by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 45 U.S. colleges awarded 784 degrees and certificates in Restaurant/Food Services Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 42% of graduates. College Factual ranks 15 schools in its 2027 Best Restaurant/Food Services 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.
Studying Restaurant/Food Services Management involves the study of Restaurant/food Services Management. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Plan, Manage, And Market Restaurants, Food Services In Hospitality Establishments, Food Service Chains And Franchise Networks, And Restaurant Supply Operations. Includes Instruction In Hospitality Administration, Food Services Management, Wholesale Logistics And Distribution, Franchise Operations, Business Networking, Personnel Management, Culinary Arts, Business Planning And Capitalization, Food Industry Operations, Marketing And Retailing, Business Law And Regulations, Finance, And Professional Standards And Ethics.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., restaurant/food services management is a widely-pursued major, with 784 degrees awarded annually. 45 colleges award restaurant/food services management degrees, an average of 17 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 271.
By level, the 784 awards include 124 certificates, 77 associate degrees, 329 bachelor’s degrees and 250 master’s degrees.
Women earned 66% of restaurant/food services management degrees and certificates in the latest year (516 of 784). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (290) and Hispanic or Latino (152), and international students earned 55.
College Factual ranks 15 schools in its 2027 Best Restaurant/Food Services Management Schools ranking, including 5 for associate degrees, 7 for bachelor’s degrees and 2 for master’s degrees. It also ranks restaurant/food services management schools within 6 states. In all, 45 colleges offer restaurant/food services management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Restaurant/Food Services Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common restaurant/food services management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 329 of the 784 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to restaurant/food services management call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Management of Personnel Resources, 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, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long a restaurant/food services management degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 124 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 77 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 329 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 250 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to restaurant/food services management, at 30.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 19.9% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 16.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 14.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Restaurant/Food Services Management, with an average median salary of $130,622; the strongest outlook belongs to Lodging Managers, at 14.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Hospitality Manager, Food Service Supervisor, Dietary Supervisor and Shift Manager.
The occupation related to restaurant/food services management with the most projected jobs is Food Service Managers, at 397,799.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | 397,799 | 7.7% |
| Lodging Managers | 219,858 | 14.8% |
Restaurant/Food Services 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 same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to restaurant/food services management, with a median salary of $165,782.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | $165,782 |
| Lodging Managers | $95,461 |
Restaurant/Food Services Management has 9 similar majors in the Business, Management & Marketing field, which together award 12,416 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.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management, General | 7,782 |
| Hotel/Motel Administration/Management | 1,756 |
| Tourism and Travel Services Management | 863 |
| Meeting and Event Planning | 805 |
| 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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