by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 370 U.S. colleges awarded 7,782 degrees and certificates in General Hospitality Administration/Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 56% of graduates. College Factual ranks 141 schools in its 2027 Best General Hospitality Administration/Management Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,814 one year after completing, rising to $56,062 after four years.
A major in General Hospitality Administration/Management involves the study of Hospitality Administration/management, General. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Serve As General Managers And Directors Of Hospitality Operations On A System-Wide Basis, Including Both Travel Arrangements And Promotion And The Provision Of Traveler Facilities. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Operations In The Travel And Tourism, Hotel And Lodging Facilities, Food Services, And Recreation Facilities Industries; Hospitality Marketing Strategies; Hospitality Planning; Management And Coordination Of Franchise And Unit Operations; Business Management; Accounting And Financial Management; Hospitality Transportation And Logistics; And Hospitality Industry Policies And Regulations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, general hospitality administration/management draws strong interest, with 7,782 degrees awarded annually. 370 colleges award general hospitality administration/management degrees, an average of 21 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 521.
By level, the 7,782 awards include 217 certificates, 1,067 associate degrees, 4,393 bachelor’s degrees, 1,763 master’s degrees and 33 doctorates.
Women earned 67% of general hospitality administration/management degrees and certificates in the latest year (5,234 of 7,782). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,656) and Hispanic or Latino (1,272), and international students earned 756.
College Factual ranks 141 schools in its 2027 Best General Hospitality Administration/Management Schools ranking, including 32 for associate degrees, 92 for bachelor’s degrees and 19 for master’s degrees. It also ranks general hospitality administration/management schools within 40 states. In all, 370 colleges offer general hospitality administration/management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Hospitality Administration/Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general hospitality administration/management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 4,393 of the 7,782 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general hospitality administration/management call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Coordination, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Problem Sensitivity.
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How long a general hospitality administration/management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 217 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,067 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,393 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,763 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 33 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general hospitality administration/management, at 35.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.1% |
| Master’s degree | 16.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 12.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 11.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 7.4% |
| Some college courses | 6.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to General Hospitality Administration/Management, with an average median salary of $136,301; the strongest outlook belongs to Lodging Managers, at 14.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Hospitality Manager, Fitness Program Manager, Group Fitness Manager (GFM) and Lifestyle Director.
The occupation related to general hospitality administration/management with the most projected jobs is Fitness and Wellness Coordinators, at 403,205.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | 403,205 | 4.2% |
| Food Service Managers | 397,799 | 7.7% |
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | 320,819 | 2.9% |
| Lodging Managers | 219,858 | 14.8% |
| Spa Managers | 184,703 | -2.2% |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | 141,428 | 4.2% |
General Hospitality Administration/Management graduates earn a median $35,814 one year after completing their program, $56,062 after four years and $48,473 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,814 |
| 4 years | $56,062 |
| 5 years | $48,473 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to general hospitality administration/management is Personal Service Managers, All Other, with a median salary of $176,674.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Personal Service Managers, All Other | $176,674 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $170,172 |
| Food Service Managers | $165,782 |
| Spa Managers | $143,396 |
| Lodging Managers | $95,461 |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | $66,320 |
General Hospitality Administration/Management has 9 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 5,418 degrees a year; the largest are Hotel/Motel Administration/Management (1,756), Tourism and Travel Services Management (863) and Meeting and Event Planning (805). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Hotel/Motel Administration/Management | 1,756 |
| Tourism and Travel Services Management | 863 |
| Meeting and Event Planning | 805 |
| Restaurant/Food Services Management | 784 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management, Other | 581 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management | 446 |
| Resort Management | 163 |
| Casino Management | 16 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management | 4 |
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