Best Online Hospitality Management Programs of 2024
2024A hospitality management degree can equip you with the business, leadership, and industry-specific skills you need to excel in this rapidly growing field. As a hospitality leader, you can manage teams of people who serve guests from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds. Specifically, you can find employment as a lodging manager, event planner, or food service manager.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the hospitality industry accounted for 7.6% of global GDP in 2022, and the sector is recovering fast from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hospitality wages can rise well above average. As of April 2024, Payscale reports that people with a hotel management degree earn an average of $69,000 annually. Securing an MBA in hospitality management can set you up to earn even higher wages.
The guide below offers a glimpse into the study and practice of hospitality management, including our data-derived ranking of the best bachelor’s degree programs in the subject.
Is a Hospitality Management Degree Right for Me?
What the degree is about:
Hospitality management focuses on all the skills needed to work at hotels, restaurants, conference centers, resorts, and other settings. The degree covers business management, food science, hygiene and safety, and more.How long it takes:
Typically, a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management takes four years to earn. However, those coming in with transfer credits from a community college or AP classes may finish sooner, while part-time students may take longer.Career path:
Hospitality is a large field with many career opportunities. Hotel and restaurant management is a popular focus for graduates, as is working in operations, sales, and human resources.
Featured Online Hospitality Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Hospitality Management Degrees
Florida International University
Miami, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,168
- Out-of-state$18,566
- In-State$911
- Out-of-state$2,003
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled54,906
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,368
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate41%
- Students Enrolled68,010
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Washington State University
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,708
- Out-of-state$26,392
- In-State$12,366
- Out-of-state$27,163
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled27,474
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled27,162
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$31,460
- In-State$11,100
- Out-of-state$31,460
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled38,617
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,065
- Out-of-state$29,456
- In-State$13,446
- Out-of-state$27,297
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled33,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
West Virginia University
- Morgantown, WV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,144
- Out-of-state$25,824
- In-State$10,332
- Out-of-state$26,676
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled25,474
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,581
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled17,880
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,650
- Out-of-state$26,286
- In-State$11,103
- Out-of-state$20,817
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled103,007
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Everglades University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 2 year
- Online
- In-State$18,120
- Out-of-state$18,120
- In-State$21,600
- Out-of-state$21,360
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate60%
- Students Enrolled2,247
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Featured Online Hospitality Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Why Should I Get an Online Hospitality Management Degree?
If you’re interested in working with people and combining business, math, and science with creativity and creature comforts, you might be a good fit for a career in hospitality management. While many people begin their careers in this field with an entry-level job, getting your bachelor’s in hospitality management can give you a leg up and allow you to apply for higher-level or corporate-side roles directly after graduation.
When you study hospitality management online, you’ll be able to learn from anywhere, allowing you to study while you hold a job or internship to get valuable real-world experience. Some programs offer flexible class times to suit your schedule, and you can save on relocation costs if you attend a school online.
Benefits of a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
- Learn industry-specific skills, including finance and supply chain literacy and food science.
- Gain experience through practical lessons and internship placements, depending on the program.
- Kick off your hospitality management career with the qualifications to apply for mid-level positions.
- Gain transferable skills applicable to various jobs in the hospitality sector.
Reasons to Get Your Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Online
- You can study from home without the costs of relocation.
- Many online programs offer night and weekend classes, so you can work while you study.
- Online programs can be more affordable than traditional on-campus programs, and many offer scholarships.
How Much Does a Hospitality Management Degree Cost?
A bachelor’s in hospitality management can be expensive. The average bachelor’s degree at a public college or university was $12,394 annually as of 2020-2021, per the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Students studying at a private institution paid an average of $26,621 yearly. The good news is scholarships and grants can help cover some of these costs.
Average Annual Tuition Cost of a Bachelor’s Degree | 2020-2021
Public Institution
$12,394
Private Institution
$26,621
How Long Does an Online Hospitality Management Degree Take?
While most full-time bachelor’s programs in hospitality management last four years, the timeline can vary. Whether you’re coming in with transfer credits and whether you choose to study full or part time can significantly impact the length of your program.
Average Length of Time
4 years*
Required Course Credits
120+ credits*
What Are the Admission Requirements for Hospitality Management Programs?
When you submit your application to an online hospitality management program, you’ll likely also need to have:
A GPA that falls within your program’s preferred range on a 4-point scale or higher- Transcripts from high school and any other college classes you’ve taken
- Letters of recommendation from past teachers, coaches, and others who know you well
- Scores from either the SAT or ACT within your program’s preferred range or higher
- An application fee or an approved fee waiver
- An application form listing previous schools, extracurriculars, job and internship experience, etc.
“I decided to study hospitality management because it offers a unique opportunity to combine my passions for customer service, business, and travel. I have always been passionate about providing an excellent customer experience and saw hospitality management as the perfect way to combine this with my interest in the business. What I also liked is that the hospitality industry is an ever-evolving sector that offers the potential for international travel and career development.”
How Much Money Can I Make With a Hospitality Management Degree?
What Jobs Can You Get With a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), your pay and job outlook in hospitality management depends on your specific position — wages and growth vary widely between roles. Some hospitality-related field, like event planning, are growing faster than the average occupation. The BLS projects jobs for event planners will increase by 8% in the next decade. Some positions can earn well above the average wage; HR managers, for example, earned an average of $136,350 per year in 2023.
One thing all hospitality roles have in common is that they call for a mix of hard skills like finance and accounting and soft skills, such as the ability to work well with customers and coworkers.
| Job Title | 2023 Median Pay |
|---|---|
| Food Service Manager | $63,060 |
| Lodging Manager | $65,360 |
| Event Planner | $56,920 |
| Human Resources Manager | $136,350 |
| Logistician | $79,400 |
Is a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Worth It?
“Honestly, I changed my major five times before deciding to pursue a degree in hospitality! It wasn’t until then that I felt a career path aligned with my values of celebrating life and serving others. In 2011, I graduated with a bachelor of science degree in event management from University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management (the second-ranked hospitality college in the nation).”
“[Studying hospitality management] was one of the most valuable and rewarding experiences of my life. I learned the fundamentals of hospitality management, such as hospitality marketing, customer service, operational management, and financial management. I also had the opportunity to interact with industry professionals and get an inside look at the industry, and I learned the importance of communication and teamwork and was able to apply these skills in the workplace.”
Featured Online Hospitality Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Beyond the Bachelor’s Degree: Master’s Programs to Consider
Master of Science (MS) in Hospitality Management at Auburn University
Auburn University offers a full-time, two-year MSc program in hospitality management, available on campus or online. Students in the campus program are able to design an original research project and present it as a final thesis.
Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) at Cornell University
The Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University offers a unique one-year master’s program in management with a hospitality focus. This program is offered in partnership with the business school and strongly focuses on the business administration side of hospitality.
Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is home to a world-leading hospitality school that offers an online master’s program. This is a flexible postgraduate study option for those looking to further an administrative career in the hospitality field. The flexible, online-only program is geared toward working professionals and takes two years to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Hospitality Management Programs
As of 2023, the BLS reports that food services managers earn a median annual salary of $63,060, lodging managers earn $65,360, and meeting and event planners earn $56,920. Payscale reports that employees in the casino and resort industry earn an average of $68,000 per year as of April 2024. Executive chefs, travel managers, and food service directors at top-billed hotels, resorts, or cruise lines may earn more.
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