The Best Online Hospitality Management Programs | TheBestSchools
Updated September 14, 2022
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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.
Featured Hospitality Management Schools
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 6% between 2019-2029.
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 Bachelor in Hospitality Management Degree Programs
#1
Florida International University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Miami, Florida |
| Admission Rate | 58% |
| Graduation Rate | 63% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
68%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: Entertainment management; event management; hotel/lodging management; restaurant/culinary management; spirits management; travel and tourism management
Accredited By: Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? No
FIU offers a 120-credit online hospitality management degree. The program emphasizes skill-based instruction in accounting, business management, and finance. Learners also study logistics and operations.
The program blends asynchronous coursework with experiential learning. Students get real-time feedback from instructors and one-on-one advising from a success coach. They also complete 1,000 hours of industry work experience and 300 advanced internship hours. Degree-seekers can pursue a combined bachelor's and master's degree once they complete 75 credits and maintain a 3.2 GPA.
Applicants submit official high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students submit college transcripts. They need at least 60 credits and a 2.25 GPA.
Available Scholarships: Carnival Gold Scholarship; John W. Kluge Minority Scholarship; Marriott Scholarship; Café Bustelo® El Café Del Futuro Scholarship
#2
Cleary University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Howell, Michigan |
| Admission Rate | 71% |
| Graduation Rate | 44% |
| Instituation Type | Private |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
53%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Private
Concentrations Available: N/A
Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes
Howell, Michigan-based CU offers an online hospitality management degree that requires 120 credits. The program is designed for professionals with significant industry experience or an associate degree in hospitality.
Coursework covers topics like private events and catering, restaurant operations, and resorts and tourism. Students can apply master's-level courses toward a graduate degree. Learners gain experience through internships or assistantships.
Applicants submit transcripts and need a 2.0 GPA. Those age 23 and younger also provide SAT scores of at least 960 or ACT score of at least 19. Program admission requires completing 30 general education credits.
Available Scholarships: Admissions Scholarship; Business Professional Association Scholarship; Courage & Public Service Scholarship
#3
East Carolina University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Greenville, North Carolina |
| Admission Rate | 79% |
| Graduation Rate | 66% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
48%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: Convention and special events management; food and beverage management; lodging management
Accredited By: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? In-state students, yes; out-of-state students, no
Greenville, North Carolina-based ECU offers an online hospitality management program that requires an externship and an internship. Enrollees select a concentration in areas like convention special events and food and beverage. Classes include introduction to hospitality management, dimensions of tourism, hospitality law, and financial management.
ECU encourages degree-seekers to participate in Count on Me NC, a free, online training program on managing and preventing COVID-19 within businesses.
Available Scholarships: AH&LA Cecil B. Day Scholarship; Aramark Scholarship; BPR Scholarship; Carol L. Taylor Spirit of Hospitality Scholarship
#4
Fort Hays State University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hays, Kansas |
| Admission Rate | 91% |
| Graduation Rate | 43% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
55%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: N/A
Accredited By: Higher Learning Commission
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? No
Hays, Kansas-based FHSU offers an online hospitality management program that prepares learners for jobs as cruise directors, event planners, and convention managers.
The 120-credit program includes business core courses like accounting and marketing. Major core courses include beginning Spanish for tourism and hospitality and sustainable tourism and events. Enrollees also complete general education classes. Electives include foundations of wine, spa facility and destination management, and social media marketing.
Applicants need a 2.25 GPA or ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 1080.
Available Scholarships: Freshmen Scholarships; Thompson World Ready Fund
#5
Florida Atlantic University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Boca Raton, Florida |
| Admission Rate | 63% |
| Graduation Rate | 50% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
49%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: N/A
Accredited By: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? In-state students, yes; out-of-state students, no
Boca Raton-based FAU's online bachelor of business administration program includes a major in hospitality and tourism management. Coursework emphasizes guest services and customer satisfaction. Learners study financial analytics, human resources, and revenue management.
The program runs mostly online except for some general education requirements.
Admission into the major requires 60 credits and a 2.5 GPA in pre-business foundation courses. Applicants must also complete foreign language and general education classes.
Available Scholarships: Heiko Dobrikow Family Scholarship Fund
#6
Utah Valley University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Orem, Utah |
| Graduation Rate | 32% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
32%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: Culinary arts; event planning; operations; revenue management; sales
Accredited By: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? In-state students, yes; out-of-state students, no
Orem-based UVU offers an online hospitality management degree that trains students for business and creative careers. Online learners can access academic and career counseling, tutoring, internships, and post-graduation job placement.
A flexible learning environment accommodates working students. Classes vary by concentration. Business classes cover accounting, economics, and marketing. Creative coursework covers catering, culinary skills, and event planning.
Applicants submit a high school diploma and transcripts. UVU recommends but does not require ACT or SAT scores. Transfer students submit college transcripts.
Available Scholarships: UVU Reach Scholarship
#7
Johnson & Wales University-Online
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Admission Rate | 41% |
| Instituation Type | Private |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Private
Concentrations Available: Human resources management
Accredited By: New England Commission of Higher Education
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes
JWU designed its online hospitality management degree for hospitality professionals who want to gain management skills. Graduates may advance their careers in event planning, food and beverage, lodging, or tourism.
The 120-credit curriculum offers online courses and experiential learning opportunities. Students explore topics like dynamics of tourism and sustainability. They also explore new media literacy in sports, entertainment, and event management. Electives include beverage appreciation and hotel asset management.
Online program admission requires a high school or GED diploma. Applicants also need two years of full-time work experience.
Available Scholarships: Transfer Scholarship
#8
Missouri State University-Springfield
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Springfield, Missouri |
| Admission Rate | 88% |
| Graduation Rate | 56% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
39%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: N/A
Accredited By: Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration; Higher Learning Commission
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes
At Springfield's MSU, associate degree-holders can earn a bachelor's in hospitality leadership online. Flexible course schedules may allow students to continue working. Hands-on paid internships provide additional experience. Enrollees can choose to work in the school's student-run cafe.
The curriculum focuses on understanding leadership theory and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. Learners also study foodservice management and the economic importance of tourism and the hospitality industry. Business topics cover marketing, risk management, legal compliance, and revenue management. Degree-seekers complete a public affairs capstone.
The program encourages applications from students with an associate degree in hospitality or culinary arts.
Available Scholarships: Morton-Wilson Memorial Scholarship; Hein Family Scholarship in Hospitality Leadership; Tom Smith Scholarship; Dr. Carl Riegel Memorial Scholarship; HSP Board of Advisors Scholarship
#9
The University of Alabama
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Tuscaloosa, Alabama |
| Admission Rate | 83% |
| Graduation Rate | 71% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
13%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: N/A
Accredited By: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes
Tuscaloosa-based UA offers a hospitality management degree online with internships and practicums available worldwide. The 120-credit program includes general education, hospitality management, and elective classes.
Students start with foundations in hotel, restaurant, and hospitality management. They then take classes in hospitality law and marketing, information and computer systems, and managerial accounting.
Qualified applicants meet one of the following admission requirements: 24 transferable college credits and a 2.0 GPA; or fewer than 24 college credits, a 2.0 GPA, and demonstrated high school coursework in English, social sciences, math, natural sciences, and a foreign language.
Available Scholarships: College of Continuing Studies Scholarships
#10
Northern Arizona University
| School Information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Flagstaff, Arizona |
| Admission Rate | 85% |
| Graduation Rate | 57% |
| Accreditation |
Yes
|
| Percent Online Enrollment |
46%
|
Fast Facts
School Type: Public
Concentrations Available: N/A
Accredited By: Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration; Higher Learning Commission
Do Distance Learners Pay In-State Tuition? Yes
Flagstaff's NAU offers an online bachelor's in hotel and restaurant management. The 120-credit program covers the hospitality industry and hotel and restaurant management. Enrollees also study the foundations in kitchen operations and revenue management. Students complete an internship and a capstone.
The program runs mostly synchronously with faculty mentoring, online discussion platforms, and opportunities for virtual collaboration.
NAU uses rolling admissions. The program may accept up to 75 credits from an accredited community college. Online learners can access the library, advising, 24/7 technical support, and tutoring.
Available Scholarships: School of Hotel & Restaurant Management Scholarships
Online Bachelor's in Hospitality Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Our Methodology
Here at TheBestSchools.org, we take the trust and welfare of our readers very seriously. When making our school and program rankings, our top priority is ensuring that our readers get accurate, unbiased information that can help them make informed decisions about online education. That's why we've developed a rigorous ranking methodology that keeps the needs of our readers front and center.
Our proprietary, multi-criteria ranking algorithm analyzes key data indicators — as collected by the federal government — for each school or program. What data we use depends on the focus of each specific ranking, but in all cases, our ranking methodology is impartial: Schools cannot buy better rankings at TBS.
While specific criteria under consideration can vary by ranking, there are a few data points that we value most highly. They are affordability, academic quality, and online enrollment. Below, we break down our algorithm to help you understand what you're getting when you use one of our rankings.
-
Academics -
Affordability -
Online Enrollment
Data Sources
The data used in TBS rankings comes primarily from the federal government, and much of it is provided by the schools themselves. We aggregate and analyze this data to build our rankings.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is our primary source. Its data comes from annual surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Every college, university, or technical school with access to federal financial aid must participate in these surveys, which include questions about enrollment, graduation rates, finances, and faculty qualifications. This is publicly available data, which you can access yourself through the College Navigator.
Additionally, because we value a personal touch and the professional experience of our staff and Academic Advisory Board, we vet all results and adjust rankings as necessary based on our collected knowledge of schools and degree programs. Depending on the ranking, we may obtain additional input from AcademicInfluence.com, subject matter experts, prior TBS ranking lists, or other sources we deem relevant to a particular ranking.
Breakdown of Our Rankings Methodology
About Our Ranking Factors
Here at TBS, we value what you value: quality education, affordability, and the accessibility of online education. These factors guide all of our program rankings.
Each of these factors are further broken down into weighted subfactors. For example, retention rates are weighted more heavily than availability of program options because they are a better indicator of student success.
We chose the following factors for our rankings because of their influence on learning experiences and graduate outcomes. However, students should always balance our rankings against their personal priorities. For instance, a learner who needs a fully online program may prioritize online flexibility more than our rankings do. Our rankings are designed to help you make a decision — not to make a decision for you.
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Hospitality 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.
Lodging Managers
| Median Annual Salary: $54,430 | Projected Job Growth: -12% |
|---|
Lodging and hotel managers work to maintain and improve the satisfaction of guests. They promote pleasant environments by managing day-to-day operations and establishing company-wide standards. They also inspect accommodations, interact with guests, train employees, develop budgets, and monitor overall hotel performance.
This position generally requires a bachelor's degree in hospitality management or a related field along with years of professional experience. Some lodging managers may choose to pursue graduate study or certifications in hotel management to advance their careers.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
| Median Annual Salary: $50,600 | Projected Job Growth: 8% |
|---|
These professionals coordinate large-scale meetings and events. They ensure that these events run smoothly by overseeing logistics, making travel and accommodation arrangements, and soliciting workable bids from venues and service providers. They also monitor all activities for the duration of planned events and delegate project management tasks to staff. Once events conclude, they review budgets, submit billable invoices, and approve payments to vendors.
Most event planners need a bachelors' in hospitality or a related field and significant professional experience. Those who work primarily with state and federal governments must obtain additional certification. Event planners typically work full time in a demanding, fast-paced environment. They often travel regularly to attend events and inspect potential venues.
Marketing Managers
| Median Annual Salary: $135,900 | Projected Job Growth: 6% |
|---|
Marketing managers develop programs and advertising campaigns designed to generate consumer interest in a product or service. They often work alongside other professionals to develop budgets and contracts that pertain to marketing media. They also evaluate the efficacy of marketing materials, conduct targeted research, and develop pricing strategies. They may serve as liaisons between clients and promotional agencies.
Most marketing managers hold a bachelor's degree in a field like advertising, marketing, hospitality management, or journalism. They generally work full time in an office setting. Sometimes, they may travel to meet with clients and other representatives.
Popular Questions About Hospitality Management
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management Program?
It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete an online bachelor's in hospitality management.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management?
This degree qualifies learners for most entry-level hospitality positions. The program also prepares degree-seekers to pursue graduate programs in business or a related field.
How Much Do You Make in Hospitality Management?
Salary varies by industry. According to the BLS, professionals who work in lodging enjoy a median annual wage of $54,430, while marketing managers earn around $135,900 annually.
What Is Hospitality Management?
A broad field, hospitality management encompasses the administrative and management aspects of industries like tourism, food and lodging, event planning, and transportation.
What Is a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management?
A bachelor's in hospitality management is a four-year degree that builds skills in public relations, finance, marketing, and human resources.
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