The 25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Degree Programs

The 25 Best Online Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management Degree Programs

The hospitality industry – which covers a wide spectrum of fields like lodging, event planning, restaurants and food services, and tourism – is one of the largest industries in the world. In 2016 the restaurant industry’s global revenue was $2 trillion, and the hotel industry’s revenue was $550 billion. In 2012 the number of international tourist arrivals exceeded one billion for the first time, and annually travel & tourism makes a global economic impact of around $6.5 trillion. In short, however you define it, hospitality pays.

Of course, as one of the largest hospitality markets in the world, the United States is a major employer of hospitality professionals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations like lodging managers, food service managers, and meeting, convention, and event planners are expected to see employment grow as much as 10% through 2024. Management occupations in general are expected to add over 500,000 jobs, with a six-figure median annual wage. In other words, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in hospitality, now’s the time.

For current or aspiring hospitality professionals, most mid- to upper-level roles require a bachelor’s, which typically combines a core of business fundamentals and specialized hospitality management courses. (Alternatively, some students complete a BA/BS in Business Administration paired with a concentration in Hospitality Management.) Because many hospitality professionals continue their careers while completing course work, online degrees in hospitality management have become increasingly popular. Check out our top 25 programs below, which include bachelor’s that focus in tourism, restaurants, lodging, business, and other hospitality disciplines. Keep reading to find the degree that suits your needs!

Methodology

  • Affordability and Financial Aid: out-of-state tuition (when applicable)(50%) as well as how robust the financial aid offerings of a given program are(50%).
  • Flexibility and Accommodation: we survey a number of factors tailored for adult and non-traditional learners (or anyone who values flexibility in their degree program). Time until degree (50%) and flexibility-enhancing features(50%).
  • Online Academic Quality: here’s where we survey the more traditional “academic prestige” covered in rankings like US News or the Princeton Review. Student-faculty ratio (50%)
    and the percentage of students taking some courses online at the undergraduate level (50%).

1. American Public University System

Founded in 1991, American Public University is a leading online education provider, with a total enrollment of more than 50,000 students and offices in Charles Town, West Virginia, and Manassas, Virginia. As a subsidiary of the American Military University, nearly 60% of students are active duty or military veterans, and 17,000 are enrolled through the GI Bill; all students receive some form of financial aid. With a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio, APU classes combine intimate, individualized instruction and collaborative learning to create a dynamic educational environment for the modern student.

APU’s online BA in Hospitality Management features 30 core requirement credits: Introduction to Hospitality Management, Foodservice Sanitation, Human Resource Fundamentals, Organizational Fundamentals, Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry, Hospitality Law, Marketing and the Hospitality Industry, and Management Ethics, among others. From there, students have the opportunity to tailor the degree to an area of professional interest through concentration options in Food Service, Lodging, Meeting and Event Planning, or Tourism, all of which consist of 21 additional credits. Finally, toward the end of the program, all students complete a senior seminar to review fundamental concepts and demonstrate mastery of course material. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate non-traditional students, including working professionals and adult learners, and monthly start dates allow you to begin the program on your own schedule. The has been designed in consultation with industry business leaders and is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

2. Granite State College

Granite State College, founded in 1972, has a total enrollment of about 2,200, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s programs. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, GSC offers small, intimate classes that balance collaborative learning with student-centered instruction to serve a range of non-traditional students, including working professionals and adult learners. More than 80% of classes have fewer than 20 students, and none have over 49. For those interested, GSC offers excellent financial aid opportunities as well: 89% of full-time undergrads receive some form of aid.

Granite State offers an online BS in Service and Hospitality Management that totals 30 major credit requirements, featuring a business-focused curriculum that includes classes in Principles of Management, Financial Accounting, Quality Management, Food Service Systems and Control, and Event, Meeting, and Conference Management. All courses are 100% online (with some options for hybrid delivery), and 84% of students take advantage of GSC’s generous transfer policy, which allows up to 90 general education credits to be transferred into the program (via community college, or a previous bachelor’s or associate’s degree). In addition to offering highly flexible and affordable options, GSC provides career counseling services to both students and alumni.

3. Fort Hays State University

Founded in 1902, Fort Hays State University is the fourth-largest public university in Kansas with 11,200 students, nearly 80% of which take online classes through the university’s Virtual College, featuring 40 online associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports individualized instruction and collaborative learning, and half of university classes have fewer than 20 students; less than 5% have 50. FHSU also emphasizes affordability, and its tuition places is among the lowest 2% in the country. Most students receive some form of financial aid.

FHSU’s online BS in Tourism and Hospitality Management combines business and major core requirements, including Tourism and Hospitality Marketing, Service Operations Management, International Hospitality, Management Information Systems, Intro to Leadership Concepts, among others. From there, students have the opportunity to customize the curriculum to fit their professional goals through concentration options in Hospitality Operations, Events Management, and Heath & Wellness Tourism Operations. Finally, to give the degree an immersive component, all students must complete a tourism and hospitality internship. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility, and a variety of student services are available, including personal academic advising, career counseling, tech support, and more.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,426

4. University of the Southwest

Founded in 1962, The University of the Southwest is a small private school with just over 1,000 students enrolled, split between undergraduates and graduates. All online programs are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and other non-traditional students with busy schedules; undergraduates can expect to spend 10-15 hours per week on material. The 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio promotes personalized instruction, small class sizes, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. In addition to an excellent financial aid policy, USW student services include tech support, online tutoring services, and learning platforms with group discussion boards, web conferencing technologies, live chat rooms, and more.

USW offers an online Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Hospitality Management that consists of 63 major requirements. Beyond the business core, students take classes like Management in the Hospitality Industry, Management Information Systems, Strategic Planning, Food Service Management, Service Marketing, and Hospitality Industry Financial Management, among others. Courses include synchronous and asynchronous content, and students use the Blackboard learning platform to access course material 24/7. US News has ranked Southwest on its lists for “Top Online Education Programs” and “Top Online Business Programs.” It is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $15,456

5. Grand Canyon University

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a Christian university based in Phoenix with an enrollment of more than 75,000, 88% of which are online students. As a global leader in distance education innovation, Fortune ranks GCU in the top 5 online schools for entrepreneurs, and U.S. News ranks it among the best schools in the West region. The 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio fosters an intimate, tight-knit learning community despite its large size, and individualized and collaborative learning are equally emphasized. For students interested in financial aid opportunities, nearly all full-time undergrads receive some form of tuition assistance.

Grand Canyon’s online BS in Hospitality Management requires 68 major credits in a combination of business, management, and hospitality courses: Financial Accounting, Ethical and Legal Issues in Business, Intrapreneurship and Innovation, Hotel and Lodging Management, Organizational Behavior and Management, Hospitality Services Marketing, and more. Courses deliver in accelerated 7-week blocks, and the program is designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate non-traditional students, working professionals, and adult learners. For those with previous academic credits, GCU offers a generous transfer policy that allows up to 90 non-major credits to be waived. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $17,050

6. Columbia Southern University

Founded in 1993, Columbia Southern University specializes in online education, with over 21,400 students enrolled in associate, bachelor, master, doctorate, certificate, and post-baccalaureate programs. As a subsidiary of the Columbia Southern Education Group, all CSU courses are designed for maximum flexibility to serve a diverse range of non-traditional students, including part-time students, adult learners, and working professionals who have unique and demanding schedules. For those interested in financial aid options, approximately 95% of CSU full-time undergraduates receive some form of assistance, and despite its large size, CSU aims to emphasize collaborative learning and personalized instruction to create a dynamic, modern educational community.

Columbia Southern offers a BS in Business Administration (36 major credits) with a concentration in Hospitality & Tourism (12 credits). Concentration courses include Accounting for Hospitality & Tourism, Facilities Management and Design in Hospitality & Tourism, Legal Aspects of Hospitality & Tourism, Resort Management & Operations, and Marketing for Hospitality & Tourism, among others. For the business core, In addition to business theory – Financial Management, Business Law, Accounting, etc. – students learn essential business skills in decision-making, problem solving, and leadership, with a variety of electives available to customize the curriculum. Of course, all courses are career-oriented and designed for both practicing and aspiring hospitality professionals. Student services include personal academic advising, career services, library access, tech support, and a student support center.

7. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University, founded in 1889, is a private Benedictine school with a total enrollment of about 6,200 students, over 60% of which take online classes. Ranked among the top 65 schools in the South by US News, Saint Leo also places 26th for overall value and is routinely recognized for veteran services. The university’s 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio promotes personalized instruction and collaborative learning, creating a tight-knit educational community that balances the intimacy of a liberal arts school with the resources of large research institution. Most important, all Saint Leo undergrads receive some form of financial aid, and 96% of graduates say they would recommend the Saint Leo to friends.

For students interested in online hospitality tracks, Saint Leo offers a BA International Tourism & Hospitality Management that includes 15 core credit requirements, plus 15 specialization credits. Core classes include introductions to Hospitality Management and International Tourism, a seminar, and an internship to give students an experiential learning opportunity and hands-on practice. From there, students tailor the degree to areas of professional interest by narrowing down the curriculum to either the Hospitality or International Tourism track. (We should mention minors are available in these disciplines, as well.) Graduates of Saint Leo’s program have gone onto careers in several fields – accommodations, food service, attractions, transportation, and destination promotion – and at some of the most prestigious organizations in the world: Busch Gardens, Delta Air Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney Club Vacations SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, BCD Meetings & Incentives, and The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $21,440

8. Cleary University

Founded in 1883, Cleary University is a small business-based school in Howell, Michigan. Programs reflect today’s most forward-thinking companies, and teachers bring real-world business savvy into the classroom to create a dynamic learning environment. Further, with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students enjoy individualized instruction and collaborative learning opportunities. Nearly all full-time undergrads receive some form of financial aid.

For students interested in hospitality management degrees with a business emphasis, Cleary offers a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management that provides a well-rounded, career-oriented curriculum plan. Classes include Restaurant Operations, Dining Room Management, Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Private Events and Catering Management, Resorts and Tourism, Business Ethics and Legal Issues, Financial Management, and International Business, among others. To give the program a unique perspective, a range of culinary studies are integrated throughout the program, and all students must complete an externship to gain real-world experience and hands-on practice. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to work in a variety of roles at hotels, restaurants, resorts, casinos, and cruise ships. Many start their own small business.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $17,600

9. Schiller International University

Founded in 1964, Schiller International University has campuses in Tampa Bay, Paris, Madrid, and Heidelberg, Germany, with associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in a range of disciplines. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Schiller International supports a tight-knit educational community, combining intimate classes, individualized instruction, and collaborative learning opportunities. For students interested in financial aid, over 60% of full-time SIU undergraduates.

Schiller offers an online Bachelor’s in International Hospitality and Tourism Management that consists of 60 required major credits, including classes in Business Law, Accounting, Human Resources Management, Front Office Management, Food & Beverage Management, Cross Cultural Communications, International Marketing, and Leadership & Management in Hospitality & Tourism, among others. To give the degree an immersive perspective, all students must complete an internship – in a restaurant, CVB, chamber of commerce, regional tourism agency, or resort/hotel – and electives are offered to allow for customization. All courses are highly flexible to accommodate non-traditional students, and the university’s generous transfer policy allows students with previous academic credits to waive general education requirements. Because of its international scope, SIU’s program emphasizes multicultural concepts.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,360

10. Sullivan University

Founded in 1962, Sullivan University is a private institution with a total enrollment of 3,500 students, the majority of whom are undergraduates. Sullivan emphasizes a career-oriented education at every level —— associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate —— and is dedicated to rigorous academic training to promote the intellectual, social, and professional development of its students. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Sullivan maintains a tight-knit learning community, and classes combine collaborative education and personalized instruction. For those interested in financial aid opportunities, nearly all full-time undergraduates receive some form of tuition assistance.

Administered by Sullivan’s top-20 culinary school, the school’s online BS in Hospitality Management includes 72 business core hours and 28 in the major – among them, Human Resources Development in the Hospitality Industry, Principles of Hospitality Management, Quality Service Management in the Hospitality Industry, International Travel and Tourism, Marketing Hospitality Services, Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurship, and a senior seminar. From there, students have the opportunity to tailor the degree to areas of professional interest through elective options, and accelerated course work means students can complete the degree in as little as 18 months with previous academic credits or prior work experience. Student services include personal academic advising, career counseling, tech support, library services, and more.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $19,740

11. Everglades University

Everglades University, founded in 2002, is a private institution in Boca Raton with a total enrollment of 2,400. Designed primarily to accommodate the educational needs of adult learners, US News ranks Everglades among the top 30 colleges in the region and 13th for veteran’s services. The 13:1 student-to-faculty emphasizes collaborative learning where possible, plus individualized instruction, intimate classes, and personal and professional development. Nearly 90% of classes have less than 20 students and none have 50. For those interested in financial aid, the majority of full-time undergraduates receive some form of tuition assistance.

Everglades’s online BS in Hospitality Management consists of 54 major credits in areas like Relationship Management, Management Information Systems, Critical Thinking in Business, Business Ethics, Global Strategy and Policy, Effective Customer Service, Food and Beverage Management, Convention and Exhibition Management, and a capstone in Hospitality Management. The program is built for maximum flexibility and features a range of integrated interdisplinary studies and business-skills training, including analytical, technical, and critical thinking skills, and business communication fundamentals. EU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and is member of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $16,400

12. National American University

National American University, established in 1941, has 33 campus locations and an extensive online presence; nearly 90% of its total enrollment consists of online students in associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s tracks. With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, National American is able to combine intimate, individualized teaching and peer-to-peer collaborative learning, creating a dynamic modern educational setting. About one in five students receive financial aid. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

National American offers a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Tourism & Hospitality Management that prepares students for work in both private and public sector organizations that provide services and products to business and leisure travelers. In addition to a general education and business core (some of which may be waived via transfer credits), the program’s key classes include studies in Introduction to Tourism & Hospitality, Food Service & Lodging Management, IT Applications for Tourism & Hospitality, Destination Tourism, Tourism & Hospitality Marketing, Event & Convention Management, and an internship in Tourism & Hospitality Management that gives students real-world experience and hands-on training. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students, and accelerated track opportunities may allow the degree to be completed in as little as 12-18 months.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $13,755

13. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University was founded in 1910, making it the oldest publicly funded liberal arts university for African-Americans in the nation. Today, with a total enrollment of 8,100 (40% online), US News ranks NCCU 80th among all colleges and universities in the South, 31st among public schools, and 13th among historically black colleges and universities. The 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio means lively but intimate classes, tailored teaching, and collaborative education. Over a third of classes have fewer than 20 students and less than 4% have 50. Nearly all of NCCU full-time undergrads receive financial aid.

North Carolina Central’s 100% online BS in Hospitality & Tourism features business credit requirements and a diverse range of major core requirements in classes like Lodging Management and Operations, Applied Sanitation and Safety, Procurement in Hotels and Restaurants, Event Planning and Management, Hospitality Sales and Marketing, Food Service Production and Operations, and Hospitality Financial Management, among others. All students must also complete a seminar and internship to gain hands-on work experience and demonstrate master of course material. Graduates of the program are employed in lodging, food and beverage service, convention and visitors bureaus, event management, resorts, conference centers, cruise lines, and airlines. The NCCU program is internationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), and the NCCU business school (which administers the degree) is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $18,590

14. Concordia University-Saint Paul

Founded in 1893, Concordia University-Saint Paul is a private liberal arts school with a total enrollment of 4,400, divided evenly between undergraduate and graduate students. Ranked in the top tier of Midwest colleges and universities, Concordia is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and has close connections throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, providing internship opportunities at major private companies. government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio promotes a dynamic learning environment that combines individualized instruction with collaborative education. Three-quarters of all classes have fewer than 20 students, and none have more than 49. 92% of Concordia graduates find employment or pursue advanced degrees after graduation; 97% of full-time undergrads receive some form of financial aid.

Concordia’s BA in Hospitality Management combines customer service fundamentals, management, and marketing with other essential skills that students need to succeed in the hospitality, leisure, tourism, and travel industry. The 40-credit major curriculum includes Principles of Ethical Management, Human Resource Management and Employment Law, Applied Accounting and Finance, Innovation and Systems Thinking, Integrated Promotional Strategy in Hospitality, New Media Literacy and Social Media, Hospitality Business Management, and Business Strategy Plan. From there, students have the opportunity to tailor the degree to professional interests through elective options, and those with previous academic credits can accelerate degree completion time by taking advantage of Concordia’s generous transfer policy. (The program is primarily designed for working professionals and adult learners.) Student services include personalized academic advising, career development, tutoring, a writing center, and tech support.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $21,250

15. Monroe College

Monroe College, founded in 1933, has a total enrollment of 6,800, 23% of which consists of online students. US News ranks Monroe’s online programs in the top tier nationally, including popular bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Management, and Hospitality Administration and Management. The 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio means class sizes are kept small and intimate, students have access to individual attention from teachers, and that collaborative opportunities are available. For students interested in financial aid, over 90% of full-time undergrads receive some form of tuition assistance.

Monroe’s online Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management prepares students with the knowledge, skill set, and practical know-how for a successful management career in the hospitality industry. In addition to an in-depth business core that covers finance, accounting, strategy, and human behavior and organizations, the program features classes in food and beverage costs, controls, and procedures; staffing, organizing, and scheduling; management and operations for hotels, motels, inns, and resorts; event planning and management; and information management systems. All online classes are designed for maximum flexibility to fit the schedules of adult learner, working professionals, and other non-traditional students, and the university offers several unique benefits like prior learning experience credits, adult learning grants, and the Flexible Adult Student Track (FAST), which offer busy working adults two different ways to earn their degree at a reduced tuition rate. Graduates of Monroe’s program have held positions like Conference Center Manager, Banquet Manager, Special Event Coordinator, Destination and Travel Resort Manager, Director of Housekeeping Facilities, and Public Relations Coordinator, among others.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,460

16. Charleston Southern University

Founded in 1964, Charleston Southern University is a private institution affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and has a total enrollment of 3,600, including about 1,000 online students. US News ranks Charleston Southern among the best colleges and universities in the South, and its online bachelor’s programs are ranked 21st nationally. With a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, CSU offers the small, intimate classroom experience of a liberal arts school with the resources and vibrant atmosphere of a large research institution. Half of the university’s classes have fewer than 20 students and just 1% have 50. Admissions are rolling, and nearly all full-time undergraduates receive financial aid.

Charleston Southern offers a business-intensive online BS in Hospitality and Tourism that prepares students for careers in hotel management, entertainment facilities, and tourist destinations. The 51-credit major core curriculum includes classes in Accounting Principles for Managers, Principles of Management, Business Law, Business Communications, International Business, Organizational Behavior for the Hospitality Industry, Fundamentals of Planning and Developing Tourism, Economics of Tourism, and Case Studies in Hospitality and Tourism, among others. Administered by the College of Adult and Professional Studies, all courses are designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals, adult learners, and non-traditional students, meaning flexible course work, a generous transfer policy, and career-oriented training. Through the Blackboard learning platform, students have access to group discussion boards, live chat rooms, video conferencing, tech support, 24/7 access to course material, and more.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $24,140

17. Robert Morris University

Founded in 1913, Robert Morris University has an enrollment of 3,000, which primarily consists of undergraduate students. Offering 49 undergraduate, 35 graduate, and 3 doctoral programs, RMU is among the top ranked schools in the Midwest region and places a special emphasis on student engagement, experiential learning, and flexibility, including several delivery options – traditional, online, and hybrid – to accommodate schedules for full- and part-time students, adult learners, and working professionals. More than half of classes consist of less than 20 students, supporting a tight-knit educational community that balances personalized teaching and collaborative learning opportunities. For students interested in financial aid, nearly all full-time RMU undergrads receive some form of tuition assistance, and the average need met is 50%. Admissions are rolling.

Robert Morris offers a BS in Business Administration with a focus in Hospitality and Tourism Management that features classes in a range of topics, including Management Theory and Practice, Business Professional Communications, International Business, Principles of Finance, Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism Management, Food and Beverage Operations, Strategic Management, and more. In order to create a tailorable degree, RMU includes several built-in elective options in the curriculum, plus internship opportunities to give students hands-on training in a real-world corporate business environment. Graduates of the program cover the spectrum of the industry at companies like Marriott, Eddie Bauer, FedEx Services, Harvey’s Hotel and Casino, Hyatt Hotels, MGM, Norwegian Cruise Line, and US Airways.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $28,250

18. Missouri State University-Springfield

Missouri State University, founded in 1906, has a student enrollment of 23,000, 30% of which takes online classes. Ranked as a top tier regional university by US News, Missouri State is also ranked 31st among public schools in the Midwest, and its online bachelor’s programs are ranked in the top 75. The 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere, but classes are small enough to allow personal instruction and tailored lessons. The majority of full-time undergrads receive some form of financial aid.

Missouri State offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Leadership that prepares students for careers in hotels, restaurants, resorts, country clubs, convention venues, and casinos. Major courses include Hospitality Leadership, Lodging Management, Beverage Operations, Hospitality Marketing, Safety and Sanitation, Hospitality Law, Special Event Planning, Restaurant Management, Analyzing Financial Performance in Hospitality Operations, Casino Operations, and Global Strategic Management in the Hospitality Industry, among others. To provide the program with a practical, real-world component, students also take International Hospitality Field Study and must complete several internship requirements. All courses are designed for maximum flexibility, and online students have access to career services, academic advising, tech support, a writing center, registration assistance, and the Blackboard learning platform. Graduates of the program can be found at ARAMARK, Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Expedia, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Panera Bread, Hollywood Casinos, and O’Reilly Hospitality Management.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,110

19. Rutgers University-Camden

Rutgers University – Camden, founded in 1927, has a total enrollment of 6,500 students, 40% of which take online classes. In addition to ranking among US News‘s top 25 colleges and universities in the region, Rutgers gets high scores for value, veteran’s services (10th), and public school prestige (6th). The school’s 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps to create a tight-knit educational environment, combining personalized instruction with collaborative learning opportunities. Nearly half of Camden classes have fewer than 20 students and less than one in ten have 50. Admissions are rolling, and the majority of full-time undergraduates receive some form of financial aid.

Rutgers offers an online BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management that features 30 business core credits, plus 15 concentration credits. Business requirements include Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Communications, Principles of Finance, Organizational Behavior, Management Science, Operations Management, IT and Project Management, and Business Policy & Strategy, among others. As a 100% online program, all courses are designed for maximum flexibility to accommodate non-traditional students, including self-paced course work and the opportunity to complete the degree in as little as 2-3 years. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $29,381

20. East Carolina University

Founded in 1907, East Carolina University is the third-largest university in the state, with a total enrollment of approximately 28,000, a third of which includes online students. Washington Monthly has ranked ECU as the #1 “Bang for your Buck” university in the country; Princeton Review and Forbes rank it highly for academics; and US News places it among the best schools in the country on its lists for national universities, public schools, and schools offering veteran services and benefits, for which ECU has received the Patriot Award and the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. With an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ECU fosters an intimate, tight-knit learning community that balances one-on-one teaching and the collaborative atmosphere of a large research institution. A third of classes have fewer than 20 students, and 75% of full-time undergrads receive some form of financial aid.

East Carolina offers an online BS in Hospitality Management that offers three concentrations in Conventions and Special Events, Food and Beverage, and Lodging to allow students to tailor the degree to areas of professional interest. Example major classes include Multicultural Hospitality Management, Hospitality Services Management, Food Preparation and Menu Planning, Dimensions of Tourism, Hospitality Information Systems, Hospitality Franchising and Entrepreneurship, Hospitality Law, Cost Controls for Hospitality Operations, Hospitality Marketing, and E-commerce in Hospitality Management, among others. ECU also has several field experience options, adding an immersive, real-world component to the degree and giving students valuable hands-on training. As a top-ranked degree, the program has professional affiliations with prestigious organizations and accredited bodies like the National Restaurant Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, World Tourism Organization, and International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $22,955

21. Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private institution with a total enrollment of about 9,500 students, most of which are undergraduates. US News ranks it among the best schools in the nation, with particularly high marks for veteran’s services and overall value. The 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio helps to create a vibrant, collaborative atmosphere. Half of classes consist of fewer than 20 students and none have more than 50. Admissions are rolling, and nearly all full-time undergraduates receive form of financial aid, and the average need met is 67%.

Johnson & Wales’s BS in Tourism & Hospitality Management provides a broad-based curriculum that combines business fundamentals and practical industry-specific courses. Major requirements include Food and Beverage in the Hospitality Industry, Technology in the Tourism/Hospitality Industry, Social Media Marketing, World Geography for Tourism and Hospitality, Dynamics of Tourism and Sustainability, International Policies of Tourism, Destination Management Organization, and Negotiations and Agreements in Hospitality, Sports, Entertainment and Event Management, among others. While not required, J&W’s program also features internship options to provide students with an experiential component, and with four available entry dates, the program is designed to fit the schedules of working professionals, adult learners, and other non-traditional students. For those interested, the university offers related/more specialized online tracks for Culinary Arts and Food Service Management, Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management, Food & Beverage Entrepreneurship, Hotel & Lodging Management, Hospitality Management, and Restaurant, Food & Beverage Management.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $30,746

22. Florida International University

Founded in 1971, Florida International University is a public institution with a total enrollment of 55,000 students, nearly 60% of which include online students. Forbes, Washington Monthly, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Financial Times, Fortune, and US News all rank FIU programs among the best in the country. With a 27:1 student-to-faculty ratio, FIU fosters a lively, vibrant, and collaborative educational community that combines the personalized feel of a liberal arts school with the large resources of major research institution. About 21% of classes have less than 20 students and 57% are between 21-49. 82% of full-time undergraduates receive some form of financial aid.

One of the country’s top-ranked programs, Florida International’s online BS in Hospitality Management consists of major classes like Hospitality Facilities Environmental Systems, Hospitality Industry Law, Hospitality Marketing Strategy, Introductory Commercial Food Production, Lodging Operations Control, Hospitality Analytics and Revenue Management, Management Accounting for the Hospitality Industry, and Restaurant Management. To allow students to customize the curriculum to fit their professional needs and interests, FIU also offers six concentrations in Beverage Management, Culinary Management, Hotel and Lodging Management, Restaurant and Food Service Management, Event Management, and Travel and Tourism Management. Every online student is paired with a success coach to help define goals and potential career tracks, and multiple start dates per years means that students can match studies to their unique schedules.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $30,746

23. ECPI University

ECPI University, founded in 1966, is a proprietary institution with a total enrollment of 12,100 students, including about 4,000 online students. Built on a foundation of student-centered, hands-on learning, ECPI programs are designed to help develop students’ professional skills and acumen, whether they are adult learners, working professionals, or any other non-traditional student. The 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio means small class sizes, personalized teaching, and intimate, collaborative education. Admissions are rolling to fit students’ unique schedules, and 85% of full-time undergrads receive some form of financial aid.

ECPI offers a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Hospitality Management (and a focus in culinary arts and food service operations) that can be completed in as little as 2.5 years on an accelerated track. In addition to the 37-credit business curriculum, major requirements include Kitchen Essentials, Purchasing & Storeroom Management, Culinary Nutrition, Food Service Cost Control, Advanced Hospitality Customer Service, Facility Management, and Portfolio Development, among others. From there, students have the opportunity to take additional Hospitality Management electives to tailor the degree to specific areas of professional interest. Student support services include career counseling, financial planning tools and assistance, and the Canvas learning platform, which features group discussion boards, 24/7 access to course material, and more. ECPI holds a specialized accreditation from American Culinary Federation for its culinary arts programs.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,775

24. Northern Arizona University

Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University has a total enrollment of about 20,000, with an additional 7,000 online students. As a global leader in online education innovation, NAU began offering online courses in the 1990s and today has nearly 100 degrees across a diverse range of disciplines. NAU was also the first public university to offer competency-based credits, awarding academic credits for relevant life and work experience. As part of that initiative, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the university with a $1 million grant in 2012 to launch the Personalized Learning program. With a 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio, NAU balances personalized instruction with peer-to-peer learning, and the majority of full-time undergrads receive some form of financial aid.

NAU offers an online bachelor’s in Hotel & Restaurant Management that features in-depth, professional course work like Hotel Operations And Management, Restaurant Operations And Management, Foundations In Kitchen Operations, Corporate Finance For Hospitality Managers, Hospitality Industry Analytics, Hospitality Leadership And Ethics, and Hospitality Law, among others. From there, students can specialize the degree to areas of professional interest through concentration options, and field work experience credits are available to integrate a hands-on dimension to the program and develop real-world skills. Classes emphasize flexibility to fit non-traditional students’ schedules, and the university’s generous transfer policy allows up to up to 75 units of credit from Arizona Community Colleges, accelerating degree completion time. The program holds specialized accreditation by the Accreditation Commission For Programs In Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $24,144

25. Utah Valley University

Founded in 1941, Utah Valley University is a public school with a total enrollment of about 35,000, a third of which includes online students. Forbes ranks UVU among the best schools in the country, and its business school has earned top finishes at national competitions by the American Marketing Association and the Personal Financial Planning competition. As an open-admissions institution, all students who meet the enrollment standards may register for courses, which focus on engaged, hands-on learning to develop practical skill sets. The 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a collaborative educational environment, and over 40% of classes have fewer than 20 students. For students interested in financial aid, 75% of full-time undergrads receive some form of tuition assistance.

Utah Valley’s online BS in Hospitality Management consists of 57 core requirements in the major, including Hotel Operations, Food and Beverage Management, Hospitality Finance, Marketing of Hospitality Services, Hospitality Strategic Management, Cross Cultural Communication, Hospitality Law, Career Preparation, and more. From there, students can customize the degree through available specializations in Revenue Management, Sales, Event Planning, and General Operations, and an internship requirement provides the program with a professional development component. Online classes are tailored to adult learners and working professionals, and all students have access to academic advising, career services, tutoring, and orientation. The program is accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

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  • Out-of-State Tuition: $15,690