by our College Data Analytics Team
[Hospitality Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/hospitality-management/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the early-career earnings of their hospitality management graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send hospitality management graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Northwood University Michigan tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying hospitality management schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Midland, Northwood University Michigan is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the hospitality management program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,997.
Michigan State University came in at #2 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.
Central Michigan University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in hospitality management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of about $53,003 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in hospitality management will find them at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #4. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from Grand Valley State University typically earn about $49,255 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for hospitality management. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Hospitality Management graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of about $50,411 a year early in their careers.
Ferris State University came in at #6 for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a public institution. Early-career hospitality management graduates from Ferris State University make a median of around $35,667 per year.
Northern Michigan University earned the #7 position for hospitality management graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, hospitality management degree recipients from Northern Michigan University typically earn about $37,797 annually.
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 · 7 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.