
According to CREDA New Jersey, commercial real estate contributed $32.1 billion to the state economy in 2025, along with $9.4 billion in wages and salaries, and over 142,000 jobs.
Continuing education
While Montclair State University and Monmouth University offer a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in real estate, Rutgers is the only university to offer the dedicated degree program. It also offers an MBA concentration in real estate in both its full-time part-time MBA programs.
Rutgers has also offered an undergraduate minor and concentration in real estate at its Newark and New Brunswick campuses since 2015. This new real estate major will build on those foundational pieces, paired with the chance to build networks and experience on-the-job training from industry leaders, RU said.
Lei
[O]ffering a major in real estate at Rutgers will provide a strong talent pipeline to meet the needs of the state’s economy.
—Lei Lei, dean, Rutgers Business School.
“Because of New Jersey’s high density of corporate headquarters, massive industrial logistics hubs, and booming transit-oriented residential developments, offering a major in real estate at Rutgers will provide a strong talent pipeline to meet the needs of the state’s economy,” said Rutgers Business School Dean Lei Lei.
Davis also leads the highly regarded Rutgers Center for Real Estate. Through donors and its engaged advisory board, the center has awarded 800 scholarships to 373 students totaling over $2.3 million. Corporate sponsors include Dynamic Engineering Consultants PC, EisnerAmper, Sills Cummis & Gross PC, and Walker & Dunlop.
‘Where Do We Grow From Here’
The RU Center for Real Estate 3rd Annual Symposium returns Oct. 27 to New Brunswick. Learn more about this year’s event, and how to attend.
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