Best Online Hospitality Management Programs of 2024
Online Hospitality Degree
Online hospitality management degrees provide flexible, convenient ways for students to pursue careers in one of the largest and most profitable industries in the country.
Learners study how different segments of the industry, like lodging and food service, develop and interact. They also gain a working understanding of the common tools and strategies professionals use to build success in restaurants, amusement parks, and entertainment centers.
Hospitality management is an umbrella category that also includes more specialized degrees, like online restaurant management degrees or online hotel management courses. Depending on your career goals, one of these specializations might be better suited to your needs than a general hospitality management degree.
Graduates can pursue careers as lodging managers, event planners, and marketing managers. The job outlook for these positions is strong. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for marketing managers to grow 10% between 2022-2032.
This guide ranks the best online hospitality management schools to help students find the right fit for their needs. We also cover important information for prospective students, including common courses and potential careers and salaries for graduates.
Best Online Hospitality Management Degrees
Florida International University
Miami, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $236
Out-of-State | $649
Credits to Graduate: 120
FIU's online BS in hospitality management requires 60 core curriculum credits and 60 program credits. Courses include tourism destination marketing, hospitality law and ethics, and leadership in the hospitality industry. A first-year candidate must submit high school transcripts; SAT, ACT, or CLT scores; and a $30 application fee.
The university also offers a combined BS/MS in hospitality management, which allows students to earn both degrees in a compressed time frame. An applicant needs at least 75 credits to be considered for admission to the dual degree.
- 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 Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $179
Out-of-State | $716
Credits to Graduate: 120
Offered through the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, UCF's online BS in hospitality management can prepare students for long-term careers in operations, marketing, or other roles in hospitality. Courses include fine spirits management, guest services management, and introduction to the hospitality and tourism industry.
Each candidate must submit ACT or SAT scores, transcripts, and a $30 application fee. Homeschooled students and applicants with GED certificates should submit evidence of their equivalency programs. New students can begin in the fall, spring, or summer.
- 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
Johnson & Wales University Online
- Providence, RI
- 4 year
- Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $495
Out-of-State | $495
Credits to Graduate: 120
JWU's online BS in hospitality management offers flexible coursework in the business, art, and science of the hospitality industry.
Students can choose from three concentrations: food and beverage management, hotel and resort management, or sustainable tourism. Courses include hospitality strategic design and execution, dynamics of tourism and sustainability, and menu planning and cost control.
Most courses last eight weeks, although some require a 16-week commitment. The entire program takes about four years. Candidates should submit transcripts and applications, and JWU accepts new students year-round.
- 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
Fort Hays State University
- Hays, KS
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $243
Out-of-State | $243
Credits to Graduate: 120
Located in Kansas, FHSU enrolls almost 17,000 learners online and on campus. FHSU's BS in tourism and hospitality management prepares graduates to pursue careers as cruise directors, casino managers, and convention directors. As an applied business degree, this program requires both business and tourism-related courses, along with eight credits of Spanish.
In addition to courses such as foundations of wine and tourism and hospitality marketing, students can learn through summer internships and community engagement initiatives.
- In-State$4,140
- Out-of-state$14,580
- In-State$3,726
- Out-of-state$10,602
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate90%
- Students Enrolled14,102
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $219
Out-of-State | $342
Credits to Graduate: 120
UWF's online BS in global hospitality and tourism can prepare career-switchers or seasoned hospitality managers for leadership roles in the industry. The program's comprehensive curriculum requires 45 credits in the major, including courses like resort operations and management. Students also complete internships.
Graduates may pursue careers as food service managers, lodging managers, and event planners. Successful applicants need a 2.5 GPA or better. Each prospective student must submit an application, SAT or ACT scores, and transcripts.
- In-State$3,735
- Out-of-state$16,004
- In-State$7,088
- Out-of-state$22,166
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled13,288
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $264
Out-of-State | $782
Credits to Graduate: 120
Offered through the College of Business, FAU's online BBA in hospitality and tourism management can prepare graduates for careers in lodging, food, beverage, and commercial recreation management. Courses include hotel and resort management, financial analytics for hospitality managers, and excellence in guest service management, along with an internship.
Graduates may pursue careers or pursue MBAs or graduate certificates in hospitality management at FAU. New students are admitted as pre-business majors and must complete the required coursework before full admission to the program.
- In-State$2,522
- Out-of-state$14,374
- In-State$5,467
- Out-of-state$16,695
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate78%
- Students Enrolled30,155
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Washington State University Global Campus
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $568
Out-of-State | $633
Credits to Graduate: 120
Offered through the Carson College of Business, WSU's online BA in hospitality business management prepares graduates for tourism-related careers by equipping them with industry-specific knowledge, skills, and strategies. WSU's first hospitality program launched in 1932 and is the third-oldest hospitality degree in the U.S.
Students take courses in seven-week rotations. In addition to traditional classes, each enrollee works 1,000 hours in the industry and may apply to study for a semester at the Brig campus of César Ritz Colleges in Switzerland.
- In-State$10,457
- Out-of-state$25,773
- In-State$12,076
- Out-of-state$26,526
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled29,843
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
Oregon State University
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $375
Out-of-State | $375
Credits to Graduate: 180
OSU's online bachelor's in hospitality management is a future-focused degree — the school reports a 100% job placement rate for its graduates. Courses include lodging management, hospitality technology laboratory, revenue management and pricing, and an internship. OSU also offers an optional ecotourism and sustainability specialization and several prospective minors.
Students who want to pursue MBAs or MS degrees in the discipline can complete accelerated bachelor's/master's pathways. New students may begin at one of four entry dates each year.
- 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
Bellevue University
- Bellevue, NE
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $449
Out-of-State | $449
Credits to Graduate: 127
BC's online BS in hospitality management helps busy working students complete their degrees in a simplified cohort experience to graduate with a built-in professional network. This degree includes courses such as managing the customer experience, leading a team, and anthropology of tourism.
Students conclude the program with a hospitality management innovation capstone. Each applicant must have completed high school, a comparable homeschool experience, or a GED certificate. The university also charges a $50 application fee.
- In-State$7,560
- Out-of-state$7,560
- In-State$10,980
- Out-of-state$10,980
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,902
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $186
Out-of-State | $864
Credits to Graduate: 120
Students in ECU's BS in hospitality management can specialize in lodging management, food and beverage management, and convention and special events management. The program also offers study-abroad opportunities in Ireland and Switzerland. Along with pursuing careers in hospitality management, graduates can pursue master's certificates and master of science in sustainable tourism degrees at ECU.
Courses include lodging management; multicultural hospitality management; and meeting, event, and convention planning. Students also complete relevant labs. Each candidate must submit an application, transcripts, and a $75 fee.
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled28,021
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Programs
Bachelors in Hospitality Management
2024
Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyHospitality Management Degree Overview
Online hospitality degrees develop core management skills while emphasizing practical applications in the hospitality industry. These programs also cultivate working knowledge of lodging and accommodation procedures, food and beverage regulations, tourism revenue, and event planning logistics.
Online hospitality management programs cover the industry as a whole, but many schools also encourage learners to explore niche areas through electives on topics like club and casino management, food and wine pairing, and convention sales.
What Can I Expect From a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Program?
Courses vary by program, but most online hospitality management programs offer classes similar to those listed below.
Hospitality Management Curriculum
- Hospitality Law: This course introduces degree-seekers to the main legal issues that affect the hospitality industry. The class focuses on legal responsibilities related to travel and tourism and reviews bailment, food regulation, alcohol licensing, and safety concerns. Learners also study topics like innkeepers’ rights, contract law, and negligence.
- Hospitality Services Marketing: Learners in this course study the main marketing techniques used in hospitality and tourism management with a focus on planning and consumer demand. Potential topics include segment marketing, distribution channels, and event promotion.
- Revenue Management: This class develops foundational knowledge of revenue management and its applications in tourism and hotel administration. Learners study concepts like time-variable demand, perishable inventory, and fixed capacity constraints. Degree-seekers learn how to predict guest arrivals, analyze pricing models, and manage overbooking concerns.
Hospitality Management Careers
Hospitality management professionals can work in industries like food service, accomodations, entertainment, transportation, and event planning. The following list outlines popular careers for graduates with an online hospitality degree, though some careers may require qualifications beyond a bachelor’s degree, such as certification or further education.
