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Hospitality and Tourism Management Major

White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Consistently ranked as one of the leading hospitality and tourism management programs, both globally and nationally, Purdue’s hospitality and tourism management program will immerse you in the fast-paced hospitality industry and prepare you to work in a variety of management positions. Hospitality is internationally relevant and a powerful economic driver, and Purdue’s hospitality and tourism management major equips you with valuable skills to create memorable experiences for consumers.

Coursework is challenging and relevant to today’s workforce needs, and you’ll learn from faculty who bring years of industry experience into the classroom. To prepare you to be a well-rounded hospitality business professional, courses explore accounting, marketing, lodging, food service, tourism, human resource management, law and more. The major also offers a strong foundation of management classes. Additionally, the program’s hands-on learning experiences will prepare you to work in any facet of the industry, from food service to lodging to tourism and beyond. You’ll also participate in a 320-hour hospitality and tourism management paid internship that aligns with your professional career goals. 

Through a tremendous partnership with White Lodging — a relationship that is unique to Purdue — students are also provided with opportunities and support from a leading hospitality company that is second to none. The White Lodging LAUNCH Hospitality Immersion Program provides hospitality and tourism students the opportunity to work on campus at the Union Club Hotel , part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection of brands. These world-class facilities provide an exceptional learning laboratory for students, and is the only luxury student-run hotel of its kind.

Career Opportunities

Students who majored in hospitality and tourism management have a 98% job placement rate, finding successful careers at Amazon, Disney, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, White Lodging Services, and more. The following are notable career paths for hospitality and tourism management majors:

• Account executive
• Airline operations manager
• Catering director
• Convention/event planner
• Corporate recruiter
• Corporate travel manager
• Country club manager
• Director, convention and visitors bureaus
• Entrepreneur
• Events services manager
• Event planner
• Facilities manager (casino, healthcare, resort, sports venue, etc.)
• Food and beverage director
• Food service manager
• Hotel general manager
• Hotel operations director
• Human resources recruiter
• Marketing associate
• Product/equipment supplier
• Property manager
• Reservations coordinator
• Restaurant designer
• Restaurant owner/manager
• Revenue manager
• Sales representative
• Travel agency manager

Career Resources

• The  HTM Career Center  provides career planning services and coordinates more than 700 interviews each year.
• HTM Career Day  brings representatives from the industry to campus each fall for a career fair, keynote address and reception for employers and students.
• The  Center for Career Opportunities offers additional career fairs and assistance.
• The Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation can complement your hospitality and tourism management degree without the need to take additional credits.

Learning Experiences

• Connect all your hospitality and tourism management knowledge in the capstone course as you build your own hospitality business with a team of classmates.
• Complete two mandatory  paid internships .
• Immerse yourself in a world-class hotel learning experience right on campus at the Union Club Hotel when participating in White Lodging’s LAUNCH Hospitality Immersion Program . 
• Train in the school’s two  restaurants : the John Purdue Room (fine dining) and the Boiler Bistro (quick service).
• Complete an optional six-month paid internship at a Shangri-La Hotel in China, or  study abroad  at various destinations around the world.
• Join  HTM student organizations that are mentored by our award-winning faculty, including the HTM Society, which organizes the annual  Black Tie Dinner fundraising event.
• Enhance your plan of study by completing the event and meeting management minor or a certificate in the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
• Participate in research activities to explore of a variety of topics within hospitality and tourism management.

Program Quick Facts

Degree Type: Bachelor’s

Location: West Lafayette

Department/School: White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Concentrations

Environmental Sustainability

The optional environmental sustainability concentration examines issues related to sustainability in the hospitality and tourism industry. Courses cover sustainable tourism and responsible travel, environmental ethics, environmental policy and more.

Hospitality Facilities Design and Management

The optional hospitality facilities design and management concentration allows you to focus on the systems, technology and architectural components of the hospitality industry. Courses cover mechanical and electrical systems, technology systems, construction management, facility design, project management and more.

Marketing and Sales

The optional marketing and sales concentration is designed for individuals interested in the process of generating revenue for hospitality and tourism businesses. Courses cover public relations, advertising, relationship selling, marketing, consumer behavior and more.

The optional finance concentration allows you to gain in-depth knowledge of managing financial affairs and financial decision-making in the business world. Courses cover investment management, corporate finance, international finance and more.

“Growing up as a part of a military family, I have moved many times. When it came time to select a university, I was living in Germany and had no idea where I wanted to go, but I knew I wanted to become an event management professional. After doing my research, I chose Purdue because of its highly esteemed HTM program!” — Claire

Hometown:  Fayetteville, North Carolina Major:   Hospitality & Tourism Management   Why Purdue:  Growing up as a part of a military family, I have moved many times. When it came time to select a university, I was living in Germany and had no idea where I wanted to go, but I knew I wanted to become an event management professional. After doing my research, I chose Purdue because of its highly esteemed HTM program! Favorite Place at Purdue:  My favorite place at Purdue is either the Marriott atrium or Mackey Arena. So many fun memories in both of those locations! Advice for an Incoming Freshman:  Don’t be afraid to change! College is all about finally having the chance to become someone you’ve always wanted to be. Seek out exciting opportunities to learn and grow, and trust me, these four years go by so fast, and you don’t want to waste a minute of it! I’m the president of HTM Society’s   Black Tie Dinner , if you have questions about anything please contact  [email protected] . Instagram:  @purdueblacktie

Other Hospitality and Tourism Management Majors

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25 Best Colleges for Hospitality Management – 2024

April 23, 2024

If you aspire to one day manage a hotel, resort, casino, food service operation, or restaurant, then hospitality management is definitely the right undergraduate major for you. Along the way, you’ll take courses in subjects such as diversity, leisure theory, leadership and group dynamics, legal issues in recreation, foundations of tourism, event planning, program evaluation, and service marketing. Our list of the Best Colleges for Hospitality Management “serves up” stellar undergraduate opportunities for expert instruction, internships, and corporate networking. Elite programs like Cornell, Boston University, and NYU cater to upper-echelon applicants with extremely high GPAs and standardized test scores, but many other schools featured on our list are accessible to “B” students and still prepare graduates to find quality jobs in this exciting, constantly-growing field.

Methodology 

Click here to read our methodology for the Best Colleges for Hospitality Management Majors

Best Colleges for Hospitality Management Majors

Here’s a quick preview of the first ten hospitality management departments that made our list. Detailed profiles and stats can be found when you scroll below.

1) Cornell University

2) Boston University

3) New York University

4) Florida State University

5) University of Central Florida

6) University of Nevada-Las Vegas

7) Pennsylvania State University

8) Michigan State University

9) University of Massachusetts-Amherst

10) George Washington University

All of the schools profiled below have stellar reputations in the field of hospitality management and commit substantial resources to undergraduate education. For each of the best colleges for hospitality management, College Transitions will provide you with—when available—each school’s:

• Cost of Attendance
• Acceptance Rate
• Median  SAT
• Median  ACT
• Retention Rate
• Graduation Rate

We will also include a longer write-up of each college’s:

• Academic Highlights – Includes facts like student-to-faculty ratio, average class size, number of majors offered, and most popular majors.
• Professional Outcomes – Includes info on the rate of positive outcomes, companies employing alumni, and graduate school acceptances.

Cornell University

Academic Highlights: A diverse array of academic programs includes 80 majors and 120 minors spread across the university’s seven schools/colleges. Classes are a bit larger at Cornell than at many other elite institutions. Still, 55% of sections have fewer than 20 students. Most degrees conferred in 2022 were in computer science (17%), engineering (13%), business (13%), and biology (13%). The SC Johnson College of Business houses two undergraduate schools, both of which have phenomenal reputations.

Professional Outcomes: Breaking down the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest school at Cornell, 68% entered the workforce, 28% entered graduate school, 1% pursued other endeavors such as travel or volunteer work, and the remaining 3% were still seeking employment six months after receiving their diplomas. The top sectors attracting campus-wide graduateswere financial services (18%), technology (17%), consulting (15%), and education (10%). Of the students from A&S going on to graduate school, 15% were pursuing JDs, 5% MDs, and 22% PhDs.

• Enrollment: 15,735
• Cost of Attendance: $88,150
• Median SAT: 1520
• Median ACT: 34
• Acceptance Rate: 7%
• Retention Rate: 97%
• Graduation Rate: 95%

Boston University

Academic Highlights: In total, the university offers more than 300 programs of study, 100+ of which are distinct undergraduate degrees spread across ten schools/colleges. Many classes at BU are reasonably small—60% contain fewer than twenty students; only 19% contain more than forty. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The greatest number of degrees are conferred in social sciences (16%), business/marketing (15%), communications and journalism (15%), biology (11%), engineering (9%), and health professions/related sciences (7%).

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduation, 90% of BU grads have found their way into the world of employment or full-time graduate study. Across all graduating years, companies employing more than 350 BU alums include Google, Oracle, Accenture, IBM, and Amazon Web Services. Of the one-quarter of grads who move directly into graduate school, many are welcomed onto the campuses of elite graduate programs. For example, engineering students found new academic homes at MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and Columbia.

• Enrollment: 18,459
• Cost of Attendance: $86,363
• Median SAT: 1430
• Median ACT: 32
• Acceptance Rate: 14%
• Retention Rate: 94%
• Graduation Rate: 89%

New York University

• New York, NY

Academic Highlights: NYU is divided into a number of smaller (but still quite large) colleges organized by discipline; in sum, there are 230 areas of undergraduate study across nine schools and colleges. For its size, a commendable 58% of classes have an enrollment under 20 students. While all schools within NYU have solid reputations, Stern holds the distinction as one of the top undergraduate business programs in the country. For those entering film, dance, drama, or other performing arts, Tisch is as prestigious a place as you can find to study.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of exiting, 94% of Class of 2022 grads had landed at their next destination, with 78% employed and 21% in graduate school. The top industries for employment were healthcare (11%), internet and software (9%), finance (8%), and entertainment (8%). Large numbers of alumni can be found at Google, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Citi, and Amazon. The mean starting salary is $75,336. In 2022, business, arts and sciences, and law school were the most popular grad school destinations.

• Enrollment: 29,401 (undergraduate); 29,711 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $90,222-$96,172
• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Retention Rate: 95%
• Graduation Rate: 87%

Florida State University

• Tallahassee, FL

Academic Highlights: A wide range of baccalaureate degrees—103 to be precise—are available at FSU. The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Twenty-three percent of degrees conferred fall under the business umbrella. The social sciences (15%), psychology (8%), biology (8%), and homeland security (6%) are next in popularity.

Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. The top five sectors employing 2022 grads are (in order) finance, technology, marketing, health, and engineering. Roughly one-third of 2022 Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 75% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance. A typical graduating class sees over 100 students accepted into medical schools and over 200 accepted into law schools.

• Enrollment: 32,936
• Cost of Attendance: $25,762 (In-State); $39,692 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1300
• Median ACT: 29
• Acceptance Rate: 25%
• Graduation Rate: 85%

University of Central Florida

• Orlando, FL

Academic Highlights:  With a very high 29:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes at UCF are fairly large as 23% contain 50 or more students. There are 100+ undergraduate majors at this institution. The most popular majors are business (17%), health professions (15%), psychology (10%), engineering (9%), and the visual and performing arts (7%). The school ranks well for facilitating social mobility and overall value and the engineering, computer science, and nursing programs all rank well on a national level.

Professional Outcomes:  Over two-thirds of recent graduates obtained employment immediately after earning their bachelor’s degree; one-quarter head right to graduate school. The median starting salary is $47,000 and the most commonly entered industries are hospital/healthcare, education, hospitality services, engineering, technology, financial, accounting, and marketing. The most popular graduate degrees pursued were in the sciences, health professions, education, and medicine.

• Enrollment: 58,749
• Cost of Attendance: $24,244 (In-State); $39,269 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1270
• Median ACT: 27
• Acceptance Rate: 41%
• Retention Rate: 93%
• Graduation Rate: 76%

University of Nevada Las Vegas

• Las Vegas, NV

Academic Highlights:  UNLV allows undergraduates to choose from 76 majors and 70 minors, all with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. In total, 43% of course sections take place in a smaller setting capped at 19 students. The academic area attracting the most attention is business (23%), although psychology (9%), health professions and related programs (8%), the social sciences (7%), homeland security & law enforcement (7%), and the visual and performing arts (6%) are also quite popular.

Professional Outcomes:  Remaining in the Las Vegas Area after graduating is the most common move for UNLV alum, but sizable numbers also flock to Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, and Dallas. The companies employing the greatest number of alumni are the Clark County School District, MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Amazon, Wynn Las Vegas, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas, and Resorts World Las Vegas.

• Enrollment: 25,365
• Cost of Attendance: $26,591 (In-State); $47,351 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1120
• Median ACT: 21
• Acceptance Rate: 85%
• Retention Rate: 77%
• Graduation Rate: 47%

Pennsylvania State University — University Park

• State College, PA

Academic Highlights: Penn State offers 275 majors and a number of top-ranked programs in a host of disciplines. The College of Engineering is rated exceptionally well on a national scale and is also the most popular field of study, accounting for 15% of the degrees conferred. The Smeal College of Business is equally well-regarded, earning high rankings in everything from supply chain management to accounting to marketing. It attracts 15% of total degree-seekers. 61% of classes have an enrollment below thirty students.

Professional Outcomes: By graduation, 70% of Nittany Lions have found their next employment or graduate school home. 98% of College of Business grads are successful within three months of exiting, flocking in large numbers to stellar finance, accounting, consulting, and technology firms. Hundreds of alumni work at Citi, Salesforce, and Meta, and more than 500 currently work at each of IBM, Deloitte, PwC, Amazon, EY, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. 75% of 2022 grads employed full-time earned starting salaries greater than $50k.

• Enrollment: 41,745 (undergraduate); 7,020 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $32,656 (in-state); $52,610 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 55%
• Retention Rate: 91%

Michigan State University

• East Lansing, MI

Academic Highlights: This highly regarded state institution boasts over 200 programs—undergraduate, graduate, and professional—across 17 degree-granting colleges. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio rates in the average range for public universities of MSU’s size and scope. Class sizes are a genuine mix of small seminars and giant lecture halls. 16% of the degrees conferred in 2022 were in the business/marketing category. The next most common degrees were earned in communication/journalism (12%), engineering (11%), and the social sciences (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within months of strutting across the graduation stage, 56% of Class of 2022 members had landed full-time employment, 27% were pursuing advanced degrees, and 6% were still looking for a job. The top employers of this group included big names like General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Deloitte, Epic Systems, Target, PepsiCo, and Microsoft. The median starting salary earned was $60,000. Among the grads schools favored by recent alumni are the University of Michigan, New York University, Columbia University, and Boston University.

• Enrollment: 39,201
• Cost of Attendance: $27,805 (In-State); $55,189 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1220
• Acceptance Rate:
• Retention Rate: 89%
• Graduation Rate: 82%

University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Amherst, MA

Academic Highlights: 110 majors are offered across eight undergraduate colleges, including the highly ranked Isenberg School of Management. Programs in sports management, architecture, computer science, and nursing are top-rated. Of all degrees conferred in 2022, business/marketing diplomas accounted for 14%, followed by biology (11%), social sciences (10%), psychology (8%), health professions (7%), engineering (7%), and computer science (7%). 47% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students, and 30% engage in undergraduate research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 65% of newly minted 2022 grads were employed full-time and 26% were attending graduate school part-time. The most populated industries are health/medical professions (13%), internet & software (10%), biotech & life sciences (4%), and higher education (4%). Companies presently employing 100+ Minutemen and Minutewomen include Oracle, Mass Mutual, Amazon, IBM, Google, Intel, Microsoft, PwC, Wayfair, and Apple. Boston is the most popular landing spot for graduates.

• Enrollment: 23,936 (undergraduate); 7,874 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $37,219 (in-state); $59,896 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1380
• Median ACT: 31
• Acceptance Rate: 58%
• Graduation Rate: 83%

George Washington University

• Washington, D.C.

Academic Highlights: GW undergraduates choose from 75+ majors spread across nine colleges. The school’s 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to a mix of small, medium, and large undergraduate sections. Twelve percent of courses have single-digit enrollments, 10% have over 50 students, and the majority fall in the 10 to 29 range. The social sciences (31%) are the area in which the greatest number of degrees are awarded followed by health professions (17%), business (15%), biology (5%), and computer science (5%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of leaving GW, 96% of the Class of 2022 had found their way to gainful employment or graduate school while 4% were still job hunting. Of the 68% of grads already in the workplace, 68% were in a for-profit industry, 25% had entered a nonprofit position, and 8% were working in government. A healthy 27% of those earning their diplomas in 2022 immediately turned their attention to earning an advanced degree. Among that group were 76% seeking master’s degrees, 11% entering law school, 5% pursuing a medical degree, and 3% entering a doctoral program.

• Enrollment: 11,482
• Cost of Attendance: $85,740
• Median SAT: 1410
• Acceptance Rate: 49%
• Retention Rate: 90%

Purdue University — West Lafayette

• West Lafayette, IN

Academic Highlights: Purdue offers over 200 majors at ten discipline-specific colleges, and 38% of course sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer. Engineering and engineering technologies majors earn 34% of the degrees conferred by the university; the College of Engineering cracks the top ten on almost every list of best engineering schools. The Krannert School of Management is also well-regarded by employers; 11% of degrees conferred are in business. Other popular majors include computer science (10%) and agriculture (5%)—both are incredibly strong.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after receiving their diplomas, 70% of 2022 grads headed to the world of employment while 24% headed to graduate/professional school. The top industries entered by grads in recent years are (1) health care, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices; (2) finance, insurance, and consulting; (3) manufacturing and machinery; (4) airline, aviation, and aerospace. Companies employing the greatest number of recent alumni were Amazon, Deloitte, PepsiCo, Labcorp, Lockheed Martin, and Microsoft. The average starting salary was $68k across all degree programs.

• Enrollment: 37,949 (undergraduate); 12,935 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $22,812 (in-state); $41,614 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1330
• Acceptance Rate: 53%
• Graduation Rate: 84%

University of Houston

• Houston, TX

Academic Highlights: Nearly 100 undergraduate majors are offered across 11 different colleges. Programs within the College of Business and College of Engineering are particularly strong, especially petroleum engineering, entrepreneurship, and marketing. The most degrees are conferred in business/management/marketing (28%), psychology (7%), computer science (7%), engineering (7%), biological sciences (7%), and social sciences (6%). 34% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students, and

Professional Outcomes: By graduation day, 29% of recent grads had already accepted a full-time position and 11% had been accepted to graduate school. For those who entered the workforce, top employers were Houston ISD (as well as several other school systems), JPMorgan Chase, Houston Methodist, and Walgreens. Of those continuing their education, the highest percentage stayed at the University of Houston followed by the University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas A&M, Texas Woman’s University, and Rice.

• Enrollment: 37,946 (undergraduate); 8,730 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $24,268 (in-state); $39,868 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1230
• Median ACT: 25
• Acceptance Rate: 70%
• Retention Rate: 87%
• Graduation Rate: 65%

Texas A&M University — College Station

• College Station, TX

Academic Highlights: With nineteen schools and colleges and 130+ undergraduate degree programs, Texas A&M is a massive operation. As the name implies, there is a heavy emphasis on agriculture, engineering, and business, which all place well in national rankings and garner deep respect from major corporations and graduate/professional schools. Class sizes trend large, but 24% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students and personal connections with professors are entirely possible, particularly through the research-oriented LAUNCH program.

Professional Outcomes: On graduation day, 54% of students had already received at least one job offer and 22% were heading to graduate/professional school. Many Aggies go on to work at major oil, tech, and consulting firms; more than 500 are employed at each of ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Chevron, EY, Amazon, Microsoft, Intel, Accenture, and PWC. Starting salaries were strong—on average, College of Engineering grads made $80k and College of Agriculture & Life Sciences grads netted $54k. A&M is also the eighth-largest producer of law students in the entire country.

• Enrollment: 57,512 (undergraduate); 16,502 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $31,058 (in-state); $59,336 (out-of-state)
• Median ACT: 28
• Acceptance Rate: 63%

University of South Carolina

• Columbia, SC

Academic Highlights: UofSC is a massive enterprise, with 16 colleges/schools within the larger university. Even so, 70% of all sections contain 29 or fewer students. 32% of students take the opportunity to earn a degree in the business/marketing realm from the superb Darla Moore School of Business. The international business program is also top-ranked. Other popular disciplines include health services (11%), biology (10%), engineering (6%), and communication and journalism (6%).  The South Carolina Honors College is extremely hard to get into and is one of the finest in the entire country.

Professional Outcomes: 79% of recent grads landed at their next destination within six months with an average starting salary of over $55,000. Within the School of Business, 87% of 2023 grads were employed within three months and the average starting salary was $69k. Top employers of recent classes included KPMG, IBM, Aramark, Bank of America, Vanguard, PwC, and Marriot. The majority of those continuing their studies in a graduate/professional degree program did so at the University of South Carolina; other popular landing spots are Duke and Wake Forest.

• Enrollment: 27,343 (undergraduate); 8,310 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $38,696 (in-state); $60,942 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1280
• Acceptance Rate: 64%
• Graduation Rate: 78%

University of Delaware

Academic Highlights: The University of Delaware offers 150 bachelor’s degree programs. Nearly one-third of students pursue a degree in either business (21%) or engineering (9%), two of the school’s highest-ranked departments. Nursing is popular, with 11% of degrees conferred being in the health professions. Other frequently pursued majors include the social sciences (10%), biology (7%), and education (5%). 62% of courses enroll fewer than 30 students. The university also has the oldest study abroad program in the nation, with 30% of undergrads participating.

Professional Outcomes: 94% of Class of 2022 grads quickly found their next destination. 66% were employed, with 74% taking jobs at for-profit companies, 16% at nonprofits, 7% in K-12 education, and 4% with a government entity. The greatest number of newly minted alums were hired by JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG, EY, ChristianaCare, and Deloitte. The median starting salary for this cohort was $62,000. 28% immediately pursued an advanced degree, with 62% entering master’s programs, 20% entering a professional program, and 9% beginning a PhD.

• Enrollment: 18,066 (undergraduate); 4,557 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,718 (undergraduate); $57,358 (graduate)
• Acceptance Rate: 72%

Florida International University

Academic Highlights: Florida International offers 120 undergraduate degree programs across eight different colleges, from business, engineering, and architecture to hospitality & tourism management. The international business program is especially well-regarded and nationally ranked. Popularity-wise, the most degrees are conferred in business/management/marketing (24%), psychology (13%), multi/interdisciplinary studies (10%), biological sciences (7%), and the social sciences (7%). 37% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Those who graduated in 2024 had largely positive outcomes, with 62% employed, 12% pursuing a volunteer activity, 6% taking additional coursework, and 2% joining the military. Across all majors over the past five years, the most alumni have go on to work in the following sectors: operations, education, healthcare services, sales, administrative, business development, and community and social services. Top employers include Florida International University, Baptist Health, Miami-Dade Public Schools, Amazon, and Apple.

• Enrollment: 44,045 (undergraduate); 10,040 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $26,016 (in-state); $38,414 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1150
• Median ACT: 23
• Acceptance Rate: 59%
• Retention Rate: 92%
• Graduation Rate: 70%

James Madison University

• Harrisonburg, VA

Academic Highlights: JMU offers 75+ undergraduate degrees to a very happy student population; surveyed undergrads report a stunning 93% satisfaction rate. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio does not fully capture how generally modest class sizes tend to be at the university. Thirty-seven percent of sections enroll fewer than 19 students and the average class size is 25 students. 19% of all degrees awarded are in nursing. Next in popularity are business/marketing (15%), communication/journalism (9%), and the social sciences (8%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 75% of 2022 grads had obtained full-time employment, 22% were continuing their education, and 4% were still figuring out their next step. More than 25 recent grads were hired by each of KPMG and Deloitte. Dukes found employment at 1,610 organizations around the world and the average starting salary was $57,615. Among the almost one-quarter of recent grads who matriculated directly into a graduate school program, the most popular location was JMU itself.

• Enrollment: 20,346
• Cost of Attendance: $32,248 (In-State); $49,482 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1240
• Median ACT: 26
• Acceptance Rate: 78%
• Graduation Rate: 81%

Washington State University

• Pullman, WA

Academic Highlights: At WSU, students can choose from 95 majors, 86 minors, and more than 100 in-major specializations and also enjoy a stellar 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. That level of support leads to 35% of courses enrolling 19 or fewer students versus 19% that enroll 50 or more. 21% of all degrees in 2022 were conferred in the area of business/marketing. Also popular were engineering (10%), the social sciences (10%), biology (9%), and psychology (8%).

Professional Outcomes:  Graduates of WSU tend to concentrate in Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The greatest number of alumni are presently employed by Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, SEL, Starbucks, Amazon Web Services, T-Mobile, Google, Nike, Meta, and CBRE. Many students who enroll immediately in an advanced degree program do so at Washington State itself. They offer 140 graduate programs and certificates.

• Enrollment: 22,612
• Cost of Attendance: $29,944 (In-State); $45,628 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: 1140
• Acceptance Rate: 83%
• Retention Rate: 81%
• Graduation Rate: 62%

Cal Poly – Pomona

Academic Highlights:  Cal Poly Pomona is a massive institution with 1,076 faculty members at over 25,000 undergraduate students. The average size for an undergraduate class section is 32 students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 25:1. While a polytechnic institute, the most commonly conferred degree in 2022 was actually business (29%). Next up are engineering (18%), the social sciences (9%), science technologies (6%), and agriculture (4%).

Professional Outcomes:  An excellent 91% of the Class of 2023 had already achieved positive outcomes within six months of leaving campus. The employers locking down the largest number of recent Cal Poly Pomona grads were Accenture, Bain & Company, Boston Consulting Group, Bloomberg, DraftKings, Meta, Morgan Stanley, NIH, Nike, PwC, and Tesla Motors. The graduate destinations of Class of 2023 members included Harvard, Brown, Duke, Stanford, Oxford, Yale, USC, UPenn, and Georgia Tech.

• Enrollment: 25,181
• Cost of Attendance: $29,226 (In-State); $41,406 (Out-of-State)
• Median SAT: N/A
• Median ACT: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 66%

University of Denver

Academic Highlights : There are 200 total degree programs at the University of Denver, with small class sizes being the norm as 55% of sections contain no more than 19 students, and 80% enroll a maximum of 29 individuals. The Daniels College of Business is highly respected by employers and attracts the greatest number of undergraduates. 32% of the degrees conferred in 2022 were in business/marketing, 16% were in the social sciences, 9% in biology, 9% in psychology, 8% in communication/journalism, and 7% in the visual and performing arts.

Professional Outcomes: 90% of 2022 Pioneer grads successfully entered the world of employment or graduate school within six months of earning their bachelor’s degree. 59% were employed full-time with a mean starting salary of $62k. Top employers included KPMG, Brown Brothers Harriman, Lockheed Martin, Epic, and Oracle. Other corporations employing 70 or more DU alums include CenturyLink, Charles Schwab, Comcast, Deloitte, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. 27% of 2022 graduates elected to continue their education in a graduate program.

• Enrollment: 6,160 (undergraduate); 7,583 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $80,614
• Median SAT: 1310
• Median ACT: 30
• Retention Rate: 88%
• Graduation Rate: 77%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Blacksburg, VA

Academic Highlights : Eight undergraduate colleges that offer 110+ distinct bachelor’s degrees are housed within Virginia Tech. 33% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and 21% of recent graduates report participating in some type of undergraduate research experience. Engineering is the area where the greatest number of degrees are conferred (23%), but business (20%) is a close second. Both disciplines are among the most respected at Tech, along with computer science. Other popular majors include the family and consumer sciences (8%), social sciences (8%), biology (8%), and agriculture (4%).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 56% of the Class of 2022 were employed and 18% were in graduate school. One recent class sent large numbers to major corporations that included Deloitte (67), KPMG (44), Lockheed Martin (39), Capital One (30), EY (28), Booz Allen Hamilton (18), and Northrop Grumman (12). The median salary for 2022 graduates was $67,000. Among recent grads who decided to pursue an advanced degree, the greatest number stayed at VT, while others enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, William & Mary, Columbia, Duke, and Georgia Tech.

• Enrollment: 30,434 (undergraduate); 7,736 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $37,252 (in-state); $58,750 (out-of-state)
• Acceptance Rate: 57%

The Ohio State University — Columbus

• Columbus, OH

Academic Highlights: There are 200+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. Business sees the greatest percentage of degrees conferred at 18% followed by engineering (15%), health professions (10%), and the social sciences (9%). It makes sense that so many flock to the business and engineering schools as they are among the highest-rated undergraduate programs in their respective disciplines. 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and approximately 20% of students gain research experience.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 56% of Class of 2022 graduates were entering the world of employment while 17% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, more than 1,000 are employed by Amazon, and more than 600 work for Google and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

• Enrollment: 45,728 (undergraduate); 14,318 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $27,241 (in-state); $52,747 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1340-1450
• Median ACT: 29-32
• Graduation Rate: 88%

College of Charleston

• Charleston, SC

Academic Highlights : Undergrads can choose from 67 majors, 81 minors, and 4 certificates across seven schools: the School of the Arts, the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Health Sciences, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs, and the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering. By degrees conferred, popular majors include speech communication/rhetoric (8%), psychology (8%), biological sciences (8%), and business (7%). 38% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 78% of the Class of 2022 was employed and 18% were attending graduate/professional school. 5% were volunteering, serving in the military, or pursuing a paid internship. Of those employed, popular sectors included science, technology, engineering, and math; health services; and marketing/sales. Top employers for alumni who exited in the past five years include the College of Charleston itself, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston County School District, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

• Enrollment: 10,660 (undergraduate); 1,069 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $33,007 (in-state); $58,119 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1210
• Retention Rate: 82%

Iowa State University

Academic Highlights:  With more than 100 majors available across six undergraduate colleges, Iowa State has no shortage of academic pathways to explore. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, yet, courses are a mix of large and small. 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and 22% enroll more than 50. In terms of sheer popularity, engineering wins the day accounting for 23% of degrees earned in 2022. Business (18%), agricultural fields (10%), biology (5%), and education (5%) also see high volume.

Professional Outcomes: Graduates of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences are employed in fairly large numbers by the likes of John Deere, Principal Financial Group, and Amazon. Overall, the most alumni work for Wells Fargo, Bayer, Corteva Agriscience, Collins Aerospace, Cargill, and Microsoft. Most remain in Iowa after graduation but many also move to Minnesota, Chicago, California, or Texas. The average starting salary for an engineering grad was $74,716 in 2023.

• Enrollment: 25,241
• Cost of Attendance: $24,204 (In-State); $41,390 (Out-of-State)
• Median ACT: 24
• Acceptance Rate: 90%
• Retention Rate: 86%
• Graduation Rate: 74%

Temple University

• Philadelphia, PA

Academic Highlights: Temple offers 100 undergraduate programs, including those at the well-regarded Fox School of Business. Other programs with strong national reputations include criminal justice, public health, and kinesiology. The most undergraduate degrees are conferred in business (22%) followed by communication/journalism and health professions (tied at 11%), the visual and performing arts (8%), biology (7%), psychology (6%), and computer science (5%). 42% of classes have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 71% contain no more than 29 undergraduates.

Professional Outcomes: 51% of recent grads quickly secured employment and another 18% were enrolled in graduate school. Hundreds of Owl alumni can be found at big-time companies such as Merck, Comcast, Vanguard, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, and Bristol Myers Squib. Within six months of graduating, 91% of Fox School of Business 2021 graduates were employed or had started their own businesses. The median salary for all graduates of that school was $57,000.

• Enrollment: 24,106 (undergraduate); 9,124 (graduate)
• Cost of Attendance: $41,828-$46,866 (in-state); $56,092-$65,618 (out-of-state)
• Median SAT: 1245
• Acceptance Rate: 80%
• Retention Rate: 84%

We hope you have found our list of the Best Colleges for Hospitality Managament to be useful and informative as you continue your college search process. We also invite you to check out some of our other resources and tools including:

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What to Know About Hospitality and Tourism Management Degree Programs

Hospitality management degrees are designed to train future leaders in the hospitality industry.

How to Study Hospitality Management

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Running a company in any segment of the hospitality industry requires not only financial and marketing prowess, but also an understanding of how to create an inviting environment for guests.

The art and science of hosting strangers is an essential skill for people working in many kinds of businesses, including airlines, casinos, cruise ships, festivals, hotels and restaurants.

Running a company in any segment of the hospitality industry requires not only financial and marketing prowess, but also an understanding of how to create an inviting environment for guests. Cultivating that marketable skill set is the goal of associate, bachelor's and graduate programs in hospitality management.

What a Hospitality Management Degree Is and What Classes It Requires

The goal of any course of study in hospitality management is to train people to create and maintain spaces where others will immediately feel at home.

“Understanding how to take care of the customer is a foundational aspect of the hospitality discipline,” Angela Ramsey, senior director of communication at the University of Nevada—Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, explained in an email.

Hospitality management degrees are, foremost, degrees in business, says Michael Sabitoni, chair of the food and beverage management department and the international travel and tourism studies department at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. They include classes in accounting, finance, human resources, law and technology, he says.

However, unlike a general business degree, a hospitality degree typically includes specialized coursework focusing on the hospitality industry, such as classes on food service business operations, event management principles, and hotel and resort leadership, Sabitoni says. An overview class about tourism is also typically included in hospitality management programs, and industry internships are often mandatory, he adds.

Many hospitality degree programs require students to participate in experiential learning by helping to operate a student-run hotel or restaurant. They may also contain classes on:

• Eco-tourism or sustainable travel
• Global tourism and special considerations involved with international trips
• Customer service protocols
• Assessing the quality of guest experiences
• Specific types of hospitality establishments, such as country clubs, golf courses, resorts, stadiums, timeshares or theme parks
• Nuances involved in planning certain kinds of events, such as conventions or weddings
• Concerns that face certain demographics of customers, including women and people of color
• Various types of tourism, including business trips and visits to cultural destinations or historical sites

Top Undergraduate Schools With Hospitality Management Majors

Many U.S. colleges and universities allow undergraduates to major in hospitality management, including multiple nationally renowned academic institutions. Cornell University of New York, an Ivy League college, has a school devoted to hospitality.

Exceptional hospitality programs are often based in major metropolitan areas that attract significant tourism. For example, New York University and Boston University in Massachusetts offer a hospitality management degree.

How to Know if a Hospitality Management Degree Is Right for You

An interest in the food and beverage sector, a love for travel or an interest in entertaining people may lead someone to consider pursuing a degree in hospitality management. But prospective students should be aware that the hospitality sector has leadership roles for people with all kinds of interests and personalities.

Though some managerial positions in the hospitality industry are customer-facing jobs that require significant people skills, there are also back-of-the-house managerial jobs that concentrate on logistics, Sabitoni says.

Significant cultural awareness and strong communication abilities are essential in hospitality. Foreign language skills are also valuable but not mandatory, Sabitoni says.

What You Can Do With a Hospitality Management Degree

Hospitality programs are designed to train future leaders in the sector.

“It can include anything within the hospitality vertical, from hotel investment companies to real estate firms to our big brands which are the Marriotts, the Hiltons, the Four Seasons, to data analytics companies to Googles to Amazons,” says Kate Walsh, dean of the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration at Cornell. “Anything that touches hospitality as a part of their business product is something where our students get involved.”

Real estate investment firms often invest in hotel buildings, so people with degrees in hospitality management sometimes find jobs in the real estate sector, Walsh says. Alumni of hospitality management programs sometimes become management consultants who concentrate on assisting companies in the hospitality industry, she adds.

Executive and director roles in the industry typically require at least a bachelor's degree. Many high-level leadership positions at U.S. hospitality firms pay annual salaries above $70,000, according to an article published by Monster.com, a job website.

In 2020, graduates of Cornell's Nolan School had an average base salary of slightly over $69,000 and an average bonus of nearly $15,000, according to the school's employment report .

Considerations for Potential Hospitality Students

Aspiring hospitality managers should be aware of trends that may affect them when they enter the industry, experts say.

This sector has severe labor shortages at hotels and restaurants, many of which laid off workers due to pandemic-related safety measures and now have struggled to replace those workers even after raising wages.

Because of these staffing concerns, many hospitality companies have introduced initiatives to recruit and retain talented staff, improve working conditions, increase job satisfaction and reduce employee turnover, Walsh says.

When comparing hospitality programs, prospective students should investigate whether those programs include experiential learning opportunities, experts say, noting that hands-on projects are one of the best ways to gain hospitality skills. It’s also optimal if hospitality schools offer courses on design, which can inform aesthetic choices about how a hospitality venue looks, according to experts.

“I think the industry needs innovative thinkers," Walsh says. "They need people who think big culturally, who are comfortable with different modes of work, so it’s a great time to join the industry. The industry is trying to be extremely intentional in providing compelling career paths.”

Searching for a grad school? Get our  complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

44 Graduate Degree Jobs That Can Pay Six-Figure Salaries

Tags: Travel , food and drink , education , students , graduate schools , colleges

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Best Hospitality Management colleges in the U.S. 2024

It’s always fun to be the tourist when you’re on vacation. But are you prepared to turn tourism into a career? If you’re looking for an exciting and fast-paced career where you get to be the brains of the operation, perhaps Hospitality Management is the career for you. A Hospitality Management degree allows you to be a manager within a service based industry. This field includes working with hotels, restaurants, private clubs, and event venues by providing food and beverage services, event planning, and travel and tourism. A few career options for individuals with a Hospitality Management degree could be hotel management, bar and restaurant management, event planning, catering, or venue management. Check it out, it could be your true calling!

Best Hospitality Management colleges in the U.S. for 2024

University of Southern California offers 1 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 22 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 22 Master's degrees.

University of Georgia offers 1 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 23 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 23 Bachelor's degrees.

Tulane University of Louisiana offers 2 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 7 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 7 Master's degrees.

Texas A & M University-College Station offers 2 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 43 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 43 Certificates.

Florida State University offers 1 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 205 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 205 Bachelor's degrees.

George Washington University offers 1 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers 1 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 100 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 100 Bachelor's degrees.

Boston University offers 2 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 132 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 68 Master's degrees, and 64 Bachelor's degrees.

University of Houston offers 3 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 53 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 49 Master's degrees, and 4 Doctoral degrees.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers 1 Hospitality Administration/Management, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 54 Hospitality Administration/Management, General students graduated with students earning 54 Bachelor's degrees.

Find local colleges with Hospitality Management majors in the U.S.

List of all hospitality management colleges in the u.s..

Top Hospitality Management Degrees 2024

Are you ready to discover your college program?

The hospitality industry covers economic output related to hotels, restaurants, cruises, and more. The Business Research Company projects the hospitality sector’s global market size will grow to almost $5 trillion in 2024. Earning a hospitality management degree can help workers qualify for careers in this field.

The hospitality industry attracts workers with its large size, fast growth, and variety of jobs. Some roles require specialized skills, including accounting, marketing, and planning. Consequently, pursuing a degree in hospitality management can build these skills for aspiring professionals, giving graduates a competitive advantage when pursuing specific roles or advancement opportunities.

Prospective students who wish to pursue a degree or career in hospitality management can review this page to discover degree benefits, admission requirements, and career opportunities.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Best Hospitality Management Programs

Florida state university.

• Campus + Online
• In-State $5,616
• Out-of-state $18,746
• Retention Rate 94%
• Acceptance Rate 25%
• Students Enrolled 44,134
• Institution Type Public
• Percent Online Enrollment 58%
• Accreditation Yes

Brigham Young University-Hawaii

• In-State $6,068
• Out-of-state $6,068
• Retention Rate 62%
• Acceptance Rate 88%
• Students Enrolled 2,893
• Institution Type Private
• Percent Online Enrollment 39%

University of South Florida

• In-State $4,559
• Out-of-state $15,473
• Retention Rate 90%
• Acceptance Rate 49%
• Students Enrolled 49,708
• Percent Online Enrollment 66%

San Diego State University

• In-State $5,742
• Out-of-state $17,622
• Retention Rate 89%
• Acceptance Rate 39%
• Students Enrolled 36,591
• Percent Online Enrollment 64%

Boston University

• In-State $58,560
• Out-of-state $58,560
• Acceptance Rate 14%
• Students Enrolled 36,718
• Percent Online Enrollment 15%

California State University-Long Beach

• Retention Rate 87%
• Acceptance Rate 47%
• Students Enrolled 40,190
• Percent Online Enrollment 87%

University of Mississippi

• In-State $9,072
• Out-of-state $26,292
• Acceptance Rate 97%
• Students Enrolled 22,081
• Percent Online Enrollment 55%

College of the Ozarks

• In-State $19,500
• Out-of-state $19,500
• Retention Rate 81%
• Acceptance Rate 21%
• Students Enrolled 1,479
• Percent Online Enrollment 0%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• In-State $11,751
• Out-of-state $30,829
• Retention Rate 91%
• Acceptance Rate 57%
• Students Enrolled 38,365
• Percent Online Enrollment 57%

St. Augustine College

• In-State $11,720
• Out-of-state $11,720
• Retention Rate 67%
• Acceptance Rate 0%
• Students Enrolled 737

How We Chose These Schools

At TheBestSchools, we pride ourselves on our proprietary ranking methodology to help prospective students like you find the best fit. Our ranking system uses official government data to present schools without bias, taking into account key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability.

Learn more about how our formula works on our ranking methodology page .

Why Get a Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Degree?

What to expect from a hospitality management degree.

Hospitality management degree programs help prepare students for leadership roles in the field. Learners study topics like finance, operations, and human resources to understand how large corporations work internally and what they require to continue running.

Bachelor’s programs in hospitality management usually consist of 120 credits, which full-time learners can complete in four years. Some schools offer generalized degrees, while others offer concentration options so enrollees can specialize in subfields like gaming, event design, or human resource management. Programs may include hands-on experience like internships.

Applicants should ensure their prospective learning institution holds accreditation — acknowledgement from an accreditation agency that the school meets standards of academic excellence. In addition to institutional accreditation, hospitality management degrees can hold programmatic accreditation from agencies like the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration. This designation verifies that a program’s curriculum adequately prepares graduates for careers in the field.

Degree, Concentration, and Format Options

Hospitality management degrees may come in bachelor of arts (BA) or bachelor of science (BS) formats. BA programs usually focus more heavily on humanities concepts, while BS degrees typically emphasize technical concepts. In addition to programs called “hospitality management,” these degrees use names like:

• Hospitality and tourism management
• Hotel and restaurant management
• Food and hospitality management
• Hospitality and event management
• Hospitality and retail management

Some hospitality management degrees may specialize learners’ knowledge toward specific industry sectors. While researching programs, prospective students should ensure programs align with their career goals.

Schools may also offer accelerated bachelor’s/master’s combined programs that allow learners to earn two degrees more quickly — typically in five years. Often, these programs require learners to take graduate-level courses during their third or fourth years of study, and these classes often count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degree requirements. These options can help students save time and money.

Admissions Process

Each hospitality management program maintains its own admission requirements. Often, students have to submit materials like:

• An online form with an application fee
• High school diploma or equivalent with official high school transcripts
• Admission essay
• ACT or SAT scores

Possible prerequisites include:

• Minimum 3.0 high school GPA
• Previous relevant work experience

All students must submit an application, usually through the school’s website or Common App . Common App provides a single application that learners can submit to over 1,000 cooperating schools.

Popular Hospitality Management Undergraduate Courses

Hospitality management curricula vary by school; prospective enrollees can investigate each program’s courses before applying. Learners usually take a combination of general education, major-specific, and elective courses. Attendees may complete a capstone project to synthesize their knowledge, tackling theoretical issues or working as consultants to solve real-world issues. We explore popular hospitality management courses below.

How Much Do Hospitality Management Bachelor’s Programs Cost?

The price of hospitality management degrees ranges widely. Some schools charge as low as $2,500 for annual tuition, while others charge more than $50,000 per year. Factors that impact tuition include public or private school status, institutional prestige, and student state residency. Attendees should also budget for additional costs like school fees, books, and the cost of living.

Learners can also help pay for their hospitality management degree with financial aid like:

• Scholarships: Awardees receive merit-, need-, or demographic-based funds that do not require repayment
• Fellowships: Like scholarships, fellowships do not require repayment
• Grants: Grants are often need-based and do not require repayment
• Loans: Public and private lenders offer student loans, which require repayment with interest

The links below provide additional information on student loans and scholarships.

Should You Get Your Degree Online?

Prospective hospitality management degree enrollees may consider online programs. Distance education degrees are usually more flexible than on-campus programs because they include asynchronous learning opportunities with no set meeting times. Attendees of the best online hospitality management programs can attend any program without moving across the country.

In contrast, on-campus programs also offer their own benefits, including the ability to more easily network with students, professors, and alumni. In-person degrees feature more rigid learning structures, which some learners may prefer. On-campus attendees can also participate in extracurriculars and student clubs. Regardless of degree type, both in-person and online programs provide high educational quality.

Hospitality Management Jobs and Salaries

Hospitality management bachelor’s degree-holders can pursue entry-level leadership roles in industries like lodging, restaurants, and event planning. Professionals may obtain new skills or strengthen existing ones as they gain work experience.

Individuals can also enroll in a master’s program to further specialize their knowledge and pursue more advanced roles, including hotel revenue manager, cruise director, and corporate controller.

We explore common hospitality management careers below.

Lodging Manager

Lodging managers work in hotels, motels, and resorts. They ensure that guests have a comfortable experience. Managers direct internal activities to keep the accommodation running smoothly and profitably. These professionals may have a variety of duties, including inspecting the building’s cleanliness, monitoring staff, and reviewing revenue.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +7%
• 2022 Median Annual Salary: $61,910

Source: BLS

Food Service Manager

Food service managers oversee the routine operations of restaurants. Managers organize staff to optimize efficiency and ensure patrons promptly receive their orders. Restaurant managers may also hire staff, inspect equipment, and oversee food preparation.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +0%
• 2022 Median Annual Salary: $61,310

Event Planner

Event planners arrange weddings, conventions, and corporate events by choosing locations, handling logistics, and working with vendors. Planners discuss event details with customers, including budgets, food, and accommodation choices.

• Job Outlook (2022-32): +8%
• 2022 Median Annual Salary: $52,560

Selecting the Right Undergraduate Program

Many schools across the U.S. offer programs in hospitality management, each with their own curriculum, concentrations, and flexibility level. Students should explore each program’s details to find degrees that match their needs. The list below covers important considerations when choosing a school.

• Program Length: Most bachelor’s programs require four years of full-time study, but schools may offer accelerated degrees that take less time. Some institutions offer combined bachelor’s/master’s programs that grant students two degrees in five years.
• Concentrations: The hospitality industry has many subfields. Applicants with specific career goals should ensure programs offer specializations or coursework that aligns with these aspirations.
• Partnerships: Investigate each program’s partnerships. Some schools may connect students with local organizations, including hotels and event planning companies, for internships and other hands-on opportunities.
• Alumni Network: Students can use alumni networks to make internship, job, and mentor connections. Active alumni groups may provide additional networking opportunities through online meetings and in-person events.

Common Questions About Hospitality Management Degrees

Is a hospitality degree difficult.

Like any field, hospitality management can prove challenging. Individuals who enjoy learning different subjects or obtaining versatile skills in accounting, management, and marketing may thrive in this field.

How much does a hospitality management bachelor’s program cost?

The tuition for a bachelor’s in hospitality management can range from $2,500 to $50,000 per year. Prospective learners should explore the cost of each program before applying.

Can you get a hospitality management bachelor’s degree online?

Yes, multiple hospitality management degrees offer fully online programs. Classes may run asynchronously, allowing students to study and complete assignments at their own pace. Online programs provide the same degrees as their in-person counterparts.

Is a degree in hospitality management worth it?

Individuals with a passion for hospitality management may find a degree in the field worth the time and cost investments. Hospitality management professionals with a degree can often qualify for a wider array of careers, including advanced roles.

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2024 Best Hospitality Management Schools

College Factual reviewed 347 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for degree seekers in the field of hospitality management. Combined, these schools handed out 16,015 degrees in hospitality management to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

• Best Overall Hospitality Management Schools List

Choosing a Great Hospitality Management School

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Hospitality Management Degree Level

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings , including this Best Hospitality Management Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state .

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology .

Best Schools for Hospitality Management in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the hospitality degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Hospitality

Any student pursuing a degree in hospitality management has to look into Cornell University. Located in the small city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were about 297 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent data year. Hospitality Management degree recipients from Cornell University get an earnings boost of approximately $26,723 over the average earnings of hospitality management graduates.

University of Southern California is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in hospitality management. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were about 83 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the hospitality management program at University of Southern California get $71,174 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

It's difficult to beat New York University if you wish to pursue a degree in hospitality management. NYU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #27 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were about 123 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Hospitality Management degree recipients from New York University receive an earnings boost of approximately $20,036 above the average income of hospitality management graduates.

University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a good option for students interested in a degree in hospitality management. Located in the city of Las Vegas, UNLV is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 9 schools for overall quality in the state of Nevada.

There were roughly 522 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at UNLV in the most recent data year. Those hospitality management students who get their degree from University of Nevada - Las Vegas earn $21,392 more than the standard hospitality graduate.

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were roughly 336 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the hospitality program report average early career wages of $33,178.

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #54 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were approximately 140 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the hospitality management major at Boston University make $9,631 above the typical college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

Located in the large city of Washington, GWU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #49 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GWU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 64 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the hospitality management major at George Washington University earn $17,230 above the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

Located in the large city of Honolulu, Kapiolani CC is a public college with a medium-sized student population. This college ranks 5th out of 12 schools for overall quality in the state of Hawaii.

There were about 99 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani CC in the most recent data year. After graduating, hospitality degree recipients generally earn around $37,079 in their early careers.

Iowa State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Ames. A Best Colleges rank of #75 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Iowa State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 130 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the hospitality program make an average of $37,025 for their early career.

Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Purdue is a great university overall.

There were roughly 113 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Purdue in the most recent year we have data available. Those hospitality management students who get their degree from Purdue University - Main Campus receive $4,828 more than the average hospitality grad.

UMass Amherst is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Amherst. A Best Colleges rank of #81 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMass Amherst is a great university overall.

There were approximately 102 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available. Hospitality Management degree recipients from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a boost of around $8,854 above the average earnings of hospitality management majors.

Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 4 schools for overall quality in the state of Delaware.

There were approximately 62 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at UD in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the hospitality management program at University of Delaware earn $8,652 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

Temple is a very large public university located in the large city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 11th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 87 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent data year. Those hospitality management students who get their degree from Temple University make $5,027 more than the standard hospitality grad.

Located in the city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population. This college ranks 3rd out of 9 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nevada.

There were about 118 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at CSN in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the hospitality program report average early career wages of $30,681.

Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were roughly 187 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the hospitality program report average early career income of $33,639.

Located in the suburb of Orlando, UCF is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 897 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at UCF in the most recent data year. Hospitality Management degree recipients from University of Central Florida receive an earnings boost of around $3,806 over the average earnings of hospitality management majors.

Located in the large suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 816 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year. Those hospitality management students who get their degree from Florida International University make $6,895 more than the typical hospitality graduate.

Florida State is a very large public university located in the city of Tallahassee. This university ranks 3rd out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were approximately 205 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the hospitality program earn an average of $36,876 for their early career.

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 154 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the hospitality management major at Michigan State University get $8,605 more than the average college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

Valencia College is a very large public college located in the city of Orlando. This college ranks 14th out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 247 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Valencia College in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, hospitality degree recipients typically earn an average of $28,819 in the first five years of their career.

NAU is a very large public university located in the city of Flagstaff. This university ranks 5th out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were roughly 200 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at NAU in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the hospitality program make an average of $37,974 for their early career.

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 49 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the hospitality program earn around $36,234 in their early career salary.

UH is a fairly large public university located in the city of Houston. This university ranks 10th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 269 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at UH in the most recent data year. Hospitality Management degree recipients from University of Houston get an earnings boost of approximately $2,248 over the typical income of hospitality management graduates.

Georgetown is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were roughly 12 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the hospitality management program at Georgetown University get $16,427 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

LaGuardia is a large public college located in the large city of Long Island City. This college ranks 46th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 83 hospitality management students who graduated with this degree at LaGuardia in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, hospitality degree recipients typically earn an average of $33,749 in the first five years of their career.

Rest of the Top Best Hospitality Management Schools

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Hospitality Management Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 347 different United States hospitality management schools we analyzed.

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Hospitality Management students that almost earned our Best Hospitality Management Schools award.

Hospitality Management by Region

View the Best Hospitality Management Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Associate degrees in hospitality, master's degrees in hospitality, best value in hospitality management, best for non-traditional students in hospitality management, best online in hospitality management, most popular online in hospitality management, bachelor's degrees in hospitality, doctor's degrees in hospitality, highest paid grads in hospitality management, best for veterans in hospitality management, most popular in hospitality management, most focused in hospitality management.

View All Rankings >

Hospitality Management Related Rankings by Major

Hospitality Management is one of 21 different types of Business, Management & Marketing programs to choose from.

Hospitality Focus Areas

View All Hospitality Focus Areas >

Most Popular Majors Related to Hospitality

View All Hospitality Related Majors >

Notes and References

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to Bblackpsu .

More about our data sources and methodologies .

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Nolan School of Hotel Administration at the SC Johnson College of Business

Discover the cornell nolan school:, the world’s premier school for hospitality business.

If you want to be the best, learn with the best. At the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, we’ve been pioneering, reimagining, and perfecting hospitality education for a century. We push boundaries in the pursuit of excellence and define the future of our industry. Our AACSB-accredited degree immerses you in a business education infused with the foundational knowledge of hospitality, services, and real estate. The Cornell Nolan School experience combines world-class classroom instruction with hands-on experiential learning and is the only Ivy League program of its kind. You’ll join the ranks of our proud Hotelie community, which includes foremost leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs in one of the most exciting industries around the globe.

Announcements from the Nolan School

Check here for new announcements from the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

15th Annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards

The awards will be held on June 4, 2024 in New York City. The Cornell Hospitality Innovators of the Industry are Chef José Andrés and Rob Wilder, Co-Founders of José Andrés Group and World Central Kitchen. The Cornell Hospitality Icon of the Industry is Keith Barr ’92.

CELEBRATE WITH US

Nolan School Ranked #1 by CEOWORLD Magazine

The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration was ranked the number one hotel management school by CEOWORLD Magazine in the publication’s list of  “Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools in the World for 2024.”

More on the award

$30 Million Gift Names Rubacha Department of Real Estate

A gift from Paul Rubacha ’72, MBA ’73, co-founder of one of the largest privately held industrial real estate investment companies in the U.S., established the Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate .

Read the Cornell Chronicle Article

Landmark Gift Establishes Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration

A historic $50 million gift from Peter Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, and Stephanie Nolan ’84 named the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

READ THE CORNELL CHRONICLE ARTICLE

School Highlights

• 1922 year founded
• 1,000+ undergraduate and graduate students
• 15,000+ alumni worldwide

Why Study at the Nolan School?

Simply put, our school provides a world-class student experience — the most advanced and innovative of its kind. If you have intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a passion for service, we’ll help you develop the knowledge and skills to thrive and succeed in your career of choice. All powered by an unmatched alumni and industry-leader network. Ours is a special and close community. As our alumni like to say, once a Hotelie, always a Hotelie!

Why You Should Choose The Nolan School

What Our Students Say

“Transferring to SHA [Nolan School] was the best decision I have ever made as a student. SHA [Nolan School] is such a tight-knit and supportive community, classes are not just segmented to operations as many might assume from the outside. If you enjoy hospitality or even appreciate it, you will be able to find a path within the school that fits your personality and skills.” – Kassie Henderson ’22

“I really like how SHA [Nolan School] encourages independent work and exploration. I wasn’t sure what field I wanted to go into, but opportunities like HLDP, working at Statler, and the hands-on experience attached to the course work allowed me to explore different areas of the industry.” – Jenniviv Bansah ‘22

“Through the exposure to fields like finance, real estate, and development in my classes and clubs, I was able to unlock a different career interest. Having such a wide variety of opportunities for career and professional development has truly allowed me to explore so many fields that I had no knowledge of prior to Cornell.” – Kyra Roach ‘22

Alumni Highlights

Service Excellence in All They Do

Nolan School alumni are a powerful, global network of more than 15,000 Hotelies in every imaginable hospitality industry, united by their dedication to making a difference in others’ lives through service excellence. Whether they work in technology, real estate, food and beverage management, hotel management, or other fields in the business of hospitality, they are leading with innovation, emotional intelligence, and a passion for service.

Elizabeth Blau ’97

Biography for elizabeth blau ’97.

Recalling the impact of the Nolan School on her illustrious career in the hospitality industry, alumna Elizabeth Blau said, "SHA [Nolan School] truly changed the course of my professional career! The access to students, faculty, alumni and an extraordinary host of guest speakers is incomparable!"

Keith Barr ’92

Biography for keith barr ’92.

"My time at SHA [Nolan School] gave me a deep understanding of the hospitality industry that was underpinned by a comprehensive business curriculum and helped me form critical industry relationships," said Keith Barr, Nolan School alum and CEO of IHG Hotels and Resorts. "These factors combined to set me on the path to be a successful leader in business."

CHRISTINA HEGGIE ’10

Biography for christina heggie ’10.

Christina Heggie '10, is currently Global Partnerships Lead for Google Travel, she believes the Nolan School has impacted her entire career. "Attending the Hotel School [Nolan School] expanded my purview, jump started my career, and established my skill sets of communication, problem solving, and people management that I’ve used throughout life since," Heggie said.

Jess Petitt ’05

Biography for jess petitt ’05.

"The Hotel School [Nolan School] helped me build a connection between what matters most - the spirit of hospitality and taking care of fellow team members - and how I could make a difference by pursuing my strengths in understanding complex problems through data. Every year I come back to recruit that mix of passion and analytical rigor and am constantly impressed."

Gilda Perez-Alvarado ’02

Biography for gilda perez-alvarado ’02.

“The Nolan School taught me my craft and helped me develop my passion – global hospitality. My four years at Cornell were very impactful, but the impact extends beyond that: the friendships and network I made because of the school are incredibly invaluable.”

The Nolan School’s Industry-Leading Hospitality Business Programs

The Nolan School offers hospitality degrees and programs to fit any stage of your career, whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, or an executive professional seeking to sharpen your knowledge of a certain field or industry. Access Bachelor of Science, Master’s, PhD, and executive education custom and online program offerings below.

Undergraduate

Our signature Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration undergraduate AACSB-accredited degree offers a variety of hospitality management courses, including real estate, marketing, finance, operations, and more.

Your entrée into a fulfilling career in the world’s most exciting industry, our hotel administration degree is a rewarding, fully rounded student experience that melds classroom instruction with relevant hands-on experience to put your learning into practice. The full-time, residential program is conducted on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York.

Our unique, Ivy League master’s programs seamlessly tie a rigorous business education into the context of hospitality, accelerating your career in hospitality, and preparing you to become a leading force in the industry. The Nolan School’s master’s programs include a Master of Management in Hospitality , a Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate , and a Master of Science in Hotel Administration . Or, take your MS degree in Hotel Administration one step further with the PhD in Hotel Administration . The time requirements of these individual graduate degrees vary.

Executive Education

Experience Cornell excellence, with carefully focused content designed specifically for the global hospitality professional. Whether you want to study as an individual or sign up a team from your organization, we guide you through the process and ensure you find the perfect program for your unique needs.

To provide you with the highest level of convenience, we offer three modes of instruction. Choose classroom programs on Cornell’s campus, where you can network with industry peers and world-class Cornell faculty. Select online learning to study and network with peers from around the world. Or opt for custom programs to tailor content to your organization’s specific needs — you can study on the Cornell campus, or have our faculty teach at your facility.

Hear from Our Dean

“At the Nolan School, Hotelies find like-minded students who lift each other up, caring faculty who guide our students to discover their passions, and dedicated alumni who stand ready to open their doors. It’s a powerful close-knit community—unlike any other—and it’s why our students go on to become leaders shaping the future of global hospitality.” —Kate Walsh, Dean of the Nolan School

Nolan School Faculty: Expert Instructors, Practitioners, and Researchers

Nolan School faculty are distinguished industry specialists and thought leaders who focus directly on research that benefits the hospitality industry, whether it’s real estate, finance, services management, human resources, food and beverage management, or organizational behavior. Expert and caring instructors, they prepare students to be emotionally intelligent, culturally aware, skilled, and technologically proficient professionals dedicated to delivering service excellence.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR FACULTY

Centers and Institutes for Industry Innovation

Designed to promote industry growth and enrich the educational curriculum, the Nolan School’s six centers and institutes provide exceptional opportunities for students to work directly with our corporate members via research and internships, putting their learning into practice: Center for Hospitality Research, Center for Real Estate and Finance, Cornell Center for Innovative Hospitality Labor and Employment Relations, Cornell Institute for Food and Beverage Management, Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Leadership.

EXPLORE The Nolan School’S CENTERS AND INSTITUTES

Nolan School News & Insights

Manager Visits Heighten Workers’ Motivation, Productivity

When a company’s “big boss” pays a visit to observe and connect with workers on the front lines, research shows it leads to increased productivity.

The ‘Knowledge Curse’: More Isn’t Necessarily Better

Can an increase in knowledge ever be a bad thing? Yes, says economics professor Kaushik Basu and a colleague.

Shawn Driver Integrates Military Ops and New Tech Savvy to Drive Defense Innovation

10 Under 10 honoree Shawn Driver, MBA ’19, ensures the U.S. Army remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

Experience our Campus: The Nolan School’s Immersive Hospitality Experience in New York

Visit us or explore photos online to see how our school of hospitality can transform your life and set you on course to an exciting, rewarding career. Experience the culture of an Ivy League university and see how the Nolan School has pioneered education and innovation in hospitality, the world’s largest industry. Situated in the heart of the beautiful Cornell campus, the Nolan School is located among the hills and gorges of Ithaca, consistently named one of the best college towns in the US.

EXPLORE CAMPUS

Upcoming Events

View all Nolan School events

2024 CIHLER: 22nd Annual Labor and Employment Law Roundtable

Cref: real estate professionals in residence (rep): c. patrick scholes ’94, cref roundtable: navigating the complexities of hospitality real estate: risk management, insurance challenges, and financial strategies, see where the nolan school can take you: apply now.

Take the first step toward a rewarding, fulfilling career in the world’s largest and most versatile industry. Experience the Nolan School’s expert instruction, hands-on learning, outstanding student experience, challenging but caring faculty, and loyal Hotelie community. Add Cornell credentials and our century of shaping hospitality education, and you have the best start to your adventure in hospitality management.

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Leading the Advancement of the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Sectors

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Online Hospitality Degrees

Think of the best trip you’ve ever been on. From the transportation used to the hotel stay to dining out at restaurants, many factors contributed to the memories you made. Learn how to create those same unforgettable experiences for others with a hospitality degree from UCF Online. Positioned to understand Florida tourism, American tourism, and international tourism, UCF offers a unique perspective to earning a hospitality degree. Whether you are studying event management, entertainment management, tourism or travel, there is no better place to advance your hospitality skills and knowledge than by studying at the university located in the No. 1 tourist destination in America. And with courses taught by our diverse and experienced faculty, you’ll gain the exposure you need to excel your hospitality career by learning directly from leaders within the industry.

The Future of Hospitality

With a number of different areas to break into, there’s a world of opportunity in hospitality. This $20 billion industry offers exceptional growth potential with some of the top positions in event planning, destination marketing and food service management — each projected to grow faster than many other industries over the next decade. As the industry evolves over time, the curriculum students learn in the classroom must keep up to stay relevant. Currently, UCF Online hospitality programs focus on the latest trends and techniques, from demographics to technological advancements to providing exceptional guest service.

Annual Growth

Total Hospitality Businesses

Median Salary Hospitality Management Position

Explore UCF Online Hospitality Degrees

Online bachelor’s degrees.

• Hospitality Management, BS Online Bachelor’s from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Lodging & Restaurant Management, BS Online Bachelor’s from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Senior Living Management, BS Online Bachelor’s from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Online Master’s Degrees

• Event Leadership, MS Online Master’s from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Hospitality and Tourism Management, MS Online Master’s from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Travel Technology and Analytics, MS Online Master’s from the College of Engineering and Computer Science

Online Graduate Certificates

• Destination Marketing and Management Online Certificatesfrom the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Event Management Online Certificatesfrom the Rosen College of Hospitality Management
• Hospitality and Tourism Technologies Online Certificatesfrom the Rosen College of Hospitality Management

The Rosen College online programs have been choreographed to provide students round-the-clock access, convenience and quality education in a comfortable and innovative learning environment.” Manuel Rivera Associate Dean

Hospitality and Tourism Management Education through UCF Online

UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management provides online degrees that help students take their career aspirations to the next level. In fact, the online master’s in hospitality management ranked No. 1 in the nation by bestcolleges.com. Whether you are just getting started, or have been working in the industry for years, advance your skills by learning from our world-renowned faculty. From food and beverages to travel, lodging and recreation, gain the skills to help you level up in your professional development. Earning your hospitality degree through UCF Online prepares you to lead the way in this exciting industry. So, what do you need to know before you get started?

Hospitality and Tourism Options

UCF offers online bachelor’s, master’s and graduate certificates that cover varying aspects of the hospitality and tourism industry. If you are earning your bachelor’s degree and ready to transfer into an undergraduate program, the Hospitality Management, BS is a great way to begin your journey. If you would like to gain additional career traction but aren’t ready to commit to a two-year graduate-level program, you can focus on the skill set of Event Management with our online graduate certificate. Take time to explore the degree options and choose the program that works best for you.

Convenience and Affordability

Depending on the degree level and the program you choose, completing your degree through UCF Online can take as little as one to two years. For example, the Destination Marketing and Management Graduate Certificate can be completed in one year. Professionals who are working in the field and interested in becoming a leader for their organization can stand out with the Hospitality and Tourism Management, MS , which can be completed in two years. UCF Online offers the access and convenience that allows you to earn your degree on your schedule.

Earning an online degree in hospitality doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality for affordability. UCF Online offers significant cost savings to students by waiving some campus-based fees. For example, out-of-state undergraduate students can save $365.03 per credit hour — a substantial 48 percent discount. Visit the tuition, fees and scholarships pages for more information.

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Contact the UCF Online Connect Center to learn more about the available online programs or for help finding an online degree that works for you.

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UCF Online is a community of thinkers, helpers and makers who use bold ideas to challenge the ordinary and devise solutions to solve the world’s most pressing problems. A great university can unleash the potential to change the world. Listed as one of the most innovative universities in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report ’s Best Colleges 2024 Guide, UCF specializes in providing high-quality online degree programs for those talented students and working professionals who are unable to physically attend our Orlando main campus or one of our 14 Central Florida locations .

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• BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management

If you are considering a hospitality major as your undergraduate program of study, the BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management, offered by the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality prepares students for careers in hospitality, travel and tourism, tourism experience management, hotel and resort management, and hotel real estate development. The curriculum provides you with flexibility to explore career options way beyond what a typical hospitality and tourism degree might offer. As a student enrolled in this program, you’ll benefit immensely from earning your degree at NYU , home to more than 50,000 students from around the globe, while launching your career in New York City—a location defined by its world-class hotels and tourist attractions.

Degree Advantage

• Curriculum  prepares students for hospitality and tourism jobs around the world
• Provides an NYU liberal arts education
• Concentrations  in Event Management , Hotel Real Estate Finance and Development , Marketing and Analytics , Leadership and Management , Travel and Tourism Development , and Entrepreneurship
• Internships at leading NYC hotels, restaurants, tourism bureaus, online travel agencies, and promotional companies
• Study abroad opportunities  and industry site visits
• New Hospitality Innovation Hub for students, start ups, and industry partners

Curriculum and Degree Requirements

You can find the full curriculum details for this program on this page of the University Bulletin. All other content, including this web page is for informational purposes only.

Who Should Earn the BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management?

If you have a passion for travel, love to interact with people, and have an innate curiosity to learn about different cultures, this degree provides the knowledge and skills needed for a hospitality career. The diversity of the Tisch Center student body and faculty members promotes a worldview that will be critical for your success in a field that is more globally interconnected than ever before.

Degree Overview

Learn from a faculty of world-renowned experts.

Faculty members are respected experts in the hospitality, hotel management, and travel and tourism sectors who share their knowledge, insights, experiences, and connections. They work directly with you to ensure that you identify and pursue the professional path that best fits your career goals and objectives. Their support and deep dedication is what makes earning a degree from the Tisch Center an experience unlike all others.

Gain Invaluable Experience Through Study Abroad

Study abroad opportunities abound for BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management students through Global Field Intensives (GFIs). These travel experiences provide international business experience while attuning students to the cultural, socio-economic, and political forces that influence the international hospitality, and travel and tourism industries. Recent GFIs include trips to: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Prague, and Berlin.

Benefit from Unsurpassed Networking Opportunities

The BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management provides unsurpassed networking opportunities through the annual  NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference , chaired by  Jonathan M. Tisch , chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels and Co. (left); the Grossinger-Bergman Distinguished Lecturer Series, which features hospitality leaders such as  David Marriott ; and fireside chats with the likes of famed chefs and restaurateurs  Daniel Boulud  and  Danny Meyer .

Internships and Job Opportunities

Through the Tisch Center of Hospitality and the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development at NYU SPS, hospitality, travel and tourism management majors have the opportunity to complete a wide range of hospitality, and travel and tourism internships that provide the hands-on experience needed to accelerate their careers. Many of these internships evolve into permanent hospitality and tourism jobs. Our graduates go on to careers at top hotel chains, boutique hotels, travel organizations, tourism bureaus, media companies, restaurants, and food and beverage companies including:

• Estee Lauder Companies
• Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Loews Hotels
• Marriott International
• The Standard Hotels
• Walt Disney World

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does this degree differ from a hospitality management degree.

The BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management differs from a hospitality management degree in its holistic approach to the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. While traditional undergraduate hospitality management degrees focus on hotels and restaurants, you will have the opportunity in this degree to also explore subjects like destination marketing, tourism development, and event management.

Will this degree prepare me for hotel management jobs?

The BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management will prepare you for a range of hotel industry jobs and career paths. You will have the opportunity to specialize in your field of interest, including hotel or tourism operations, sales and marketing, revenue management or hotel development. Our students secure internships and work at large multinational hotel chains as well as independent boutique hotels.

Is tourism management a growing field?

Tourism management offers a broad range of career options for those who are interested in pursuing tourism jobs. The tourism sector has experienced incredible growth in the past decades. with 1.8 billion tourists—just over one in five persons in the world—traveling around the globe by 2030 (UNWTO). The BS in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Management provides students with the opportunity to secure internships at a broad range of tourism destinations including Walt Disney World.

Can an undergraduate hotel management degree help my career?

An undergraduate hotel management degree can help your career, because it will provide you with a wealth of business skills and the networking opportunities that can lead to a wide variety of hotel management jobs. The hospitality sector is vast and offers a wealth of career choices, but even if you decide to switch career paths, the business foundation you acquire will allow you to pursue a career in a variety of other professional sectors. In addition, earning an undergraduate degree at NYU will open the doors to job opportunities in New York City and around the world.

What are the advantages of earning a hospitality management degree in New York City?

The advantage of earning your hospitality management degree in New York City is that you will be studying in the hospitality capital of the world. New York City is home to top hotels, the finest restaurants, major tourist attractions and thousands of world-famous events. The City will become your professional base for exploring your interests in hospitality, travel and tourism management and for gaining the experience you need to secure a job in this growing field.

Online MS in Hospitality & Tourism

Designed to fit your schedule, earn your degree in one year from a top 20 university, no gre required, earn your degree in as little as one year from a top 25 university, master of science in hospitality and tourism.

The Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism program will prepare students to advance their careers in the hospitality and tourism industry. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to service quality management, marketing, revenue management, human resource management, events, and tourism development in the hospitality and tourism industry. Courses throughout the program address topics such as globalization, diversity, and innovations in a variety of hospitality and tourism sectors. Sustainability and ethical practices are core themes explored throughout the program.

Our program also equips students with skills and knowledge to lead and innovate through disruption. Students will be prepared to take on industry changes as they progress through their career.

Additionally, students will learn how to make evidence-based decisions and plans for improvement through courses in financial management, data analytics, and applied research methods specific to the hospitality and tourism industry. The program culminates in a capstone course where students directly apply the knowledge and skills they gained throughout the program to address an opportunity for innovation within a hospitality and tourism business or organizational unit.

Learning Outcomes

Create strategies to continuously evaluate and improve service quality within hospitality and tourism organizations.

Plan innovative marketing strategies for an established hospitality and tourism organization.

Recommend business decisions based on financial data, industry trends, data analytics, and research.

Develop strategies to optimize revenue within hospitality and tourism organizations.

Demonstrate effective and ethical management skills that cultivate a diverse and high-performing hospitality and tourism workforce.

Plan sustainable and responsible hospitality and tourism development projects.

A Master of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism requires 24 units of coursework offered in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The program may be completed on a 1- or 2-year track. Students attending the program on the 1-year track can earn the degree within 12 months and those on the 2-year track can complete the program in less than two years.

Our curriculum was designed by industry leaders who are at the forefront of the future direction of the field. Our engaging faculty will prepare you to be leaders of the profession and will give you increased confidence in your skills and knowledge that will serve you throughout the rest of your career.

Global Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course examines the history, theories, trends, and impacts relevant to global hospitality and tourism.

• Apply key theories and terminology that connect the phenomenon of hospitality and tourism to real-life scenarios and problems.
• Analyze how ethics, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility influence the operations of a hospitality and tourism organization.
• Evaluate the sociocultural, political, economic, and environmental impacts of hospitality and tourism.
• Investigate the current and emerging sectors that comprise the hospitality and tourism industries.
• Appraise technologies and trends affecting the future development of the industry.

Managing Service Quality in Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course explores strategic management of service quality in hospitality and tourism.

• Describe the role of service expectations and perceptions along with the role of customers and employees in overall satisfaction and service quality.
• Analyze how customer and employee diversity and cultural issues influence the delivery of services.
• Evaluate service quality, service quality failures, and service recovery strategies for a hospitality or tourism organization.
• Assess how capacity and demand strategies affect overall business profitability, customer satisfaction, and loyalty.

Marketing Strategies for Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course examines principles, strategies, and techniques relevant to marketing in hospitality and tourism.

• Evaluate marketing strategies using relevant marketing theories and principles for a hospitality and tourism organization.
• Analyze consumer behavior for a global hospitality and tourism organization.
• Assess current marketing trends in the global hospitality and tourism marketplace.
• Develop a comprehensive marketing plan with emphasis on ethical and socially responsible practices for a hospitality and tourism organization.

Financial Management in Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course covers financial analysis methods to support sound, evidence-based decision-making in hospitality and tourism organizations.

• Analyze financial management and control tools used in hospitality and tourism, including income statements, balance sheets, statement of cash flows, forecasts, and budgets.
• Evaluate hospitality and tourism organization performance and worth using comparative, common-size, and ratio analyses.
• Appraise hospitality and tourism investment projects using capital budgeting and asset management techniques.
• Create an operations budget for a hospitality and tourism organization.
• Evaluate profitability using cost-volume-profit analysis.

Revenue Management for Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course explores key principles and best practices in revenue management and pricing for hospitality and tourism organizations.

• Interpret industry data reports to support strategic decision-making related to revenue management.
• Assess the impact of revenue management on revenue flows and profitability of hotels, resorts, and restaurants.
• Evaluate pricing and demand forecasting for hospitality operations.
• Develop a strategy for revenue management that optimizes short-term and long-term revenues for a hospitality or tourism organization.

Ethics in Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course examines ethical theories applied to common and strategic situations in hospitality and tourism.

• Differentiate ethical theories.
• Evaluate the character qualities of leaders, groups, or organizations.
• Support ethical decision-making using sound logical reasoning and appropriate principles of ethical theory.
• Consider the role of ethical relativism in multicultural settings within hospitality and tourism.
• Appraise the ethics of corporate social responsibility in the organizational context of hospitality and tourism.

Strategic Human Resources in Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course explores the broad range of human resource concepts and strategies relevant to hospitality and tourism organizations.

• Describe the role of strategic human resources in the context of its evolution within the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Recommend talent management strategies that ensure a sustainable and diverse workforce within the context of stakeholder expectations and current economic trends.
• Outline training and development strategies within a hospitality and tourism organization.
• Select appropriate performance appraisal methods based on best practices in the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Assess competitive monetary and non-monetary compensation strategies to support a diverse hospitality and tourism workplace.
• Analyze mandatory and voluntary hospitality and tourism workplace programs focused on employee health and safety.
• Apply effective management strategies within the context of labor unions.

Applied Research Methods for Hospitality and Tourism (2 units)

This course covers applied research methods relevant to evidence-based decision-making in hospitality and tourism.

• Justify the role of research to effect positive change in the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Differentiate between the scientific method and other methods of inquiry in hospitality and tourism organizations.
• Evaluate hospitality research methods, practices, and trends related to the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Assess ethical issues in hospitality and tourism research.
• Create an outline for a research study designed to validly and reliably address a hospitality or tourism issue.

Hospitality and Tourism Data Analytics (2 units)

This course covers the analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data to support evidence-based decision-making in hospitality and tourism.

• Justify the use of basic descriptive and inferential statistics as they apply to the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data with methods relevant to practitioners in the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Evaluate the importance of data analytics, data privacy, data regulation, data security, and data-related ethics in the hospitality and tourism industry.
• Interpret hospitality and tourism data.
• Use data visualization to communicate data and results.
• Propose business decisions using hospitality and tourism data.

Tourism Development (2 units)

This course covers strategies for planning and evaluating sustainable and responsible tourism development projects.

• Evaluate a location and site for tourism development.
• Appraise supply and demand to determine the viability of tourism development.
• Propose strategies to support sustainable and responsible tourism development.
• Plan funding sources for tourism development.
• Develop an impact assessment plan for a tourism development project.

Hospitality and Tourism Events (2 units)

This course explores the analysis, planning, and evaluation of meetings and events in hospitality and tourism settings.

• Explain the major impacts events have on destinations.
• Analyze all steps in the event process, including conceptualizing, planning, and delivering an event.
• Assess sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives relevant to events.
• Develop strategies to mitigate risks associated with events.
• Evaluate the performance of events.

Hospitality and Tourism Capstone (2 units)

Students synthesize knowledge and skills experience gained throughout the program in a culminating capstone project.

• Identify an innovative idea or initiative to improve a business or organizational unit in the hospitality or tourism industry.
• Evaluate how broad concepts such as disruptive technology, empathic design, and accountability can inform the planning and execution of a hospitality and tourism initiative.
• Create a comprehensive proposal to support an innovative idea or initiative in hospitality and tourism.
• Create a personal plan to support lifelong learning in hospitality and tourism.

Request more information

2024-25 Catalog

Hospitality and tourism management, hospitality and tourism management (a.s. career path and a.s. to b.s. degree), bar and beverage management specialization.

• Event Planning and Management Specialization 
• Hotel Operations and Management Specialization 
• Restaurant and Food Service Management Specialization 
• Theme Park Specialization

Associate in Science Degree (CIP# 1252090101)

The Hospitality Industry and its corresponding requirement for trained management employees is expanding. Whether you are interested in learning employable skills for the hospitality industry or upgrading your current talents, Valencia has courses that may interest you. Valencia's Hospitality program combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training to help students move into supervisory and mid-management positions in lodging, Food Service, tourism and hospitality.

This program provides two Career Paths. One that is designated for students who seek immediate employment in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management and/or a second Career Path for those who plan to utilize the articulated A.S. to B.S. career path to transfer to the University of Central Florida or Florida International University as a junior to complete a four-year Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult a Student Success Coach in the department office for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals.

Students wishing to transfer any credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution.

Although scheduling may not always provide for the following progression of courses, students should use the foundation, intermediate and advanced course sequence as a guide in program planning.

All degree-seeking students must satisfy entry testing requirements and satisfactorily complete all mandatory courses in reading, student success, mathematics, English, and English for Academic Purposes in which the student is placed.

Alternative Ways to Earn Credit toward this Degree

Graduates of specific programs at Orange Technical College and Osceola Technical College, as well as other institutions may be eligible to receive college credit for courses in this program. You may also be eligible to receive credit toward this degree if you have earned one of the approved Gold Standard industry certifications or Career Pathways credit. To learn more about Valencia’s award of credit options, visit valenciacollege.edu/transfer-agreements/ . Eligible students should contact the Student Success Coach in their academic department for more information about the requirements for the award of credit.

College Credit Technical Certificates

The Hospitality and Tourism A.S. degree also offers the following college credit certificate programs.  These certificates can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals. They are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for entry-level employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement. Most can be completed in one year or less, and all of the courses in the certificates are embedded in the A.S. degree. You can earn the certificates as you progress through your A.S. Degree or as a separate, stand-alone credential. Click on the Certificate tab at the top of the page for more information about the certificates that are offered.

• Bar and Beverage Management (18 credits) (CIP# 0252090508)
• Event Planning and Management (24 credits) (CIP# 0252090905)
• Guest Services Specialist (15 credits) (CIP# 0252090403)
• Hotel Operations and Management (30 credits) (CIP# 0252090402)
• Restaurant and Food Service Management (30 credits) (CIP# 0252090503)

Start Right

Degree-seeking students enrolling at Valencia for the first time will have a limited range of courses from which to choose for their first 18 college-level credits. Within the first 18 college credit hours, you will be required to take ENC 1101 (3 credits), and if applicable, SLS 1122 (3 credits) and a mathematics course appropriate to your selected meta-major (3 credits).  The remaining courses will be chosen from the General Education Core Courses in humanities (3 credits), science (3 credits), or social science (3 credits), and/or the introductory courses within the A.S. degree programs. For specific courses see the Foundation Courses on the “Program Requirements” tab. For course sequencing recommendations, see your Student Success Coach or create an education plan by logging into Atlas, clicking on the LifeMap tab and clicking My Education Plan.

Potential Careers

Guest services specialist.

• Front Office Supervisor/Manager
• Dining Room Manager
• Reservations Supervisor
• Food & Beverage Manager
• Lodging Manager/Assistant Manager
• Event Planner
• Catering/Sales & Service
• Convention Services
• Revenue Manager

Salary & Earnings Information

For career information related to this program, please visit  O*Net OnLine .

Future Students

To learn more about this program, contact Enrollment Services at [email protected] or 407-582-1507 or visit https://valenciacollege.edu/hospitality-management

Current Students

Your Student Success Coach contact information can be found in Atlas. Log into Atlas, click on the Courses tab, and check your Academic Profile information to find a link to your Coach. 

Faculty Program Chair Craig J. Rapp: 407-582-5617 [email protected]

Internship and Workforce Services

If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please visit: valenciacollege.edu/internship .

Career Path in Hospitality and Tourism Management

This degree is designed for students who seek immediate employment in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Program Outcomes

• Analyze information for decision making.
• Identify ethical and legal responsibilities specific to the field.
• Communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences.

Hotel Operations and Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to hotel operations and management.

Event Planning and Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to event planning and management.

Theme Park & Attractions Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to Theme Park & Attractions Management.

Restaurant and Foodservice Management Specialization

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to restaurant and foodservice management.
• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to bar and beverage management.

This course must be completed with a grade of C or better.

This course has a prerequisite; check description in Valencia catalog.

This is a general education course.

Any HFT or FSS course for which you meet the prerequisites, FOS 2201 Food Service Sanitation Management, or HUN 1004 Healthy Cuisine and Nutrition, TPA 1200 Basic Stagecraft, or TPA 2600 Stage and Production Management*, or TPA 2343 Computer Assisted Drafting for the Entertainment Industry

EVR 1001 : Introduction to Environmental Science is recommended for hospitality majors.

This course, HFT 2245, fulfills the hospitality management A.S. Career Path requirement, but it is  not  equivalent to UCF HFT 3540.

Career Path to B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management (Articulated A.S. to B.S.)

This degree is designed for students who wish to transfer to a four-year Florida public university as a junior to complete a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management.

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to Theme Park & Attractions Management.

Any HFT or FSS course for which you meet the prerequisites, FOS 2201 Food Service Sanitation Management, or HUN 1004 Healthy Cuisine and Nutrition, TPA 1200 Basic Stagecraft, or TPA 2600 Stage and Production Management*, or TPA 2343 Computer Assisted Drafting for the Entertainment Industry

Specialized courses are mostly at the Downtown Campus and may not be offered every session or on every campus.

For students who are pursuing the A.S. to B.S. path, an additional 15 hours of General Education are required to satisfy the required 36 hours for the Bachelor of Science degree.  If completing the additional 15 hours at the University, 6 hours will be in Cultural and Historical Foundations (Gordon Rule writing), 3 hours in Science Foundations, 3 hours in Social Science Foundations, and 3 hours in Communications Foundations. It is recommended for students complete their General Education requirements at Valencia prior to transfer. Students are strongly encouraged to speak with an advisor before selecting the additional General Education courses since requirements are different between the two institutions. Please see a Financial Aid advisor so that your enrollment is covered in these courses .

Please note the State University System foreign language admission requirement https://catalog.valenciacollege.edu/degrees/associateinarts/courserequirements/#Foreign_Language_Proficiency_Requirement

Upon earning the Hospitality and Tourism A.S. degree, you can also continue at Valencia to complete the B.A.S. degree in Business & Organizational Leadership .   Additional education at the bachelor’s level can enhance your skills and create more career opportunities. 

Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Student Success Coach to discuss transfer options and requirements, and determine the best education plan for their career goals. Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for securing approval from the transfer institution for acceptance of this degree.

Bar and Beverage Management

Technical certificate.

This program prepares students for immediate employment in the hospitality and restaurant industry with employable skills in beverage management and service, beer, wine and beverage essentials, and fine spirits management and mixology.  

• Analyze information for decision-making.

Specialized courses may not be offered every session or on every campus.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid.

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry in the guest services areas of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality-related sites.

• Perform hospitality industry-specific workplace skills, related to guest services.

Any HFT or FSS course for which you meet the prerequisites, FOS 2201 Food Service Sanitation Management, or HUN 1004 Healthy Cuisine and Nutrition,  or TPA 2600 Stage and Production Management*, or TPA 2343 Computer Assisted Drafting for the Entertainment Industry

All certificate courses are offered on the Downtown Campus; some courses are offered at other locations.

Hotel Operations and Management

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry in the rooms division of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality-related sites.  

Event Planning and Management

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry with employable skills in the events planning area of hotels, resorts, convention centers and other hospitality-related sites.  

Restaurant and Foodservice Management

This program is designed to prepare students for immediate employment in the hospitality industry in the food and beverage areas of hotels, resorts, and theme parks as well as in other hospitality-related sites.  

• Perform restaurant industry-specific workplace skills.

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The Gordon Rule

State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.030, the Gordon Rule, requires that students complete with grades of C or better 12 credits in designated courses in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through multiple assignments and six credits of mathematics course work at the level of college algebra or higher. These courses must be completed successfully (grades of C or better) prior to the receipt of an A.A. degree and prior to entry into the upper division of a Florida public university.

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General Education

Click read more to see Gen. Ed. courses.

Hospitality and Tourism Management Major

Study hospitality in Charleston, one of the top tourist destinations in the world.

Today's economy is increasingly service-based. Review sites, apps and rewards programs influence most travel, dining and lodging decisions. If you want to make your mark in this fast-paced industry, you need to be tech-savvy and competent in business management . A changing industry demands a new approach to hospitality and tourism management.

Why study hospitality and tourism management at the College of Charleston?

The historic city of Charleston is your living laboratory. You'll learn about tourism in a culture that represents the best of southern hospitality . At the College, support your studies with applied and experiential learning opportunities. Discover more when you combine classroom work with internships. Study abroad opportunities offer a chance to see how these lessons have global applications .

What will I learn?

You  will learn to be guest-focused, ethical, innovative, globally aware and tech fluent. Study to be effective communicators to excel in the many facets of the industry. You'll collaborate  comfortably  in an environment characterized by diversity, uncertainty and rapid change.

View Curriculum:  Hospitality and Tourism Management

Program Highlights

You will have plenty of opportunities to get involved, from  the conceptualization, planning to execution of a variety of events . Join the Club for Hospitality and Tourism. Publish research with award-winning faculty.

• A Charleston Bride.
• Charleston Wine + Food.
• The Charleston Place.
• Le Creuset.

Put your skills to the test in a capstone class that encourages you to develop a hospitality and/or tourism business plan and pitch deck . You'll develop the necessary skills to be a leader in the business. This is an excellent way to show employers your full potential.

Where better to study hospitality and tourism management than in the city that Travel + Leisure Magazine   has ranked the world’s No.  1 tourist destination? We work with industry partners in the Lowcountry and beyond to enhance the learning experience for you . With strong connections and plentiful resources, you are set for success.

Careers & Outcomes

• Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.
• Marriot International.

About the Minor

View Curriculum:  Hospitality and Tourism Management Minor

Hospitality

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Learn from the Best, in The Heart of the Industry

The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is the world's preeminent hospitality management school, pairing a world-class education with industry-relevant practical experience. This immersive, holistic learning environment uniquely prepares students for leadership roles in the hospitality and gaming industry.

UNLV Hospitality Management students learn from renowned industry experts within blocks of the most notable resorts on the globe. And with our affordable tuition rates and generous scholarship offerings, earning your bachelor's or master's degree at the Harrah College of Hospitality is more attainable than you think.

The Harrah College of Hospitality’s proximity to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip places our students at the forefront of the industry. Students enjoy unparalleled internship, job, mentorship, and research opportunities with prominent industry professionals – real-world experience that helps students launch successful careers.

Plus, our students get to master the craft of hospitality management inside Hospitality Hall – a modern, interactive learning laboratory that closely mirrors the industry.

Hospitality College Featured on "The College Tour at UNLV"

Students and alumni from the Harrah College of Hospitality appeared on Amazon Prime's The College Tour to talk about how the incredible resources, diversity, and opportunities at UNLV have helped them succeed. It's never been a better time to be a Hospitality Rebel!

Student Support and Success

UNLV offers resources to support students at all stages of their academic careers. Kaila discusses how she felt supported through peer mentorship and how she pays it forward by helping other students begin their college journey.

Kaila Seidler

• Majors : Film, Hospitality Management
• Hometown : Harlingen, Texas

Global Experiences

Cultural diversity surrounds you at UNLV whether you are on campus, exploring the surrounding community, or strolling on the Las Vegas Strip. Hieu explains how his experiences at UNLV and the many influences of our international city will help make his hospitality career successful.

Hieu Nguyen

• Major : Hospitality Management
• Minors : Global Entrepreneurship, Management
• Hometown : Hanoi, Vietnam

Rebels Forever

Being a Rebel doesn’t end after graduation. Megan formed lifelong connections through participating in Greek Life and hospitality events, which helped launch her into success in the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Megan Carraher

• Degree Programs : Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management '11, Master of Hospitality Administration '16
• Hometown : Las Vegas, Nevada

Undergraduate Degree Program

The Harrah College of Hospitality undergraduate program offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management. This 120-credit-hour program typically takes four years to complete.

Undergraduate students have the option of specializing in one of the following concentrations:

• Event Design and Management
• Gaming Management
• Hospitality Beverage Management
• Human Resource Management
• Innovative Restaurant Management

Undergraduate students must meet certain academic standards to be admitted to UNLV and the Harrah College of Hospitality. The University accepts the Common App .

• Freshman Admissions
• Transfer Admissions
• Returning Students

Las Vegas offers endless opportunities for students who are pursuing careers in the hospitality and tourism industry. Working with some of the biggest names in the industry, the college helps connect students with internships, mentors, and jobs following graduation.

• Find an Internship
• Find a Mentor

Our academic advisors will help students navigate the undergraduate program, explaining academic requirements, developing plans of study, and providing general support throughout their UNLV careers.

UNLV accepts both the Common App and the UNLV Application.

• Get the UNLV Application
• Get the Common App
• Information en Espanol

Graduate Degrees and Certificates

For professionals and students who wish to advance their education, the Harrah College of Hospitality offers several graduate degree options, including in-person and online programs. A graduate degree from the college prepares students to be leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Graduate students must have completed an undergraduate degree program and meet UNLV admission requirements before being admitted to the university.

• Graduate Admissions

Request Information

An advanced degree from the Harrah College of Hospitality gives professionals the competitive edge they need to step into management positions or pursue academic careers. The college’s strong support system, including our extensive career resources, help make our students’ career goals possible.

Graduate students work closely with advisors to map out an educational plan that supports their learning interests.

Graduate applicants that meet university requirements may apply online.

• Graduate College

Experience Campus

Hospitality College students enjoy immersive, hands-on learning inside the jewel of the UNLV campus—Hospitality Hall, located just blocks away from the famed Las Vegas Strip. Our close connection to the industry and responsiveness to the needs of the evolving hospitality market help us maintain our top position among competing programs—producing graduates who are leading all major sectors of the industry across the globe.

If you have questions regarding our degree program, we want to hear from you. Please provide your name and email address below or email your question directly to [email protected] .

Get more info about UNLV

2025 Best Colleges with Hospitality and Tourism Management Degrees in Tennessee

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1-17 of 17 results

University of Tennessee

• Knoxville, TN ·
• · Rating 3.71 out of 5   4,047 reviews
• grade  A Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 68%
• Net price $21,880
• SAT range 1170-1330

#2 Best Colleges in Tennessee .

Blue checkmark.

KNOXVILLE, TN ,

4047 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Sophomore says As a student at the University of Tennessee, there was never a time where I felt out of place. There is always something going on in campus that makes you feel included, such as volunteering... .

Read 4047 reviews.

Overall Niche Grade : A ,

Acceptance Rate : 68% ,

Net Price : $21,880 ,

SAT Range : 1170-1330 ,

University of Memphis

• Memphis, TN ·
• · Rating 3.77 out of 5   2,284 reviews
• grade  B+ Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate 95%
• Net price $13,873
• SAT range 930-1230

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee .

MEMPHIS, TN ,

2284 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says My Experience with the University of Memphis My time at the University of Memphis has been enriching and transformative. The diverse academic programs and supportive community have greatly contributed to my personal and professional growth. The knowledgeable and dedicated faculty have provided invaluable mentorship, helping me navigate my academic journey and clarify my career goals. The emphasis on hands-on learning has enhanced my... The vibrant campus life, with its many student organizations and events, has allowed me to build lasting friendships and develop leadership skills. Overall, the University of Memphis has been instrumental in my growth and preparation for future challenges. .

Read 2284 reviews.

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• Acceptance rate 73%
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MURFREESBORO, TN ,

3506 Niche users give it an average review of 3.7 stars.

Featured Review: Freshman says Originally I wanted to go to TSU, but there was complications signing up and scholarships. I then changed my mind to MTSU. They got all my scholarships, they were nice, helpful, and hardworking. They... .

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Acceptance Rate : 73% ,

Net Price : $13,062 ,

SAT Range : 1020-1230 ,

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NASHVILLE, TN ,

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Acceptance Rate : 71% ,

Net Price : $27,937 ,

SAT Range : 1130-1320 ,

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Crossville

• Crossville, TN ·
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CROSSVILLE, TN ,

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Maryville College

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#16 Best Colleges in Tennessee .

MARYVILLE, TN ,

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Overall Niche Grade : B ,

Acceptance Rate : 70% ,

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Chattanooga State Community College

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CHATTANOOGA, TN ,

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Net Price : $6,827 ,

Christian Brothers University

• · Rating 3.72 out of 5   453 reviews
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Overall Niche Grade : B minus ,

Acceptance Rate : 88% ,

Net Price : $18,612 ,

SAT Range : 1030-1280 ,

Southwest Tennessee Community College

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Net Price : $5,991 ,

Nashville State Community College

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580 Niche users give it an average review of 3.9 stars.

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Net Price : $6,790 ,

Columbia State Community College

• Columbia, TN ·
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509 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

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Net Price : $8,275 ,

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jackson

• Jackson, TN ·
• · Rating 4 out of 5   5 reviews
• grade  C+ Overall Niche Grade
• Net price $9,930

JACKSON, TN ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

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Overall Niche Grade : C+ ,

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Belmont University

• · Rating 3.71 out of 5   1,825 reviews
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Acceptance Rate : 96% ,

Net Price : $36,225 ,

SAT Range : 1150-1340 ,

Pellissippi State Community College

• · Rating 3.99 out of 5   868 reviews
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868 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

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Net Price : $6,474 ,

Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Jacksboro

• Jacksboro, TN ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   1 review
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JACKSBORO, TN ,

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Net Price : $3,891 ,

Remington College - Memphis

• · Rating 4.25 out of 5   20 reviews
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Overall Niche Grade : D minus ,

Net Price : $24,790 ,

Nashville State Community College Online

• Nashville, TN
• · Rating 4 out of 5   1 review
• grade  unavailable Overall Niche Grade
• Acceptance rate —
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1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

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New York Institute of Technology

• OLD WESTBURY, NY
• · Rating 3.5 out of 5   642

Lasell University

• · Rating 3.62 out of 5   572

Cincinnati State

• CINCINNATI, OH
• · Rating 3.96 out of 5   677

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5 Majors to Consider for a Career in Hospitality and Tourism

What should you study if you are interested in a career in hospitality and tourism.

Hospitality and Tourism careers include jobs in food or services for people to enjoy leisure activities or vacations.  

If you are interested in a career in Hospitality and Tourism here is a list of 5 majors you might consider when thinking about your degree options. 

• Hotel and Motel Management  Students in this major learn how to manage hotels, motels, and other lodging businesses such as resorts. Course work covers hospitality law, employee management, financial management, and more.
• Meeting and Event Planning Students learn to plan, budget, and implement conferences, meetings, and other special events in the public or private sectors.
• Tourism and Travel Management Tourism and travel majors learn to manage tourism- and travel-related businesses. Course work includes such topics as travel-agency management, tour planning, convention and event planning, and travel industry law.
• Hospitality Administration and Management Hospitality majors learn to run hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and other businesses that serve business travelers and vacationers.
• Business Administration and Management Business administration majors learn the mechanics of business through classes in fundamentals such as finance, accounting and marketing and delve into more specialized topics. Students find ways to solve problems using data, and they develop communication and managerial skills.

When you think about careers in the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster, these are just a few examples of potential majors to get you started. Explore more majors or search for colleges on BigFuture that offer these or similar majors to start building your college list!

Related Topics

School of Hospitality and Tourism welcomes two new full-time faculty: Ian McKnight and Patti Wallington

A message from Craig Youdale, Dean, Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies:

The School of Hospitality and Tourism is delighted to welcome two new full-time faculty members to our team, Ian McKnight and Patti Wallington.

Ian McKnight

Ian McKnight first joined Niagara College in 2016 as a part-time instructor in the School of Hospitality and Tourism, where he has taught courses in Food and Beverage, Accommodations, and Human Resources.

Ian brings a wealth of experience from both the education and hospitality sectors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brock University and a Teacher’s Certificate from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. Certified with the Ontario College of Teachers, Ian’s teaching career has taken him around the world, from Thailand to Colombia, as well as within various communities in Moosonee and Simcoe County.

In the hospitality industry, Ian has made significant contributions, notably as a member of the opening team at Great Wolf Lodge, where he focused on restaurant and banquet operations for seven years. He also honed his skills as a Food and Beverage Manager at the Marriott Niagara Falls Hotel Fallsview and Spa, a role he held for 11 years.

Patti Wallington

Patti Wellington has been a part-time instructor at Niagara College’s School of Hospitality and Tourism since 2017 and has taught courses in Tourism, Marketing and Event Planning. She has also taught at Mohawk College since 2022 and at the Toronto School of Management since 2020.

Patti brings over 30 years of experience in both hospitality and education to her new role. She holds a Master of Arts in Business with a focus on Tourism Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC.

Patti’s extensive career in the hospitality industry includes roles such as Front Desk and Reservation Agent at the Oakes Inn Hotel, Food and Beverage Service at HOCO Park Hotel and Venture Inn, and Operations Manager for APS Group, where she spent 20 years specializing in Brand Development, Finance, Revenue Management, and Human Resources.

We are confident that the expertise and industry knowledge that Ian and Patti bring will greatly benefit our students and enhance the educational experience within the School of Hospitality and Tourism.

Ian and Patti started their new roles on August 19.

Please join me in welcoming Ian McKnight and Patti Wallington to our full-time faculty team.

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Assistant, Associate, or Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Faculty (fac).

Ready to Apply?

• Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando, Florida
• Dean's Office - General - Rosen

The Opportunity

Come work with UCF Rosen College! (youtube.com)

The Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for multiple, full-time, 9-month faculty positions at the rank of assistant professor (tenure earning), associate professor (tenured), or professor (tenured), with an anticipated start date in January 2025 or later. We seek candidates whose experience and plans emphasize fundamental research in the fields of information technology, lodging management, tourism management, theme park management, and/or events management. Rank and salary will be commensurate with the credentials, background, and experience of the candidate.  Hiring and promotion are based solely on merit.

The selected candidates will develop and instruct various courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels, and participate in university, college, and department committees.  They will be expected to publish in appropriate journals and establish vigorous externally funded and creative research programs, curate and nurture industry relationships, and have a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education.

The Rosen College of Hospitality Management is comprised of approximately 69 diverse faculty that represent 18 different countries and are recognized for their research, teaching skills, and professional experience.  Our students are exposed to some of the most modern well-designed learning laboratories as they pursue one of the many B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. majors we offer.

UCF is a leading metropolitan research-intensive university with over 68,000 students.  The Rosen College of Hospitality Management, located in Orlando, Florida, offers students an unrivaled opportunity to learn and work in the heart of hospitality. Named the nation’s #1 college for research and hospitality education by the 2023 Shanghai Rankings, UCF Rosen College is committed to providing an environment where we educate the next generation of industry leaders through internationally recognized faculty, innovative academic programs, cutting-edge research, and strong industry and community partnerships while delivering a global perspective on hospitality management, event management, entertainment management, theme park, and attraction management, and lodging and restaurant management

Minimum Qualifications:

A doctoral degree with an emphasis and/or application in Hospitality Management or a related field from an accredited institution by the time of appointment. To obtain tenure, the selected candidate must have a demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service commensurate with rank.

Preferred Qualifications:

A demonstrated, consistent record of research that is inclusive of publications in highly ranked hospitality, tourism, or business journals, and a record of teaching, service and industry relationships that is current and consistent with UCF standards and aspirations.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/ .  In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references. 

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to :  Robert Opdahl, Human Resources Partner II, [email protected] , (407)903-8032.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

At this time are you legally able to work in the United States of America or will you require a sponsorship such as H1B, etc.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled.

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘ Open until filled ’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

Retirement savings options. 

Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

Education assistance.

Flexible work environment. 

And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here .

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

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