Best Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Programs 2024
A degree in hospitality management can prepare you to work on the business side of hotels, resorts, restaurants, or tourism companies. Career switchers and people working front-line jobs in lodging, entertainment, or food service organizations may want to pursue this major.
In April 2024, Payscale reported that people with an MS in hospitality management earn an average of $62,000 annually. Marketing directors, senior event managers, and parks and recreation directors can earn much more.
The guide below covers top schools and courses in this field, an introduction to hospitality careers, and more about diversity in hospitality management.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2024’s Top Online Master’s in Hospitality Management
Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$13,365
- Out-of-state$13,365
- In-State$14,706
- Out-of-state$14,706
- Retention Rate0%
- Acceptance Rate45%
- Students Enrolled2,349
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Las Vegas, NV
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,949
- Out-of-state$24,040
- In-State$5,823
- Out-of-state$21,914
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled30,679
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,295
- Out-of-state$18,111
- In-State$6,350
- Out-of-state$13,694
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled42,441
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled70,310
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Kansas State University
- Manhattan, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,489
- Out-of-state$25,560
- In-State$10,294
- Out-of-state$23,018
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled20,229
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment44%
- AccreditationYes
Auburn University
- Auburn, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$30,240
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$30,240
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled31,526
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Alabama
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,780
- Out-of-state$30,250
- In-State$10,780
- Out-of-state$30,250
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate79%
- Students Enrolled38,316
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
University of Mississippi
- University, MS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,934
- Out-of-state$25,776
- In-State$8,938
- Out-of-state$25,782
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled21,203
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$60,446
- Out-of-state$60,446
- In-State$60,446
- Out-of-state$60,446
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate13%
- Students Enrolled49,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- 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.
What Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Program?
Hospitality management requires professionals to possess business savvy along with strong skills in communication, organization, and customer service. Candidates also need an aptitude for leadership as upper-level positions in the field require the management of other hospitality personnel.
Online master’s in hospitality management programs vary in length. Some accelerated programs may take as little as one year to complete, while part-time programs may take several years. Credit requirements vary among schools, but students typically need to complete 30-40 credits to graduate from a master’s program.
The hospitality industry encompasses many different sectors, and a master’s in hospitality management may offer several specializations or concentration options, such as:
- Lodging management
- Tourism management
- Food and beverage management
- Recreation and leisure management
- Meeting and event management
Completing a concentration can help graduates distinguish themselves when applying for jobs. For example, candidates who hope to work in the hotel industry or eventually open their own bed and breakfast may concentrate on lodging management.
Given the degree’s professional focus, many hospitality management programs include an experiential component, such as an internship, practicum, or capstone project. These experiences enable participants to gain a hands-on understanding of the hospitality industry. When preparing for graduate school, students should determine if a program features any in-person experiential requirements.
Courses in an Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Program
Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality Industry: This course highlights leadership models and organizational structure in the context of the hospitality industry. Students may explore strategies for managing and motivating different personality types in hospitality settings.- Hospitality and Tourism Marketing: Integrated marketing strategies play a major role in the hospitality industry. This course focuses on approaches to service marketing, including the analysis and evaluation of marketing strategies.
- Global Issues in Hospitality and Tourism: This course examines trends and industry-wide issues in hospitality management. Students explore the increasingly connected global hospitality industry and the effects of national and international tourism.
- Hospitality Business Law: This course examines the laws and regulations that affect hospitality businesses. Students may explore topics including employment law, product liability, risk management, and the legal rights and responsibilities of hospitality businesses.
- Hospitality Capstone: Many online master’s in hospitality management programs end with a capstone project that ties together major program themes. Students often work to identify and solve an issue in the hospitality industry.
What Can I Do With an Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Degree?
Hospitality management graduates often find employment in the hotel and restaurant industry, which offers many options. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects careers for lodging managers to grow 7% between 2022 and 2032, a faster growth rate than for all U.S. occupations. Jobs for food service managers are expected to see little to no change during the same period.
Salary rates in the field can be quite high, especially for managerial positions. Human resources managers and sales managers can earn annual salaries over $100,000. Higher-level positions in hotel management, food service management, and gambling management also often earn average annual salaries in the low six figures.
Career Paths
Lodging Manager
Lodging managers run hotels and resorts, overseeing operations, housekeeping, and guest services. They may also take responsibility for broad business functions such as marketing, sales, and human resources. Obtaining a master’s degree may enable graduates to move into the top 10% of hotel managers, who earned more than $127,090 annually in May 2023, according to the BLS.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$65,360
Gambling Manager
Gambling managers coordinate operations at casinos and other facilities. Like lodging managers, they may oversee many different aspects of a casino, such as staffing, maintenance, and operations. They may also take responsibility for determining house rules.
With a master’s degree, candidates can progress to upper-level management positions. The top 10% of gambling managers earned more than $159,440 annually in May 2023, per the BLS.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$82,380
Food Service Manager
Food service managers direct staff and manage operations at restaurants and other food service environments. They may oversee staffing, budgeting, and general operations.
With a master’s in hospitality management, candidates can pursue higher-level management positions in the restaurant industry. According to the BLS, managers who are in the top 10% earned over $101,240 annually as of May 2023.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$63,060
Sales Manager
Sales managers oversee sales for all kinds of businesses. In the hospitality industry, they may focus on sales for hotels, resorts, and restaurants. Sales managers may analyze sales data, set new sales goals, determine overall sales strategies, and create training programs for an organization’s sales associates.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$135,160
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers coordinate businesses’ administrative and personnel functions. They may take responsibility for recruitment and hiring practices, employee benefits programs, labor relations, and staff conflicts and mediation. Human resources managers may work for all types of hospitality organizations, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, and casinos.
Median Annual Salary (May 2023):$136,350
Hospitality Management Not For You? Check Out These Related Careers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Master’s in Hospitality Programs
A master’s in hospitality management usually requires 1-2 years of study. Full-time students may accelerate their path to graduation, while part-time learners often need more time to finish. Many schools require you to finish within seven years of your enrollment date.
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