The 10 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Hospitality Management

The 10 Most Affordable Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Hospitality Management

Hospitality management is one of the largest managerial disciplines in the world. This is largely due to the fact that hospitality is huge, particularly in North America, Europe, and South East Asia. In America, hospitality is the third largest industry in the nation according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As as one might expect, this leads to a lot of opportunity. Today more than ever before, hospitality management opens its doors to all sorts of interests whether it be those seeking opportunities to hone their business savvy or creative entrepreneurs looking to make their niche dreams a huge success. In 2017, hospitality management includes event planning, restaurants, travel and tourism, night clubs, festival planning, and of course hotel and lodging management. The fact is, entering the industry is not the challenge, but advancing is. We understand that when you’re ready to head back to school it is essential that programs be affordable and reliable. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree is an opportunity for you to double or triple your salary in hospitality, but many have issues affording school. This is why we have done the homework for you. By looking at all online bachelor’s in hospitality management, we’ve been able to single out the most affordable in the nation (and available internationally). If you are looking for an affordable means to advance in your career in hospitality management these are the 10 best and most affordable places for you to start.


Methodology:

  • Tuition (50%): the out-of-state tuition rate (when applicable).
  • Financial Aid (50%): the percentage of students receiving financial aid offers as first-time matriculating undergraduate students.

1.)American Public University System

The American Public University System (APUS) is a private distance learning university headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia. There are 48,623 students enrolled, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits APUS to award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as postbaccalaureate certifications. According to U.S. News APUS ranks 92nd for best online bachelor’s programs. Student support services include remedial support, academic counseling and career counseling. APUS offers dual credit, credit for life experience, and advanced placement credits. Military Times lists APUS as one of their “Best for Vets” colleges. If fact, there are over 300 veterans on faculty and staff. Academic offerings are robust including over 200 degree and certification programs in a wide range of fields. Student may select from online degree programs like an associate in speech, communication, and rhetoric, a bachelor’s in hospitality management, and a master’s in psychology among several others.

American Public University System (APUS) awards a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management. We selected this program for its affordable tuition and high percentage of students who receive financial aid- which is 100%. This fully online program requires 121 credit hours for completion and allows for an impressive 91 transfer credits. In addition to an affordable tuition rate and high level of financial assistance, there are four concentrations available for students who wish to hone their degree programming including: food service, lodging, meeting and event planning, and tourism. This program is broken into three main component parts: general education requirements, core material, and a hospitality management concentration of your choice. The core material includes 30 semester hours that delve into hospitality management, food service sanitation, organizational functions, accounting, human resource fundamentals, leadership and management, ethics and more. 21 credit hours are devoted to your concentration making this a great affordable, and flexible program accessible to all types of learners at any stage in their career.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $6,880
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid: 100%

2.)University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest is a private institution located in rural Hobbs, New Mexico. There are 1,088 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits University of the Southwest to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. According to G.I. Jobs University of the Southwest is a registered as a “Military Friendly” institution which is evident in their Yellow Ribbon programming and programming that offers credit for life experience. Other methods of student support come by way of remedial services, academic and career counseling and generous credit transfer allowances by way of AP credits, dual credits and more. Academic programs focus on career-ready fields for both traditional and non-traditional learners. Graduates walk away with degrees in education, health care administration, homeland security and hospitality management. In fact, most degrees are offered entirely online including over 30 online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields like business, psychology, parks and recreation and hospitality administration.

The University of the Southwest offers a fully online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Hospitality and Tourism. We selected this program for the high percentage of students receiving financial aid- which is 99%- and for the affordable tuition rate. Students who select this program prepare for administrative positions in tourism, hospitality, food service, and more. This comprehensive course requires 120 credit hours for completion and is broken into 4 core components: core curriculum, major requirements, emphasis requirements, and electives. The major requirements cover a core-business focus while the emphasis course material allows for students to hone their interests or take on a wide-range of classes to keep options open including: human resources, management in the hospitality industry, service marketing, food service management, managing diversity and more. If you are looking for a hospitality management degree with a firm foundation in business strategy, this bachelor’s from the University of the Southwest is a fantastic option.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $15,456
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid:99%

3.) Columbia Southern University

Columbia Southern University is a private online institution headquartered in Orange Beach, Alabama. There are 21,442 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 70:1. Since 2001 the Distance Learning Commission has accredited Columbia Southern University (CUS) to award online associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in addition to postbaccalaureate certifications. Support for students comes by way of academic and career counseling and acceptance of advanced placement (AP) credits. We love the military support employed through CSU- recognized as one of the best schools for active military. Thousands of military men and women select course material, who will gain assistance utilizing TA and VA benefits, developing their chosen career, remedial coach in Math and writing, and assistance for disabled students. The level of student support is not the only component we love about CSU, we also love the quality online academic programming. There are over 40 online degree programs in high demand fields like homeland security, business, health, and hospitality management.

Columbia Southern University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism. We selected this course for its incredibly affordable tuition rate and high percentage of students receiving financial aid which is 95%. Graduates are required to complete a total of 120 credit hours divided into the following sections: general education requirements, major requirements, electives, and the hospitality and tourism requirements. As a business administrations degree, students should expect to find a number of the usual suspects in a business programming like marketing, accounting and management, business law and more. In addition to a strong business foundation students may select from a number of hospitality and tourism concentration courses like: accounting for hospitality and tourism, resort management and operation, facilities management and design in hospitality and tourism and more. With this affordable online course, students walk away with more than just a degree- but a manageable head start into the field of hospitality management.

  • Out-of-State Tuition:$5,175
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid:95%

4.)Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University is a public 4-year institution located in Hays, Kansas. There are 14,658 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 16:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Fort Hays State University (FHSU) to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as post-master’s certificates. U.S. News ranks FHSU for the following online programs: 15th best online bachelor’s programs, 29th best online graduate nursing programs, 77th best online graduate education programs, and 100th best online MBA programs. Academic programming is robust including nearly 75 degrees in fields like agriculture, speech communication, fine arts, science technologies, liberal arts studies, and hospitality administration. When it comes to online degree offerings it may be of no surprise that there is something for everyone with the most popular online fields being business, education, health, journalism, psychology, and geography, and hospitality management. FHSU accepts dual credits as well as advanced placement (AP) classes.

Fort Hays State University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management. We selected this course for its affordable out-of-state tuition rate as well as for the high percentage of students who receive financial aid which is 97%. Not only is this course supportive and affordable but also thorough. In addition to the convenient online format, FHSU offers three concentrations for individuals who are looking to specify their course load they are: a concentration in hospitality operations, a concentration in events management, and a concentration in health and wellness tourism operations. This course requires 120 credit hours for completion and is divided into 4 elements: the business core, major core, 12 concentration hours, and 8 hours of free electives. Concentration classes range from food and beverage management to facilities management and space design to medical tourism. We love this program not only for its affordable tuition rate but for the flexible curriculum that makes way for a wide range of careers.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,426
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid:97%

5.)Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit university located Phoenix, Arizona. There are 75,834 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits GCU to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. We not only value GCU for its fantastic online options but also for their student support services that include academic/career counseling as well as employment services. GCU also accepts dual credit, credit for life experience, and AP credits.GCU offers a wide range of programs in fields like the humanities, business, education, health care, engineering, and more. Online, Grand Canyon University offers an impressive number of degrees that range from the bachelor’s to doctoral level including a PhD in psychology, nursing practice, and management among several others. The most popular programs by enrollment are in the fields of education and business which includes their online bachelor’s in hospitality management.

Grand Canyon University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. We selected this online course for its high percentage of students receiving financial aid (which is 99%) and for its low out-of-state tuition rate. This degree requires 120 credit hours for completion and offers an accelerated online format. Each course is just 7-weeks in length and prepares you for a career in one of the top thriving industries in the nation: hospitality management. The program is broken into three component parts: general education requirements, your major, and 12-18 credits of flexible open electives. The program core examines business foundations like finance, accounting, statistics, and ethical and legal issues. While the major core examines hotel operations, intrapreneurship and innovation, hospitality services marketing, human resources, and revenue generation in hospitality. We like this program because the bulk of your course material focuses on your major and grants ample elective opportunities to help you further tailor this degree to match your desired career needs.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $17,050
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid:99%

6.)Monroe College

Monroe College is a small private university located in Bronx, New York. There are 6,823 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 18:1. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredits Monroe College to award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as professional certifications. U.S. News ranks Monroe College as the 30th best online graduate criminal justice program, 140th best online MBA programs, and 180th for best online bachelor’s programs. Additionally U.S. News ranks Monroe College as the most affordable private college in New York State. Monroe College offers a number of career-ready degrees for a wide range of interests including culinary arts, early childhood education, health administration, and hospitality management. Additionally, there are 16 fully online degree offerings that work well for non-traditional learners like the online bachelor’s in hospitality administration, online associate in information technology among others.

Monroe College offers a fully online Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management. We selected this course for its affordable tuition rate and for the high percentage of students receiving financial aid which is 95%. This affordable online degree is tailored to the non traditional learner- professionals looking to advancement in their career, parent-students, and any other individuals looking for an alternative to brick and mortar education. In addition to online affordable tuition and high levels of financial support, this course offers convenience formatting and placement benefits through their flagship program that includes internships each year throughout New York. This course prepares students for a vast range of careers in one of the top industies in the nation: food and beverage management, front office management, special events coordination, destination and travel resort management and much more.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $14,460
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid: 96%

7.)Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University (SLU) is a private Roman Catholic liberal arts university located in Saint Leo, Florida. Founded in 1889, Saint Leo is now one of the largest Roman Catholic universities in the United States. There are 14,649 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 15:1. The Southern Association of College and Schools accredits SLU to award comprehensive degree programming and professional certifications. According to U.S. News SLU ranks as the 62nd best school in the South, 26th best value school, and highly for both their online bachelor’s programs and online graduate education offerings. Student support services include academic and career counseling, remedial help,and employment services for students. In addition to a vast array of degree offerings on campus, SLU has robust online learning opportunities. In fact, there are over 50 courses available completely online from the associate to doctoral level. Hospitality management and educational leadership are among the many online degree offerings.

Saint Leo University offers two online Bachelor of Arts in International Tourism and Hospitality Management. We selected this course for the high percentage of students who receive financial aid which is 100%. We like the level of flexibility afforded to all students who regardless of path chosen will all benefit from both the broad topics covering material relevant to myriad of careers as well as the specialization of either the international tourism track or the hospitality management track. The hospitality management track examines event planning, private club management, restaurant management, resort and hotel management and more. You will also learn hands-on in a 6-12 credit hour internship. Those who choose the international tourism track focus on tourism policy and consulting, airline sales management, festival and events planning, ecotourism, tour operators, and destination marketing. Those who have graduated from this track now work for companies like Disney, Amazonia Expeditions, Delta Airlines, and more.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $21,440
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid: 100%

8.)Sullivan University

Sullivan University is a private institution located in Louisville, Kentucky. There are 3,462 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Sullivan University to award associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as postbaccalaurete certifications.Sullivan offers accommodating student support services for traditional and non traditional students including service members and veterans. SullivanUniversity has made it their mission to provide career-centric quality academic programs that support individuals seeking jobs. In other words, academics are tailored to meet a vareity of industry needs in lucrative fields. Some of the most popula degrees are offered in the fields of business, computer support services, and health. There are nearly 30 affordable online degree programs that range from associat’s to master’s degrees including programs like their associate’s in criminal justice, bachelor’s in hopsitality management, and master’s in meeting and event planning.

Sullivan University offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. We selected this program for the high percentage of students receiving financial aid which is 99% as well as the affordable online out-of-state tuition rate. This thorough online degree aims to supply you with the knowledge required to manage any situation in the hospitality sector. This course requires 180 credit hours to complete and in addition to general education requirements also supplies its candidates with a robust background in business, and a whooping 56 free electives- making this not only an affordable option but a flexible and comprehensive option as well. The comprehensive curriculum includes quality service management in the hospitality industry, gastronomic tourism, strategic planning in the hospitality industry, international travel and tourism, managing diversity, and so much more.

  • Out-of-State Tuition: $19,740
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid: 99%

9.) Missouri State University- Springfield

Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri. Forbes listed Missouri State University as one of America’s Top Colleges and The Princeton Review ranks it as one of the Best in the Midwest. Currently, there are 26,000 students enrolled representing all 50 states, and over 100 countries. In fact, there are 1,600 international students enrolled. U.S. News ranks Missouri State as the 71st best university in the region and 16th best public school in the nation! “Mind’s Eye,”, the University of Missouri’s research initiative examines a range of topics including the restorative properties of music, banking industry, curriculum development, statistics and examines issues that impact the local community and the world. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Missouri State to award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as postbaccalaureate and post-master’s certifications. When it comes to online education, Missouri State offers over over 300 online bachelor’s, master’s, and certifications in fields such as agriculture, hospitality administration, education, health and much more.

Missouri State University offers an online Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Leadership. We selected this course for the incredibly affordable out-of-state tuition rate and for the high percentage of students receiving financial aid which is 91%. In addition to the general baccalaureate degree requirements, students who complete this course are welcome to take part in not only hospitality and tourism course material but all food services as well. Expect to find essential business courses like accounting and finance as well as course material on hospitality leadership, safety and sanitation, food preparation, lodging management, hospitality law, marketing fundamentals and so much more. As a hospitality management major you will also be able to participate in a paid internship that gives you further insight and hands-on experience into the hospitality and services industries.

  • Out-of-State Tuition:$14,110
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid:91%

10.) Granite State College

Granite State College is a public institution located in Concord, New Hampshire. There are 2,141 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges accredits Granite State College to award associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as postbaccalaureate certifications. According to U.S. News Granite State College ranks as the 63rd best university for online graduate business programs and 99th for best online bachelor’s programs. Granite State College is also recognized as a military friendly institution by both G.I. Jobs and U.S. News. Veterans and active duty service members benefit from GI Bill benefits, tuition discount, federal assistance and more. All students may take advantage of their quality student support services including career and academic counseling. Academic programming focuses on career-ready degrees in fields like health, education, computer science, and business. There are an impressive 35 fully online degree programs for undergraduates and graduates including a bachelor’s in early childhood education, bachelor’s in hospitality management, and a master’s in organizational leadership.

Granite State College offers a fully online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management. We selected this course because it offers one of the lowest out-of-state tuition rates and because a high percentage of students receive financial aid. This course prepares you to assess service logistics in a myriad of service industry-related fields, and integrate effective managerial skills that improve the overall operation of organizations. The course sets you up for success in a highly lucrative field. All students must complete 120 credit hours that include general electives, foundations in business like critical inquiry, accounting, marketing, behavior of organizations, and quality management in addition to your major electives. Some of the major requirements include hotel and restaurant management, food service system and control and event meeting and conference management. This is a comprehensive program affordable and flexible degree.

  • Out-of-State Tuition:$8,265
  • Percentage of Students receiving financial aid:89%