25 Best Colleges for a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management 2020
The 25 schools on this list offer the top bachelor's degrees in hospitality management, based on median salary one year out of college. Cornell University is ranked #1; hospitality management majors at Cornell had a median salary of $57,900 and the lowest median debt on the list, at $11,937. Starting median salaries for graduates from the schools on this list range from $39,700-$57,900.
Tuition, median salaries, and median debt were reported by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019. View our methodology for more details about these rankings or read more about the top-ranked schools.
| School | Annual Tuition | Median Debt | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell University | $63,200 | $11,937 | $57,900 |
| New York University | $58,168 | $19,500 | $50,300 |
| The George Washington University | $62,200 | $22,749 | $49,300 |
| University of Delaware | $37,930 | $23,250 | $47,100 |
| University of San Francisco | $55,532 | Not Reported | $46,300 |
| San Jose State University | $19,779 | $18,875 | $46,200 |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $34,838 | $25,071 | $44,900 |
| Boston University | $62,360 | $27,000 | $44,800 |
| Pennsylvania State University | $38,651 | $26,000 | $44,600 |
| Texas Tech University | $24,122 | $23,016 | $44,100 |
| Purdue University - Main Campus | $28,794 | $20,000 | $43,700 |
| University of Massachusetts - Amherst | $38,171 | $23,250 | $43,200 |
| University of Denver | $56,439 | $19,500 | $42,500 |
| Widener University | $51,639 | $26,000 | $42,200 |
| George Mason University | $38,983 | $18,500 | $41,800 |
| Auburn University | $32,960 | $25,000 | $41,700 |
| Pace University | $50,026 | Not Reported | $41,600 |
| James Madison University | $30,152 | $19,500 | $41,500 |
| San Francisco State University | $19,404 | $17,500 | $41,300 |
| University of Nevada at Las Vegas | $25,489 | $19,400 | $41,200 |
| Michigan State University | $41,958 | $25,578 | $40,700 |
| Temple University | $35,608 | $25,755 | $40,300 |
| University of New Hampshire - Main Campus | $37,934 | $27,000 | $40,300 |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | $34,218 | $20,493 | $39,700 |
2020 Best Colleges Highlights
Learn more about the top colleges for a Bachelor's in Hospitality Management degree. You can also read student reviews of each school by clicking on the stars. Although student reviews were not used as a ranking factor in this list, we provide ratings and reviews so students can consider the experience of alumni in their decision-making process.
Cornell University offers a bachelor of science degree through the School of Hotel Administration. The school places an emphasis on learning about the entire hospitality industry from the ground up, from marketing and financials to the day-to-day running of a hotel. This program requires 120 credit hours in the classroom and an additional 800 hours of work in the field.
While the bulk of a student's credits will be earned through core classes, students will have the opportunity to take electives both inside and outside Cornell's School of Hotel Administration to tailor their education to their goals. A majority of students complete the work requirements during summer breaks; however, part-time employment is also accepted. This requirement is put in place to help students gain valuable real-world experience in the field. In the classroom, students in this program will learn the foundations of hospitality management, from communication to property development.
New York University's BS in Hotel and Tourism Management is offered through the School of Professional Studies. This bachelor's program focuses on preparing students for management positions in the fast-paced hotel and hospitality industry by taking advantage of the school's New York City location. By incorporating internships into the program and making full use of the wide range of hotels, tourist attractions, and event centers in NYC, this program prepares students in a practical way that goes beyond the classroom.
Inside the classroom, students will take 140 credit hours of classes, with 60 of those credit hours coming from liberal arts core classes. From courses focused on business development to human resource management, students will learn what it takes to run a successful hospitality business from the smallest details to the big picture.
For students looking to study hospitality management in a program that provides flexibility, The George Washington University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Sport, Event, and Hospitality Management concentration that has three separate tracks to customize the curriculum. Within the core classes, students will learn the processes and systems that go into successful hotel and tourism management. Additionally, this degree program requires that students minor in a subject from outside the GW School of Business to further broaden their horizons and bring new ideas to the world of hospitality.
For ambitious students looking to take a unique approach to learn the foundations of good hospitality management, this program offers flexibility and variety. Working closely with a counselor, students can create a unique course load to meet their interests and future career goals.
The Hospitality Business Management degree offered by the University of Delaware is consistently recognized as one of the most successful in the country. Students will participate in a specialized and focused course taught both inside and outside the classroom. The University of Delaware features two labs on campus where students can earn their skills in hands-on experiences from working in a gourmet restaurant to a simulated hotel lodging experience.
Classes students will take include overviews and deep dives of hospitality, food and beverage management, finance, and accounting. The University of Delaware recognizes that so much more than a smile and excellent customer service go into award-winning hospitality service, and they aim to teach each student how to manage five-star hospitality hotspots. From taking time to earn valuable hands-on experience to learning how written communication in management can make a difference, students will learn everything from the fundamentals to the most important details of proper management.
The University of San Francisco offers its Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Hospitality Management with a comprehensive program designed to provide each student with a personalized experience. Just as no two travel destinations are the same, the University of San Francisco recognizes that no two hotels, restaurants, or travel destinations will require the same management.
Students are encouraged to gain experiences and learn through leading rather than memorize coursework. However, there are 20 core credit-hour classes that all students must take to graduate with this degree. Due to the college's location in San Francisco, one of the premier travel destinations in the United States, students have the opportunity to live, learn, and work in one of the biggest hospitality industries in the country. Internships are arranged to give students the real-world experience that translates into career confidence, connections, and success.