The hospitality industry is enormous, with hotels alone accounting for over half a trillion dollars (yes, TRILLION!) in revenues annually. But the hospitality industry is much broader still, providing an array of rewarding management positions also in restaurants, event planning, theme parks, resort clubs, cruise lines, casinos, and even professional athletics. Some sports teams, for instance, look for individuals with a hospitality management degree to make travel and living arrangements for their athletes.
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The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
There are plenty of opportunities for advancement in the diverse and dynamic hospitality industry, especially for those with a Hospitality Management degree online. If you’re upbeat and energetic, have leadership abilities, and enjoy helping others, the global hospitality industry is worth seriously considering.
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Because a large number of hospitality-management degree programs exist, selecting a school requires some care. We’ve thoroughly evaluated the top schools and programs, basing our ranking on academic quality, awards, reputation, independent evaluations, facilities, and internship opportunities.
RANKING METHODOLOGY
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
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For more on how we selected our programs and on which hospitality degree may be suitable for you, see our Savvy Student’s Guide to Hospitality Degree Programs, located at the end of this ranking.
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The Best Hospitality Programs in the United States
1Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration
(Ithaca, New York)Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
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Cornell University ranks #1 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration, founded in 1922, is known as one of the world’s best hospitality education programs. The school provided the world’s first undergraduate hospitality management degree. Cornell University offers the only Ivy League business-management program focused on hospitality. The school features the luxurious Statler Hotel.
The School of Hotel Administration has received accreditation from AACSB International. The School of Hotel Administration is known for its high quality business education. The School of Hotel Administration, part of the College of Business, benefits from its collaboration in teaching and research with the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and the Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science Hotel Administration degree
Master of Management in Hospitality degree
Master of Science in Hotel Administration degree (research-focused degree)
Ph.D. in Hotel Administration (research-focused degree)
School of Hotel Administration students can specialize in a particular area through a concentration including Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate; Hospitality Leadership, and Services Marketing and Operations Management. The School of Hotel Administration also provides a minor in Real Estate.
School of Hotel Administration highlights:
Hospitality students gain hands-on experience in hotel and restaurant management and operations at the Statler Hotel, a full-service luxury hotel.
School of Hotel Administration students, through the Cornell Abroad program, study in over 40 countries and in over 150 programs and universities throughout the world.
The Management Intern Program provides students opportunities to learn from real-world management situations in a variety of hospitality segments.
The Culinary Institute of America Alliance provides students the opportunity to complete an associate’s degree at the Culinary Institute of America while completing their bachelor’s degree at the School of Hotel Administration in four years.
Students have access to mentorship opportunities via the Cornell Real Estate Club, Connect Entrepreneurial Hotelies Network, and the Employer in Residence through the Career Management office.
More than 200 companies and organizations are involved with the school.
The school hosts panels and conferences every year such as Cornell Hospitality Thought Leadership Series, Hotel Ezra Cornell and Cornell Annual Real Estate Conference.
The School of Hotel Administration hosts notable centers and institutes such as the Center for Hospitality Research, Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Center for Real Estate and Finance, Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, and the Cornell Institute for Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations. The notable Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, a peer reviewed, scholarly journal, is published in association with the School of Hotel Administration.
The faculty includes leading professionals in the field.
Cornell University’s online Hospitality Management degree is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
2Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business,The School of Hospitality Business
(East Lansing, Michigan)Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business
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Michigan State University ranks #2 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hospitality Business, founded in 1927 is one of the oldest hospitality business schools in the United States. The school provides one of the best hospitality education programs in the nation. The school is a recognized authority in hospitality business education and research. The school has launched the careers of thousands of leaders in the hospitality and service professions. The notable Eli Broad College of Business received accreditation from AACSB International.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business degree
The Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management degree
The Michael L. Minor Master of Science in Foodservice Business Management degree
The Graduate Specialization in Hospitality Business
School of Hospitality Business Highlights:
The Career Expo, dedicated to students interested in the hospitality industry, attracts about 80 of the country’s hospitality companies.
Students have access to study abroad opportunities in schools providing hospitality business courses in countries such as Australia, China, Ecuador, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, and more.
Students can participate in any study abroad opportunity which meets their interests or needs, from a few weeks to a complete academic year.
Students have internship opportunities throughout the world.
Students gain experience participating in Les Gourmets, held every spring; students take care of management, sales, marketing, finance, culinary business, purchasing, and beverage management, they also gain experience participating in Vegas Night; they organize, staff and manage the public event with support from gaming industry partners.
The school and faculty members provide executive development programs every year via the Henry Executive Development Center.
The School hosts the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA).
The Spartan Sponsors Mentor Programs, due to its large alumni base, can connect students with industry leaders.
Notable faculty members authored industry textbooks, research and resource materials.
Michigan State University’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
3University of Nevada at Las Vegas, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
(Las, Vegas, Nevada)UNLV College of Hotel Administration
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The University of Nevada at Las Vegas ranks #3 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Willian F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration is known as one of the best hospitality programs in the United States. The school attracts students from throughout the United States and the world. The college, situated in Las Vegas, a major hotel, gaming and tourism area, provides students plenty of opportunity to gain real-world skills. Students have opportunities to gain experience at just about any type of hospitality operation.
The International Gaming Institute located in the Stan Fulton Building, attracts people from throughout the United States and the world seeking knowledge about best practices in gaming, regulatory, surveillance, and hospitality fields.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree
Executive Master of Hospitality Administration degree
Master of Science in Hotel Administration degree
Master of Business Administration & Master of Science in Hotel Administration dual degree
Dual Master of Science in Management Information Systems and Master of Science in Hotel Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration degree
The online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management provides concentrations in Gaming Management, Restaurant Management, Meetings and Events, Professional Golf Management, and second degree.
William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration highlights:
The college provides a hospitality specific career mixer in the fall and spring which attract many hiring managers from hospitality companies.
The Bob Boughner Career Services Center, collaborating with UNLV Career Services, provides Harrah College of Hotel Administration students and alumni access to a wide range of employers, employment information, and opportunities.
Hotel students have a 1,000 hour industry work requirement.
Students have access to mentorship and internship opportunities with leading hospitality organizations throughout the world.
Hotel college students have a mentor for one academic year.
The strong alumni network includes professionals who work in all segments of the hospitality industry throughout the world.
Students have opportunities to develop management skills at realistic settings at the college’s specialized restaurant, kitchen and gaming laboratories.
The college provides online and executive education programs.
Faculty members have authored numerous textbooks utilized in hospitality programs throughout the world. Faculty members are well published in academic journals. The research institutes, centers, data collections and journals, have made the school a notable resource regarding hospitality and gaming information for organizations and government agencies researching best policies and practices for states, countries and tribal nations.
Students have opportunities to work with prominent faculty members in industry research.
The University of Nevada at Las Vegas is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
4Virginia Tech, Pamplin College of Business, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Blacksburg, Virginia)Pamplin College of Business, Virginai Tech
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Virginia Tech ranks #4 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management is a tier-one recruiting school for many major hospitality corporations in the United States including Hilton, Marriott, Darden, Sodexo, Hyatt and many others. The hospitality program emphasizes the business aspects of hospitality and tourism. The Pamplin College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The school provides an internationally recognized Ph.D program.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a concentration in Hospitality Management
Master of Science in Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
MBA with a focus in Hospitality and Tourism Management
HTM Business Analytics and Revenue Management graduate certificate
International Hospitality and Tourism Strategy graduate certificate
Entrepreneurship in Hospitality and Tourism Management graduate certificate
Ph.D. in Business with a Hospitality and Tourism Management concentration
Department of Hospitality and Tourism highlights:
The Destinations HTM Career Event provides opportunities for students to talk with recruiters from the hospitality industry.
Hospitality industry representatives interview students for permanent placement and internships during the fall and spring semesters.
Major recruiters include Marriott, Wald Disney World, Aramark, Club Corporation of America, Choice Hotels, Hyatt, Hilton, B.F. Saul Hotel Division, Crestline Hotels and Resorts, Panera Bread Company, and Great American Restaurants.
Hospitality Management online courses require 400 hours of supervised industry experience and management training and 300 hours of verified hospitality and tourism management professional experience, post high school.
Students gain valuable experience working at the Inn at Virginia Tech and the Hotel Roanoke.
Students have study abroad opportunities such as Winter Session in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and a summer experience in Europe.
Students have opportunities to interact and create mentorships with members of the advisory board which includes industry executives from throughout the world.
Students can take a double major with other Pamplin College of Business degrees and a double major with real estate.
The faculty has received numerous research awards and have received recognition as global leaders in the publication of refereed research. Faculty members have served on the board of directors of the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Meeting Planners International Travel and Tourism Research Association.
Virginia Tech is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
5University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
(Orlando, Florida)University Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
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The University of Central Florida ranks #5 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Rosen College of Hospitality Management, located in Orlando, Florida, one of the world’s major tourist destinations, provides students with a variety of opportunities to learn and work in a major market. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management attracts students from all over the world. The Mediterranean resort-style campus is one of the largest facilities constructed for hospitality management education.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Event Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Restaurant & Foodservice Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management degree
Ph.D in Hospitality Management
Students majoring in hospitality management can select one of these tracks: Golf& Club Management, Lodging Management, Theme Park & Attraction Management or Professional Tennis Management.
Rosen College of Hospitality Management highlights:
Students work in more than 800 companies in domestic and international internship opportunities.
Students take an internship for three semesters, with a minimum of 750 hours.
The college hosts two hospitality specific career fairs every year.
Industry partnerships provide internships, memberships, guest speakers and networking opportunities.
The college provides students the opportunity to study overseas during the spring semester through hospitality exchange programs with partner institutions including Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Innsbruck, Austria, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China, University of Surrey, Guildford, U.K., Guildford, U.K., MODUL University Vienna, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, U.K., and Breda University of Applied Sciences, Breda, Netherlands.
Hospitality Management courses online feature a classroom component along with travel to Europe during the summer semester.
Some of the industry’s highly ranked seminars, tradeshows and conventions are held within walking distance of the campus.
The hospitality program features a training dining room and bar, a beer and wine laboratory, and two test kitchens.
The college provides various professional development programs for industry executives and managers.
The faculty includes internationally recognized experts. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management has a prominent research program.
The University of Central Florida’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
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6Fairleigh Dickinson University, International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Teaneck, New Jersey)Fairleigh Dickinson University
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Fairleigh Dickinson University ranks #6 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Farleigh Dickinson University hospitality program, established in 1942, is the oldest hospitality program in the New York metropolitan area and one of the oldest hospitality programs in the United States. The International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management has attracted students from more than 30 countries. Its alumni hold many notable domestic and international management positions in the hospitality industry in the United States and throughout the world.
Hospitality students have opportunities to gain valuable work experience in New York City and Atlantic City, one of the world’s largest hospitality markets. The Florham Campus houses the national headquarters of the world’s oldest and most prestigious culinary society, the Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management/Master of Science in Hospitality Management program
Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies with a specialization in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management Studies degree
Master of Science in Service Innovation and Leadership degree
International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management highlights:
The university and the hospitality department schedule and participate in numerous career fairs held on-campus and off-site in the NYC Metro area, New Jersey and the Vancouver Campus.
More than 700 internship opportunities and career track positions available annually; students intern at international locations including Europe and Asia.
Students gain 1200 hours of internship time over three summers with hotel, event management, non-profits, tour & travel, casino, and restaurant companies.
Students have opportunities for hands-on training at affiliated hotel/restaurant/conference center properties such as Hamilton Park Hotel and Conference Center (a partner of the school, located adjacent to the Florham campus), the prestigious Park Avenue Club and at many clubs, restaurants and hotels situated in the New York City and Atlantic City areas.
Students have access to overseas study opportunities in specific educational programs in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Students can study the international hospitality industry via a senior-year seminar in Switzerland or Italy.
The school provides multiple monthly guest speakers including hospitality professionals and leaders in the industry.
Students receive mentoring from department advisors and the university career services offices.
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s online Hospitality Management degree is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education .
7Pennsylvania State University, College of Health and Human Development, School of Hospitality Management
(State College, Pennsylvania)Penn State School of Hospitality-management Mateer Building
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Pennsylvania State University ranks #7 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The reputable Penn State School of Hospitality Management is one of the oldest in the United States. Students take business classes at the high quality Penn State Smeal College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school. Local and national news media reference the School of Hospitality Management faculty and staff members. The School hosts the Conti Professorship program; Conti Professors are recognized leaders in the hospitality industry who visit the school and interact with faculty members and students and provide guest lectures in hospitality management. The ICHRIE Penn State Research Reports, produce a series of peer-reviewed research reports targeted to industry practitioners and policymakers. The reports translate academic research finding s into practical applications.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree (mainly designed for students for beginning academic positions at universities or for a career in industry research)
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management
School of Hospitality Management highlights:
Every year more than 70 companies visit the School of Hospitality Management.
The school provides customized company recruiting visits throughout the fall and spring semesters.
The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society helps support student travel throughout the United States to hospitality conferences and events where they network and learn with alumni and industry partners.
SHM provides study abroad opportunities such as month-long, semester-long and embedded programs in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Students must complete 1,000 hours of professional hospitality work experience (inclusive of internships and employment) in several aspects of the field including accounting and finance, revenue management and data analytics, real estate and asset management, casino management, sales, marketing and social media, human resources, meeting and event management, hospitality in senior living, country club management, onsite foodservice, hotel operations and restaurant operations.
Cafe Laura provides students the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the dining experience.
The Nittany Lion Inn a Four Diamond hotel and a National Trust Historic Hotels of America, along with the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, and the University’s Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life, serve as teaching settings for students and provide internships, mentoring and employment opportunities.
The school provides hospitality management students a wide variety of networking opportunities which may include: NSMH regional and networking conferences, New York Hotel Show, Alumni in the Classroom event, Benefield weekend, National Restaurant Association Show, PSHRS Board meetings, Company Information Sessions, Conti professorships, and the Technology Advisory Board.
The valuable Alumni Mentor Program matches alumni mentors with students.
The School of Hospitality Management’s hospitality centers perform research and provide training programs including the Food Decisions Research Laboratory, Center for Hospitality Real Estate Strategy, Hospitality Leadership Institute, Center for Food Innovation, and the Gaming Teaching and Research Lab under construction. The School of Hospitality Management faculty includes notable researchers.
Pennsylvania State University’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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8Washington State University, Carson College of Business, School of Hospitality Business Management
(Pullman, Washington)Carson College of Business, Washington State University
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Washington State University ranks #8 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hospitality Management, one of the oldest programs in the United States, is an operationally focused hospitality program with elective offerings in tourism and culinary and in other areas. The multi-campus WSU system delivers the hospitality program, including Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Global Campus (online), North Puget Sound, Everett, and Cesar Ritz Colleges, Switzerland. The Carson College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the School of Hospitality Management.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management degree
Wine Business Management major
Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism
School of Hospitality Business Management highlights:
Companies recruit during the online hospitality career fair in the fall and during the on-campus hospitality career fair in the spring which typically attracts 40 to 50 hospitality companies.
Companies individually visit the campus each semester to host a Career Preview.
Students gain experience at the two student-operated businesses, the Atrium Café and a banquets/catering operation.
Students obtain experience in the Marriott Foundation Hospitality Teaching Center.
Graduation requirements include 1,000 hours of paid industry experience.
Many WSU students have studied or obtained their WSU degree through Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. The Brig campus of Cesar Ritz Colleges hosts the Carson College Switzerland International Center.
The faculty-led study abroad programs go to South Korea, Italy, Thailand and other parts of the world.
The School of Hospitality Business Management has world-class researchers.
Washington State University’s online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
9University of Houston, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
(Houston, Texas)Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston
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The University of Houston ranks #9 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Hotel icon Conrad N. Hilton founded Hilton College in 1969. Hilton College, a prominent hospitality school, has received recognition from leading journals. The Hilton University of Houston, one of more than 530 Hilton Hotels worldwide, serves as the primary teaching facility for the College. Built in 1975, the full-service, 86-room hotel with 25,000 square feet of flexible banquet space and a full-service restaurant underwent a $12.5 million renovation in April, 2010. The hotel also houses numerous classrooms, three computer labs, a student-run restaurant and coffee shop, a library and hospitality archives, and several food science labs – including a food safety lab and a beverage and product evaluation lab.
Approximately 80 percent of the College’s hotel employees are students. The hotel is consistently ranked in the top five percent of guest satisfaction scores among all Hilton-branded hotels, worldwide.
The University of Houston, located in one of the largest cities in the United States, provides hospitality students a wide variety of internship and job opportunities. The college emphasizes experimental, real-world learning opportunities.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Joint MS/MBA, the three-year joint master’s program allows students to earn an MS and a MBA (with UH’s Bauer College of Business) concurrently
Dual BS/MS, the 4+1 degree allows students to obtain both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degrees in just five years
Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business degree, in partnership with the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Executive Master of Hospitality Management (online)
Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration
The college provides the following concentrations: Lodging Management, Restaurant Management, Event Management, Catering Management, Country Club Management, Sales & Marketing Management, Beverage Management, and Spa Management.
Conrad N. Hilton College highlights:
The Hilton College Career Fair, held every fall and spring, attracts recruiters from some of the major hospitality companies in the world.
The college offers a variety of study-abroad programs; the college has partnerships with universities in France, Peru, Australia, Hong Kong, and Mexico; the sessions range from two weeks to a full semester.
The college provides internships in a variety of hospitality sectors in the United States and abroad including international internships at major resorts and hotels in Europe, Africa, Asia and more.
Students must complete 600 hours of hospitality-related work experience; although not required, most students also complete at least 600 hours of volunteer work; students gain many of the volunteer hours through student operated events such as the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor, the annual Gourmet Night and the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair.
Students can participate in the Semester at Sea program.
Students gain experience in hotel operations, guest service and banquet and restaurant service at the on-campus, upscale Hilton University of Houston and at the state-of-the-art wine-tasting lab, Barron’s Restaurant, a student-operated restaurant, and Cougar Grounds, a student-managed coffee shop.
Faculty includes internationally recognized researchers.
The college has strong ties to industry, housing the headquarters of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Information Center, the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Research Office, and the Wine & Spirits Management Institute.
The Massad Family Library Research Center and the adjoining Hospitality Industry Archives, provide the largest repository of the hospitality industry in the world.
The college houses the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor, created in 1995, it recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of some of the industry’s most iconic leaders and brands.
The University of Houston is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
10Iowa State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
(Ames, Iowa)Iowa State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
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Iowa State University ranks #10 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Iowa State University provides an internationally recognized hospitality management undergraduate program. Iowa State University received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Hospitality Management degree
Doctor of Philosophy Hospitality Management
College of Human Sciences, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management highlights:
Hospitality students have opportunities to attend Iowa State University hosted career fairs.
The college provides study abroad programs in numerous countries.
Students complete work experience with a group affiliated with Iowa State University, such as ISU dining or one of the hospitality units.
Hospitality Management online courses include internship opportunities with hotels, independent businesses, caterers, country clubs and more. Companies providing internships include Nassau Country Club, Aspen Meadows Resort, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Walt Disney World, Hyatt, Knollwood Club, Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Marriott International, Glen Oaks Country Club, Hilton Garden Inn of Ames, Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino, Southern Hills Country Club, and Hilton Garden Inn.
Students gain experience at the Joab Bice Underwood Tearoom.
Trips and tours provide students an inside view of hotels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks, wineries, clubs, and tourism operations.
Industry leaders share their experiences as guests in classes.
The hospitality management program has a productive research faculty.
Iowa State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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11Purdue University, College of Health and Human Sciences, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
(West Lafayette, Indiana)Purdue University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
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Purdue University ranks #11 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, has received recognition for its undergraduate program and as a leading graduate education and research program in the United States. The School of Hospitality & Tourism Management provides skills for corporate management careers. Purdue University, West Lafayette has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Management (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management
College of Health and Human Sciences, Hospitality & Tourism Management Unit highlights:
The HTM Career Day held each fall typically has 50 to 60 companies participating in activities.
All undergraduate students must complete two paid internships in their Hospitality Management courses online.
The school provides internship abroad programs.
Students have the opportunity to complete a six month internship at a Shangri-La Hotel in China.
Students receive training in the school’s two restaurants.
HTM provides exchange programs with universities in numerous countries such as France, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, Macao, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom and Sweden.
Study abroad programs, designed differently from exchange programs, have HTM faculty members teaching the programs.
A leading provider of hospitality and tourism research to communities, corporations and organizations worldwide with research performed at the Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory, Center for the Study of Lodging Operations, and the Purdue Tourism & Hospitality Research Center.
Purdue University’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
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12Northern Arizona University, W.A. Franke College of Business, School of Hotel & Restaurant Management
(Flagstaff, Arizona)Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
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Northern Arizona University ranks #12 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Flagstaff, Arizona, an internationally known tourist destination, provides HRM students numerous hospitality type employment opportunities. Northern Arizona University has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). The W.A. Franke College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the School of Hotel & Restaurant Management.
The online Hospitality Management degree program requires students complete two semesters of modern language and the B.S. in International Hospitality degree requires students complete four semesters of a modern language.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management degree
Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality degree
School of Hotel & Restaurant Management highlights:
The school hosts the SHRM Hospitality Career Fair.
The school provides Academic/Career mentoring.
Students gain experience through internships at companies such as Four Seasons Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Darden Restaurants, Walt Disney College Program, Sodexo, Forest Highlands Country Club, Aramark, Enchantment Resort and more.
SHRM fellowship program, a School of Hotel and Restaurant Management partnership with hospitality employers, provides students a paid opportunity with the goal of providing employers the opportunity to prepare participants for a supervisory/management full-time position and to provide graduates the opportunity to acquire a full-time job.
Students participating in the Summer Study in Europe program can obtain college credit while living and traveling in Europe.
Students can study at NAU Partner Schools in Switzerland and the Netherlands.
More than 75 percent of the faculty have doctoral degrees.
Northern Arizona University’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
13University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Amherst, Massachusetts)Mass Isenberg School of Management Hospitality
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The University of Massachusetts Amherst ranks #13 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, established in 1938, is the oldest program in New England. The notable Isenberg School of Management, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The school helps support the department’s solid business foundation. University of Massachusetts at Amherst has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
On-Campus Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Online Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Ph.D. in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management highlights:
The HTM Career Day typically has about 80 companies.
The HTM Career Day and the Chase Career Center provide students with internship opportunities.
Students must complete a minimum of 400 hours of work experience in the field.
Students can participate in an exchange program with Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia.
Students have the opportunity to study at the Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland, with an option of having a position in the lodging or foodservice industry in Switzerland or another European country.
Marriott Meals core course provides students the opportunity to manage with a team of student employees at the Marriot dining facility, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott.
Students have online mentoring opportunities with alums.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
14Temple University School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)Temple University Hospitality
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Temple University ranks #14 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, located in Philadelphia, one of the largest cities in the United States, has excellent industry connections. The school has an affiliation with the Fox School of Business, an AACSB International accredited school.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree
Master of Tourism and Hospitality Management degree
Executive Master of Business Administration in Hospitality Asset Management degree
Ph.D in Business Administration with a concentration in Tourism and Sport
The Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree includes these concentrations: Hospitality Operations, Destination Management Concentration, and Event Leadership Concentration.
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management highlights:
The school hosts corporate recruiting every semester; major hospitality related companies visit the campus to recruit students for internships and management training programs.
Companies often recruiting students include Aramark, Wyndham Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Madison Square Garden, and Marriott International.
Every fall the school hosts the STHM Career Fair which attracts up to 100 employers.
Every spring the school invites about 50 organizations to the STHM Networking Seminar which includes short meetings between employers and students.
Undergraduate students must complete 1000 hours of learning experience via two internships (750 hours combined) and 250 hours of volunteer work in their Hospitality Management online courses.
Undergraduate students have internships with major hotels and resorts, restaurant groups, casinos, destination marketing organizations, event planning organizations and tourism attractions throughout the world.
Graduate students must complete a 180 hour internship.
The school offers students exchanges programs with universities such as University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, University of Applied Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South, Korea, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong PRC, Leed’s Beckett University, Leeds, UK, Modul University, Vienna, Austria, and Shenzhen Tourism College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, PRC.
The STHM Executive-in-Residence program invites up to four executives to campus for a day; they meet with small groups of students and make a presentation.
Faculty recognized for research contributions.
Temple University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
15Oklahoma State University, School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration
(Stillwater, Oklahoma)Oklahoma State University Hospitality
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Oklahoma State University ranks #15 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration has provided a notable program for decades. The school is known for its research and experimental learning. The school features the Atherton Hotel, a Georgian-style gem. Oklahoma State University is one of a very small number of schools providing a hotel laboratory on campus.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Administration degree
Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a specialization in Hospitality Administration
School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration highlights:
Hospitality Days, an annual career fair, typically attracts more than 40 hospitality companies.
The school through its relationships with more than 100 industry partners/companies and thousands of active alumni provides students job placement opportunities.
Students have opportunities to gain international hospitality learning experience in Europe and Asia through international internship programs.
Students complete 800 hours of hands-on work experience including a domestic or international internship.
Students complete internships in a variety of settings such as country clubs, lodging, revenue management, restaurants, entertainment venues, culinary, gaming, governmental, educational, food brokering, cruise lines, nonprofit, beverage distribution and event planning within their Hospitality Management courses online.
Students gain experience at two restaurants the school operates, also at experimental learning labs at area hotels and at the Atherton Hotel at OSU.
The board of advisors, alumni and faculty members provide mentoring.
Students gain leadership experience through student-led signature events.
The school has a notable research program.
Oklahoma State University’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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16University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management
(Newark, Delaware)University of Delaware Hospitality
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The University of Delaware ranks #16 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Due to its location, students have excellent work opportunities in Delaware, the Maryland metropolitan area, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics received accreditation from AACSB International. All Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and Hospitality Industry Management majors must take Lerner’s core business courses.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Industry Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management degree
MBA 4+1 HRIM program
Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management highlights:
Through the Blue Hen Alumni Network along with events such as Hospitality Career Fair and the Paul Wise Executive in Residence Speaker Series, managers and industry alumni visit the campus to meet and hire students.
Some of the companies which hired HRIM majors include Aramark, Darden Restaurants, Marriott International, Disney, Waldorf Astoria New York, Four Seasons, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Panera Bread, and Great American Restaurants.
Students must complete 700 hours of paid hospitality work experience and 100 hours of community service.
Students have a variety of internship opportunities.
All Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management students complete practicums in the student-operated Vita Nova, a gourmet restaurant, and at the on-site Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
The majority of students participate in UD’s study abroad programs, spending a spring or fall semester in Switzerland or Italy or a winter semester in locations such as Barbados, Australia, England and South Africa.
The Learner College schedules industry-leading guest speakers on campus as well as provides visits to hotels, restaurants and other types of hospitality-focused businesses in metropolitan areas such as New York City.
Students have mentorship opportunities via a variety of programs such as the Lerner to Leader honors program and the Alumni Back in the Classroom event
Faculty members have received recognition for research nationally and internationally.
The University of Delaware’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
17NYU School of Professional Studies, Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism
(New York, New York)NYU School of Professional Studies
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NYU ranks #17 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Located in New York City, a major international travel and business area, the Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism provides hospitality students with a variety of experimental learning opportunities. The NYU Annual International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, one of the leading hospitality industry conferences in the world, typically attracts more than 2,000 attendees.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Master in Hospitality Industry Studies degree
Master of Science in Tourism Management degree
Graduate Certificate in Hospitality Industry Studies
Graduate Certificate in Tourism Management
Professional Diploma in Hotel Operations
Professional Diploma in Meeting and Convention Management
Professional Diploma in Hospitality and Travel Services
Career advancement courses
The online Hospitality Management degree include these specializations: Event Management, Hotel Development, Marketing and Revenue Management, Organizations and Operations, and Tourism Development.
Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism highlights:
An international list of hospitality and tourism organizations participate in on-campus recruiting, information sessions, panel discussions, classroom visits and mock interviews.
The school provides the Real Estate, Hospitality and Tourism Career Fair.
The Tisch Center routinely collaborates with the Wasserman Career Center director to arrange on-campus recruitment, panels, shadow days, career fairs and other opportunities for students to interface with industry. Students meet hiring managers from leading hospitality and tourism organizations.
Undergraduate students must complete 600 internship hours; students can select any variation of 150 or 300 hour internships; students can complete internships anywhere in the world; past internships have included Marriott, Loews Hotels, Waldorf-Astoria, Starwood, Denihan Hospitality, Highgate, Expedia, Singapore Tourism Board and many others.
The school encourages students to study abroad including at one of NYU’s global sites. Students have opportunities to take courses throughout the world. The study away programs introduce students to cultural, international and business contexts.
Students can study abroad with the Tisch Center during the summer with one week courses which include site visits, tours and guest speakers.
The Tisch Center Alumni Society Membership program pairs students with accomplished hospitality and tourism alumni; throughout the year students and mentors bond through networking events, workplace shadowing, and informal exchanges. The Alumni Society provides career advice, contacts and opportunities to advance.
Besides large-scale professional conferences, the Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism hosts the Stephen W. Brener Distinguished Lecture Series in hospitality management and the Ricelle “Bunny” Grossinger Distinguished Lecturer Series in Tourism Management which feature leading industry panelists.
The school hosts Fireside Chats two to three times a semester, which provide students the opportunity to connect with industry speakers.
NYU is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
18Drexel University, Center for Hospitality & Sport Management
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)Drexel University, Paul Peck Building
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Drexel University ranks #18 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Located in Philadelphia, the school has direct access to prominent sports teams and organizations, restaurants, hotels, casinos as well as food companies. Every hospitality students receive a business minor from the LeBow College of Business in one of these subjects: Business administration, marketing or Entrepreneurship. Lebow College of Business has received accreditation from AACSB International.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Online Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
The BS/MBA accelerated degree program includes an option of a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts & Science and an option for a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
The Hospitality Management online degree provides specializations in Food and Beverage Management, Gaming and Resort Management, Travel and Tourism, Meeting and Event Planning, and Hotel Administration.
Center for Hospitality & Sport Management highlights:
The five year Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree includes 18 months of co-op opportunities which student can complete locally, nationally or internationally.
All Drexel University students have opportunities to study abroad in countries throughout the world; hospitality management students also have an opportunity to take major-specific courses in Rome, Italy.
Some of the employers offering co-op positions include Aramark Corporation, Hilton Hotels, Four Seasons Hotel, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Walt Disney World, Garces Restaurant Group, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Sofitel Hotel.
Faculty members help students network and navigate potential career paths and obtain co-op placement which help meet their career goals.
Every year the Drexel University Center for Hospitality and Sport Management hosts the Philly Chef Conference, which attracts a large number of notable chefs, restauranteurs, hospitality professionals, beverage experts and others; students have free access to event planning opportunities associated with the event.
Students gain experience working at the Academic Bistro.
Students interested in casino operations and management learn at the Dennis Gomes Memorial Casino Training Lab.
The school hosts the Center for the Study of Wine and Food.
Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
19California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, Collins College of Hospitality Management
(Pomona, California)Collins College of Hospitality Management
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California State Polytechnic University at Pomona ranks #19 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Collins College of Hospitality Management is the oldest and largest hospitality management program in California. The college uses a collaborative learn-by-doing approach to education. California State Polytechnic University at Pomona has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
MBA with a Hospitality Management emphasis
Online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management students choose an emphasis in Restaurant Management, Hotel/Resort Management, and/or Club Management.
Collins College of Hospitality Management highlights:
The annual Hospitality Career Expo has more than 80 hospitality firms recruiting students.
Students attend the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence in the early summer.
Students can participate in the summer-fall cohort of the Disney College Program, which includes a fall course which allows students to obtain credit as a full-time student while earning a paycheck through working in front-line positions at a Disneyland Resort.
The college provides summer study abroad opportunities in Costa Rica.
The college requires students complete 800 hours of work experience in hospitality-related employment within their Hospitality Management online courses.
Students gain experience working at the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch at Cal Poly Pomona.
The mentor program connects students with industry executives.
Students in the Collins Ambassador Program are involved in recruitment, outreach, and public relations activities for the college.
The Richard Frank Distinguished Lectureship Series features industry professionals who spend a few days teaching, lecturing and interacting with students and faculty members.
California State Polytechnic University at Pomona is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
20University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management
(Denver, Colorado)University of Denver Hospitality
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The University of Denver ranks #20 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management is one of a small number of hospitality schools in the world housed within a business college, the Daniels School of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school. The School of Hospitality Management has received recognition for providing a solid business education.
Hospitality program:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Hospitality Management degree
The hospitality management degree includes these concentrations: Lodging/Resort Operations, Restaurant/F&B Management, and Hospitality Sales & Marketing.
Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management highlights:
Every year more than 40 companies recruit at the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management.
Each student must complete 1,000 field experience hours (including a management internship) and at least one quarter studying abroad and demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
Students have experimental learning opportunities in the hands-on laboratory, production kitchen ballroom and two student-operated coffee shops located on the campus.
Hospitality students have a variety of work opportunities at Colorado’s numerous resorts, world-class hotels and diverse restaurants. Students also have work opportunities at other locations in the United States.
Every full-time faculty member teaching Hospitality Management courses online has a Ph.D and industry experience.
The University of Denver’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Ashford University
Ashford University
Campus & Online
BA - Service Management
Ashford University's more than 60 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs include business economics, instructional design, law enforcement, and library science. Students can transfer up to 90 credits towards their degrees and enjoy a student to faculty ratio of 13 to one. A library and writing center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to assist students.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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21Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
(North Miami, Florida)Florida International University Hospitality
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Florida International University ranks #21 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management attracts students from throughout the world. The school operates a dual degree program in conjunction with Tianjin University of Commerce in Tianjin, China. Students can gain international experience in China. Hospitality student have opportunities to gain work experience in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, two major tourist destinations. Florida International University has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality degree programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Combined B.S. & M.S. (4+1) program, a combined Master of Science in Hospitality degree and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Joint Master of Science: International Real Estate and Hospitality Management
Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Ph.D. in Business Administration: Specialization in Hospitality Management
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management highlights:
Hospitality Career Week provides activities, events and networking opportunities for hospitality students.
Undergraduate hospitality students must complete 1,000 hours of industry related work and an additional 300 hours and 10 weeks minimum to fulfill the Advanced Internship course; students can apply a maximum of 500 hours of prior work experience to meet the requirement.
The internship program utilizes hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, cruise lines, convention bureaus, and travel companies as practice labs for hospitality students.
Students can study abroad in practically any of the growing and major markets throughout the world.
The BDIA Spices Food Production Laboratory, an advanced prep facility, provides students hands-on management experiences at dining events the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management hosts; students learn about culinary management techniques at the Culinary Demonstration Laboratory. Students gain experience at operating a restaurant at the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory, a fully-operational restaurant.
The Professional Development & Workshops, provided every semester, include representatives from organizations in the hospitality industry who share knowledge and experience and provide advice at the school; organizations attending the events include Holiday Inn Express, Sheraton Miami Airport, SLS South Beach, Hilton Cabana Miami Beach, Norwegian Cruise Lines, The Breakers, Hilton Fort Lauderdale, and Marriott International.
The Hospitality Career Leadership Series provides senior-level industry leaders who discuss important subjects in the field of hospitality and tourism management.
The Behind the Scene Tours provide students access to some of Miami’s leading hospitality venues; student meet with management executives and human resource directors.
The Executive in Hospitality Mentoring Program connects students with leading executives for one-on-one mentoring.
Florida International University’s online Hospitality Management degree is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
22Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality
(Atlanta, Georgia)Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
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Georgia State University ranks #22 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality is the oldest and largest of its kind in the state of Georgia. The school received its name in honor of the founder of the Days Inn Hotel Company. Georgia State University with its location in Atlanta, provides hospitality students with numerous opportunities to gain experience at major attractions, event venues, hotels and more.
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business has received accreditation from AACSB International. Georgia State University has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Administration degree
Regynald G. Washington Master of Global Hospitality Management degree
Certificate in Hospitality Administration
Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality highlights:
The Robinson College of Business provides two career expos every year with special sections for hospitality companies.
The school provides national and international internship opportunities.
Three international exchange programs provide students the opportunity to study in another country for a full semester: Universite de Savoie in Chambery, France, Institute for Tourism Studies in Macao, China, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, China.
The Annual Maymester European Hospitality Experience features world-class hotels, resorts, restaurants, casinos, convention centers and wineries throughout Europe.
Every hospitality major must complete 600 hours of work in the hospitality industry.
Students have mentoring opportunities with industry leaders through hospitality student organizations and through the Industry Board which has about 50 leaders who provide mentoring.
All hospitality courses feature components of business analytics.
The Hospitality Learning Center, a university classroom, is located in the Georgia World Congress Center, a major convention center.
Georgia State University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
23University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
(Columbia, South Carolina)University of South Carolina Hospitality
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The University of South Carolina ranks #23 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Students have a variety of opportunities to gain hospitality experience in Columbia, the largest city in South Carolina. University of South Carolina has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management degree
Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
Ph.D in Hospitality Management
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management highlights:
The college hosts a hospitality career fair every year.
The college hosts the HRSM Alumni Society Career Night, a networking event held each semester which typically has 40 to 50 alumni/industry partners in attendance.
Students must complete two internships with 400 hours per experience; students can take the first internship in any job in the industry; students must take the second internship in a managerial or supervisory position, or a rotational experience which includes work in at least three areas within the same organization or a formal internship program; all the internships have business components.
Students work at hotels, restaurants, theme parks, gold courses, country clubs, breweries, park & recreation departments, government offices, State Capital, food services, theaters, stadiums, arenas, etc.
Most students take an internship in the United States, however some students take an internship abroad such as at the Shangdong Hotel in Jinan, China, Kohanaiki in Kailua, Kona, Hawaii, the Regal Riverside Hotel in Hong Kong, China, Mango Bay Hotel in St. James, Barbados, and the Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy.
The School of HRTM operates these research institute/centers: The Richardson Family SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel and Tourism Industry Center, International Tourism Research Institute, and the International Institute in Foodservice Research and Education
The University of South Carolina’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
24Florida State University, Dedman School of Hospitality
(Tallahassee, Florida)Florida State University Hospitality
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Florida State University ranks #24 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Florida State University College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the Dedman School of Hospitality. The curriculum combines courses from the College of Business with hospitality management principles. The Dedman School of Hospitality uses a global approach to prepare students to serve a multinational clientele.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management with a major in Global Club Management
Dedman School of Hospitality highlights:
The Hospitality Career Fair held every spring semester attracts about 50 major hospitality organizations.
Some of the companies most active in recruiting students include Biltmore Estates, Carlson Hotels, The Breakers, Four Seasons Hotels, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Residence Club, Marriott International, Marriott Vacation Club, McKibbon Hotel Management, Omni Hotels, Ritz-Carlton Luxury Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Aramark, Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants, Garden Fresh Restaurant Hillstone Restaurant Group, and Panera Bread.
Students must obtain 1,000 hours of work experience.
Students have internship opportunities at locations such as Ritz-Carlton, Intercontinental Dublin, Seminole Gaming, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Triple Creek Ranch, Hilton Worldwide, J. Alexander’s Restaurants, The Walt Disney Company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Victoria National.
Students have internship opportunities throughout the United States and in London and Scotland.
The Internship Expo held every fall semester, attracts about 35 major hospitality organizations.
Students can participate in the Leysin, Switzerland Study Abroad Program.
Dedman School of Hospitality students have mentorships via the College of Business’ Professional Mentoring Program and through the school’s Guest Speakers Program.
Guest speakers, including industry leaders, make presentations in classes.
The International Center for Hospitality Research & Development provides research to international industry professionals.
Florida State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges .
25Kansas State University, College of Human Ecology, Department of Hospitality Management
(Manhattan, Kansas)Kansas State University Hospitality
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Kansas State University ranks #25 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Kansas State University (KSU) provides an internationally recognized hospitality program. KSU has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Concurrent Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Hospitality Management
Master of Science in Hospitality Administration degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Human Ecology with a specialization in Hospitality and Dietetics Administration
The online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management includes these tracks: Foodservice and Restaurant Management, Convention, Meeting and Event Management Track, and the Lodging Management Track.
Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics highlights:
Students must complete 900 hours of work experience and internship experience in a hospitality-related-business.
Students can attend the Business and Hospitality Career Fair held in the spring.
Students can join faculty-led study abroad trips.
Many hospitality students participate in a mentorship program which includes CEO’s of hospitality companies and managers of small, local operations.
The school hosts an annual International Culinary workshop which focuses on cultures and cuisines throughout the world.
Faculty members present at many national and international conferences every year.
Kansas State University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
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Purdue University
Purdue University
Campus & Online
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University's online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a business-focused hospitality degree designed to help managers with HTM industry experience rise to new levels. It provides the executive management, leadership and analytical skills you need to advance your career within the industry.
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26University of New Hampshire, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Department of Hospitality Management
(Durham, New Hampshire)University of New Hampshire Hospitality
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The University of New Hampshire ranks #26 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Department of Hospitality Management has one of the oldest four-year hospitality degree programs in the United States. The University of New Hampshire received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Management (ACPHA). The Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, has AACSB International accreditation.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
MBA with a specialization in Hospitality Management degree
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Department of Hospitality Management highlights:
The fall networking event attracts about 25 companies; the department requires all students attend the event.
The career fair held every spring, has about 25 companies seeking graduates; the department requires all students attend the event in order for industry partners to get to know students early on in their career path.
Students obtain 800 hours of paid work experience, including 400 hours of professional and structured paid internship within their Hospitality Management online courses.
Some of the businesses providing internships include Star Restaurant Group, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Ritz Carlton, Pyramid Hotel Group, Wyndham Hotel New Yorker, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation (domestic), Colwen Hotels, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hay Creek Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Paris, France and Prague, Czech Republic, and Kimpton Hotels.
The college has a network of international academic partnerships and opportunities for students, a sampling of program partnerships: Bond University – Gold Coast, Australia, Oxford Brookes, England, Australia ICMS – Sydney, Dijon, France, Ascoli Piceno Italy, RIT Croatia, APICIUS International School of Hospitality, Florence, Italy, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, International Cruise Sip Management, and Griffith University, Australia.
Students have valuable network opportunities with experienced alumni in high level industry positions. Juniors and seniors through a partnership with an alumni professional receive one-on-one mentoring.
A collaboration of two alumni and industry professional advisory boards increases direct industry experiences and career opportunities.
The University of New Hampshire is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., (NEASC) through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE).
27University of North Texas College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism
(Denton, Texas)University of North Texas Hospitality
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The University of North Texas ranks #27 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Hospitality and Tourism Management program is one of the nation’s largest programs. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex provides hospitality students a variety of networking and internship opportunities with notable professionals and organizations in the hospitality industry. The University of North Texas has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Management (ACPHA).
Hospitality degree programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism highlights:
The annual Hospitality Career Expo typically has more than 60 companies participating in the event.
Students have internship and job placement opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and other locations.
The college has international collaborations with leading schools in Asia and South America.
Students gain experience in The Club Gateway Center, a student operated restaurant.
The annual Executive-in-Residence Lecture features an industry leader in the hospitality and tourism management field.
The University of North Texas is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
28Texas Tech University College of Human Sciences, Hospitality and Retail Management department
(Lubbock, Texas)Texas Tech University Hospitality
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Texas Tech University ranks #28 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The program focuses on practical work experience and management skills. Texas Tech University received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management degree
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management degree
Accelerated B.S. to M.S. in Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management program
Master of Science in Hospitality and Retail Management degree
Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration
Students can select one of these tracks: Lodging, Wine, Food and Beverage, Hospitality or Education.
Hospitality and Retail Management department highlights:
Hospitality employers visit Texas Tech every semester to recruit hotel and restaurant management graduates.
Students obtain at least 1,200 hours of practical workplace experience (including a 400-hour off-campus internship) along with additional hours in classroom kitchens and labs to complete their Hospitality Management courses online.
Students gain restaurant management experience at the Skyviews Restaurant.
The school provides on-site classrooms at the four-star Overton Hotel & Conference Center.
Students have opportunities to study abroad, including at approved affiliate programs such as Manchester Metropolitan University, Regent’s University London, Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute, La Trobe and Florence University of the Arts. Students can also study abroad in faculty-led programs.
Students receive hands-on training in industry-standard computer software.
Texas Tech University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
29Boston University School of Hospitality Administration
(Boston, Massachusetts)Boston University, School of Hospitality Administration
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Boston University ranks #29 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The city of Boston, the economic and cultural cornerstone of the larger metropolitan area known as Greater Boston, provides numerous opportunities for hospitality students to gain experience. The School of Hospitality Administration strategically partners with the Boston University Questrom School of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration degree
The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration degree includes a Hospitality Marketing concentration and an Event Management concentration.
Master of Management in Hospitality
The School of Hospitality Administration is pleased to offer a Master of Management in Hospitality program. This one year (3-semester) program serves to enhance business and management skills for students who have either a strong liberal arts (or other-non business) or business background and will prepare them to begin a career in hospitality leadership. For professionals currently working in the hospitality industry, the degree provides the necessary ongoing education to remain competitive and knowledgeable in the changing industry and provide the educational background necessary for hospitality professionals to advance their career.
School of Hospitality Administration highlights:
The school hosts corporate recruiting events every fall and spring.
Some of the companies frequently recruiting and hiring students include Ritz Carlton, Marriott International, Kimpton Hotel and Restaurants, Starwood Hotels, Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons, Union Square Hospitality Group, Dinex Group, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Aramark, Raffanelli Events, and Longwood Events.
Students must complete at least 400 hours in an internship or a job within the industry; the second work requirement, a minimum of 400 hours in a leadership or supervisory role, includes more responsibility than the first work requirement.
Every student must complete an international experience such a semester in a study abroad program at a location such as London, Madrid, Dublin, Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, Paris, Padua, Shanghai or a job or an international internship at a location such as the Hotel de Buci in Paris, France, the Langham Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, the Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia, and the Ritz Carton in London England or globally focuses courses which include an international field trip or extensive coursework in a foreign language.
Classroom to Classroom Collaboration included in a variety of SHA required courses, allows students to collaborate on a project with hospitality students at schools throughout the world such as in China; students collaborate via Skype and email and make their presentation using Skype in the classroom.
Boston University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
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30Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Boca Raton, Florida)Florida Atlantic University College of Business
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Florida Atlantic University ranks #30 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Hospitality and Tourism Management program, which provides a business-focused curriculum, is part of the Florida Atlantic University College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school. Students have a variety of learning opportunities in Boca Raton, a prominent tourism and hospitality area situated within the south Florida metropolitan area.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Hospitality Management
Professional MBA in Hospitality Management on-campus or online
Hospitality Management program highlights:
Some of the companies which actively post jobs or provided internships or hired alumni and students include Addison Reserve Country Club, Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca West Country Club, Carnival Cruise Lines, Darden Restaurants, Discover the Palm Beaches, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention &Visitors Bureau, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Hilton Boca Raton Suites, Hilton Worldwide, Hospitality Ventures Management Group, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Kolter Hospitality, Marriott Boca Raton, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Woodfield Country Club.
Hospitality & tourism students have the opportunity to attend standard Career Fairs the university hosts twice per year as well as hospitality-specific information sessions throughout the year.
Graduates of the BBA in Hospitality Management program must have foreign language proficiency.
All students must work a minimum of 1000 hours; the vast majority of hospitality students work in the industry throughout their years at Florida Atlantic University; the average student graduates with more than 2000 hours.
Students in the International Experience in Hospitality Management course can select from various programs throughout the world.
Hospitality majors are introduced to mentors from the hospitality industry in year one.
The Adopt a Class program allows an employer to adopt a specific course and have an executive co-teach portions of a class.
All students take the same core business courses of any major within the College of Business.
Faculty includes experienced executives with academic credentials as well as notable researchers in hospitality management who have at least three years of experience working in business; faculty members stay involved with active industry roles.
Florida Atlantic University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Kaplan University
Kaplan University
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AAS - Business Administration: Meeting and Event Planning
The online AAS in business administration with a concentration in health club operations offered by Kaplan University consists of 90 credits. Specialized courses include scientific foundations of exercise and fitness, customers service, and human physiology I and II.
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The Savvy Student’s Guide to Hospitality Degree Programs
hospitalityschools
The enormous hospitality industry, one of the world’s largest employers, provides an array of rewarding management positions throughout the world in restaurants, lodging, institutional food service, event planning, theme parks, resort clubs, cruise lines, casinos and more. Hospitality degree programs prepare students for an array of rewarding management careers through a combination of classroom learning and vital work experience.
The hospitality industry basically includes two sides; the operational side which includes front-line jobs and the corporate side which includes jobs in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, and more. Both sides provide numerous opportunities.
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The diverse hospitality industry provides plenty of opportunities for advancement, especially for individuals with a hospitality management degree. Some of the popular job titles include:
Amusement Park Manager
Asset Manager
Banquet Sales Manager
Bread and Breakfast Facility Manager
Casino Manager
Catering Director
Club Manager
Cluster Reservations Manager
Concierge
Conference and Event Sales Manager
Convention Manager
Credit Manager
Cruise Director
Digital Marketing Manager
Director of Room Operations
Duty Manager
Event Coordinator
Floor Supervisor
Food and Beverage Director
Food Service Manager
Front Office Supervisor
Group Sales Manager
Guest Services Manager
Healthcare Hospitality Food Service Director
Hotel Manager
Human Resource Manager
Institutional Food Service Manager
Meeting Planner
Public Relations Manager
Purchasing Director
Reservations Supervisor
Restaurant Manager
Revenue Manager
Room Service Supervisor
Sales and Marketing Director
School Food Service Director
Shore Excursions Manager
Tourism Manager
Wedding Sales Manager
Welcome Desk Manager
Many hospitality companies also have jobs at their headquarters as well as regional and national jobs in various departments.
Bachelor in Hospitality Management degree
The degree prepares students for a wide range of managerial positions.
The Hospitality Management degree online typically combine classroom learning with work experiences through internships, jobs and working at student-operated venues. The programs include hospitality management foundation courses and business courses.
Many of the Bachelor in Hospitality Management degree programs provide specializations such as Hospitality Sales and Marketing, Food and Beverage Management, Gaming and Resort Management, Meetings and Events, Hospitality Operations, Tourism Development, and Restaurant Management.
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Ashford University
Ashford University
Campus & Online
BA - Service Management
Ashford University's more than 60 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs include business economics, instructional design, law enforcement, and library science. Students can transfer up to 90 credits towards their degrees and enjoy a student to faculty ratio of 13 to one. A library and writing center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to assist students.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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Graduate Degrees for Hospitality Professionals
A Master’s degree in Hospitality Management typically covers advanced management concepts in areas such as marketing, accounting and finance, human resources management, and strategic management. The programs also typically cover qualitative and quantitative skills as they pertain to the hospitality industry. A Master in Hospitality Management degree can also provide a foundation for a Ph.D.
The master’s degree programs help students broaden their knowledge of the hospitality industry and enhance their managerial, analytical and leadership skills. The degree gives a significant advantage to professionals seeking a high-level corporate position in a hospitality business or a position at a hospitality consulting firm or in other service organizations.
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Purdue University
Purdue University
Campus & Online
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University's online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a business-focused hospitality degree designed to help managers with HTM industry experience rise to new levels. It provides the executive management, leadership and analytical skills you need to advance your career within the industry.
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Master in Hospitality Management degree versus an MBA
Some hospitality professionals report individuals with an undergraduate degree in hospitality management benefit from a MBA with a business focus such as accounting, finance or marketing. The MBA enhances their business knowledge. Some schools provide an MBA with a focus in Hospitality Management.
The Master in Hospitality Management degree provides plenty of benefits especially for individuals in the hospitality industry with an undergraduate degree in a non-hospitality field; these individuals obtain a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of the hospitality industry. The programs provide students more opportunities to gain industry exposure; they benefit from speakers and research projects focused on the hospitality industry.
The choice between a Master in Hospitality Management degree and a MBA basically depends on a person’s background and their undergraduate degree type.
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Hospitality programs ranking guidelines:
Due to the large number of hospitality management programs to choose from, it’s not easy selecting a school. We’ve thoroughly evaluated hospitality schools located throughout the United States to create our list of the best hospitality programs.
We selected the programs based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength, the quality of business education, internship opportunities (including business training), graduate degrees (not a mandatory requirement), mentoring opportunities (not a mandatory requirement), study abroad opportunities, career fairs, and reputation.
RANKING METHODOLOGY
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
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Note: Some of the schools in our list have accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). The accreditation provides assurance a program has an acceptable level of quality. The agency also provides guidance to programs regarding their educational offering and related activities. We consider the accreditation a positive factor, however many of the best hospitality programs have not pursued the accreditation.
Note: A small number of hospitality programs in the United States are housed in a business school which has accreditation from the respected Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB International). AACSB International reports their organization challenges post-secondary educators to pursue excellence and continuous improvement throughout their business programs. We view AACSB International accreditation as a positive factor, but some business schools choose not to pursue the accreditation in order to have more flexibility in their curriculum and program.
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The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
There are plenty of opportunities for advancement in the diverse and dynamic hospitality industry, especially for those with a Hospitality Management degree online. If you’re upbeat and energetic, have leadership abilities, and enjoy helping others, the global hospitality industry is worth seriously considering.
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Because a large number of hospitality-management degree programs exist, selecting a school requires some care. We’ve thoroughly evaluated the top schools and programs, basing our ranking on academic quality, awards, reputation, independent evaluations, facilities, and internship opportunities.
RANKING METHODOLOGY
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
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For more on how we selected our programs and on which hospitality degree may be suitable for you, see our Savvy Student’s Guide to Hospitality Degree Programs, located at the end of this ranking.
Related Articles:
The 20 Best Online Bachelor in Hospitality Management Degree Programs
The 100 Best Online Colleges
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Ashford University
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BA - Service Management
Ashford University's more than 60 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs include business economics, instructional design, law enforcement, and library science. Students can transfer up to 90 credits towards their degrees and enjoy a student to faculty ratio of 13 to one. A library and writing center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to assist students.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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The Best Hospitality Programs in the United States
1Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration
(Ithaca, New York)Cornell University School of Hotel Administration
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Cornell University ranks #1 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration, founded in 1922, is known as one of the world’s best hospitality education programs. The school provided the world’s first undergraduate hospitality management degree. Cornell University offers the only Ivy League business-management program focused on hospitality. The school features the luxurious Statler Hotel.
The School of Hotel Administration has received accreditation from AACSB International. The School of Hotel Administration is known for its high quality business education. The School of Hotel Administration, part of the College of Business, benefits from its collaboration in teaching and research with the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and the Johnson Graduate School of Management.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science Hotel Administration degree
Master of Management in Hospitality degree
Master of Science in Hotel Administration degree (research-focused degree)
Ph.D. in Hotel Administration (research-focused degree)
School of Hotel Administration students can specialize in a particular area through a concentration including Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate; Hospitality Leadership, and Services Marketing and Operations Management. The School of Hotel Administration also provides a minor in Real Estate.
School of Hotel Administration highlights:
Hospitality students gain hands-on experience in hotel and restaurant management and operations at the Statler Hotel, a full-service luxury hotel.
School of Hotel Administration students, through the Cornell Abroad program, study in over 40 countries and in over 150 programs and universities throughout the world.
The Management Intern Program provides students opportunities to learn from real-world management situations in a variety of hospitality segments.
The Culinary Institute of America Alliance provides students the opportunity to complete an associate’s degree at the Culinary Institute of America while completing their bachelor’s degree at the School of Hotel Administration in four years.
Students have access to mentorship opportunities via the Cornell Real Estate Club, Connect Entrepreneurial Hotelies Network, and the Employer in Residence through the Career Management office.
More than 200 companies and organizations are involved with the school.
The school hosts panels and conferences every year such as Cornell Hospitality Thought Leadership Series, Hotel Ezra Cornell and Cornell Annual Real Estate Conference.
The School of Hotel Administration hosts notable centers and institutes such as the Center for Hospitality Research, Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Center for Real Estate and Finance, Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, and the Cornell Institute for Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations. The notable Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, a peer reviewed, scholarly journal, is published in association with the School of Hotel Administration.
The faculty includes leading professionals in the field.
Cornell University’s online Hospitality Management degree is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
2Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business,The School of Hospitality Business
(East Lansing, Michigan)Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business
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Michigan State University ranks #2 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hospitality Business, founded in 1927 is one of the oldest hospitality business schools in the United States. The school provides one of the best hospitality education programs in the nation. The school is a recognized authority in hospitality business education and research. The school has launched the careers of thousands of leaders in the hospitality and service professions. The notable Eli Broad College of Business received accreditation from AACSB International.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business degree
The Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management degree
The Michael L. Minor Master of Science in Foodservice Business Management degree
The Graduate Specialization in Hospitality Business
School of Hospitality Business Highlights:
The Career Expo, dedicated to students interested in the hospitality industry, attracts about 80 of the country’s hospitality companies.
Students have access to study abroad opportunities in schools providing hospitality business courses in countries such as Australia, China, Ecuador, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, and more.
Students can participate in any study abroad opportunity which meets their interests or needs, from a few weeks to a complete academic year.
Students have internship opportunities throughout the world.
Students gain experience participating in Les Gourmets, held every spring; students take care of management, sales, marketing, finance, culinary business, purchasing, and beverage management, they also gain experience participating in Vegas Night; they organize, staff and manage the public event with support from gaming industry partners.
The school and faculty members provide executive development programs every year via the Henry Executive Development Center.
The School hosts the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA).
The Spartan Sponsors Mentor Programs, due to its large alumni base, can connect students with industry leaders.
Notable faculty members authored industry textbooks, research and resource materials.
Michigan State University’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
3University of Nevada at Las Vegas, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
(Las, Vegas, Nevada)UNLV College of Hotel Administration
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The University of Nevada at Las Vegas ranks #3 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Willian F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration is known as one of the best hospitality programs in the United States. The school attracts students from throughout the United States and the world. The college, situated in Las Vegas, a major hotel, gaming and tourism area, provides students plenty of opportunity to gain real-world skills. Students have opportunities to gain experience at just about any type of hospitality operation.
The International Gaming Institute located in the Stan Fulton Building, attracts people from throughout the United States and the world seeking knowledge about best practices in gaming, regulatory, surveillance, and hospitality fields.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree
Executive Master of Hospitality Administration degree
Master of Science in Hotel Administration degree
Master of Business Administration & Master of Science in Hotel Administration dual degree
Dual Master of Science in Management Information Systems and Master of Science in Hotel Administration
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration degree
The online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management provides concentrations in Gaming Management, Restaurant Management, Meetings and Events, Professional Golf Management, and second degree.
William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration highlights:
The college provides a hospitality specific career mixer in the fall and spring which attract many hiring managers from hospitality companies.
The Bob Boughner Career Services Center, collaborating with UNLV Career Services, provides Harrah College of Hotel Administration students and alumni access to a wide range of employers, employment information, and opportunities.
Hotel students have a 1,000 hour industry work requirement.
Students have access to mentorship and internship opportunities with leading hospitality organizations throughout the world.
Hotel college students have a mentor for one academic year.
The strong alumni network includes professionals who work in all segments of the hospitality industry throughout the world.
Students have opportunities to develop management skills at realistic settings at the college’s specialized restaurant, kitchen and gaming laboratories.
The college provides online and executive education programs.
Faculty members have authored numerous textbooks utilized in hospitality programs throughout the world. Faculty members are well published in academic journals. The research institutes, centers, data collections and journals, have made the school a notable resource regarding hospitality and gaming information for organizations and government agencies researching best policies and practices for states, countries and tribal nations.
Students have opportunities to work with prominent faculty members in industry research.
The University of Nevada at Las Vegas is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
4Virginia Tech, Pamplin College of Business, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Blacksburg, Virginia)Pamplin College of Business, Virginai Tech
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Virginia Tech ranks #4 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management is a tier-one recruiting school for many major hospitality corporations in the United States including Hilton, Marriott, Darden, Sodexo, Hyatt and many others. The hospitality program emphasizes the business aspects of hospitality and tourism. The Pamplin College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The school provides an internationally recognized Ph.D program.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Business degree with a concentration in Hospitality Management
Master of Science in Business Administration in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
MBA with a focus in Hospitality and Tourism Management
HTM Business Analytics and Revenue Management graduate certificate
International Hospitality and Tourism Strategy graduate certificate
Entrepreneurship in Hospitality and Tourism Management graduate certificate
Ph.D. in Business with a Hospitality and Tourism Management concentration
Department of Hospitality and Tourism highlights:
The Destinations HTM Career Event provides opportunities for students to talk with recruiters from the hospitality industry.
Hospitality industry representatives interview students for permanent placement and internships during the fall and spring semesters.
Major recruiters include Marriott, Wald Disney World, Aramark, Club Corporation of America, Choice Hotels, Hyatt, Hilton, B.F. Saul Hotel Division, Crestline Hotels and Resorts, Panera Bread Company, and Great American Restaurants.
Hospitality Management online courses require 400 hours of supervised industry experience and management training and 300 hours of verified hospitality and tourism management professional experience, post high school.
Students gain valuable experience working at the Inn at Virginia Tech and the Hotel Roanoke.
Students have study abroad opportunities such as Winter Session in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and a summer experience in Europe.
Students have opportunities to interact and create mentorships with members of the advisory board which includes industry executives from throughout the world.
Students can take a double major with other Pamplin College of Business degrees and a double major with real estate.
The faculty has received numerous research awards and have received recognition as global leaders in the publication of refereed research. Faculty members have served on the board of directors of the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education and the Meeting Planners International Travel and Tourism Research Association.
Virginia Tech is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
5University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
(Orlando, Florida)University Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
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The University of Central Florida ranks #5 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Rosen College of Hospitality Management, located in Orlando, Florida, one of the world’s major tourist destinations, provides students with a variety of opportunities to learn and work in a major market. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management attracts students from all over the world. The Mediterranean resort-style campus is one of the largest facilities constructed for hospitality management education.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Event Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Restaurant & Foodservice Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management degree
Ph.D in Hospitality Management
Students majoring in hospitality management can select one of these tracks: Golf& Club Management, Lodging Management, Theme Park & Attraction Management or Professional Tennis Management.
Rosen College of Hospitality Management highlights:
Students work in more than 800 companies in domestic and international internship opportunities.
Students take an internship for three semesters, with a minimum of 750 hours.
The college hosts two hospitality specific career fairs every year.
Industry partnerships provide internships, memberships, guest speakers and networking opportunities.
The college provides students the opportunity to study overseas during the spring semester through hospitality exchange programs with partner institutions including Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), Innsbruck, Austria, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China, University of Surrey, Guildford, U.K., Guildford, U.K., MODUL University Vienna, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, U.K., and Breda University of Applied Sciences, Breda, Netherlands.
Hospitality Management courses online feature a classroom component along with travel to Europe during the summer semester.
Some of the industry’s highly ranked seminars, tradeshows and conventions are held within walking distance of the campus.
The hospitality program features a training dining room and bar, a beer and wine laboratory, and two test kitchens.
The college provides various professional development programs for industry executives and managers.
The faculty includes internationally recognized experts. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management has a prominent research program.
The University of Central Florida’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
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Purdue University
Purdue University
Campus & Online
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University's online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a business-focused hospitality degree designed to help managers with HTM industry experience rise to new levels. It provides the executive management, leadership and analytical skills you need to advance your career within the industry.
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6Fairleigh Dickinson University, International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Teaneck, New Jersey)Fairleigh Dickinson University
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Fairleigh Dickinson University ranks #6 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Farleigh Dickinson University hospitality program, established in 1942, is the oldest hospitality program in the New York metropolitan area and one of the oldest hospitality programs in the United States. The International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management has attracted students from more than 30 countries. Its alumni hold many notable domestic and international management positions in the hospitality industry in the United States and throughout the world.
Hospitality students have opportunities to gain valuable work experience in New York City and Atlantic City, one of the world’s largest hospitality markets. The Florham Campus houses the national headquarters of the world’s oldest and most prestigious culinary society, the Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management/Master of Science in Hospitality Management program
Bachelor of Arts in Individualized Studies with a specialization in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management Studies degree
Master of Science in Service Innovation and Leadership degree
International School of Hospitality and Tourism Management highlights:
The university and the hospitality department schedule and participate in numerous career fairs held on-campus and off-site in the NYC Metro area, New Jersey and the Vancouver Campus.
More than 700 internship opportunities and career track positions available annually; students intern at international locations including Europe and Asia.
Students gain 1200 hours of internship time over three summers with hotel, event management, non-profits, tour & travel, casino, and restaurant companies.
Students have opportunities for hands-on training at affiliated hotel/restaurant/conference center properties such as Hamilton Park Hotel and Conference Center (a partner of the school, located adjacent to the Florham campus), the prestigious Park Avenue Club and at many clubs, restaurants and hotels situated in the New York City and Atlantic City areas.
Students have access to overseas study opportunities in specific educational programs in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Students can study the international hospitality industry via a senior-year seminar in Switzerland or Italy.
The school provides multiple monthly guest speakers including hospitality professionals and leaders in the industry.
Students receive mentoring from department advisors and the university career services offices.
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s online Hospitality Management degree is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education .
7Pennsylvania State University, College of Health and Human Development, School of Hospitality Management
(State College, Pennsylvania)Penn State School of Hospitality-management Mateer Building
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Pennsylvania State University ranks #7 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The reputable Penn State School of Hospitality Management is one of the oldest in the United States. Students take business classes at the high quality Penn State Smeal College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school. Local and national news media reference the School of Hospitality Management faculty and staff members. The School hosts the Conti Professorship program; Conti Professors are recognized leaders in the hospitality industry who visit the school and interact with faculty members and students and provide guest lectures in hospitality management. The ICHRIE Penn State Research Reports, produce a series of peer-reviewed research reports targeted to industry practitioners and policymakers. The reports translate academic research finding s into practical applications.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree (mainly designed for students for beginning academic positions at universities or for a career in industry research)
Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management
School of Hospitality Management highlights:
Every year more than 70 companies visit the School of Hospitality Management.
The school provides customized company recruiting visits throughout the fall and spring semesters.
The Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society helps support student travel throughout the United States to hospitality conferences and events where they network and learn with alumni and industry partners.
SHM provides study abroad opportunities such as month-long, semester-long and embedded programs in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Students must complete 1,000 hours of professional hospitality work experience (inclusive of internships and employment) in several aspects of the field including accounting and finance, revenue management and data analytics, real estate and asset management, casino management, sales, marketing and social media, human resources, meeting and event management, hospitality in senior living, country club management, onsite foodservice, hotel operations and restaurant operations.
Cafe Laura provides students the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of the dining experience.
The Nittany Lion Inn a Four Diamond hotel and a National Trust Historic Hotels of America, along with the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, and the University’s Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life, serve as teaching settings for students and provide internships, mentoring and employment opportunities.
The school provides hospitality management students a wide variety of networking opportunities which may include: NSMH regional and networking conferences, New York Hotel Show, Alumni in the Classroom event, Benefield weekend, National Restaurant Association Show, PSHRS Board meetings, Company Information Sessions, Conti professorships, and the Technology Advisory Board.
The valuable Alumni Mentor Program matches alumni mentors with students.
The School of Hospitality Management’s hospitality centers perform research and provide training programs including the Food Decisions Research Laboratory, Center for Hospitality Real Estate Strategy, Hospitality Leadership Institute, Center for Food Innovation, and the Gaming Teaching and Research Lab under construction. The School of Hospitality Management faculty includes notable researchers.
Pennsylvania State University’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
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8Washington State University, Carson College of Business, School of Hospitality Business Management
(Pullman, Washington)Carson College of Business, Washington State University
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Washington State University ranks #8 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hospitality Management, one of the oldest programs in the United States, is an operationally focused hospitality program with elective offerings in tourism and culinary and in other areas. The multi-campus WSU system delivers the hospitality program, including Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Global Campus (online), North Puget Sound, Everett, and Cesar Ritz Colleges, Switzerland. The Carson College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the School of Hospitality Management.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management degree
Wine Business Management major
Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism
School of Hospitality Business Management highlights:
Companies recruit during the online hospitality career fair in the fall and during the on-campus hospitality career fair in the spring which typically attracts 40 to 50 hospitality companies.
Companies individually visit the campus each semester to host a Career Preview.
Students gain experience at the two student-operated businesses, the Atrium Café and a banquets/catering operation.
Students obtain experience in the Marriott Foundation Hospitality Teaching Center.
Graduation requirements include 1,000 hours of paid industry experience.
Many WSU students have studied or obtained their WSU degree through Cesar Ritz Colleges in Switzerland. The Brig campus of Cesar Ritz Colleges hosts the Carson College Switzerland International Center.
The faculty-led study abroad programs go to South Korea, Italy, Thailand and other parts of the world.
The School of Hospitality Business Management has world-class researchers.
Washington State University’s online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
9University of Houston, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
(Houston, Texas)Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, University of Houston
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The University of Houston ranks #9 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Hotel icon Conrad N. Hilton founded Hilton College in 1969. Hilton College, a prominent hospitality school, has received recognition from leading journals. The Hilton University of Houston, one of more than 530 Hilton Hotels worldwide, serves as the primary teaching facility for the College. Built in 1975, the full-service, 86-room hotel with 25,000 square feet of flexible banquet space and a full-service restaurant underwent a $12.5 million renovation in April, 2010. The hotel also houses numerous classrooms, three computer labs, a student-run restaurant and coffee shop, a library and hospitality archives, and several food science labs – including a food safety lab and a beverage and product evaluation lab.
Approximately 80 percent of the College’s hotel employees are students. The hotel is consistently ranked in the top five percent of guest satisfaction scores among all Hilton-branded hotels, worldwide.
The University of Houston, located in one of the largest cities in the United States, provides hospitality students a wide variety of internship and job opportunities. The college emphasizes experimental, real-world learning opportunities.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Joint MS/MBA, the three-year joint master’s program allows students to earn an MS and a MBA (with UH’s Bauer College of Business) concurrently
Dual BS/MS, the 4+1 degree allows students to obtain both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degrees in just five years
Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business degree, in partnership with the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, and the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Executive Master of Hospitality Management (online)
Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration
The college provides the following concentrations: Lodging Management, Restaurant Management, Event Management, Catering Management, Country Club Management, Sales & Marketing Management, Beverage Management, and Spa Management.
Conrad N. Hilton College highlights:
The Hilton College Career Fair, held every fall and spring, attracts recruiters from some of the major hospitality companies in the world.
The college offers a variety of study-abroad programs; the college has partnerships with universities in France, Peru, Australia, Hong Kong, and Mexico; the sessions range from two weeks to a full semester.
The college provides internships in a variety of hospitality sectors in the United States and abroad including international internships at major resorts and hotels in Europe, Africa, Asia and more.
Students must complete 600 hours of hospitality-related work experience; although not required, most students also complete at least 600 hours of volunteer work; students gain many of the volunteer hours through student operated events such as the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor, the annual Gourmet Night and the Sugar Land Wine & Food Affair.
Students can participate in the Semester at Sea program.
Students gain experience in hotel operations, guest service and banquet and restaurant service at the on-campus, upscale Hilton University of Houston and at the state-of-the-art wine-tasting lab, Barron’s Restaurant, a student-operated restaurant, and Cougar Grounds, a student-managed coffee shop.
Faculty includes internationally recognized researchers.
The college has strong ties to industry, housing the headquarters of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Information Center, the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Research Office, and the Wine & Spirits Management Institute.
The Massad Family Library Research Center and the adjoining Hospitality Industry Archives, provide the largest repository of the hospitality industry in the world.
The college houses the Hospitality Industry Hall of Honor, created in 1995, it recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of some of the industry’s most iconic leaders and brands.
The University of Houston is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
10Iowa State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
(Ames, Iowa)Iowa State University, College of Human Sciences, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
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Iowa State University ranks #10 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Iowa State University provides an internationally recognized hospitality management undergraduate program. Iowa State University received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Hospitality Management degree
Doctor of Philosophy Hospitality Management
College of Human Sciences, Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management highlights:
Hospitality students have opportunities to attend Iowa State University hosted career fairs.
The college provides study abroad programs in numerous countries.
Students complete work experience with a group affiliated with Iowa State University, such as ISU dining or one of the hospitality units.
Hospitality Management online courses include internship opportunities with hotels, independent businesses, caterers, country clubs and more. Companies providing internships include Nassau Country Club, Aspen Meadows Resort, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Walt Disney World, Hyatt, Knollwood Club, Des Moines Golf and Country Club, Marriott International, Glen Oaks Country Club, Hilton Garden Inn of Ames, Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino, Southern Hills Country Club, and Hilton Garden Inn.
Students gain experience at the Joab Bice Underwood Tearoom.
Trips and tours provide students an inside view of hotels, resorts, restaurants, theme parks, wineries, clubs, and tourism operations.
Industry leaders share their experiences as guests in classes.
The hospitality management program has a productive research faculty.
Iowa State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Kaplan University
Kaplan University
Campus & Online
AAS - Business Administration: Meeting and Event Planning
The online AAS in business administration with a concentration in health club operations offered by Kaplan University consists of 90 credits. Specialized courses include scientific foundations of exercise and fitness, customers service, and human physiology I and II.
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11Purdue University, College of Health and Human Sciences, School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
(West Lafayette, Indiana)Purdue University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
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Purdue University ranks #11 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, has received recognition for its undergraduate program and as a leading graduate education and research program in the United States. The School of Hospitality & Tourism Management provides skills for corporate management careers. Purdue University, West Lafayette has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Management (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management
College of Health and Human Sciences, Hospitality & Tourism Management Unit highlights:
The HTM Career Day held each fall typically has 50 to 60 companies participating in activities.
All undergraduate students must complete two paid internships in their Hospitality Management courses online.
The school provides internship abroad programs.
Students have the opportunity to complete a six month internship at a Shangri-La Hotel in China.
Students receive training in the school’s two restaurants.
HTM provides exchange programs with universities in numerous countries such as France, Australia, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, Macao, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom and Sweden.
Study abroad programs, designed differently from exchange programs, have HTM faculty members teaching the programs.
A leading provider of hospitality and tourism research to communities, corporations and organizations worldwide with research performed at the Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory, Center for the Study of Lodging Operations, and the Purdue Tourism & Hospitality Research Center.
Purdue University’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
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12Northern Arizona University, W.A. Franke College of Business, School of Hotel & Restaurant Management
(Flagstaff, Arizona)Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
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Northern Arizona University ranks #12 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Flagstaff, Arizona, an internationally known tourist destination, provides HRM students numerous hospitality type employment opportunities. Northern Arizona University has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). The W.A. Franke College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the School of Hotel & Restaurant Management.
The online Hospitality Management degree program requires students complete two semesters of modern language and the B.S. in International Hospitality degree requires students complete four semesters of a modern language.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management degree
Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality degree
School of Hotel & Restaurant Management highlights:
The school hosts the SHRM Hospitality Career Fair.
The school provides Academic/Career mentoring.
Students gain experience through internships at companies such as Four Seasons Resorts, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Darden Restaurants, Walt Disney College Program, Sodexo, Forest Highlands Country Club, Aramark, Enchantment Resort and more.
SHRM fellowship program, a School of Hotel and Restaurant Management partnership with hospitality employers, provides students a paid opportunity with the goal of providing employers the opportunity to prepare participants for a supervisory/management full-time position and to provide graduates the opportunity to acquire a full-time job.
Students participating in the Summer Study in Europe program can obtain college credit while living and traveling in Europe.
Students can study at NAU Partner Schools in Switzerland and the Netherlands.
More than 75 percent of the faculty have doctoral degrees.
Northern Arizona University’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
13University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management, Dept. of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Amherst, Massachusetts)Mass Isenberg School of Management Hospitality
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The University of Massachusetts Amherst ranks #13 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, established in 1938, is the oldest program in New England. The notable Isenberg School of Management, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The school helps support the department’s solid business foundation. University of Massachusetts at Amherst has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
On-Campus Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Online Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Ph.D. in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management highlights:
The HTM Career Day typically has about 80 companies.
The HTM Career Day and the Chase Career Center provide students with internship opportunities.
Students must complete a minimum of 400 hours of work experience in the field.
Students can participate in an exchange program with Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia.
Students have the opportunity to study at the Cesar Ritz Colleges Switzerland, with an option of having a position in the lodging or foodservice industry in Switzerland or another European country.
Marriott Meals core course provides students the opportunity to manage with a team of student employees at the Marriot dining facility, the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott.
Students have online mentoring opportunities with alums.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst’s online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management is regionally accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
14Temple University School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)Temple University Hospitality
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Temple University ranks #14 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, located in Philadelphia, one of the largest cities in the United States, has excellent industry connections. The school has an affiliation with the Fox School of Business, an AACSB International accredited school.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree
Master of Tourism and Hospitality Management degree
Executive Master of Business Administration in Hospitality Asset Management degree
Ph.D in Business Administration with a concentration in Tourism and Sport
The Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree includes these concentrations: Hospitality Operations, Destination Management Concentration, and Event Leadership Concentration.
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management highlights:
The school hosts corporate recruiting every semester; major hospitality related companies visit the campus to recruit students for internships and management training programs.
Companies often recruiting students include Aramark, Wyndham Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Madison Square Garden, and Marriott International.
Every fall the school hosts the STHM Career Fair which attracts up to 100 employers.
Every spring the school invites about 50 organizations to the STHM Networking Seminar which includes short meetings between employers and students.
Undergraduate students must complete 1000 hours of learning experience via two internships (750 hours combined) and 250 hours of volunteer work in their Hospitality Management online courses.
Undergraduate students have internships with major hotels and resorts, restaurant groups, casinos, destination marketing organizations, event planning organizations and tourism attractions throughout the world.
Graduate students must complete a 180 hour internship.
The school offers students exchanges programs with universities such as University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, University of Applied Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South, Korea, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong PRC, Leed’s Beckett University, Leeds, UK, Modul University, Vienna, Austria, and Shenzhen Tourism College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, PRC.
The STHM Executive-in-Residence program invites up to four executives to campus for a day; they meet with small groups of students and make a presentation.
Faculty recognized for research contributions.
Temple University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
15Oklahoma State University, School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration
(Stillwater, Oklahoma)Oklahoma State University Hospitality
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Oklahoma State University ranks #15 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration has provided a notable program for decades. The school is known for its research and experimental learning. The school features the Atherton Hotel, a Georgian-style gem. Oklahoma State University is one of a very small number of schools providing a hotel laboratory on campus.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Administration degree
Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a specialization in Hospitality Administration
School of Hotel & Restaurant Administration highlights:
Hospitality Days, an annual career fair, typically attracts more than 40 hospitality companies.
The school through its relationships with more than 100 industry partners/companies and thousands of active alumni provides students job placement opportunities.
Students have opportunities to gain international hospitality learning experience in Europe and Asia through international internship programs.
Students complete 800 hours of hands-on work experience including a domestic or international internship.
Students complete internships in a variety of settings such as country clubs, lodging, revenue management, restaurants, entertainment venues, culinary, gaming, governmental, educational, food brokering, cruise lines, nonprofit, beverage distribution and event planning within their Hospitality Management courses online.
Students gain experience at two restaurants the school operates, also at experimental learning labs at area hotels and at the Atherton Hotel at OSU.
The board of advisors, alumni and faculty members provide mentoring.
Students gain leadership experience through student-led signature events.
The school has a notable research program.
Oklahoma State University’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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16University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management
(Newark, Delaware)University of Delaware Hospitality
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The University of Delaware ranks #16 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Due to its location, students have excellent work opportunities in Delaware, the Maryland metropolitan area, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics received accreditation from AACSB International. All Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and Hospitality Industry Management majors must take Lerner’s core business courses.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Industry Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Business Management degree
MBA 4+1 HRIM program
Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management highlights:
Through the Blue Hen Alumni Network along with events such as Hospitality Career Fair and the Paul Wise Executive in Residence Speaker Series, managers and industry alumni visit the campus to meet and hire students.
Some of the companies which hired HRIM majors include Aramark, Darden Restaurants, Marriott International, Disney, Waldorf Astoria New York, Four Seasons, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Panera Bread, and Great American Restaurants.
Students must complete 700 hours of paid hospitality work experience and 100 hours of community service.
Students have a variety of internship opportunities.
All Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management students complete practicums in the student-operated Vita Nova, a gourmet restaurant, and at the on-site Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
The majority of students participate in UD’s study abroad programs, spending a spring or fall semester in Switzerland or Italy or a winter semester in locations such as Barbados, Australia, England and South Africa.
The Learner College schedules industry-leading guest speakers on campus as well as provides visits to hotels, restaurants and other types of hospitality-focused businesses in metropolitan areas such as New York City.
Students have mentorship opportunities via a variety of programs such as the Lerner to Leader honors program and the Alumni Back in the Classroom event
Faculty members have received recognition for research nationally and internationally.
The University of Delaware’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
17NYU School of Professional Studies, Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism
(New York, New York)NYU School of Professional Studies
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NYU ranks #17 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Located in New York City, a major international travel and business area, the Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism provides hospitality students with a variety of experimental learning opportunities. The NYU Annual International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference, one of the leading hospitality industry conferences in the world, typically attracts more than 2,000 attendees.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor in Hotel and Tourism Management degree
Master in Hospitality Industry Studies degree
Master of Science in Tourism Management degree
Graduate Certificate in Hospitality Industry Studies
Graduate Certificate in Tourism Management
Professional Diploma in Hotel Operations
Professional Diploma in Meeting and Convention Management
Professional Diploma in Hospitality and Travel Services
Career advancement courses
The online Hospitality Management degree include these specializations: Event Management, Hotel Development, Marketing and Revenue Management, Organizations and Operations, and Tourism Development.
Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism highlights:
An international list of hospitality and tourism organizations participate in on-campus recruiting, information sessions, panel discussions, classroom visits and mock interviews.
The school provides the Real Estate, Hospitality and Tourism Career Fair.
The Tisch Center routinely collaborates with the Wasserman Career Center director to arrange on-campus recruitment, panels, shadow days, career fairs and other opportunities for students to interface with industry. Students meet hiring managers from leading hospitality and tourism organizations.
Undergraduate students must complete 600 internship hours; students can select any variation of 150 or 300 hour internships; students can complete internships anywhere in the world; past internships have included Marriott, Loews Hotels, Waldorf-Astoria, Starwood, Denihan Hospitality, Highgate, Expedia, Singapore Tourism Board and many others.
The school encourages students to study abroad including at one of NYU’s global sites. Students have opportunities to take courses throughout the world. The study away programs introduce students to cultural, international and business contexts.
Students can study abroad with the Tisch Center during the summer with one week courses which include site visits, tours and guest speakers.
The Tisch Center Alumni Society Membership program pairs students with accomplished hospitality and tourism alumni; throughout the year students and mentors bond through networking events, workplace shadowing, and informal exchanges. The Alumni Society provides career advice, contacts and opportunities to advance.
Besides large-scale professional conferences, the Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism hosts the Stephen W. Brener Distinguished Lecture Series in hospitality management and the Ricelle “Bunny” Grossinger Distinguished Lecturer Series in Tourism Management which feature leading industry panelists.
The school hosts Fireside Chats two to three times a semester, which provide students the opportunity to connect with industry speakers.
NYU is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
18Drexel University, Center for Hospitality & Sport Management
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)Drexel University, Paul Peck Building
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Drexel University ranks #18 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Located in Philadelphia, the school has direct access to prominent sports teams and organizations, restaurants, hotels, casinos as well as food companies. Every hospitality students receive a business minor from the LeBow College of Business in one of these subjects: Business administration, marketing or Entrepreneurship. Lebow College of Business has received accreditation from AACSB International.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Online Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
The BS/MBA accelerated degree program includes an option of a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts & Science and an option for a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
The Hospitality Management online degree provides specializations in Food and Beverage Management, Gaming and Resort Management, Travel and Tourism, Meeting and Event Planning, and Hotel Administration.
Center for Hospitality & Sport Management highlights:
The five year Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree includes 18 months of co-op opportunities which student can complete locally, nationally or internationally.
All Drexel University students have opportunities to study abroad in countries throughout the world; hospitality management students also have an opportunity to take major-specific courses in Rome, Italy.
Some of the employers offering co-op positions include Aramark Corporation, Hilton Hotels, Four Seasons Hotel, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Walt Disney World, Garces Restaurant Group, Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Sofitel Hotel.
Faculty members help students network and navigate potential career paths and obtain co-op placement which help meet their career goals.
Every year the Drexel University Center for Hospitality and Sport Management hosts the Philly Chef Conference, which attracts a large number of notable chefs, restauranteurs, hospitality professionals, beverage experts and others; students have free access to event planning opportunities associated with the event.
Students gain experience working at the Academic Bistro.
Students interested in casino operations and management learn at the Dennis Gomes Memorial Casino Training Lab.
The school hosts the Center for the Study of Wine and Food.
Drexel University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
19California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, Collins College of Hospitality Management
(Pomona, California)Collins College of Hospitality Management
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California State Polytechnic University at Pomona ranks #19 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Collins College of Hospitality Management is the oldest and largest hospitality management program in California. The college uses a collaborative learn-by-doing approach to education. California State Polytechnic University at Pomona has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
MBA with a Hospitality Management emphasis
Online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management students choose an emphasis in Restaurant Management, Hotel/Resort Management, and/or Club Management.
Collins College of Hospitality Management highlights:
The annual Hospitality Career Expo has more than 80 hospitality firms recruiting students.
Students attend the Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence in the early summer.
Students can participate in the summer-fall cohort of the Disney College Program, which includes a fall course which allows students to obtain credit as a full-time student while earning a paycheck through working in front-line positions at a Disneyland Resort.
The college provides summer study abroad opportunities in Costa Rica.
The college requires students complete 800 hours of work experience in hospitality-related employment within their Hospitality Management online courses.
Students gain experience working at the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch at Cal Poly Pomona.
The mentor program connects students with industry executives.
Students in the Collins Ambassador Program are involved in recruitment, outreach, and public relations activities for the college.
The Richard Frank Distinguished Lectureship Series features industry professionals who spend a few days teaching, lecturing and interacting with students and faculty members.
California State Polytechnic University at Pomona is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
20University of Denver, Daniels College of Business, Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management
(Denver, Colorado)University of Denver Hospitality
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The University of Denver ranks #20 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management is one of a small number of hospitality schools in the world housed within a business college, the Daniels School of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school. The School of Hospitality Management has received recognition for providing a solid business education.
Hospitality program:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Hospitality Management degree
The hospitality management degree includes these concentrations: Lodging/Resort Operations, Restaurant/F&B Management, and Hospitality Sales & Marketing.
Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management highlights:
Every year more than 40 companies recruit at the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management.
Each student must complete 1,000 field experience hours (including a management internship) and at least one quarter studying abroad and demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
Students have experimental learning opportunities in the hands-on laboratory, production kitchen ballroom and two student-operated coffee shops located on the campus.
Hospitality students have a variety of work opportunities at Colorado’s numerous resorts, world-class hotels and diverse restaurants. Students also have work opportunities at other locations in the United States.
Every full-time faculty member teaching Hospitality Management courses online has a Ph.D and industry experience.
The University of Denver’s Hospitality Management degree online is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
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Ashford University
Ashford University
Campus & Online
BA - Service Management
Ashford University's more than 60 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs include business economics, instructional design, law enforcement, and library science. Students can transfer up to 90 credits towards their degrees and enjoy a student to faculty ratio of 13 to one. A library and writing center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to assist students.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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21Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
(North Miami, Florida)Florida International University Hospitality
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Florida International University ranks #21 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management attracts students from throughout the world. The school operates a dual degree program in conjunction with Tianjin University of Commerce in Tianjin, China. Students can gain international experience in China. Hospitality student have opportunities to gain work experience in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, two major tourist destinations. Florida International University has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality degree programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Combined B.S. & M.S. (4+1) program, a combined Master of Science in Hospitality degree and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Joint Master of Science: International Real Estate and Hospitality Management
Executive Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Ph.D. in Business Administration: Specialization in Hospitality Management
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management highlights:
Hospitality Career Week provides activities, events and networking opportunities for hospitality students.
Undergraduate hospitality students must complete 1,000 hours of industry related work and an additional 300 hours and 10 weeks minimum to fulfill the Advanced Internship course; students can apply a maximum of 500 hours of prior work experience to meet the requirement.
The internship program utilizes hotels, resorts, clubs, restaurants, cruise lines, convention bureaus, and travel companies as practice labs for hospitality students.
Students can study abroad in practically any of the growing and major markets throughout the world.
The BDIA Spices Food Production Laboratory, an advanced prep facility, provides students hands-on management experiences at dining events the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management hosts; students learn about culinary management techniques at the Culinary Demonstration Laboratory. Students gain experience at operating a restaurant at the Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Laboratory, a fully-operational restaurant.
The Professional Development & Workshops, provided every semester, include representatives from organizations in the hospitality industry who share knowledge and experience and provide advice at the school; organizations attending the events include Holiday Inn Express, Sheraton Miami Airport, SLS South Beach, Hilton Cabana Miami Beach, Norwegian Cruise Lines, The Breakers, Hilton Fort Lauderdale, and Marriott International.
The Hospitality Career Leadership Series provides senior-level industry leaders who discuss important subjects in the field of hospitality and tourism management.
The Behind the Scene Tours provide students access to some of Miami’s leading hospitality venues; student meet with management executives and human resource directors.
The Executive in Hospitality Mentoring Program connects students with leading executives for one-on-one mentoring.
Florida International University’s online Hospitality Management degree is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
22Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality
(Atlanta, Georgia)Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
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Georgia State University ranks #22 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality is the oldest and largest of its kind in the state of Georgia. The school received its name in honor of the founder of the Days Inn Hotel Company. Georgia State University with its location in Atlanta, provides hospitality students with numerous opportunities to gain experience at major attractions, event venues, hotels and more.
The J. Mack Robinson College of Business has received accreditation from AACSB International. Georgia State University has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Administration degree
Regynald G. Washington Master of Global Hospitality Management degree
Certificate in Hospitality Administration
Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality highlights:
The Robinson College of Business provides two career expos every year with special sections for hospitality companies.
The school provides national and international internship opportunities.
Three international exchange programs provide students the opportunity to study in another country for a full semester: Universite de Savoie in Chambery, France, Institute for Tourism Studies in Macao, China, and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, China.
The Annual Maymester European Hospitality Experience features world-class hotels, resorts, restaurants, casinos, convention centers and wineries throughout Europe.
Every hospitality major must complete 600 hours of work in the hospitality industry.
Students have mentoring opportunities with industry leaders through hospitality student organizations and through the Industry Board which has about 50 leaders who provide mentoring.
All hospitality courses feature components of business analytics.
The Hospitality Learning Center, a university classroom, is located in the Georgia World Congress Center, a major convention center.
Georgia State University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
23University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
(Columbia, South Carolina)University of South Carolina Hospitality
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The University of South Carolina ranks #23 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Students have a variety of opportunities to gain hospitality experience in Columbia, the largest city in South Carolina. University of South Carolina has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management degree
Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management degree
Ph.D in Hospitality Management
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management highlights:
The college hosts a hospitality career fair every year.
The college hosts the HRSM Alumni Society Career Night, a networking event held each semester which typically has 40 to 50 alumni/industry partners in attendance.
Students must complete two internships with 400 hours per experience; students can take the first internship in any job in the industry; students must take the second internship in a managerial or supervisory position, or a rotational experience which includes work in at least three areas within the same organization or a formal internship program; all the internships have business components.
Students work at hotels, restaurants, theme parks, gold courses, country clubs, breweries, park & recreation departments, government offices, State Capital, food services, theaters, stadiums, arenas, etc.
Most students take an internship in the United States, however some students take an internship abroad such as at the Shangdong Hotel in Jinan, China, Kohanaiki in Kailua, Kona, Hawaii, the Regal Riverside Hotel in Hong Kong, China, Mango Bay Hotel in St. James, Barbados, and the Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy.
The School of HRTM operates these research institute/centers: The Richardson Family SmartState Center of Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Travel and Tourism Industry Center, International Tourism Research Institute, and the International Institute in Foodservice Research and Education
The University of South Carolina’s Hospitality Management online degree is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
24Florida State University, Dedman School of Hospitality
(Tallahassee, Florida)Florida State University Hospitality
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Florida State University ranks #24 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Florida State University College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school, houses the Dedman School of Hospitality. The curriculum combines courses from the College of Business with hospitality management principles. The Dedman School of Hospitality uses a global approach to prepare students to serve a multinational clientele.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management with a major in Global Club Management
Dedman School of Hospitality highlights:
The Hospitality Career Fair held every spring semester attracts about 50 major hospitality organizations.
Some of the companies most active in recruiting students include Biltmore Estates, Carlson Hotels, The Breakers, Four Seasons Hotels, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Hyatt Residence Club, Marriott International, Marriott Vacation Club, McKibbon Hotel Management, Omni Hotels, Ritz-Carlton Luxury Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Aramark, Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants, Garden Fresh Restaurant Hillstone Restaurant Group, and Panera Bread.
Students must obtain 1,000 hours of work experience.
Students have internship opportunities at locations such as Ritz-Carlton, Intercontinental Dublin, Seminole Gaming, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Triple Creek Ranch, Hilton Worldwide, J. Alexander’s Restaurants, The Walt Disney Company, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, and Victoria National.
Students have internship opportunities throughout the United States and in London and Scotland.
The Internship Expo held every fall semester, attracts about 35 major hospitality organizations.
Students can participate in the Leysin, Switzerland Study Abroad Program.
Dedman School of Hospitality students have mentorships via the College of Business’ Professional Mentoring Program and through the school’s Guest Speakers Program.
Guest speakers, including industry leaders, make presentations in classes.
The International Center for Hospitality Research & Development provides research to international industry professionals.
Florida State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges .
25Kansas State University, College of Human Ecology, Department of Hospitality Management
(Manhattan, Kansas)Kansas State University Hospitality
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Kansas State University ranks #25 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Kansas State University (KSU) provides an internationally recognized hospitality program. KSU has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Concurrent Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Hospitality Management
Master of Science in Hospitality Administration degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Human Ecology with a specialization in Hospitality and Dietetics Administration
The online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management includes these tracks: Foodservice and Restaurant Management, Convention, Meeting and Event Management Track, and the Lodging Management Track.
Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics highlights:
Students must complete 900 hours of work experience and internship experience in a hospitality-related-business.
Students can attend the Business and Hospitality Career Fair held in the spring.
Students can join faculty-led study abroad trips.
Many hospitality students participate in a mentorship program which includes CEO’s of hospitality companies and managers of small, local operations.
The school hosts an annual International Culinary workshop which focuses on cultures and cuisines throughout the world.
Faculty members present at many national and international conferences every year.
Kansas State University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).
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Purdue University
Purdue University
Campus & Online
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University's online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a business-focused hospitality degree designed to help managers with HTM industry experience rise to new levels. It provides the executive management, leadership and analytical skills you need to advance your career within the industry.
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26University of New Hampshire, Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Department of Hospitality Management
(Durham, New Hampshire)University of New Hampshire Hospitality
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The University of New Hampshire ranks #26 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Department of Hospitality Management has one of the oldest four-year hospitality degree programs in the United States. The University of New Hampshire received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Management (ACPHA). The Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, has AACSB International accreditation.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
MBA with a specialization in Hospitality Management degree
Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, Department of Hospitality Management highlights:
The fall networking event attracts about 25 companies; the department requires all students attend the event.
The career fair held every spring, has about 25 companies seeking graduates; the department requires all students attend the event in order for industry partners to get to know students early on in their career path.
Students obtain 800 hours of paid work experience, including 400 hours of professional and structured paid internship within their Hospitality Management online courses.
Some of the businesses providing internships include Star Restaurant Group, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Ritz Carlton, Pyramid Hotel Group, Wyndham Hotel New Yorker, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels Corporation (domestic), Colwen Hotels, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Hay Creek Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Paris, France and Prague, Czech Republic, and Kimpton Hotels.
The college has a network of international academic partnerships and opportunities for students, a sampling of program partnerships: Bond University – Gold Coast, Australia, Oxford Brookes, England, Australia ICMS – Sydney, Dijon, France, Ascoli Piceno Italy, RIT Croatia, APICIUS International School of Hospitality, Florence, Italy, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, International Cruise Sip Management, and Griffith University, Australia.
Students have valuable network opportunities with experienced alumni in high level industry positions. Juniors and seniors through a partnership with an alumni professional receive one-on-one mentoring.
A collaboration of two alumni and industry professional advisory boards increases direct industry experiences and career opportunities.
The University of New Hampshire is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., (NEASC) through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE).
27University of North Texas College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism
(Denton, Texas)University of North Texas Hospitality
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The University of North Texas ranks #27 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Hospitality and Tourism Management program is one of the nation’s largest programs. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex provides hospitality students a variety of networking and internship opportunities with notable professionals and organizations in the hospitality industry. The University of North Texas has received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Management (ACPHA).
Hospitality degree programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree
Master of Science in Hospitality Management degree
College of Merchandising, Hospitality & Tourism highlights:
The annual Hospitality Career Expo typically has more than 60 companies participating in the event.
Students have internship and job placement opportunities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region and other locations.
The college has international collaborations with leading schools in Asia and South America.
Students gain experience in The Club Gateway Center, a student operated restaurant.
The annual Executive-in-Residence Lecture features an industry leader in the hospitality and tourism management field.
The University of North Texas is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
28Texas Tech University College of Human Sciences, Hospitality and Retail Management department
(Lubbock, Texas)Texas Tech University Hospitality
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Texas Tech University ranks #28 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The program focuses on practical work experience and management skills. Texas Tech University received accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management degree
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management degree
Accelerated B.S. to M.S. in Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management program
Master of Science in Hospitality and Retail Management degree
Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration
Students can select one of these tracks: Lodging, Wine, Food and Beverage, Hospitality or Education.
Hospitality and Retail Management department highlights:
Hospitality employers visit Texas Tech every semester to recruit hotel and restaurant management graduates.
Students obtain at least 1,200 hours of practical workplace experience (including a 400-hour off-campus internship) along with additional hours in classroom kitchens and labs to complete their Hospitality Management courses online.
Students gain restaurant management experience at the Skyviews Restaurant.
The school provides on-site classrooms at the four-star Overton Hotel & Conference Center.
Students have opportunities to study abroad, including at approved affiliate programs such as Manchester Metropolitan University, Regent’s University London, Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute, La Trobe and Florence University of the Arts. Students can also study abroad in faculty-led programs.
Students receive hands-on training in industry-standard computer software.
Texas Tech University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
29Boston University School of Hospitality Administration
(Boston, Massachusetts)Boston University, School of Hospitality Administration
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Boston University ranks #29 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The city of Boston, the economic and cultural cornerstone of the larger metropolitan area known as Greater Boston, provides numerous opportunities for hospitality students to gain experience. The School of Hospitality Administration strategically partners with the Boston University Questrom School of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration degree
The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration degree includes a Hospitality Marketing concentration and an Event Management concentration.
Master of Management in Hospitality
The School of Hospitality Administration is pleased to offer a Master of Management in Hospitality program. This one year (3-semester) program serves to enhance business and management skills for students who have either a strong liberal arts (or other-non business) or business background and will prepare them to begin a career in hospitality leadership. For professionals currently working in the hospitality industry, the degree provides the necessary ongoing education to remain competitive and knowledgeable in the changing industry and provide the educational background necessary for hospitality professionals to advance their career.
School of Hospitality Administration highlights:
The school hosts corporate recruiting events every fall and spring.
Some of the companies frequently recruiting and hiring students include Ritz Carlton, Marriott International, Kimpton Hotel and Restaurants, Starwood Hotels, Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons, Union Square Hospitality Group, Dinex Group, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Aramark, Raffanelli Events, and Longwood Events.
Students must complete at least 400 hours in an internship or a job within the industry; the second work requirement, a minimum of 400 hours in a leadership or supervisory role, includes more responsibility than the first work requirement.
Every student must complete an international experience such a semester in a study abroad program at a location such as London, Madrid, Dublin, Sydney, Auckland, Hong Kong, Paris, Padua, Shanghai or a job or an international internship at a location such as the Hotel de Buci in Paris, France, the Langham Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, the Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia, and the Ritz Carton in London England or globally focuses courses which include an international field trip or extensive coursework in a foreign language.
Classroom to Classroom Collaboration included in a variety of SHA required courses, allows students to collaborate on a project with hospitality students at schools throughout the world such as in China; students collaborate via Skype and email and make their presentation using Skype in the classroom.
Boston University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
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30Florida Atlantic University, College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Management
(Boca Raton, Florida)Florida Atlantic University College of Business
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Florida Atlantic University ranks #30 on The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The Hospitality and Tourism Management program, which provides a business-focused curriculum, is part of the Florida Atlantic University College of Business, an AACSB International accredited business school. Students have a variety of learning opportunities in Boca Raton, a prominent tourism and hospitality area situated within the south Florida metropolitan area.
Hospitality programs:
Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Hospitality Management
Professional MBA in Hospitality Management on-campus or online
Hospitality Management program highlights:
Some of the companies which actively post jobs or provided internships or hired alumni and students include Addison Reserve Country Club, Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca West Country Club, Carnival Cruise Lines, Darden Restaurants, Discover the Palm Beaches, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention &Visitors Bureau, Hillstone Restaurant Group, Hilton Boca Raton Suites, Hilton Worldwide, Hospitality Ventures Management Group, Hyatt Regency Orlando, Kolter Hospitality, Marriott Boca Raton, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pelican Grand Beach Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Woodfield Country Club.
Hospitality & tourism students have the opportunity to attend standard Career Fairs the university hosts twice per year as well as hospitality-specific information sessions throughout the year.
Graduates of the BBA in Hospitality Management program must have foreign language proficiency.
All students must work a minimum of 1000 hours; the vast majority of hospitality students work in the industry throughout their years at Florida Atlantic University; the average student graduates with more than 2000 hours.
Students in the International Experience in Hospitality Management course can select from various programs throughout the world.
Hospitality majors are introduced to mentors from the hospitality industry in year one.
The Adopt a Class program allows an employer to adopt a specific course and have an executive co-teach portions of a class.
All students take the same core business courses of any major within the College of Business.
Faculty includes experienced executives with academic credentials as well as notable researchers in hospitality management who have at least three years of experience working in business; faculty members stay involved with active industry roles.
Florida Atlantic University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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Kaplan University
Kaplan University
Campus & Online
AAS - Business Administration: Meeting and Event Planning
The online AAS in business administration with a concentration in health club operations offered by Kaplan University consists of 90 credits. Specialized courses include scientific foundations of exercise and fitness, customers service, and human physiology I and II.
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The Savvy Student’s Guide to Hospitality Degree Programs
hospitalityschools
The enormous hospitality industry, one of the world’s largest employers, provides an array of rewarding management positions throughout the world in restaurants, lodging, institutional food service, event planning, theme parks, resort clubs, cruise lines, casinos and more. Hospitality degree programs prepare students for an array of rewarding management careers through a combination of classroom learning and vital work experience.
The hospitality industry basically includes two sides; the operational side which includes front-line jobs and the corporate side which includes jobs in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, and more. Both sides provide numerous opportunities.
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The 30 Best Hospitality Degree Programs in the U.S.!
The diverse hospitality industry provides plenty of opportunities for advancement, especially for individuals with a hospitality management degree. Some of the popular job titles include:
Amusement Park Manager
Asset Manager
Banquet Sales Manager
Bread and Breakfast Facility Manager
Casino Manager
Catering Director
Club Manager
Cluster Reservations Manager
Concierge
Conference and Event Sales Manager
Convention Manager
Credit Manager
Cruise Director
Digital Marketing Manager
Director of Room Operations
Duty Manager
Event Coordinator
Floor Supervisor
Food and Beverage Director
Food Service Manager
Front Office Supervisor
Group Sales Manager
Guest Services Manager
Healthcare Hospitality Food Service Director
Hotel Manager
Human Resource Manager
Institutional Food Service Manager
Meeting Planner
Public Relations Manager
Purchasing Director
Reservations Supervisor
Restaurant Manager
Revenue Manager
Room Service Supervisor
Sales and Marketing Director
School Food Service Director
Shore Excursions Manager
Tourism Manager
Wedding Sales Manager
Welcome Desk Manager
Many hospitality companies also have jobs at their headquarters as well as regional and national jobs in various departments.
Bachelor in Hospitality Management degree
The degree prepares students for a wide range of managerial positions.
The Hospitality Management degree online typically combine classroom learning with work experiences through internships, jobs and working at student-operated venues. The programs include hospitality management foundation courses and business courses.
Many of the Bachelor in Hospitality Management degree programs provide specializations such as Hospitality Sales and Marketing, Food and Beverage Management, Gaming and Resort Management, Meetings and Events, Hospitality Operations, Tourism Development, and Restaurant Management.
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Ashford University
Ashford University
Campus & Online
BA - Service Management
Ashford University's more than 60 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs include business economics, instructional design, law enforcement, and library science. Students can transfer up to 90 credits towards their degrees and enjoy a student to faculty ratio of 13 to one. A library and writing center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in order to assist students.
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Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
Campus & Online
BS - Hospitality Management
GCU's BS in hospitality management prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in the customer service industry. With core courses covering principles of marketing, statistics, and strategic management, including hands-on training with management professionals, GCU learners acquire the necessary skills to be competitive professionals upon graduation.
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Graduate Degrees for Hospitality Professionals
A Master’s degree in Hospitality Management typically covers advanced management concepts in areas such as marketing, accounting and finance, human resources management, and strategic management. The programs also typically cover qualitative and quantitative skills as they pertain to the hospitality industry. A Master in Hospitality Management degree can also provide a foundation for a Ph.D.
The master’s degree programs help students broaden their knowledge of the hospitality industry and enhance their managerial, analytical and leadership skills. The degree gives a significant advantage to professionals seeking a high-level corporate position in a hospitality business or a position at a hospitality consulting firm or in other service organizations.
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Purdue University
Purdue University
Campus & Online
Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Purdue University's online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) is a business-focused hospitality degree designed to help managers with HTM industry experience rise to new levels. It provides the executive management, leadership and analytical skills you need to advance your career within the industry.
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Master in Hospitality Management degree versus an MBA
Some hospitality professionals report individuals with an undergraduate degree in hospitality management benefit from a MBA with a business focus such as accounting, finance or marketing. The MBA enhances their business knowledge. Some schools provide an MBA with a focus in Hospitality Management.
The Master in Hospitality Management degree provides plenty of benefits especially for individuals in the hospitality industry with an undergraduate degree in a non-hospitality field; these individuals obtain a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of the hospitality industry. The programs provide students more opportunities to gain industry exposure; they benefit from speakers and research projects focused on the hospitality industry.
The choice between a Master in Hospitality Management degree and a MBA basically depends on a person’s background and their undergraduate degree type.
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Hospitality programs ranking guidelines:
Due to the large number of hospitality management programs to choose from, it’s not easy selecting a school. We’ve thoroughly evaluated hospitality schools located throughout the United States to create our list of the best hospitality programs.
We selected the programs based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength, the quality of business education, internship opportunities (including business training), graduate degrees (not a mandatory requirement), mentoring opportunities (not a mandatory requirement), study abroad opportunities, career fairs, and reputation.
RANKING METHODOLOGY
Methodology for College Rankings
The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:
The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.
To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):
1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]
Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
Considers range of electives within that discipline
Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline
2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]
Considers education background of the faculty
Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources
3. Reputation [weight = 20%]
Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
Faculty
Curriculum
“Freshness” of academic knowledge
Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
Suitability of graduates for the workplace
4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]
Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants
5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]
Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business
6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]
Considers the following of the online classes:
Types of online technology used to deliver content
Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
Considers the following of instructors:
Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
Ratio to number of students in a class
Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees
Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.
To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:
Accreditation
Public or private status
Acceptance rate
Retention rate
Graduation rate
ACT/SAT requirements
Cost in-state / out of state
Undergrad, grad, or both offered
Region
State
City
Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!
If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.
Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!
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Note: Some of the schools in our list have accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA). The accreditation provides assurance a program has an acceptable level of quality. The agency also provides guidance to programs regarding their educational offering and related activities. We consider the accreditation a positive factor, however many of the best hospitality programs have not pursued the accreditation.
Note: A small number of hospitality programs in the United States are housed in a business school which has accreditation from the respected Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB International). AACSB International reports their organization challenges post-secondary educators to pursue excellence and continuous improvement throughout their business programs. We view AACSB International accreditation as a positive factor, but some business schools choose not to pursue the accreditation in order to have more flexibility in their curriculum and program.