Best Online Hospitality Management Programs of 2026
An online bachelor’s program in hospitality management can prepare you for a career in a growing, diverse industry. Learn more about this degree path.
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2026Interested in planning events, managing hotels or restaurants, or helping tourists visit your community? An online hospitality management program is a flexible way to learn the skills you need to be successful in tourism and hospitality.
The hospitality industry is only growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that by 2033, 1 in 8 jobs will be in the leisure and hospitality sector — that’s more than 800,000 new jobs. Find some great online hospitality management programs to help you advance in this growing industry.
Best Online Hospitality Management Programs
How We Rank Schools
Florida International University — Best for Earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s Faster
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: Up to 22 graduate credits count toward the bachelor’s degree and transfer toward a master’s in hospitality management.
FIU's online combined BS/MS in hospitality management allows you to earn both a bachelor's and a master's on an accelerated timeline. You can earn both degrees in about five years, gaining advanced preparation that may strengthen your prospects for leadership roles in hotel, resort, and other hospitality settings.
Other programs on this list, including Oregon State University (OSU) and the University of Alabama (UA), also allow some credits to transfer into a master's program. However, OSU only offers less-focused accelerated MBA and MS in business pathways. And while UA's program offerings are comparable, FIU's BS/MS is more accessible for students, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.2 for admission versus 3.7 at UA.
What We Like About FIU
- Industry partnerships create work opportunities while studying, including the South Beach Wine & Food Festival.
- FIU's transfer-credit policy is generous, allowing you to bring in up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree.
- At $235 per credit, FIU is relatively inexpensive for Florida residents.
What We Don't Like
- The $649 out-of-state rate places FIU among the more expensive options on our list for non-Florida residents.
- The industry experience requirement may be difficult for some online or working students to meet.
- FIU is not a Yellow Ribbon school, limiting benefits for eligible veteran students.
66%
$ 6,168
93%
$18,566
- Acceptance Rate
- 55%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,817
- Institution Type
- Public
Oregon State University — Best for Specializing in Ecotourism and Sustainability
- Corvallis, OR
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: This program is the only one on our list featuring an ecotourism and sustainability specialization.
If you're interested in incorporating sustainability into your hospitality career, consider OSU's online BA/BS in hospitality management, which offers an ecotourism and sustainability specialization. This specialization allows you to focus your degree on an increasingly important aspect of the hospitality industry, studying tourism development through environmental and social lenses with coursework in adventure tourism, sustainable communities, and social sustainability.
These classes explore how to design and manage tourism experiences that preserve natural landscapes, support local communities, and promote long-term ecological health. Students learn to balance guest experiences with sustainability, understanding how tourism can boost local economies while protecting ecosystems and social well-being.
What We Like About OSU
- The program is housed in OSU's AACSB-accredited College of Business, a widely recognized standard in business education.
- The accelerated master's platform allows you to begin MBA or MS in business coursework while earning your bachelor's.
- You can apply to the Honors College, which offers multidisciplinary honors courses and a thesis that can be completed online.
What We Don't Like
- Transfer students must complete 45 of their final 75 credits at OSU, limiting flexibility.
- OSU requires three internships, but the website does not clearly explain how online students secure paid placements in their local areas.
58%
$12,675
88%
$37,860
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 37,163
- Institution Type
- Public
The University of Alabama — Most Affordable Flat-Rate Tuition
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: UA stands out for charging a flat tuition rate for all students, regardless of location.
Predictability and affordability define UA's online BS in hospitality management, which charges a flat $399 per credit for all learners with no higher out-of-state pricing. Another program on our list — Oregon State's — also charges flat-rate tuition, but it's slightly more expensive, at $411.
The rest of our list's schools charge a much higher rate for out-of-state students, but if you're a Florida resident, you might have cheaper options. However, that doesn't account for UA's dedicated online scholarships, which offer financial support specifically for distance learners. Military-affiliated students at UA pay an even cheaper tuition rate. Plus, UA is a Yellow Ribbon participant and covers the tuition remaining after Post-9/11 GI Bill® funding.
What We Like About UA
- At UA, you'll have three concentration options: hotel, food, and beverage management; meetings and events; and sport, entertainment, and event management.
- The program offers opportunities to earn industry certifications, including CHIA, MFP, and Cvent.
- As an online student, you'll have access to academic coaching, tutoring, writing help, and career preparation.
What We Don't Like
- UA's program requires a 150-hour internship, which may be difficult for students who need flexibility or lack access to paid placements in their local areas.
- The program page does not clearly state whether part-time enrollment is available.
- UA does not specify how many transfer credits are accepted toward the degree.
43%
$11,684
90%
$34,542
- Acceptance Rate
- 77%
- Students Enrolled
- 40,846
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Florida — Best Lodging and Management Degree
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: UCF's program focuses on lodging management, preparing students to oversee hotels, resorts, and other hospitality operations.
UCF's online hospitality management programs may be a good fit for you if you're particularly interested in hotel operations and lodging leadership. You can complete the standard hospitality management major — available fully online for most requirements — or pursue the lodging and restaurant management major, which integrates hotel management with food and beverage coursework. The 120-credit program is delivered online with fall, spring, and summer start dates.
The curriculum emphasizes practical experience through three required internships, helping you apply coursework directly in hotel, resort, or lodging settings.
What We Like About UCF
- Fully online students pay reduced campus-based fees.
- UCF's flexible transfer policies permit up to 45 alternative credits for experiences such as CLEP, exams, and military training.
- Eligible veteran students can get some of their tuition funded after Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits through the Yellow Ribbon program.
What We Don't Like
- UCF charges the lowest in-state tuition and the highest out-of-state tuition on this list, creating a wide affordability gap for non-residents.
- Not all electives or prerequisites are available online, which may limit full program flexibility for some students.
- The program website lacks clarity on pacing details, including part-time availability and course structure.
9%
$ 6,368
92%
$22,467
- Acceptance Rate
- 45%
- Students Enrolled
- 69,338
- Institution Type
- Public
Washington State University — Best for Flexible, Accelerated Courses
- Pullman, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose It: WSU offers fast-paced, asynchronous courses, which allow students to progress at a faster pace and on their own schedule.
WSU's online BA in hospitality business management features an accelerated seven-week structure that allows you to move through courses more quickly than the traditional 15-16-week semester format. You can take two or four seven-week classes during a standard semester, which can be especially helpful if you're working full time.
And while this program requires approximately 15-20 hours of coursework per week, the courses are fully online and asynchronous, allowing you to complete them at your convenience and within your schedule. Your professors will communicate deadlines for assignments and exams, but otherwise, when you "attend" classes is up to you.
What We Like About WSU
- You can pursue optional undergraduate certificates in human services case management and administration or sustainable organizational leadership.
- The Carson College of Business is accredited by the AACSB.
- Institutional scholarships are available through WSU's central scholarship portal for eligible online learners.
What We Don't Like
- WSU charges the highest tuition of all the programs on this list.
- Students are required to take courses during the summer term, which may be a limitation for some.
- Several upper-division courses are offered only once per year, limiting scheduling flexibility.
29%
$11,678
78%
$28,784
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Students Enrolled
- 25,685
- Institution Type
- Public
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school’s program to identify qualities that set it apart from others on this list, prioritizing factors like flexibility, concentration options, and affordability. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools’ facts in December 2025.
Why You Should Get a Hospitality Management Degree
- Learn industry-relevant skills: A hospitality management degree program can teach you specialized skills in hotel and restaurant operations, event planning, food and beverage services, and more.
- Find networking opportunities: Many hospitality management programs offer access to alumni events, industry conferences, and other opportunities to build a professional network, which can help you find job opportunities.
- Advance your career: The hospitality industry is broad and offers many career opportunities across many sectors, such as resort or restaurant management.
- Earn a higher salary: With a bachelor’s degree, you can expect to earn nearly $600 more per week than you would with just a high school diploma, per the BLS.
Benefits of Getting a Hospitality Management Degree Online
- In our 2025 Online Education Trends Report, 90% of online program graduates say their degree has or will have a positive return on investment. Even more business students and grads (94%) said the same.
- We found that 52% of online business students and graduates say their online classes included assignments they could use to explore future career options.
- Nearly all (98%) of online business students and grads said they would recommend online education to others.
How to Choose the Best Hospitality Management Degree Program for You
As you research programs, evaluate tuition cost, financial availability, and program length. You should also consider the career paths you can pursue after graduation to make sure the hospitality industry is the right fit for you.
Weighing these factors can help you make the right choice before enrolling.
How Much Does a Hospitality Management Degree Cost?
Cost of Bachelor’s Degrees in Business, Management, and Marketing, 2019-2020
Online
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $10,473
Avg. Net Price: $5,918
On-Campus
Avg. Tuition & Fees: $16,941
Avg. Net Price: $9,248
Source: NCES PowerStats, 2019-2020
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), bachelor’s degrees in business, management, and marketing (which includes hospitality management) cost around $10,400 per year in 2019-2020. That’s nearly $42,000 for a four-year program.
Fortunately, financial aid like grants and scholarships can reduce the cost to around $9,200 yearly — $37,000 total for a four-year degree.
Remember that this data is based on the 2019-2020 school year. Also, tuition rates vary based on your in-state vs. out-of-state status and whether you attend a public or private college.
For example, in-person students without financial aid paid around $25,000 more for their bachelor’s in hospitality management degrees than online students during the 2019-2020 school year.
If you’re interested in learning more about tuition rates and financial aid, make sure to visit your desired school’s website. There, you can find detailed information or contact details for the relevant office or person who can answer your questions.
Find Financial Aid for Your Hospitality Degree
How Long Does It Take to Get a Hospitality Management Degree?
Typical # of Credits
120 Credits
Typical Program Length
4 Years
Unless you enroll in an accelerated bachelor’s program, you’ll spend around four years completing your online hospitality management degree program as a full-time student.
Most bachelor’s programs require students to earn 120 credits, equaling around 30 credits per year. You can speed up this timeline by taking summer classes, transferring credits, and earning credit for life and work experience.
What Can You Do With a Hospitality Management Degree?
You’ll be prepped to work in hospitality fields spanning food, lodging, experiences, and more. Food service managers, for example, are responsible for daily restaurant, bar, or other operations. According to the BLS, these professionals earned a median annual salary of $65,310 in May 2024.
You can also work as a lodging manager, ensuring that guests have a satisfying experience. Lodging managers earned a median of $68,130 per year in May 2024, per the BLS.
Maybe you want to work at a venue overseeing weddings, parties, or other events. As of May 2024, event planners earned a median annual wage of $59,440.
| Job | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Food Service Managers | $65,310 | Oversee restaurant staff and operations to help improve performance and increase profitability. |
| Lodging Managers | $68,130 | Manage guests’ experience, increasing efficiency and profitability. |
| Event Planners | $59,440 | Coordinate, launch, and manage conferences, trade shows, festivals, and other events, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently. |
Learn More About Hospitality Jobs
Is a Hospitality Management Degree Worth It?
A hospitality management degree can be worthwhile if you want to develop business and customer service skills that can open leadership opportunities within the industry.
Beyond the skills you’ll learn, you may also want to consider the degree’s return on investment. You can determine this by comparing the cost of your degree against the salary you expect to earn once you graduate.
The average starting salary for people with bachelor’s degrees in hospitality management was around $48,000 in 2023, per the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). However, remember that your wages will vary depending on location, experience level, and the particular sector you work in.
The degree also opens the door to other careers outside the hospitality field. You’ll also be equipped with business, management, and entrepreneurship education, making it easier to transfer into other business and leadership careers.
Education Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree
After you earn a bachelor’s, you can go after an advanced degree, such as a master of science in hospitality management, a master of management in hospitality, or a master’s in hospitality administration.
With a master’s degree, you can earn a higher starting salary since these programs provide further industry knowledge and networking opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospitality Management Degrees
A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management teaches the skills to oversee the daily operations of hotels, restaurants, casinos, resorts, and more. While studying, you’ll learn about organizational marketing, finances, law, revenue management, strategic planning, and human resources.
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