Department of Real Estate and Urban Land Economics
A strong foundation built on tradition, supported by research
At the Wisconsin School of Business you’ll receive a comprehensive education in real estate finance, appraisal, development, asset management, market analysis, law and the regulatory environment, and urban land economics.
Our faculty has been passionate about and dedicated to cutting-edge education based on research for over a century. Your degree will support a career path in public or private industry, in areas including real estate development, appraisal, corporate real estate asset management, and real estate analysis.
Featured publications
Han, L., & Hong, S.
(2024).
Cash is king? Understanding financing risk in housing markets.
Review of Finance
(28), 2083-2188.
Zhang, Y., Tu, Y., & Deng, Y.
(2024).
Duration-Dependent Transaction Tax Effects on Sellers and Their Behaviors.
Real Estate Economics
(52), 140-183.
Chu, X., Deng, Y., & Tsang, D.
(2025).
Firm Leverage and Stock Price Crash Risk: The Chinese Real Estate Market and Three-Red-Lines Policy.
Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics
(70), 544-582.
Latest research insights
Editor positions
Yongheng Deng
- Journal of Real Estate Research, Editorial Board Member
- Real Estate Economics, Editorial Board Member
Abdullah Yavas
- Journal of Real Estate Research, Editorial Board Member
- Real Estate Economics, Editorial Board Member
In the media
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Wisconsin Public Radio
Sweeping federal housing bill won’t be a magic bullet for Wisconsin affordability, experts say
Featured: Paul Aylesworth
June 26, 2026
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The Wall Street Journal
Taxes on Second Homes Are Springing Up Across America
Featured: Lu Han
May 4, 2026
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Crain’s Detroit Business
Dan Gilbert’s dominance of downtown real estate evolving with new chapter
Featured: Tim Carr
April 6, 2026
Research seminars
September 10, 2026
Expectations and Risk Premiums in Illiquid Real Assets (Jiro Yoshida)
Presenter: Jiro Yoshida, Penn State University
Degrees we support
Undergraduate (BBA) – Real Estate Major
Real estate majors learn to appraise property values, oversee development programs, manage properties, and plan and regulate communities.
MS in Real Estate
This one-year program will build your expertise in commercial real estate development, applied real estate investment, private equity, or affordable and sustainable housing development.
Full-Time MBA
The real estate career pathway features high-level coursework in real estate development, investment, and analysis, along with fundamental business courses.
Global Real Estate Master (MS)
Designed specifically for non-U.S. graduate-level students and alumni, this program blends rigorous classroom instruction with interactive learning experiences outside the classroom.
PhD in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics
The Wisconsin PhD Program in real estate and urban land economics prepares individuals for careers in research and teaching at the university level.
PhD in Real Estate (Business) & Economics—Joint Degree
The joint Wisconsin PhD Program in urban real estate and economics trains researchers for tenure-track positions at the nexus of these two fields.
Knowledge center
James A. Graaskamp Center for Real Estate
Our main goal is to serve as a link between faculty and students, alumni, the professional real estate community, government agencies, and the general public.
Beyond degrees
Student organizations
Students benefit from many opportunities for involvement and leadership outside the classroom.
Contact us
Want to learn more about our Real Estate and Urban Land Economics programs? Let us know how we can help.