Best Online Hotel and Restaurant Management Degree Programs 2024

Hotel and restaurant managers are in demand and often earn above-average salaries. Learn how a restaurant management degree can prepare you for a job.
Thomas Broderick
By
Edited by
Updated April 11, 2024
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Managing a hotel or restaurant requires education and training many people might not expect, but a management restaurant degree can prepare you for a leadership position in the hospitality field. Earning a management restaurant degree can also teach you transferable leadership skills and provide hands-on experience in different settings.

This page highlights one of the management restaurant degree programs of 2024. You can also discover salary information relevant to this field and answers to some frequently asked questions about hotel and restaurant management.

Featured Online Hotel and Restaurant Management Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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The Top Online Hotel and Restaurant Management Degree of 2024

Editor’s Note: There are other universities that also offer this program online. However, we filter our results to only show schools with a graduation rate in the top third of all reporting schools.

#1

Johnson & Wales University

Providence, RI4 yearOnline

$13,365

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,365

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

45%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,706

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,706

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

2,349

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,365

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,365

Providence, RI4 yearOnline

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,365

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,365

Acceptance Rate

45%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,706

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,706

Retention Rate

N/A

Students Enrolled

2,349

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

What Can I Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Program?

Pursuing a bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management makes sense for individuals who enjoy working with others and are passionate about food, travel, or tourism. Working in this field can make for many late nights and long shifts, so prospective students should consider the long-term scheduling implications before taking the plunge.

The majority of online bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management programs require four years of full-time study and consist of approximately 120 credits. Part-time students usually need six years to graduate.

While most of the curriculum focuses on general education and core hospitality topics, some programs also offer the opportunity to develop specialized knowledge. Concentration options often include hotel and lodging management, beverage management, and meetings and event management.

Given the hands-on nature of hotel and restaurant management jobs, many degrees also include an internship component. These semester-long experiences allow degree-seekers to shadow and learn from experienced hospitality professionals before leaving school.

Prospective students may encounter hotel and restaurant programs offered as a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science. The BA typically requires a foreign language component, making it a great fit for those seeking international roles. The BS tends to focus more on business topics.

Still Looking for the Right Fit? Discover Similar Programs.

What Courses Will I Take in an Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Program?

Coursework for online bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management programs familiarizes learners with every step of the hospitality process, from online bookings to repeat guests. Each school will offer its own unique curriculum, but the following section highlights several common classes.

Hotel and Restaurant Management Courses

Hospitality Industry Foundations

Typically taken in the first year of studies, this course looks at the many different careers within the hospitality industry while also covering historic and contemporary trends. Students also consider how economic forces influence both hotels and restaurants.

Dining Room Service

This course covers many core topics related to dining rooms, including food and beverage operations, food presentation techniques, reservation systems, and design plans. The class often culminates in a dining room service presentation by students.

Food Service Sanitation

Whether working in a hotel, restaurant, or resort, understanding the laws and regulations governing food sanitation is critical. This course reviews how food should be handled and processed to prevent foodborne illness.

Guest Relations

Designed for future hotel managers, concierges, and other hospitality staff, this course looks at how to deliver a quality guest experience. With an eye toward leadership, the course also covers how to evaluate and train staff and measure the effectiveness of guest policies.

Restaurant Revenue Management

Restaurant managers must carefully oversee the money that comes in and out of the restaurant if they hope to turn a profit. This course looks at some of the theories and techniques around food and beverage costs, labor management, and returns on investment.

Find the Tools You Need to Get Started on Your Degree

What Can I Do With an Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Degree?

Earning an online bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management qualifies graduates to take on many rewarding jobs in multiple settings. Whether working as the manager of a luxury resort in Cabo San Lucas or overseeing the opening of a funky neighborhood diner in SoHo, earning this degree signals to prospective employers a seriousness and dedication to the field.

Roles in hospitality can pay above-average salaries, especially in management. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that lodging managers earned a median annual salary of $65,360 in 2023, while food service managers earned $63,060.

Additionally, the BLS projects 7% growth in the lodging management field between 2022-2032 — faster than the national median projected growth for all careers.

Restaurants

The U.S. restaurant industry added about 500,000 jobs in 2023, according to the National Restaurant Association (NRA). More positions translate to extra opportunities for recent graduates with a restaurant management degree. The NRA also reports steady growth in the restaurant sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accommodation

Pursuing a career in accommodations affords graduates of an online bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management program the opportunity to work in many different settings. Some may feel drawn towards quaint bed and breakfast locales, while others may want to work for multinational luxury hotel chains.

Travel

Travel is a significant component of the hospitality industry. Working as a travel consultant or planner allows graduates to help individuals arrange all the components of their trip, including lodging, meals, and transportation.

Tourism

Many towns and cities across the world rely on tourism to fuel their economies. By working as a tourism professional, graduates have the chance to educate visitors about a unique location, help them discover the best spots in town, make recommendations on where to stay and eat, and create travel plans for visitors.

Events

Many larger hotels maintain event spaces to host events like school reunions, corporate retreats, weddings, and conferences. Working in the event side of the hospitality industry often means juggling both lodging and food and beverage responsibilities while also ensuring event spaces are set up correctly, technical needs are met, and organizers receive the support needed to pull off a great event.

Featured Online Hotel and Restaurant Management Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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Visit Site
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How Much Can You Make in Hotel and Restaurant Management?

A restaurant management degree can prepare you for many well-paying careers, such as human resources manager, entertaining manager, and lodging manager. The table below reflects the median salary information for these and other positions.

Keep in mind that different factors impact salary, such as education level, geographic location, and years of experience.

Hotel and Restaurant Management Field
CareerMedian Salary (May 2023)
Entertainment or Recreation Manager$73,460
Food Service Manager$63,060
Human Resources Manager$136,350
Lodging Manager$65,360
Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner$56,920
Source: BLS

Hotel and Restaurant Management Not for You? Check Out These Related Careers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hotel and Restaurant Management Degrees

You can prepare to pass a restaurant manager interview by researching the employer, dressing professionally, and giving a memorable pitch. Other strategies include asking informed questions and putting the customer experience first.

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