30 Best Hospitality Schools in the U.S.
5
University of Houston
LOCATION
Houston, Texas
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$19,521
The University of Houston includes its own school for hospitality management. The Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management has over 50 years preparing students for successful hospitality careers. Hilton College is also known as the most diverse in the world. It has students from 54 different countries.
The BS in hotel and restaurant management has a well-rounded hospitality management program by combining:
- business courses
- social sciences
- hospitality marketing
- human resources
- communications
In addition to coursework, you will complete 1,000 hours of work experience. You will enjoy class trips, including international ones, and the many hospitality organizations offered.
You can also choose to minor in beverage management and marketing to give you expertise in the multi-billion dollar wine and beer industry. If you know you want to earn a master’s degree eventually, you can go ahead and check that off your list with the dual BS + MS program where you earn both degrees in just five years.
6
University of Central Florida
LOCATION
Orlando, Florida
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$18,300
MORE INFORMATION
University of Central Florida is one of the best hospitality management colleges. UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management is ranked among the top five hospitality management programs in the world. It is also the nation’s largest program with over 3,000 students (Program brochure). Rosen College actually offers six academic degrees, but we are going to focus on the Bachelor of Science in hospitality management.
The BS in hospitality management encompasses all aspects of the industry, including finance, customer service, human resources, and marketing. You can personalize this program even more by adding one of the following career tracks:
- Golf and club management
- Lodging management
- Professional tennis management
- Theme park and attraction management
You are required to complete three paid internships. We see this as a huge perk because it allows you to become well-rounded in all types of hospitality settings. Graduates are highly prepared for management positions. More than 97% have full-time jobs by graduation. Graduates work all over the world. Some notable companies are:
- Delta Air Lines
- Hilton Hotel and Resorts
- SeaWorld Parks
- Walt Disney Co.
7
University of Nevada
LOCATION
Reno, Nevada
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$20,138
MORE INFORMATION
If you are a rebel and you know it, check out the University of Nevada Las Vegas and join the Rebels—“a culture that inspires people to take chances, seize opportunities, and find unconventional solutions to any challenge they care to tackle” (UNLV website). The bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from UNLV is a top-ranked program that features a broad approach to hospitality all at an affordable cost.
In this program, you will take a myriad of courses, including:
- Human Resource Management
- Purchase and Cost Control
- Leadership
You can also choose a concentration in:
- Gaming management
- Meetings and events
- PGA golf management
- Restaurant management
To tailor your program further, you have 22 elective credits to choose from based on your personal interests.
The career possibilities from UNLV’s program are endless. Whether you want to work in tourism, food service, hotels, or casinos, you can get there with this degree. Check out these career opportunities where alumni are currently working.
8
New York University
LOCATION
New York City, New York
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$61,057
MORE INFORMATION
New York University is one of the most esteemed research universities in the world. It is a leader in global education including campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai!
NYU’s School of Professional Studies is among the best hospitality schools and features the bachelor degree in hotel and tourism management. The degree is a blend of liberal arts and industry-specific business courses to provide students for leadership in the hospitality field.
You will take 60 liberal arts core classes and 41 professional core credits in the areas of:
- hospitality finance
- sales and marketing
- food and beverage
- event planning
You can also choose a concentration in:
- event management
- hotel development
- marketing and revenue management
- organizations and operations
- tourism development
A huge benefit is that this hospitality management program is in the middle of vibrant New York City. You will gain hands-on experience in the bustling city along with exciting global opportunities. NYU is committed to a holistic approach to admissions. They currently do not require any test scores to apply. You can apply using the CommonApp.
9
Washington State University
LOCATION
Pullman, Washington
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$21,509
MORE INFORMATION
Washington State University is known for life-changing research. WSU is a school of discovery and innovation with 11 National Academy members and 5 Grand Challenges. It is no surprise that WSU’s School of Hospitality Business Management is in the top 5% of 170 similar programs throughout the country. It is described as a “go-to” institution for the hospitality industry.
This well-rounded hospitality management program requires real-world experience. It includes at least 1,000 hours in a hospitality setting, international experiences, all guided by the top industry professionals. Through the bachelor of arts in hospitality business management, you be well prepared to become a leader in the following areas of the industry:
- Operations
- Revenues
- Sales
- Service
- Event planning
- Consulting
The school is so wide-spread, reaching students worldwide. They offer this degree program through their campuses at Everett, Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Switzerland, and their global campus.
10
Pennsylvania State University
LOCATION
State College, Pennsylvania
AVERAGE NET PRICE
$32,528
MORE INFORMATION
Penn State is one of the top hospitality schools in the U.S. Penn State continues to offer diverse, robust programs that share the common goal of enriching the lives of others. Penn State’s bachelor of hospitality management program is as diverse as they come. It will help land you in any hospitality career that you choose!
This program prepares students for “management positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, casinos, convention centers, health care and corporate dining facilities, educational institutions, and other commercial and non-commercial settings” (Penn State website). There is truly no limit to what you can do with this degree.
You can choose to concentrate on restaurant, hotel, or institutional management. Along with general education requirements, you will take 54 core hospitality management credits that need to be taken in a certain sequence. You then take at least 19 elective credits that you can choose based on your interests. You can choose to minor in entrepreneurship and innovation for an additional 18 credit hours.
