by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 54 U.S. colleges awarded 805 degrees and certificates in Meeting and Event Planning. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Meeting and Event Planning 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 Meeting and Event Planning explores Meeting And Event Planning. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Budget, And Implement Conferences, Meetings, And Other Special Events In The Public Or Private Sectors. Includes Instruction In Principles Of Meeting And Event Planning; Special Event Management; Budgets And Finance; Site Selection; Contracts, Vendors, And Negotiations; Marketing And Promotions; Food And Beverage Management; Audio-Visual Basics And Meeting Technology; And Hospitality Law. Examples: [Conference Management], [Conference Planning], [Wedding Planning].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., meeting and event planning is a popular field of study, with 805 degrees awarded annually. 54 colleges award meeting and event planning degrees, an average of 15 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 154.
By level, the 805 awards include 9 certificates, 23 associate degrees, 357 bachelor’s degrees and 392 master’s degrees.
Women earned 86% of meeting and event planning degrees and certificates in the latest year (690 of 805). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (462) and Hispanic or Latino (144), and international students earned 54.
College Factual ranks 21 schools in its 2027 Best Meeting and Event Planning Schools ranking, including 1 for associate degrees, 13 for bachelor’s degrees and 5 for master’s degrees. It also ranks meeting and event planning schools within 10 states. In all, 54 colleges offer meeting and event planning programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Meeting and Event Planning Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common meeting and event planning credential is the master’s degree: 392 of the 805 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to meeting and event planning call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Communications and Media, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Speech Recognition, Oral Comprehension and Written Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a meeting and event planning degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 9 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 23 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 357 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 392 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to meeting and event planning, at 40.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.8% |
| Some college courses | 37.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Meeting and Event Planning, with an average median salary of $64,460. Typical job titles include Convention Services Director, Convention Worker, Events Specialist and Catering and Convention Services Manager.
The occupation related to meeting and event planning with the most projected jobs is Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners, at 371,665.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | 371,665 | -0.2% |
Meeting and Event Planning 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 same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to meeting and event planning, with a median salary of $64,460.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $64,460 |
Meeting and Event Planning has 9 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 12,395 degrees a year; the largest are Hospitality Administration/Management, General (7,782), Hotel/Motel Administration/Management (1,756) and Tourism and Travel Services Management (863). Browse all Business, Management & Marketing majors or the full list of college majors.
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