30 Best Hospitality Schools in the U.S.

Top Schools for Hotel Management

If you love people and the fast-paced hustle of serving and entertaining others, a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from one of our top schools may be for you!

Hotel management is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world. A career in this dynamic field will introduce you to the world of service through travel. Think of the possibilities. There are interesting tourist destinations like New York City and Washington DC. and Miami. You may find a job elsewhere.

While hospitality is a broad field, it is divided into four major categories:

• guest relations
• food and beverage
• travel and tourism
• entertainment

Featured Programs

A degree from one of the top hospitality schools in hospitality management will provide you with the expertise and experience in possibly the most exciting industry out there!

What Is a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management?

A bachelor’s of hospitality management is a blend of business and hospitality courses. This degree gives you a strong base for working in the industry. Some hospitality management programs emphasize more of the business side. Other programs focus on the hospitality side. Either way, you will get a nice blend of both.

Many bachelor’s programs feature concentrations, such as:

• restaurant management
• hotel management
• travel and tourism
• gaming (like casinos and entertainment clubs)

A typical program is 120 credit hours. Those are divided into:

• general education
• business
• core hospitality classes
• electives
• internships

Be ready to travel because nearly all bachelor’s in hospitality management require international experience. This can be a huge perk!

Requirements for admission vary, depending on the school. Some are more competitive than others. Typically, you need at least a 2.5 GPA (although a 3.0 is preferred), and a desire to serve others with a smile! Some hospitality management colleges evaluate students holistically, factoring in:

• past experience
• volunteer work
• extracurricular activities
• positive attitude

Careers for Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Majors

The great news about the field of hospitality management is the myriad of career options. Because these degrees cover so many different areas, including business, your options are endless.

Here are some of the main careers for bachelor’s in hospitality management majors:

• Restaurant/hotel manager
• Hospitality marketer
• Human resource manager
• Casino or bar manager
• Theme park manager
• Travel agent/tour guide
• Event organizer

Lodging and restaurant management is one of the top choices among hospitality majors. This role includes overseeing the operations of businesses such as:

• hotels
• restaurants
• resorts
• bed and breakfasts

Event planning is another top choice. Many graduates land jobs as event planners for convention centers to host events such as:

• seminars
• conferences
• weddings
• parties

As you can see, you could be managing a prestigious restaurant in New York City, planning for the next big event at the Marriott, overseeing the operations of a bustling casino, or traveling the world!

Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Salary Potential

Earning a bachelor’s in hospitality management is a smart financial move. You will have access to good-paying jobs throughout the industry.

Your salary will depend on:

• the type of career you choose
• how many years of work experience you have
• the specific facility where you work

According to PayScale, the average salary for those with a hospitality management bachelor’s degree is $55,000. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides these average salaries for the following hospitality jobs:

• Food service managers $59,440     
• Hotel managers $59,430
• Meeting, convention, and event planners $50,600
• Administrative service managers $96,940
• Sales managers $127,490
• Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers $135,900

A bachelor’s degree from one of the best schools for hospitality will definitely open up a host of career opportunities with good starting pay. A master’s degree may be worth your while if you want to increase your paychecks. Many of our rankings in this article include bachelor’s + master’s programs, so you can earn both degrees in one program.

A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management will definitely open up a host of career opportunities with good starting pay. A master’s degree may be worth your while if you want to increase your paychecks. Many of our rankings in this article include bachelor’s + master’s programs, so you can earn both degrees in one program.

What Are the Best Hospitality Schools?

At CollegeRank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one. We want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net.