If you want to work in the exciting travel and tourism industry, earning a degree in hospitality management could be the key to landing your dream career. A degree in hospitality management offers the industry knowledge and hands-on skills aspiring hotel and lodging managers, casino supervisors, concierges and event planners need. Read on to explore the 20 colleges with hospitality management programs in the United States.
Studying Hospitality Management in College
If you want to work in event planning, lodging operations, the management of theme parks or other areas of hospitality leadership, choosing a major may seem easy. Hospitality management programs are tailor-made to fit your professional and personal interests. Deciding where to go to earn a hospitality management bachelor’s degree, though, can be tricky.
There are more than 200 hospitality and hotel management degree programs across the United States. Both small community colleges and prestigious four-year universities offer hospitality management programs.
RELATED: What Is Hospitality Management?
Deciding which school of hospitality to attend can be overwhelming – but it doesn’t have to be. To help students focus on the best colleges with hospitality majors, we’ve put together this list of the top 20 colleges for hospitality and hotel management. The colleges and universities that landed a spot on our list are well-ranked both for their hospitality programs and overall, provide great values and are innovative in the ways they prepare students for success in the hospitality industries.
RELATED: What Will I Study in a Hospitality and Hotel Management Degree Program?
The 20 Best Hospitality Schools in the U.S.
1. Cornell University
Leading our list of the best schools for hospitality is Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Cornell is home to the School of Hotel Administration. The program was founded in 1922 and bills itself as “the first collegiate program in hospitality management.”
Today, undergraduate students at Cornell can earn Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration degrees. Graduate students can choose from Master of Management in Hospitality and M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Hospitality.
RELATED: What Are Some Courses I Might Take in a Master’s Program of Hospitality Management?
What’s Special About Studying Hospitality Management at Cornell?
Hospitality management coursework at Cornell is offered out of the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. This hospitality school is part of the SC Johnson College of Business.
In addition to having a long history of educating students, Cornell’s hotel administration program is widely recognized and respected. Cornell’s has historically been the only United States program to rank on the Top 10 International Hospitality Management Schools in the World by market research group Taylor Nelson Sofres. The School of Hotel Administration was also ranked second in the world – and first in the nation – by the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research.
The hotel administration program at Cornell is AACSB-accredited.
Notable features of the Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration’s curriculum include:
- Management training through the hotel leadership development program
- The annual Hotel Ezra Cornell conference
- Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series
- Hands-on experience opportunities at the Statler Hotel and its student-run restaurant Establishment at Statler
- Culinary skills training through Cornell’s alliance with the Culinary Institute of America
- The benefits of an Ivy League education at a research institution
- The support of six centers and institutes, including the Center for Hospitality Research, the Cornell Institute for Food and Beverage Management, the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship and the Cornell Center for Innovative Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations
- Opportunities to study abroad in your choice of more than 40 countries
RELATED: How Important Is Hands-On Experience in a Hospitality Degree Program?
Enrollment: 15,000+ undergraduate students, including 1,000+ students enrolled in the Nolan School of Hotel Administration (Fall 2022)
Location: Ithaca, NY
Tuition: $65,204 per year
View program details.
2. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
Next on our list of the top colleges for hospitality is the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The University of Nevada’s William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration ranks third in the world and second in the nation according to the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research.
Studying Hospitality Management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas offers an undergraduate hospitality management major students can customize.
The undergraduate hospitality management major includes required studies in:
- Foundations of Hospitality
- Introduction to hospitality customer service
- Organizational behavior
- Leadership, management and ethics
- Hospitality law
- Food sanitation
- Food service operations
- Facilities management
- Cost control and accounting
- Human resources management
- Operations and strategic management
- Career development
- Hands-on internship and hospitality work experience
UNLV is a great choice for undergraduate students who aspire to work in a special niche within the hospitality industry. This hospitality management program allows students to focus on concentrations in the following areas:
- Gaming Management
- Event Design and Management
- Innovative Restaurant management
- Hospitality Beverage Management
- Pofessional (PGA) golf management
- Human Resource Management
In the Gaming Management concentration, students might take classes in areas like the following:
- Casino marketing
- Gaming device management
- The sociology of gambling
- Problem gambling
- Accounting for the gaming industry
- Casino industry regulations
- The protection of casino assets
Students pursuing the Event Design and Management concentration may study:
- Introduction to global event management
- Event sales and marketing
- The event proposal process
- Sport and concert arena management
- Global trade show operations
- Food and beverage essentials for event executives
In the Innovative Restaurant Management concentration, coursework may include:
- Food & beverage Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Gastronomy essentials
- The science of cuisine
- Restaurant sustainability studies
- Culture and cuisine
- Sustainable food tourism
- Catering operations and sales
- Speical topics in food service management
A concentration in Hospitality Beverage Management might include:
- Beers of the world
- Wines of the world
- Spirits and liquers of the world
- Bar operations management
- Sustainable food tourism
- Culture and cuisine
Choosing the PGA Golf Management concentration will mean taking the following courses:
- Introduction to player development
- Introduction to PGA golf management
- A series of teaching and coaching courses
- A series of golf facility management courses
- A series of professional golf management internships
For students in the human resource management concentration, classes include:
- Training in the hospitality industry
- Employee compensation, leave and benefits in the hospitality industry
- Labor-management relations in the hospitality industry
- Ethics for the hospitality industry
- Current issues in hospitality human resources
- Special topics in hotel administration
- Working with diversity
Part of the undergraduate hospitality management curriculum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is 1,000 requires hours of work experience in the hospitality industry.
RELATED: Is Getting a Hospitality Degree Helpful If I Want to Become an Event Planner?
Graduate students can choose from several academic paths, such as:
- Online Executive Master of Hospitality Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration
- Master of Science in Hotel Administration
- Dual Degree: Master of Science in Hotel Administration and Master of Science in Management Information Systems
- Dual Degree: Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Hotel Administration
- Gaming Management Certificate
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Enrollment: 25,373 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $262.50 per credit or $3,937.50 per semester (in-state); $8,478 + $262.50 per credit or $12,415.50 (out-of-state)
View program details.
3. Pennsylvania State University, USA
Another of the best colleges with hospitality management programs is Pennsylvania State University. The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program is part of Pennsylvania State University’s College of Health and Human Development.
What’s Special About a Hospitality Management Degree From Penn State?
The School of Hospitality Management at Penn State may not be part of a business school, but that doesn’t prevent numerous recruiters from visiting the campus, where they hold 750 interviews each year.
Like many of the top hospitality schools, Penn State has a long history. Its Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management program dates back to 1937.
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the program fourth in the world.
In the undergraduate major, students take classes in areas like the following:
- Introduction to management in the hospitality industry
- Hospitality marketing
- Financial management in hospitality operations
- Hospitality financial accounting
- Hospitality managerial accounting
- Fundamentals of hotel and accommodations management
- Applied leadership in foodservice operations management
- Human resource management in the hospitality industry
- Hospitality information technology fundamentals
- Hospitality managerial communication
- Hospitaltiy revenue and profit optimization
- Organizational behavior in the hospitality industry
- Food production and operations management
- Principles of food production management
- Elementary foods
Under the School of Hospitality Management’s Hospitality Professional Experience Requirement, all students develop practical skills with a minimum of 1,000 hours of hands-on experience acquired through at least two different jobs or internships.
The school is also home to Café Laura. The cafe serves as the School of Hospitality Management’s Food Service Management Laboratory. Hospitality management students handle every task from recipe development and customer service to menu pricing and financial management.
Graduate-level programs are also available at Penn State. The School of Hospitality Management offers both Master of Science and Master of Professional Studies in Hospitality Management, as well as Ph.D. in Hospitality Management degree programs for graduate students. The school also excels in research in the field of hospitality management.
Location: University Park, PA
Enrollment: 73,476 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $9,836 per semester for freshmen/sophomores and $10,611 for juniors/seniors (in-state); $19,813 per semester for freshmen/sophomores and $20,808 for juniors/seniors (out-of-state)
View program details.
4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA
If you’re looking for the best colleges for hospitality management, don’t overlook Virginia Tech. The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is part of the Pamplin College of Business.
Pursuing a Hospitality and Tourism Program at Virginia Tech
Undergraduate students must complete at least 700 hours of hands-on industry experience. Their curriculum also revolves around cultivating a strong background in business education. Perhaps that’s why the program attracts major recruiters such as Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, and Marriott International, making it a “tier one” recruiting school. The program boasts a 93% placement rate upon graduation as of 2023.
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business with a Major in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The hospitality major coursework students complete includes:
- Introduction to hospitality and tourism management
- Lodging management
- Food preparation, purchasing and management
- Hospitality revenue management
- Food and beverage management
- Hospitality sales
- Travel and tourism management
- Catering management
- Meeting and convention management
- Events management
- International tourism
- Winery tourism
- Hospitality market data analysis
- Socio-cultural impacts of tourism
- IT and social media in hospitality and tourism
- Hospitality marketing analytics
- Private club management
Examples of the business coursework required for this program are:
- Foundations of business
- Business analytics
- Principles of accounting
- Principles of economics
- Introduction to international business
- Operations and supply chain management
- Marketing management
- Principles of management
- Strategic management
- Human resources management
Graduate degree programs at Virginia Tech’s Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management include the Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Doctorate of Philosophy in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the institution sixth in the world, and the school consistently ranks among the top five in the United States. The program has also been ranked globally, most recently claiming the title of the 12th best hospitality and tourism management program in the world.
Virginia Tech is one of just 60 schools accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration and is also accredited by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business. It’s not just the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management or even the Pamplin College of Business that is well-respected. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Virginia Tech as a whole among the top 100 colleges in the nation.
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Enrollment: 24,034 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $12,698 per semester (in-state); $33,310 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
5. Purdue University, USA
If you’re looking for the top HM colleges that also are also furthering research in the field of hospitality, consider Purdue University. Purdue is famous for its research, nd the college’s recognition as a research leader extends to the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Why Is Purdue Among the Best Colleges With Hospitality and Tourism Majors?
Purdue University is consistently ranked among the top 100 colleges in the
nation. Its hospitality management program has been ranked seventh in the world
by The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research.
The Purdue University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management offers
degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The school’s
undergraduate program, in particular, is highly respected. The Journal of
Hospitality & Tourism Education has ranked it first in the nation.
Students in this program take classes in the following areas:
- Introduction to the hospitality and tourism industry
- Introduction to tourism management
- Introduction to lodging management
- Introduction to foodservice management
- Hospitality and tourism marketing
- Human resources for management for the service industries
- Managerial accounting and financial management in hospitality operations
- Financial management for the hospitality industry
- Financial accounting for the service industries
- Business development in hospitality and tourism
- Management and leadership in hospitality and tourism
- Beverage operation management
- Hospitality facilities management
- Sanitation and health in foodservice, lodging and tourism
- Quality food production and service laboratory
- Hospitality operation management and leadership
- Hospitality and tourism law
- Hospitality and tourism work experience
During their undergraduate studies in hospitality, Purdue University students
complete two internship opportunities, some through study abroad programs as
far away as China. The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism
Management program at Purdue University is accredited by the Accreditation
Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.
Purdue is an excellent choice for students interested in research in hospitality management. The school is home
to major research centers and laboratories studying food service, lodging and tourism.
RELATED: Would My Degree in Hospitality Management Allow Me to Get a Job in Another Country?
Students also gain hands-on experience in both quick service and fine dining at Purdue University’s restaurants, including the Boiler Bistro and the John Purdue Room. The school’s career center assists hospitality students with career planning, coordinating 700 interviews between undergraduate students and recruiters each year.
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Enrollment: 37,949 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $9,992 per semester (in-state); $28,794 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
6. Oklahoma State University
One of the best colleges – hotel management is Oklahoma State University. It has a long history of excellence.
Studying Hospitality and Hotel Management at Oklahoma State University
For more than 85 years, Oklahoma State University has provided top-notch classroom- and experience-based hospitality education. The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Oklahoma State University dates back to 1937. The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is part of the Spears School of Business. The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the program eighth in the world. The school reported that 96% of graduating seniors had job offers within six months of graduating.
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Coursework for this program includes:
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- Introduction to hospitality ant tourism
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- The business of tourism
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- Fundamentals of culinary production
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- Lodging property management
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- Lodging operations
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- Restaurant operations
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- Revenue management in hospitality operations
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- Food safety and sanitation
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- Purchasing and cost control for hospitality and foodservice
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- Beverage management and control
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- Hospitality accounting systems
Undergraduate students may choose to focus on areas of event management or beverage management. Other undergraduate options include:
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- Certificate in Travel & Tourism Management
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- Certificate in Property & Real Estate Management
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- “4+1” dual degree BSBA and MS in Hospitality and tourism Management
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- Minor in Event Management
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- Minor in Hospitality Business Administration
Students have plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience in on-campus dining operations Taylor’s Restaurant, Planet Orange and Planet Orange Express. Other experiential learning labs include the Wayne Hirst Center for Beverage Education and the Leadership Program in Foodservice Excellence.
At the graduate level, program options include:
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- Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (thesis and non-thesis options)
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- PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management
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- A graduate certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Analytics
Location: Stillwater, OK
Enrollment: 24,649 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $4,621.50 per semester (in-state); $12,381.75 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
7. Michigan State University
Another of the best schools for hospitality is Michigan State University .
Michigan State University’s hospitality program dates back to 1927. The school bills itself as “the original hospitality business school,” with nine decades of educating students.
Why Study Hospitality Management at Michigan State University?
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Michigan State University ninth in the world among hospitality programs. It’s also among the top public school programs for hospitality management worldwide. The program boasts a 94% undergraduate student employment rate.
Undergraduate students at the college’s School of Hospitality Business must complete two internship experiences in addition to their classroom studies to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Students in the undergraduate hospitality business program take courses such as:
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- Hospitality management and leadership
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- Hospitality business strategy
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- Service management principles
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- Hospitality communication
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- Hospitality business analytics
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- Service management principles
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- Hospitality managerial accounting
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- Hospitality professional development
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- Hospitality human resources
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- Hospitality business law
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- Hospitality sales process
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- Hospitality foodservice systems
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- Hospitality lodging systems
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- Hospitality information systems
At Michigan State, students also complete a hospitality business core curriculum. The business core encompasses studies in finance, financial accounting, marketing, economics, statistical methods and programming.
The School of Hospitality Business also offers a minor in real estate and executive development programs.
While Michigan State University as a whole ranks among the top 100 schools in the country and its hospitality program is among the top 10 in the world, the program’s impressive academics aren’t its only claim to fame. The student hospitality association hosts three major events each year. The two-day career expo draws nearly 80 major recruiters to the school. Destination Auction is an annual auction fundraising event that supports The School of Hospitality Business, the student Hospitality Association, and its Alumni Association. Les Gourmets is a black-tie, seven-course formal dining event planned and executed by students.
Location: East Lansing, MI
Enrollment: 39,201 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $16,051 for first-year tuition and fees (in-state); $35,026 for first-year tuition and fees (out-of-state)
View program details.
8. University of Central Florida
it’s no surprise that the University of Central Florida in Orlando is home to one of the world’s top hospitality programs. After all, the University of Central Florida is located near such major tourist attractions as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios resorts.
Studying Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida
, The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the school’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management 10th in the world.
The University of Central Florida offers a number of hospitality education programs at various levels of study. Students can earn the following degrees:
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- Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (on-campus and online)
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- Bachelor of Science in Lodging & Restaurant Management (on-campus and online)
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- Bachelor of Science in Event Management
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- Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Management
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- Bachelor of Science in Lifestyle Community Management
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- Online Bachelor of Science in Senior Living Management
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- Bachelor of Science in Theme Park and Attraction Management
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- Master of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management
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- Ph.D. in Hospitality Management
The hospitality management curriculum includes traditional courses such as financial management and food service. Students at the University of Central Florida also study such specialty topics as theme park attractions and beer, wine and spirits management. Undergraduate students must complete three internships as well as completing classroom work. They also gain hands-on experience in the school’s cutting-edge, 159,000-square-foot Mediterranean resort-style building.
RELATED: What Are Some Courses I Might Take in a Bachelor’s Program of Hospitality Management?
Location: Orlando, FL
Enrollment: 58,749 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $3,184.20 per semester (in-state); $11,233.35 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
9. Washington State University
Next on our list of the top colleges with hospitality management programs is Washington State University.
Majoring in Hospitality at Washington State University
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research ranked Washington State’s hospitality business management program ninth in the world in 2011. Though the program is one of the oldest hospitality degree programs in the country, it offered only a Bachelor of Arts degree until recently. WSU’s Carson College of Business now offers a Ph.D. in business administration with a concentration in hospitality and tourism, as well.
Washington State University’s undergraduate hospitality program emphasizes hands-on experience, requiring students to complete 1,000 hours of work experience before graduation. The school’s Marriott Foundation Hospitality Teaching Center includes a fully equipped teaching/production kitchen, a refined dining room and a wine-tasting area where students can learn and develop their skills.
Location: Pullman, WA
Enrollment: 22,612 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $5,777 per semester (in-state); $13,815 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
10. Texas A&M University
Don’t overlook Texas A&M University when choosing a hospitality management school. It’s one of the best colleges for studying tourism.
Majoring in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M Univerity
Overall, Texsas A&M University is well-recognized and respected. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it among the top 100 colleges in the nation.
The university’s hospitality program, in particular, has an even better reputation. The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Texas A&M University’s program 12th in the world.
Undergraduate students at Texas A&M University can earn a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism through the school’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Students choose from three tracks:
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- Business Hospitality
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- Hospitality and Hotel Management
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- Event, Tourism and Recreation Management
Advanced degree programs in hospitality at Texas A&M University include:
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- Master of Science in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism (thesis option)
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- Master of Science in Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism (non-thesis option)
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- Doctor of Philosophy in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences
During their tourism studies as Texas A&M University, students will cover coursework in important topics such as financing and fundraising, planning, marketing, management and the social and behavioral sciences.
Location: College Station, TX
Enrollment: 58,269 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $11,550 per year (in-state); $39,796 per year (out-of-state)
View program details.
11. Kansas State University
One of the best hotel management colleges is Kansas State University.
Majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Science at Kansas State University
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Kansas State University 14th in the world. Founded in 1922, the school’s Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics has a long history of educating hospitality students.
The school’s hospitality management program is now part of the College of Health and Human Sciences. The Department of Hospitality Management offers both an undergraduate major and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Students can also pursue a Master of Science in Hospitality Administration, as well as a combined B.S./M.S. degree program and a dual-degree MS/MBA program. Kansas State also offers a PhD in Hospitality Administration.
Kansas State University’s program is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration. Subjects of study include courses and research opportunities in event and meeting management, food safety, food service and lodging. Real-world experience is an important part of the hospitality management program, and students complete 900 hours of work during various internship experiences.
Location: Manhattan, KS
Enrollment: 17,677 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $332.12 per credit or $4,981.80 per semester (in-state); $894.60 per credit or $13,419 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
12. Iowa State University
Consider Iowa State University for an undergraduate hospitality degree. The school offers studies in hospitality through it’s Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management within the College of Human Sciences.
A Degree in Hospitality From Iowa State University
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Iowa State University’s Hospitality Management program 15th in the world. The Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration also accredits the degree program. The school offers an undergraduate hospitality degree, a Master of Science degree and a doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.
Students in the school’s program enjoy small class sizes that allow them to work closely with instructors. They also have the benefit of working in state-of-the-art facilities and labs, including the Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom and student-run cafe SPARKS. All first-year students have the opportunity to develop hands-on experience with the school’s dining facilities. During the course of their education, students can also take advantage of internship opportunities with major employers in the hospitality industry, such as Embassy Suites, Walt Disney and Marriott.
Location: Ames, IA
Enrollment: 25,241 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $4,491 per semester (in-state); $13,084 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
13. University of Houston
Another of the best colleges for hotel management is the University of Houston.
Why Study Hotel, Restaurant or Hospitality Management at the University of Houston
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the University of Houston 16th worldwide for its research. The school’s Conrad N. Hilton College offers the following programs in hospitality management:
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- Bachelor of Science in Global Hospitality Leadership
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- Master of Science in Hospitality Management
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- Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business
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- Accelerated BS/MS option
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- Executive Master of Hospitality Management
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- Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration degree
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- Certificate in Hospitality Decision Making & Analytics
Undergraduate students can take classes in areas of study such as:
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- Catering Management
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- Event Administration
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- Lodging Management
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- Resort Management
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- Gaming and Casino Management
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- Restaurant Management
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- Spa Management
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- Wine & Spirits Management
By the time they graduate, University of Houston hospitality students will gain 600 hours of hands-on industry experience. Students of this program can cultivate their banquet and restaurant service, guest service and hotel operations skills at a major hotel chain without ever leaving campus, due to the presence of a Hilton hotel right on the property.
Location: Houston, TX
Enrollment: 37,282 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $5,985.70 per semester (in-state); $13,417.32 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
14. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois, too, is home to one of the best hospitality management programs in the country.
Combining Studies in Hospitality With a Strong Business Background at the University of Illinois
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 18th in the world. The school has also earned consistently high rankings from the Gourman Report.
The curriculum includes studies in managing catering, commercial and fine dining establishments. Students also have the opportunity to develop their skills through real-world management experience at school restaurants Spice Box and the Bevier Café.
Students studying hospitality management at the University of Illinois will combine their hospitality classes with business courses to develop a strong business background. Having this knowledge that appeals to caterers, clubs, hotels, restaurants and other employers in the food services, recreation, lodging and travel industries.
Location: Urbana, IL
Enrollment: 35,000 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $15,298 per year (in-state); $33,794 per year (out-of-state)
View program details.
15. Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University offers options for undergraduates interested in restaurant and international hospitality management.
Pursuing a Hospitality Management Degree at Northern Arizona University
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Northern Arizona University 22nd worldwide in terms of its research contributions to the hospitality industry. The school is also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration.
The school’s W.A. Franke College of Business offers the following undergraduate hospitality programs:
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- Bachelor of Science in Hostel Restaurant Management
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- Bachelor in Hospitality Leadership
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- Certificate in Hotel Management
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- Certificate in Event Management
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- Certificate in Restaurant Management
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- Certificate in Hospitality Accounting
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- Certificate in Human Resources in Hospitality Management
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- Certificate in International Tourism Management
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- Certificate in Interior Design for HRM Management
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- Certificate in Interior Design Event Management
The International Hospitality Management degree is ideal for students who like to travel and aspire to work abroad. One semester of study abroad is required.
RELATED: Would My Degree in Hotel Management Allow Me to Get a Job in Another Country?
In addition to their hospitality courses, students complete 1,200 hours of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry. They also study general business courses and ethics. For research purposes, students can work with the Arizona Hospitality Research and Resource Center.
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Enrollment: 23,207 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $11,352 per year (in-state); $27,600 per year (out-of-state)
View program details.
16. Temple University
Temple University bills itself as the largest and most comprehensive hospitality program in the Philadelphia region.
Seeking a Hospitality Degree from Temple University
Temple University is well-respected even outside of the area. The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Temple University 24th in the world for its research.
Undergraduate students can earn the Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management degree. The university’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management combines classroom and hands-on learning to develop students’ skills fully. During the course of their education, undergraduate students will complete two lengthy internships. All told, they gain more than 1,000 hours of industry work experience. They will also choose one of three concentrations:
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- Destination Management
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- Event Leadership
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- Hospitality Operations
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Enrollment: 24,349 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $11,412 per semester (in-state); $19,560 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
17. Florida International University
Both within and outside the hospitality management field, FIU has a good reputation. The school credits itself as the first and only public research university in Miami.
Why Study Hospitality at Florida International University?
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Florida International University as the 25th-ranked hospitality school in the world.
Hospitality students at every level of education and experience can develop their skills at Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. For aspiring hospitality workers, the school offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Global Sustainable Tourism. Students in the BS in Hospitality Management program can choose from tracks in the following areas:
- Entertainment management
- Beverage management
- Event management
- Spirits management
- Restaurant and culinary management
- Hotel/lodging management
- Travel and tourism management
Hospitality professionals with an undergraduate degree and five years of industry experience can advance their careers by earning Florida International University’s Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree online.
Location: North Miami, FL
Enrollment: 46,079 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $3,084 per semester (in-state); $9,283 per semester (out-of-state)
View program details.
18. Arizona State University
Arizona State University is home to another of the top hospitality management programs out there.
Majoring in Hospitality at Arizona State University
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Arizona State University’s hospitality program 28th worldwide. For undergraduates, the school offers a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Development and Management. Concentration areas include Meetings and Events, Sustainable Tourism and Resort and Hotel Leadership.
At the graduate level, students can earn a Master of Science in Tourism in Sustainable Tourism, a Master of Global Management in Sustainable Tourism and a Master of Science in Community Resources and Development with a focus on Tourism.
Studying hospitality at Arizona State University blends classroom learning with hands-on skill development. In the classroom, students will learn planning and management skills that they can put to use across a range of possible careers in the tourism industry. Outside of the classroom, students put that knowledge to practical use gaining real-world experience while they fulfill the program’s internship requirement. Throughout the course of their education, students learn about meeting and convention planning, heritage tourism, resort management and sustainable tourism.
Location: Tempe, AZ
Enrollment: 112,177 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $13,161 first-year tuition and fees (in-state); $34,103 first-year tuition and fees (out-of-state)
View program details.
19. University of Massachusetts at Amherst
The University of Massachusetts is another excellent school for hospitality management.
Majoring in Hospitality at the University of Massachusetts
The Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s hospitality program 30th worldwide. The Gourman Report has also recognized the University of Massachusetts, ranking its hospitality program fourth in the nation.
The program has accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration. The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Massachusetts is part of the college’s Isenberg School of Management, which has been ranked 51st on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Business Schools list.
During their education, students will learn important but relatively stable aspects of the ever-changing hospitality and tourism industry. Coursework covers the principles, processes and theories that will help them manage, market and oversee the operations of a wide range of hospitality businesses.
As an interdisciplinary field of study, hospitality and tourism management will expose students to opportunities that help them learn to identify and solve problems, make sound decisions and analyze situations.
Hospitality students at the University of Massachusetts can take several academic concentrations, including:
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- Club Management
- Event Management
- Lodging Management
- Food and Beverage Management
- Customer Experience Management
- Revenue Management and Data Analytics
Location: Amherst, MA
Enrollment: 23,146 undergraduate students (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $17,364 per year (in-state); $39,300 per year (out-of-state)
View program details.
20. Ohio State University
Finishing out our list of the best hospital and hotel colleges is The Ohio State University.
Why Study Hospitality at Ohio State University?
As a whole, Ohio State University has a good reputation. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it among the top 100 colleges in the United States.
The school’s hospitality management major, part of the College of Education and Human Ecology, ranks even better. The Journal for Hospitality & Tourism Research has ranked Ohio State University 31st in the world in terms of the school’s research contributions to the industry.
Students majoring in hospitality management study a wide range of business, hospitality and human resources courses. Coursework may include:
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- Food production and management
- Hotel management
- Marketing
- Branding in hospitality
- Food service management
- Beverage management
- Tourism and Culture
Internship experiences are as important as classroom learning for students at Ohio State University, who must complete two internships at sites such as hotels, restaurants and resorts.
RELATED: What Kind of Jobs Are Available to Someone With a Hospitality Management Degree?
Location: Columbus, OH
Enrollment: 47,106 undergraduate students at Columbus Campus, 53,189 undergraduate students total (Fall 2022)
Tuition: $12,859 first-year tuition and fees (in-state); $38,365 first-year tuition and fees (out-of-state)
View program details.
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