School Information
Undergraduate and graduate programs in hospitality management can be found at many of the nation's highly rated schools. Cornell University, the University of Denver, the University of Nevada, and Boston University offer Bachelor of Science (B.S.) programs in Hotel Administration or Hospitality Management. Both Cornell and the UNLV also offer master's and doctoral degrees in the same or closely related area of study.
Three of these schools are highly ranked by the U.S. News and World Report.
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY
Let's find out more about Cornell. Not only is this New York school in the Ivy League, but U.S. News and World Report ranked Cornell 17th among all national universities on its 2020 list.
One of the first hospitality schools in the U.S., Cornell offers a B.S. in hotel administration, with a concentration in services marketing and operations management, hospitality leadership, or finance, accounting and real estate.
Graduate students can earn a Master of Management in Hospitality, as well as a Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Hotel Administration with a minor in another academic field.
Additionally, the Cornell Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management in Singapore offers an advanced management program in hospitality management.
University of Denver in Denver, CO
At the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management at the University of Denver (DU), students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Hospitality Management. Areas of concentration include restaurant management, lodging facility operations and marketing for the hospitality industry.
To graduate, students must complete at least 1,000 hours of relevant work experience, study abroad for one quarter and demonstrate competency in a second language. Additionally, DU's Daniels College of Business includes the Joy Burns Center, a 2,800 square foot kitchen, and a dining hall that seats 170 people.
DU was also ranked 65th among Best Value Schools by U.S. News and World Report for 2020.
University of Nevada in Las Vegas, NV
The University of Nevada (UNLV) in Las Vegas houses the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, where undergraduate students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. Undergraduate specializations include gaming management, meetings and events management or restaurant management.
Graduate students can pursue a master's degree or Ph.D. in hospitality administration and through a joint degree program, students can also combine their study of hotel administration with business administration or management information systems. An online executive master's degree program is also available.
Additional university features include the UNLV International Gaming Institute, a non-profit organization that conducts research and trains professionals for the gaming industry.
Boston University in Boston, MA
Boston University offers a bachelor's and master's degree program in hospitality management. The bachelor's program allows students to chose a concentration in hospitality marketing, event management, or hospitality real estate. The master's program is three semesters long and trains students in hospitality leadership.
Students can also gain the international experience they need by studying abroad. Boston University was ranked by U.S. News and World Report in 2020 as the 40th best school (tied) in the country.
Top Hospitality Management Schools
The following top schools also offer hospitality management programs:
| School Name | Distinction | Location |
|---|---|---|
| George Washington University | Strong emphasis on international tourism | Washington, D.C. |
| Johnson and Wales University | Hospitality programs available on four campuses | Providence, RI |
| Michigan State University | Student hospitality association produces annual hospitality events | East Lansing, MI |
| Ohio State University | Ranked 17th among top public schools by U.S. News and World Report in 2020 | Columbus, OH |
| Pennsylvania State University | Employment rate for graduates is nearly 100% | University Park, PA |
| Purdue Global | Research centers and laboratories in tourism, food service and lodging | West Lafayette, IN |
In summary, when choosing a hospitality management program, students can look at program concentrations, online options and study abroad opportunities to help narrow their selection.
