By TBD Staff
August 2017
Are you drawn toward a career in the hotel and restaurant industry and interested in getting an accredited online master’s in hospitality management degree? This type of workplace has its own rules and regulations, and you’ll need a specialized degree to qualify for an entry-level management position. By choosing one of these high-quality online degree programs, you will be able to get the education you need on your own schedule.
We searched College Navigator to come up with our initial list of hospitality management degree programs for consideration. We then developed a ranking system to determine the top 10 best online master’s in hospitality management. Our ranking system is below. Where there are ties, the school with the lower average graduate tuition rate on College Navigator is favored.
Average Graduate Tuition Rate
More than $20,000/year-1 point
Between $10,000 and $19,999/year-2 points
Less than $10,000/year-3 points
Student to Faculty Ratio
Greater than 20:1-1 point
Between 15:1 and 19:1-2 points
Less than 15:1-3 points
Residency Requirement
No-3 points
Concentration Areas
Yes-3 points
Our Selection of Top Online Master’s in Hospitality Management Degree Programs 2017
#10. Johnson & Wales University-Providence, Rhode Island
Master of Science in Hospitality Management Online
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $11,826/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Points: 6
What’s Unique
Johnson and Wales University offers an accredited online master’s in hospitality management program with 11-week courses and competitive tuition rates. Students can complete their degree in just 15 months of study while experiencing a career-focused curriculum. Real-world scenarios and projects make it easy to apply coursework to current or future employment settings. Instructors are experienced in the field, allowing students to connect theory to practice through relevant coursework. Courses cover areas such as Hospitality and Tourism Global Issues, Organizational Behavior in the Hospitality Industry, and Competitive Strategies for Hospitality.
#9. University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Master’s Degree in HES (Restaurant & Hospitality Management)
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $10,470/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 24:1
Points: 6
What’s Unique
The online master’s in Restaurant and Hospitality Management at the University of Alabama is an innovative program designed to move students into management positions in hospitality around the globe. Students are prepared to assume leadership positions in food service management, hotel and travel, tourism, higher education, and convention and event planning. This 30 credit hour program is ranked 18th in the world by CEOWORLD Magazine. There are no on-campus residency requirements and students can earn their degree in just one year.
#8. University of Houston-Houston, Texas
Executive Master of Hospitality Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $7,956/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1
Points: 7
What’s Unique
The University of Houston features an executive master of Hospitality Management program providing students with the competitive edge to get ahead in the dynamic field of hospitality management. Students are able to immediately apply their newfound knowledge to the workplace, adding to the depth and dimension of the program. Applicants should have at least five years of experience in the field to have the skills and managerial experience needed to manage change and implement new best practices. The program can be completed in just one year and a new cohort starts each January.
#7. University of New Orleans-New Orleans, Louisiana
Executive Online Master’s Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $7,234/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Points: 7
What’s Unique
In just one year, students can earn their online Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree from the University of New Orleans. Accredited by the SACS and the AACSB, UNO has a solid reputation for providing quality academic programming. This 30 credit hour program requires no on-campus residency and consists of 10 dedicated courses that build upon work experience and undergraduate coursework. Faculty are experienced in the field and in educating adult learners, so you know you are learning from the best. Courses include such unique offerings as Tourism Destination Development, Hospitality and Tourism Finance and Revenue Management, and Change Management for Hospitality and Tourism.
#6. University of Central Florida-Orlando, Florida
Hospitality and Tourism Management, M.S. Online
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $6,916/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 30:1
Points: 7
What’s Unique
The Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida features a Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management online program with the flexibility for students to customize the program around their budget and schedule. Faculty represent over 15 different countries and are world renown in the industry. This 33 credit hour program consists of 18 credits of core courses and 15 credits of electives. The program is designed to foster collaboration between faculty and peers, allowing students to benefit from the experiences and knowledge of others.
#5. University of North Texas-Denton, Texas
Master’s in Hospitality Management Online
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $5,450/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Points: 7
What’s Unique
The University of North Texas offers an online Master’s in Hospitality Management program designed to prepare students for career advancement to upper level management positions in the hospitality industry. Students have the option to pursue a dual MS and MBA in any MBA concentration area. Students can also earn a graduate certificate in hospitality management or event management. Faculty are experienced in the field and have research interests in a variety of areas such as quality management, tourism, food safety, finance, and sustainability. The program has a non-thesis and thesis option depending on the needs of the student.
#4. Roosevelt University-Chicago, Illinois
Online Executive Master of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $18,996/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Points: 8
What’s Unique
As Chicago’s only executive master of hospitality and tourism management, Roosevelt University is a key industry player in the development of leaders in lodging, food and beverage management, tourism administration, and sports hospitality. The program is designed for busy professionals who need a flexible program without any on campus residency requirements. Coursework covers areas such as executive leadership, applied research methods, strategic innovation, and human capital management. Most students can complete the program in just one year.
#3. Florida International University-Miami, Florida
Online Master of Science in Hospitality Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $8,912/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Points: 10
Concentration Areas:
Hospitality Real Estate Development or Revenue Management
What’s Unique
The 100% online master’s in Hospitality Management program at Florida International University is designed to be completed in just 12 months. Students can focus on hospitality management or select a specialization in either Hospitality Real Estate Development or Revenue Management. This 33 credit hour program includes coursework in Hospitality Law, Financial Management, Marketing Management, and Hospitality Enterprise Technology. Military/Veterans, employees, and alumni of FIU are eligible for a $2,250 scholarship, resulting in significant program savings.
#2. Purdue University-West Lafayette, Indiana
Online Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $9,208/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Points: 9
What’s Unique
Purdue University offers a one-of-a-kind online master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management program with a business focused curriculum that is both experiential and project oriented. Students should have at least five years of professional experience and three years of management experience to apply to the program. Students complete a capstone project related to a real-world industry issue utilizing management, marketing, human resources, and financial recommendations to address the issues and solve problems. This top online master’s in hospitality management program is taught by leading researchers and experienced HTM managers who offer their real-world expertise.
#1. University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Nevada
Master of Hospitality Administration Online
Average Graduate Student Tuition: $4,968/year
Student to Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Points: 10
Concentration Areas:
Hospitality Management or Gaming Management
What’s Unique
Mid-level professionals seeking career advancement should check out the online Master’s of Hospitality Administration program at the University of Nevada. Students can attend year round in five-eight week sessions. The 30 credit hour program includes five required courses and four electives in addition to a culminating course requiring a professional paper or entrepreneurial class (depending on track). Applicants are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores to be accepted, but they should have three or more years experience in the hospitality industry. With no on-campus residency requirements, students can learn wherever and whenever it is most convenient.
This concludes our selection of the top accredited online master’s in hospitality management degree programs 2017.