Best Online Hospitality Management Programs of 2024
Online Hospitality Degree
Online hospitality management degrees provide flexible, convenient ways for students to pursue careers in one of the largest and most profitable industries in the country.
Learners study how different segments of the industry, like lodging and food service, develop and interact. They also gain a working understanding of the common tools and strategies professionals use to build success in restaurants, amusement parks, and entertainment centers.
Hospitality management is an umbrella category that also includes more specialized degrees, like online restaurant management degrees or online hotel management courses. Depending on your career goals, one of these specializations might be better suited to your needs than a general hospitality management degree.
Graduates can pursue careers as lodging managers, event planners, and marketing managers. The job outlook for these positions is strong. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for marketing managers to grow 10% between 2022-2032.
This guide ranks the best online hospitality management schools to help students find the right fit for their needs. We also cover important information for prospective students, including common courses and potential careers and salaries for graduates.
Best Online Hospitality Management Degrees
Bachelors in Hospitality Management
2024
Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Rankings MethodologyHospitality Management Degree Overview
Online hospitality degrees develop core management skills while emphasizing practical applications in the hospitality industry. These programs also cultivate working knowledge of lodging and accommodation procedures, food and beverage regulations, tourism revenue, and event planning logistics.
Online hospitality management programs cover the industry as a whole, but many schools also encourage learners to explore niche areas through electives on topics like club and casino management, food and wine pairing, and convention sales.
What Can I Expect From a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Program?
Courses vary by program, but most online hospitality management programs offer classes similar to those listed below.
Hospitality Management Curriculum
- Hospitality Law: This course introduces degree-seekers to the main legal issues that affect the hospitality industry. The class focuses on legal responsibilities related to travel and tourism and reviews bailment, food regulation, alcohol licensing, and safety concerns. Learners also study topics like innkeepers’ rights, contract law, and negligence.
- Hospitality Services Marketing: Learners in this course study the main marketing techniques used in hospitality and tourism management with a focus on planning and consumer demand. Potential topics include segment marketing, distribution channels, and event promotion.
- Revenue Management: This class develops foundational knowledge of revenue management and its applications in tourism and hotel administration. Learners study concepts like time-variable demand, perishable inventory, and fixed capacity constraints. Degree-seekers learn how to predict guest arrivals, analyze pricing models, and manage overbooking concerns.
Hospitality Management Careers
Hospitality management professionals can work in industries like food service, accomodations, entertainment, transportation, and event planning. The following list outlines popular careers for graduates with an online hospitality degree, though some careers may require qualifications beyond a bachelor’s degree, such as certification or further education.
Lodging Managers
| Median Annual Salary: $61,910 | Projected Job Growth: 7% |
Lodging and hotel managers work to maintain and improve the satisfaction of guests. They promote pleasant environments by managing day-to-day operations and establishing company-wide standards. They also inspect accommodations, interact with guests, train employees, develop budgets, and monitor overall hotel performance.
This position generally requires a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or a related field along with years of professional experience. Some lodging managers may choose to pursue graduate study or certifications in hotel management to advance their careers.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
| Median Annual Salary: $52,560 | Projected Job Growth: 8% |
These professionals coordinate large-scale meetings and events. They ensure that these events run smoothly by overseeing logistics, making travel and accommodation arrangements, and soliciting workable bids from venues and service providers. They also monitor all activities for the duration of planned events and delegate project management tasks to staff. Once events conclude, they review budgets, submit billable invoices, and approve payments to vendors.
Most event planners need a bachelors’ in hospitality or a related field and significant professional experience. Those who work primarily with state and federal governments must obtain additional certification. Event planners typically work full time in a demanding, fast-paced environment. They often travel regularly to attend events and inspect potential venues.
Marketing Managers
| Median Annual Salary: $133,380 | Projected Job Growth: 10% |
Marketing managers develop programs and advertising campaigns designed to generate consumer interest in a product or service. They often work alongside other professionals to develop budgets and contracts that pertain to marketing media. They also evaluate the efficacy of marketing materials, conduct targeted research, and develop pricing strategies. They may serve as liaisons between clients and promotional agencies.
Most marketing managers hold a bachelor’s degree in a field like advertising, marketing, hospitality management, or journalism. They generally work full time in an office setting. Sometimes, they may travel to meet with clients and other representatives.
Popular Questions About Hospitality Management
How Long Does It Take to Complete a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Program?
It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete an online bachelor’s in hospitality management.
What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management?
This degree qualifies learners for most entry-level hospitality positions. The program also prepares degree-seekers to pursue graduate programs in business or a related field.
How Much Do You Make in Hospitality Management?
Salary varies by industry. According to the BLS, professionals who work in lodging enjoy a median annual wage of $61,910, while marketing managers earn around $133,380 annually.
What Is Hospitality Management?
A broad field, hospitality management encompasses the administrative and management aspects of industries like tourism, food and lodging, event planning, and transportation.
What Is a Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management?
A bachelor’s in hospitality management is a four-year degree that builds skills in public relations, finance, marketing, and human resources.