Ross attended College of San Mateo, San Diego State University, and graduated from San Francisco State University in 1978. Ross holds a degree in Finance with a minor in Real Estate and Urban Development. On his graduation day from San Francisco State University, Ross drove straight over to a home in Burlingame where he listed his first home with cap and gown still in the trunk. In 1982, Ross officially took over for his parents as managing broker, becoming the third generation to run AVR Realty, Inc.