If you’ve stayed at a hotel or eaten in a restaurant, you’ve enjoyed the hospitality industry. Hospitality management is a huge part of the economic sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 16 million people in the United States work in the hospitality industry. They have jobs in:
- Beverage management
- Event management
- Event planning
- Hotel management
- Lodging management
To work in this industry, you need education and training. Most hospitality managers have four-year degrees. They earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related subject. Career advancement and success can depend on your education and experience. To improve your job prospects, consider getting an online degree in hospitality management.
Hospitality Management Degree Online Methodology
We reviewed 110 accredited universities and colleges with online hospitality degree programs. We looked at school and program rankings with U.S. News & World Report. If a school received a regional or national ranking from the publication, we considered them for our list.
We then narrowed our search by selecting schools that cost less than $21,001/year. We verified tuition with the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES College Navigator). We listed the schools according to raw affordability. This helped us find the 30 most affordable hospitality management online degree programs.
#30 – Everglades University
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $20,000/year
Everglades University is a good school for an online hospitality degree. Online students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management in 41 months.
The bachelor’s degree in hospitality program is career-focused. It consists of 123 credit hours, and prepares students for work in different areas of the industry. Students have found jobs in:
- Event planning and event management
- Food and beverage management
- Lodging management
- Project management
The bachelor’s degree teaches students about the different business principles used in hospitality. They study ethics and technology. They also learn about marketing management and global strategy.
Everglades ranks #94 in best Southern universities by U.S. News & World Report. It also ranks as a top performer on social mobility.
#29 – Monroe College
Online BBA in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $17,442/year
Monroe College is an affordable school for online hospitality management degrees. It offers an online BBA in Hospitality Management.
The program consists of 120 total credit hours. In this program, online students learn about modern topics in hotel management and hospitality. Courses cover curriculum that teaches about everything from event planning to food and beverage management. There is also emphasis on business administration. Some of the courses students take include:
- Business administration
- Dining room management
- Introduction to business administration
- Hospitality law
Monroe ranks with major publications like U.S. News & World Report. Recent rankings include #54 in best Northern universities and #7 in best value schools.
#28 – University of Massachusetts Amherst
Online BBA in Operations and Information Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $16,952/year
UMASS Amherst offers online programs for undergraduates wanting to enter the hospitality industry. Through the Isenberg School of Management, students can earn a BBA in Operations and Information Management with classes in hospitality marketing and management.
The online program prepares students for careers in business administration. It also covers other areas of hospitality, such as:
- Business administration
- Event management
- Hospitality financial management
- Restaurant management
- Revenue management
The hospitality degree online program is affordable thanks to the school’s financial aid programs.
#27 – Sullivan University
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $14,220/year
Sullivan University is one of the best schools for hospitality management degrees. Online students can earn a BS in Hospitality Management in 36 months.
The accelerated online program offers small class sizes and intimate learning environments. Students get opportunities to build relationships with faculty and peers. The meet in online forums and meeting spaces.
The hospitality management degree program prepares you for careers in the industry. Hospitality core courses cover topics like:
- Customer service skills in hospitality
- Hospitality entrepreneurship
- Marketing hospitality services
- Restaurant management
Curriculum is career-focused and helps students land jobs in the hospitality industry.
#26 – Ohio University
Online BAS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $13,352/year
Ohio University offers a bachelor degree in hospitality management for interested students. The BAS in Hospitality Management is an online program that helps students land jobs in the hospitality industry.
The bachelor’s degree program teaches students about the different areas of hospitality. Courses cover topics in event management and restaurant operations. Students also learn about hotel management and beverage management. But there’s more than operations and management courses. Students learn about the business side of the industry by taking business administration courses.
At the time of graduation, students have a career-focused education that is well-suited for the industry.
#25 – Washington State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $12,701/year
Washington State University is a good school for online hospitality management degrees. It offers a BA in Hospitality Business Management degree.
The program offers fast classes that run seven weeks in length. It is a career-focused degree program that helps students land jobs in the hospitality industry. But since the program emphasizes business administration and management, students explore unique topics. Courses include:
- Financial management
- Operations analysis
- Personnel and human resources management
- Service operations management
WSU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top national university and best value school.
#24 – University of South Carolina
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $12,688/year
The University of South Carolina is an affordable school for online degree hospitality management programs. It offers an online BS in Hospitality Management degree.
The program prepares students for careers in hospitality through hands-on projects. It also prepares them through coursework, and seminars. Students receive specialized knowledge in:
- Club management
- Event management
- Hotel management
- Restaurant management
Attending the program full-time means students can finish their bachelor’s degree in hospitality management in two years. But part-time options are available.
USC ranks #115 in best national universities by U.S. News & World Report. It offers affordable online programs for those interested in hospitality management.
#23 – Northern Arizona University
Online BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $12,274/year
Northern Arizona University is an affordable school for a hospitality management online degree. It offers an accredited BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management degree through the W.A. Franke College of Business.
The online program helps launch students into the hospitality industry. Courses cover career-focused topics like hospitality industry analytics and revenue management. They also discuss hotel management and human resources in hospitality.
NAU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a best national university and top public school.
#22 – The University of Alabama
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,940/year
University of Alabama is an affordable school for hospitality management programs. It offers a BS in Hospitality Management degree online for career-minded students.
The program consists of 120 credit hours. It emphasizes studies in:
- Convention sales and services
- Food service management
- Hospitality law
- Hotel management
- Hospitality marketing
Students must also complete 500 hours of an internship or practicum in hospitality management. Students find work with convention centers, country clubs, and resorts.
The University of Alabama ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top national university.
#21 – Texas Tech University
Online BAAS in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,852/year
Texas Tech University is a good school for a bachelor’s degree in hospitality. Students can earn a BAAS in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management degree online.
The program is for students with an associate degree from a community college in culinary arts or hospitality management. The program builds on the community college associate degree coursework. It helps advance your skills and training. Courses cover topics that focus on:
- Customer service skills and relations
- Financial management
- Hotel and resort management
- Restaurant management
- Risk management
Texas Tech ranks as a top public school by U.S. News & World Report.
#20 – Arizona State University
Online BA in Business Tourism
Undergraduate Tuition: $11,618/year
At the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, students can earn a business tourism degree online. The BA in Business Tourism is an interdisciplinary degree with a focus on meeting the needs of the hospitality industry.
Students in the online hospitality degree program take courses that cover topics like:
- Business law and ethics for managers
- Convention sales and management
- Event management
- Hotel management
- Sustainable tourism
ASU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top national university. The school’s bachelor’s degrees and online programs also rank.
#19 – Eastern Kentucky University
Online BS in Global Hospitality and Tourism
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,844/year
Eastern Kentucky University is a good school for a hotel management degree online. It offers an online BS in Global Hospitality and Tourism degree.
This program consists of 120 credit hours. Students can transfer up to 90 of those hours to help shorten the time it takes to earn the degree in hospitality management.
There are two certificate options that allow students to tailor their bachelor’s degree. You can earn a certificate in gastronomic tourism or sustainable hospitality. Courses cover topics like:
- Global hospitality law
- Hospitality and tourism analysis
- Hospitality and tourism essentials
- Hotel management
- Management of recreation services
EKU ranks in several U.S. News & World Report categories. They rank as a best value school and best Southern university.
#18 – University of Wisconsin Stout
Online BS in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,663/year
The bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at University of Wisconsin Stout is a top-ranked program. It is also affordable.
In the BS in Hotel Management program, students study club management and learn how to develop tourism attractions. They also study hospitality management strategies. They learn about risk management for the industry.
The program prepares students for long-term careers in the hospitality industry. Graduates go on to find work in:
- Event planning
- Food and beverage management
- Hotel management
- Human resources management
- Revenue management
UW Stout ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top regional university and best value school.
#17 – Norfolk State University
Online BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,622/year
At Norfolk State University, students can earn a BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management for less than 10k/year. The degree program is online and designed for working adults.
The program helps prepare students for careers in hotel and resort management and other hospitality industry jobs. Hospitality management courses cover topics such as:
- Club and resort management
- Event planning and management
- Food and beverage management
- Facilities design
- Hotel management
Norfolk is an accredited school that’s also ranked with U.S. News & World Report. It ranks as a top public school, best HBCU, and regional university in the South.
#16 – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Online BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,538/year
The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley is a good school for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in hospitality. It offers an online BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The degree program helps students gain knowledge for work in the hospitality industry. It teaches them about different topics in hospitality and tourism management and event planning. They learn what it’s like to work in the industry. They also cover niche areas of business like human resources management.
Hospitality management and business courses cover topics such as:
- Business administration in hospitality management
- Data modeling management tools
- Introduction to managerial accounting
- Principles of revenue management
The institution ranks #36 in social mobility and #156 in top public schools by U.S News & World Report.
#15 – West Virginia University
Online BSBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,360/year
West Virginia University offers affordable degrees in business with concentrations in hospitality and tourism management. Students can earn an online BSBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree.
In this program, students learn the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in management and leadership positions in the hospitality industry. The program consists of 120 total credit hours. This means you’ll take 40 courses. But the school offers a generous transfer policy. You can bring in up to 90 credits to apply toward your bachelor’s degree. Great news if you hold an associate degree!
WVU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top public school and best national university.
#14 – Troy University
Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $9,312/year
Troy University is one of the top hospitality management schools. It offers an online bachelor’s degree for students wanting to get into the hospitality and tourism industry.
The bachelor’s degree program offers many concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree in hospitality, sport, or tourism management. You take courses that cover topics in different areas of hospitality management. Your courses cover topics such as:
- Facility management
- Human resources in hospitality management
- Hotel management
- Lodging management
- Tourism development and planning
The online hospitality management degrees have received accreditation with the Colleges and Schools Commission. Troy also ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a best value school.
#13 – Missouri State University Springfield
Online BS in Hospitality Leadership
Undergraduate Tuition: $8,604/year
Missouri State University is a good school for an online hospitality management degree. You can earn an accredited BS in Hospitality Leadership degree.
The program teaches students how to lead in different hospitality facilities, such as:
- Hotels
- Lodges
- Resorts
- Restaurants
Through coursework and curriculum, students learn about the hospitality industry. They cover topics in lodging management and human resources management. The online hospitality management degree also covers hotel management and safety.
MSU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top public school and best national university.
#12 – University of North Carolina Greensboro
Online BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,498/year
UNC Greensboro offers a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The program is online.
The program is for students interested in working in the hospitality industry. The school reports that 100% of graduates have found work within six months and 89% within three months of graduating.
In this program, students take courses that prepare them for hands-on training and experience in the real world. They study hotel and travel services and sales and marketing. They also cover topics in hospitality law and learn what makes managers have good customer service skills. The program is robust and teaches students what they need to know to work in the industry.
#11 – East Carolina University
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,325/year
East Carolina University offers a hotel management degree for undergraduates. You can earn a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management online.
The program is for aspiring hospitality managers. Its focus is on leadership and management in the hospitality industry. Students can choose from three concentrations. They can study:
- Convention and special events management
- Food and beverage management
- Lodging management
The AACSB accredits the program. The school has also received rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
#10 – Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Online BBA in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $7,020/year
Oklahoma State University offers degrees for aspiring hospitality managers. Students can study hospitality management online and earn a BBA degree in Hospitality Management.
The program prepares students for leadership roles in the industry. It teaches them everything from club management to customer service skills. It also covers risk management and the business side of operations.
Students can transfer up to 90 credits toward their hospitality management degree.
#9 – Eastern New Mexico University
Online BBA in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,863/year
Eastern New Mexico University offers an online BBA in Hospitality Management. The program prepares students interested in marketing and promotion in hospitality, lodging, and restaurant management.
In this program, students learn about what it’s like to work in hospitality. They study topics such as:
- Food operations management
- Hotel management
- Lodging management
- Organization theory
- Supervision and management
ENMU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a best university in the West.
#8 – University of the Potomac
Online BS in Hospitality
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,660/year
The University of the Potomac is a good school for hospitality degrees. It offers a BS in Hospitality program.
The online bachelor’s degree consists of 120 total credit hours. Classes help students learn what it takes to work in the hospitality industry. Students take courses that explore topics like:
- Financial management
- Hotel convention sales and services
- Revenue management
- Tourism management
This online hospitality management degree is one of the most affordable online programs on our list.
#7 – North Carolina Central University
Online BS in Hospitality and Tourism Administration
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,599/year
North Carolina Central University is a good school for affordable hospitality and tourism degrees. The school offers a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Administration degree online.
The bachelor’s degree program consists of 128 credit hours. It gives students advanced skills in hospitality management. Online courses cover topics like:
- Applied sanitation and safety
- Event planning and management
- Financial management
- Food and beverage production
NCCU ranks with U.S. News & World Report a top university in the South. It also ranks as a best value school.
#6 – Florida International University
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,565/year
Florida International University is a good school for online hospitality management programs. It offers a BS in Hospitality Management degree with different focus areas.
The bachelor’s degree program prepares students for unique jobs in the hospitality industry. Graduates find work in different areas of the industry like hospitality marketing and operations management. Core courses cover topics such as:
- Entertainment management
- Event management
- Hotel and lodging management
- Travel and tourism management
FIU ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a best national university.
#5 – University of Central Florida
Online BS in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,368/year
Want to earn a restaurant management degree online? You can at UCF in its BS in Hospitality Management program.
The bachelor’s degree program teaches students how to become leaders in hospitality. They gain skills and knowledge that is helpful in landing work as a food service manager, hospitality manager, event planner, or food and beverage director.
UCF ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top national university. It also ranks as a top public school and best value college. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits the school.
#4 – Utah Valley University
Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,270/year
Utah Valley University is a good school for individuals studying restaurant management or hospitality marketing. It offers an undergraduate degree in hospitality management.
Students can focus their studies by earning a business or creative focused specialization. Specializations in business include:
- Operations
- Revenue management
- Sales
You can also take a more innovative approach to your studies and pick up a specialization in culinary arts or event planning.
UVU ranks #90-#117 in best Western universities by U.S. News & World Report. It also ranks as a top public school.
#3 – Columbia Southern University
Online BSBA in Hospitality and Tourism
Undergraduate Tuition: $6,015/year
Columbia Southern University is a good school to study hospitality management. It offers an online BSBA in Hospitality and Tourism.
The program consists of 120 credit hours. Students study business and earn a concentration in hospitality and tourism. The program takes up to five years to complete depending on the student pace. But you can take all courses online in a flexible format. Courses cover topics such as:
- Accounting for hospitality and tourism
- Legal aspects of hospitality and tourism
- Marketing for hospitality and tourism
- Resort management and operations
#2 – Fort Hays State University
Online BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $5,430/year
Fort Hays State University is a good school for a hospitality or restaurant management degree online. You can earn a BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree.
This online degree consists of 120 credit hours. Students take courses that introduce them to different tourism and hospitality management topics. You take classes in:
- Intro to leadership concepts
- Hospitality and tourism management
- Service operations management
Graduates of the program can qualify for jobs in event management, lodging management, and hotel management.
The school ranks with U.S. News & World Report as a top public school.
#1 – Florida Atlantic University
Online BBA in Hospitality Management
Undergraduate Tuition: $4,879/year
Florida Atlantic University offers an online hospitality management degrees. Students can earn a BBA in Hospitality Management degree.
The online bachelor’s degree focuses on giving students essential business skills needed for the hospitality industry and beyond. Students learn what it’s like to work in management and leadership roles casinos, convention centers, cruise lines, and hotels. They take courses in:
- Business administration
- Event planning and event management
- Hotel management
- Revenue management
- Tourism management
FAU ranks as a top national university by U.S. News & World Report. It also ranks #132 in top public schools. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits the school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are common questions asked about the hospitality industry. We cover topics from getting a hospitality management degree online to earnings and job outlook.
What can you do with an online hospitality management degree?
The hospitality and tourism industry generates billions of dollars each year. The size of the sector means plenty of jobs for graduates from online bachelor’s in hospitality management programs. Here are some jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.
Convention Manager
These hospitality management professionals coordinate events at conferences, parties, and meetings. They work with different departments to plan events. They are experts in catering, marketing, and brand management.
Foodservice Manager
Foodservice managers oversee food and dining operations at a lodge or hotel. They also manage catering, restaurant, and room service.
They coordinate processes and procedures between the kitchen and dining staff. They ensure everything runs as it should. They also oversee business-related functions related to food and dining. These include:
- Personnel management
- Schedule formation
- Training
General Manager
GMs oversee all operations at a property. They provide leadership efforts and management operations. Departments they oversee include:
- Accounting and finance
- Gaming
- Housekeeping
- Human resources
- Maintenance
- Marketing
- Security
Revenue Manager
Fiscal managers oversee revenue generation and sales. They keep track of cash flow. They also provide fiscal forecasts for hotels and other tourism venues and ensure fiscal compliance.
How much money can you make after an online hospitality management program?
You can make a good wage after graduating from an accredited (Colleges and Schools Commission) online hospitality management program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports earnings for food services managers as $59,440/year.
Food managers at casual and fast-food restaurants earn the lowest average pay. They also work long hours, often working more than 40 hours per week. Fine dining food services managers do work long hours, but they make more money. Top-paying industries for food service managers include:
- Accommodations: $73,650/year
- Special food services: $70,160/year
- Restaurants and other eating venues: $58,500/year
Lodging managers can expect to earn about $59,000/year on average, according to the BLS. The highest 10% of earners in this occupation make over $103,000/year. While the wages are good, these managers do work long hours. Because hotels are open 24 hours, some lodging managers are on call at all times.
What is the job outlook for those with a bachelor’s in hospitality management degree?
This industry was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues to be in recovery from a recession. As people return to pre-pandemic spending patterns, you will see demand for workers in the industry surge. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for lodging and food service management positions will increase by 18% through 2031.
There are more hospitality management opportunities in metropolitan areas. Metro areas with the highest employment rates include:
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
Graduates willing to move to these cities should see the best job prospects. If you have an online bachelor’s, you can expect to enter the industry and put your skills and training to work.
What to expect in an online bachelor’s degree in hospitality management program?
An online bachelor’s in hospitality management focuses on equipping students with management and leadership skills for tourism and hospitality industry. It helps students gain knowledge and skills in relevant areas. They study:
- Event management
- Food and beverage regulations
- Lodging management
- Tourism management
Courses cover the hospitality management industry as a whole, while also teaching specific skills in niche areas like:
- Casinos
- Convention centers
- Dining facilities
- Hotels
- Resorts
The classes you take vary by online bachelor’s program. But you can expect to see many of the same introductory and advanced studies in topics such as those listed below.
Tourism and Hospitality Law
This class gives students a broad overview of hospitality industry laws and regulations. The course covers topics in employee rights and food and beverage regulations. Students also study contract law and alcohol licensing.
Tourism and Hospitality Marketing
This course teaches you about marketing, public relations, and promotions in hospitality management. Students learn how to drive demand through consistent marketing and advertising techniques. They also study event planning and promotions.
Tourism and Hospitality Revenue Management
In this online bachelor’s course, students cover topics from booking management to price modeling. They learn about business in the hospitality and tourism industry. They also cover perishable inventory and revenue management.
How long does it take for hospitality management degrees online?
A traditional bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete. But online programs can take less time. It all depends on the program.
Most online hospitality management degree programs take between 18 months and four years to complete. What makes a program take less time? It depends on the student and the type of program.
Transfer credits can cut the time it takes to complete your degree. If you have qualifying credits to transfer into the hospitality management program, you can save yourself time in the long run. But if you don’t, there are other ways to shorten your time.
Some programs offer full-time and part-time enrollment. Part-time enrollment means you’ll take less classes at a time. Full-time enrollment means a full course load. If you have the time, you can enroll in more classes. You’ll save yourself time and finish your degree earlier by doing so.
Online accelerated programs help students earn their degrees in record times. They are the fastest way to getting a degree. But plan on working hard and taking a heavy load of courses. If you can handle the workload, you’ll end up earning your bachelor’s degree in less than four years. You might even earn it in less than two!
BDP Staff
August 2023
Related Resources:
5 Jobs With a Bachelor’s in Tourism
5 High Paying Hospitality Jobs
20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Operations or Project Management
Top 30 Affordable Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA)
How Long Does it Take to Get a Degree in Hospitality?