by our College Data Analytics Team
[Hospitality Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/hospitality-management/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where hospitality management graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send hospitality management graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Cornell University, our #1 for hospitality management graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from Cornell University make a median of around $98,785 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of San Francisco one of the highest-paying schools for hospitality management. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from University Of San Francisco typically earn about $74,026 annually.
Pace University New York produces some of the highest-paid graduates in hospitality management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of about $68,939 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in hospitality management will find them at San Jose State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a public institution. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from San Jose State University typically earn about $67,022 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in hospitality management will find them at James Madison University, which ranked #5. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $65,319 annually.
Northwood University Michigan placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for hospitality management. Northwood University Michigan is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Midland. Students who complete the hospitality management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,997.
Campbell University landed the #7 spot for hospitality management salaries this year. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Campbell University earn a median of about $67,985 a year early in their careers.
University Of Denver ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from University Of Denver make a median of around $62,364 per year.
Texas Tech University landed the #9 spot for hospitality management salaries this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a public institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from Texas Tech University make a median of around $67,259 per year.
University Of Delaware ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. University Of Delaware is a public school located in the suburb of Newark. Early-career hospitality management graduates from University Of Delaware make a median of around $72,901 per year.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #11 spot for hospitality management salaries this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Students who complete the hospitality management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,111.
New York University earned the #12 position for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from New York University make a median of around $67,176 per year.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a public institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University make a median of around $50,720 per year.
George Mason University earned the #14 position for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a public institution. Hospitality Management graduates of George Mason University earn a median of about $57,639 a year early in their careers.
Sullivan University landed the #15 spot for hospitality management salaries this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Sullivan University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the hospitality management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,970.
Michigan State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $61,842 annually.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #17 position for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from University Of Massachusetts Amherst make a median of around $62,949 per year.
University Of Wisconsin Stout ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Set in the town of Menomonie, University Of Wisconsin Stout is a public institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from University Of Wisconsin Stout make a median of around $53,914 per year.
San Diego State University earned the #19 position for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Hospitality Management graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $58,612 a year early in their careers.
Kansas State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Kansas State University is a public school located in the city of Manhattan. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from Kansas State University typically earn about $55,360 annually.
Boston University earned the #21 position for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Boston University earn a median of about $51,214 a year early in their careers.
Washington State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Washington State University earn a median of about $55,920 a year early in their careers.
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Located in the suburb of Madison, Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham typically earn about $59,730 annually.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus make a median of around $59,730 per year.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #25 among the highest-paying schools for hospitality management. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $55,565 a year early in their careers.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning hospitality management graduates:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Hospitality Management rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their hospitality management graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
