The 10 Best Online Associates in Hospitality Management

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, job growth in the hospitality industry is expected to rise by nearly 18 percent in the next year- a much faster rate than most industries. Hospitality comes in many forms, including tourism, hotel management, restaurant management, event planning, and auxiliary entrepreneurial activity. An Associates degree in hospitality management steps you through every aspect related to the field- meaning you’ll have your bearings set to a higher level than your average recruit in hospitality positions. Many individuals interested in this course of study are looking to own or manage a business or organization. A number of the degree programs listed below focus on the business side of hospitality management: law, accounting, marketing, budget, and more. Some of these degrees may also be customized, offering concentrations in tourism, hospitality, hotel management, restaurant management, nutrition and more.

We selected these programs because of their affordable tuition rates, high percentage of students receiving financial aid, quality of academic programming, percentage of students engaging with this program online, and for their flexibility-enhancing metrics. With those metrics in mind, we present you with these: our top 10 associates’s in hospitality management.

1. Albany Technical College

Albany Technical College is a public 2-year institution located in Albany, Georgia.There are 3,251 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is just 15:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Albany Technical College (ATC) to award associate’s degrees as well as certifications. This institution also awards certificates that take less than one year or one year to complete, and is a fantastic pick for individuals who are looking to head to school for very specific training. ATC offers programming in technical and creative fields- pulling in a diverse student body. Programming ranges from horticulture to hospitality to graphic design. We selected ATC for their affordable tuition rates and robust percentage of students receiving financial aid. Many students return to college at different phases in life, and ATC accommodates non-traditional learners who have non-traditional schedules extremely well- offering over 35 fully online associate degrees and certifications.

Albany Technical College offers an Associate’s in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. We selected this program for its affordable tuition, flexible course material, and high quality academic programming. This associates in hospitality management requires 60 credit hours for completion and usually takes 2 years to finish. Programming is divided into 3 major components including liberal arts courses, core business classes and a large number of hospitality management electives. Additionally, Albany Tech offers a wide variety of specializations and additional diplomas for those who wish to hone their degree. All students will engage with the core components of this curriculum which include hotel operations management, event planning, hospitality law, travel industry and travel geography and an internship.

Out-of-State Tuition: $4,794
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:99%
Home page Albany Technical College
Flexibility and Accommodation: Many Areas of Specialization, Multiple Electives
Online Academic Quality: Student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1; 60% of students engage with this program online

2. Beckfield College-Florence

Beckfield College- Florence is a private 4-year institution that has a primary focus on the 2-year degree and is located in Florence, Kentucky. There are just 578 students enrolled at the Florence Kentucky location and the student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools accredits Beckfield College to award associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees as well as diplomas and certifications. The mission of Beckfield is to “provide a substantial concentration of courses designed specifically to prepare students for career in the professions they have chosen” which is evident in the associate’s-dominate school. Students at the Florence locations study business, computer information sciences and support, health, homeland security, law enforcement, and firefighting, parks, recreation and fitness as well a legal profession and studies. There are 7 fully online programs with the most popular by enrollment in business administration, health information and nursing. We selected Beckfield College for its affordable tuition rates, high academic quality, and flexibility online associate degree format.

Beckfield College offers an Associate of Applied Science or Applied Business in Hotel Restaurant Management. Professors and Industry professionals alike present the course material with endorsement from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Student will learn to oversee food preparation and presentation, manage inventory and order supplied, keep budgets and more through the relevant course material. We selected this program for the high percentage of students receiving financial aid, low student-to-faculty ratio and high percentage of students who engage with this program online. Student have the option to approach hopsitality through a business perspective which includes core business course material as well as area-specific material like hospitality and safety security, travel and tourism, front office management, hospitality management and more.

According to Beckfield College this program is temporarily not accepting new students. In the intermin, students may enroll in their business administration program and they may resume hospitality admissions in the future.

Out-of-state tuition: $13,281
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:96%
Home page Beckfield College
Flexibility and Accommodation AS or AB
Online Academic Quality: student to faculty ratio of 11:1, 100% student take this program online.

3. Central Georgia Technical College

Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) is a public 2-year institution located in Warner Robins, Georgia. There are 7,762 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits CGTC to award associate’s degrees as well as professional certifications. CGTC accepts dual credits, credit for life experience, and Advanced Placement (AP) credits. Carnegie classifies CGTC as an associcate’s college with a high vocational & technical-mixed traditional/nontraditional institution which is evinced through their range of programming. Degree programs include fields like business, computer information science, construction, engineering, health, culinary arts, mechanics and repair, visual arts and more. Distance learning options and online programming are robust and include nearly 50 online degrees and certifications. The most popular online associate degrees are in the fields of business, health, and homeland security.

Central Georgia Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. We selected this program for its affordable tuition, quality academic programming, and flexible online format. This course is a 2- year 60 credit hour degree that includes both general education course material as well as occupational courses. Occupational course include computer literacy, hospitality management, travel industry, hotel operations management, event planning, hospitality marketing, hospitality law, and internship and more.

Out-of-State Tuition: $4,810
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:93%
Home page Central Georgia Technical College
Flexibility and Accommodation: Online
Online Academic Quality: student to faculty ratio of 15:1

4. Pulaski Technical College

Pulaski Technical College is a public 2-year institution located in North Little Rock, Arkansas. There are 6,576 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 18:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Pulaski Tech to award associate’s degrees as well as professional certifications. When it comes to transfer credits Pulaski Tech accepts both dual credits and Advanced Placement credits. We selected this program for its affordable online associate degrees and it high academic quality. Programming is appropriate for both traditional and non-traditional learners. There’s a wide range of degree offerings including programming in culinary arts, liberal arts, military technology, education, business and more. Pulaski Tech offers 12 online degrees where the most popular programs are in the liberal arts, business, and health. Local students may also take part in their evening and weekend options.

Pulaski Technical College offer an Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management. We selected this program for ts affordable tuition rates, flexible online options, and quality academics. This 66 credit hour program is broken into three main components: 15 credit hours of general education requirements, 45 credit hours of degree-specific courses, and 6 credit hours of electives. Students may also elect to one of PTC’s 5 certifications in hospitality management that include: spirits and mixology, wine studies and service, hospitality and restaurant operations, hospitality and tourism, and hospitality management. All enrolled students will learn the basic principles of accounting, business, and business organization management as well as applied food sanitation, and introduction to hospitality, restaurant industry, dining room operations, lodging operations, hospitality marketing and sales, and more. students engage with a practicum experience.

Out-of-State Tuition:$6,151
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:90%
Home page Pulaski Technical College
Flexibility and Accommodation: 5 certifications available
Online Academic Quality: student to faculty ratio of 18:1

5. Bryant & Stratton College-Online

Bryant and Stratton College- Online is a private for-profit institution headquartered in Orchard College, New York. The brick-and-mortar main campus is located in Southtowns. There are 3,406 students enrolled and the student to faculty ratio is 21:1. The Middle State Commission on Higher Education accredits Bryant and Stratton to award associate’s and bachelor’s degrees as well as professional certification. Student services includes remedial services, academic and career counseling, employment services, and placement services graduates. For those seeking to transfer credits Bryant and Stratton accepts dual credits, credit for life experiences, as well advanced placement credits. For our purposes, we are reporting on the Online college. Currently, there are 29 online degrees and professional certification that include fields like business, communication technologies, health, legal professionals and more. The most popular programs by enrollment are in the fields of health, business, and law.

Bryant and Stratton College-Online offers and Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management. We selected this course for its high percentage of students receiving financial aid as well as the high percentage of students pursing this course online. The program is 60 credit hours long and is divided into two main components: the liberal arts components and the key course component with is 39 of the 60 credit hours required for completion. As part of your major requirements you will examine business principles, marketing principles, hospitality management, fundamental hospitality management principles, technology in the hospitality management industry, ethical hospitality management, leading hospitality management, and much more. All students will culminate their degree with either a capstone experience or an internship.

Out-of-State Tuition: $14,054
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:93%
Home page Bryant and Stratton College
Flexibility and Accommodation: two related degrees
Online Academic Quality: student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1; Percentage of students taking course material online: 100%

6. Casper College

Casper College is a public 2-year institution located in Casper, Wyoming. There are 3,626 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Casper College to award associate’s degrees as well as professional certifications. Carnegie classifies Casper College as an “Associate’s College with Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical- High Non-traditional” status. When it comes to academics, programming is vast- ranging from agriculture to journalism to visual and performing arts. Within those fields are a wide-range of degree offerings includes hospitality management, art teacher education, animal sciences, rehabilitation engineering, and much more. Casper College offers 10 fully online associate degrees and certification programs, and provides handy student service options. We selected Casper College for its highly affordable tuition rates, flexible online associate degrees, and for the high academic quality.

Casper College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. We selected this program for its affordable tuition, comprehensive degree programming, and high percentage of students receiving financial aid. This online associate in hospitality management is a 60-credit-hour program that requires 2 years for completion. The program is divided between general education requirements and major requirements: 17 credit hours are devoted to general education, and 43 credit hours are devoted to your major requirements. All students have the opportunity to examine practical accounting, business law, convention sales and management, food and beverage management, hospitality and tourism management, marketing and much more.

Out-of-State Tuition: $7,104
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:93%
Home page Casper College
Flexibility and Accommodation: flexible general education programming
Online Academic Quality: Student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1

7. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College (Cincinnati State) is a public 2-year institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. There are 9,056 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Cincinnati State to award associate’s degrees as well as professional certifications. According to Carnegie Cincinnati State offers programming appropriate for both traditional and non-traditional students. Those seeking to transfer from other institutions will be happy to hear that Cincinnati State accepts dual credits, credit for life experiences, as well as advanced placement credits. Academic offerings are robust and include everything from Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture to Visual and Performing Arts. When it comes to online education, Cincinnati State offers 20 fully online degrees and professional certifications including programming in hospitality management, health informatics, civil engineering and more.

Cincinnati State offers an Associate of Applied Business in Hospitality Management. We selected this degree for its affordable tuition, flexible online format, and for the academic quality of this program. This course requires 62 credit hours for completion and may be finished in 2 years. As part of the curriculum students engage with computer applications, information systems for managers, business mathematics, principles of marketing, food and beverage cost control, rooms division management, and a comprehensive suite of hospitality management courses.

Out-of-State Tuition: $7,393
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:73%
Home page Cincinnati State
Flexibility and Accommodation: Four related programs

8. Arizona Western College

Arizona Western College (AWC) is a public 2-year institution located in Yuma, Arizona. There are 7,569 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 21:1. The Higher Learning Commission accredits AWC to award associate’s degrees as well as professional certifications. The Carnegie Association classifies AWC as an Associate’s Mixed Traditional/ Non-Traditional institution.This is apparent in the both the types of degree offerings as well as the accommodating student services that include on-campus day care, placement for graduates, remedial services, employment services and academic/career counseling services. Academic programs range from drama to geology. There are over 30 online degrees and certifications available including in hospitality management, criminal justice,office management and more. We selected Arizona Western College for its academic quality as well as for the affordable online associate degree offerings.

Arizona Western College offers an Associate of Arts in Hotel Restaurant Management. We selected this program the affordable tuition rates, high percentage of students who receive financial aid, quality of education, and flexible online format. This degree prepares students for leadership roles in the growing hospitality industry. Students will engage with mathematics, Arts and humanities, and sciences as one component to this course, major requirements, and general electives. The major course have a stronger emphasis on restaurant services that some of our other choices and include: production kitchen, catering-planning production and the dining room, introduction to hospitality, customer service management, and property management.

Out-of-State Tuition: $9,590
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:86%
Home page Arizona Western College
Flexibility and Accommodation: 9 credit hours devoted to elective courses
Online Academic Quality: student-to-faculty ratio of 21:1

9. Central Texas College

Central Texas College (CTC) is a public 2-year institution located in Killeen, Texas. There are 18,117 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. We selected CTC for its affordable online associate degrees, high quality academics, and for their flexible online options. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits CTC to award 2-year degrees including professional certifications. Academic programming is robust for both traditional and non-traditional students. In fact, the Carnegie Association lists CTC as an Associate’s college with high non-traditional programming and high transfer activity. Traditional students may select programs that range from agriculture to visual arts. When it comes to online options, there are 35 online and affordable associate and certification programs. The most popular programs are in the liberal arts, business, and military sciences.

Central Texas College offer an Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management. In fact, CTC is the first college to offer such a degree fully online. We selected this course for its affordable tuition rate, quality academic programming, and flexible number of relevant customizable certificates. Those entering this program from the hospitality industry may also obtain credit for life experience. Student may elect to focus on chef studies, hospitality management, nutrition for the food service professional, pastry, restaurant management, or travel and tourism. Programming may be customized to meet your needs from a wide range of online courses that also include hospitality marketing and sales, dining room services, hospitality legal issues, front office procedures and much more!

Out-of-State Tuition:$6,420
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:65%
Home page Central Texas College
Flexibility and Accommodation: 6 areas of concentration
Online Academic Quality: Student to faculty ratio of 21:1

10. NHTI-Concord’s Community College

NHTI Concord is a public 2-year institution located in Concord, New Hampshire. There are 3,881 students enrolled and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission accredits NHTI Concord to award associate’s degrees and professional certifications. student attending may also obtain teacher certification. When it comes to student services, Concord offers remedial services, academic/career counseling, employment services, on-campus day care and placement for graduates. We selected Concord for its flexible formatting and options, as well as for the high academic quality. As a technical college students may enroll in programs like hospitality management, landscaping, special education, dental assisting, liberal arts, sport and fitness and much more. There are 7 online associate degrees and professional certifications available, and the most popular programs are in liberal arts, business, and education.

NHTI offers an Associate of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. We selected this program for its flexibility and comprehensive relevant academic material. This course also allows for individuals to complete a certificate in one of four areas: hotel administration, event/conference management, travel and tourism, and wedding planning management. This 2-year degree requires 61-62 credit hours for completion. All students will engage with general educational requirements, electives of their choice, and major course material. Some of the most common courses for this major include and introduction to hospitality and tourism, hotel operations, accounting, marketing, technology for the tourism industry and much more.

Out-of-State Tuition: $15,264
Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid:65%
Home page NHTI- Concord Community College
Flexibility and Accommodation: 4 certifications