by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 507 U.S. colleges awarded 13,200 degrees and certificates in Hospitality Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 52% of graduates. College Factual ranks 211 schools in its 2027 Best Hospitality 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.
Think of the most enjoyable experience you've ever had when staying at a hotel or eating at a restaurant. What made that specific time the best? Was it the great customer service, or the friendly environment? There are many factors that contribute to a hospitable experience. If this is something that greatly interests you, consider majoring in Hospitality Management.
A program in Hospitality Management prepares student to manage others and act as general managers and directors of hospitality operations on a system-wide basis. Students will acquire the knowledge to oversee business in both travel arrangements and promotion, and the condition of traveler facilities.
There are a few different concentrations within this major; they include Hotel/Motel Administration/Management, Tourism and Travel Service Management, Resort Management, Casino Management, Meeting and Event Planning, and Restaurant Management. While concentrating on this major, you will be taking courses in employee labor relations, hospitality finance, marketing, resort operations, hospitality law, and festival and event management. This major is typically offered at the associate's and bachelor's level.
Studying Hospitality Management involves the study of Hospitality Administration/management.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, hospitality management is a popular field of study, with 13,200 degrees awarded annually. 507 colleges award hospitality management degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 699.
By level, the 13,200 awards include 683 certificates, 1,795 associate degrees, 6,798 bachelor’s degrees, 3,496 master’s degrees and 49 doctorates.
Women earned 68% of hospitality management degrees and certificates in the latest year (9,013 of 13,200). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,167) and Hispanic or Latino (2,292), and international students earned 1,224.
College Factual ranks 211 schools in its 2027 Best Hospitality Management Schools ranking, including 49 for associate degrees, 128 for bachelor’s degrees and 22 for master’s degrees. It also ranks hospitality management schools within 44 states. In all, 507 colleges offer hospitality management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Hospitality Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common hospitality management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 6,798 of the 13,200 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to hospitality management call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, 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.
People skills are essential to success in this major. You will be working with people constantly and must be gracious and courteous when meeting requests and responding to complaints. A career in hospitality is bound to keep you on your toes with new problems and issues popping up every day. Creativity and the ability to make quick decisions will be necessary in solving these problems.
It may be helpful to learn a foreign language, as you may have interactions with international travelers. Gaining experience through internship or extra training is encouraged in order to determine which industry you'd like to enter into.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a hospitality management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 683 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,795 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,798 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,496 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 49 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to hospitality management, at 41.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 10.1% |
| Master’s degree | 9.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.0% |
| Some college courses | 7.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 5.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
25 occupations are related to Hospitality Management, with an average median salary of $111,347; the strongest outlook belongs to Lodging Managers, at 14.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Shift Manager, Hospitality Manager, Catering Coordinator and Catering Director.
With a degree in Hospitality Management, graduates have the opportunity to enter into a variety of occupations. If you are interested in becoming a General Manager, you must first determine which industry you would like to enter into, whether it is travel, hotel, restaurant, etc. There is not a high demand for these managers, and individuals may arrive at these positions by climbing the ladder.
Graduates can also pursue a career as an Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations Manager. These managers develop, sell, and promote their client's products and services.
The occupation related to hospitality management with the most projected jobs is Security Management Specialists, at 765,822.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Security Management Specialists | 765,822 | -1.0% |
| Business Continuity Planners | 678,409 | 12.4% |
| Online Merchants | 677,689 | 10.1% |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 615,875 | -1.7% |
| Sustainability Specialists | 564,227 | 14.3% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinators | 403,205 | 4.2% |
| Food Service Managers | 397,799 | 7.7% |
Hospitality 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 hospitality 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 |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Food Service Managers | $165,782 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Facilities Managers | $157,669 |
| Spa Managers | $143,396 |
| Gambling Managers | $140,375 |
Hospitality Management includes 10 concentrations that together award 13,200 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Hospitality Administration/Management, General (7,782), Hotel/Motel Administration/Management (1,756) and Tourism and Travel Services Management (863). It has 21 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 870,949 degrees a year; the largest are Business Administration, Management and Operations (421,752), Accounting and Related Services (86,793) and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (68,298). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 421,752 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 86,793 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 68,298 |
| Business/Commerce, General | 61,663 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 60,422 |
| Marketing | 56,635 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 27,822 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 15,088 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | 14,895 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 12,764 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
