The Best Colleges with Hospitality Majors

What is a hospitality degree?

What exactly is a degree in hospitality? Careers in hotels, resorts, and other lodging establishments are common places to find opportunities in hospitality management. The professionals in this field are responsible for creating and managing various aspects of the guest experience. In addition, they frequently manage teams comprised of employees working the front desk, housekeeping, and sales. As such, some people would like to study at colleges with hospitality majors.

The best managers in the hospitality industry genuinely care about how much their guests enjoy their stay and are constantly looking for new ways to enhance every facet of their guests’ experiences whenever possible.

Hotels, motels, resorts, and condominium complexes are typically the primary establishments where hospitality managers are employed. But hospitality managers can also be found working in other industries, such as retail, private transportation, restaurants, and casinos, among others.

If you want to work in the hospitality industry, getting experience in a relevant industry is necessary for you. Many bachelor’s degree programs in hospitality offer students the opportunity to put their classroom knowledge into practice by spending one year working in the industry. Employers will see evidence of your skills and motivation thanks to this experience, and you will also be able to develop contacts within the industry.

The organization and subject matter of your class will change according to the educational institution you attend and the area(s) of concentration you decide to pursue. You will most likely begin with a selection of course modules that will introduce you to various facets of the industry and provide an overview of the various careers available in the hospitality industry.

Why get a hospitality degree?

There are several reasons why someone would study for a hospitality degree:

• Career Opportunities: Hospitality is a fast-growing industry with many career opportunities, including positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, and event planning companies.
• Hands-on Experience: Hospitality programs often include practical components, such as internships, where students can gain hands-on experience in the industry.
• Variety: Hospitality offers a range of diverse career paths, from food and beverage management to event planning, giving students a chance to find their niche within the industry.
• Skills Development: Hospitality programs cover various subjects, from management and marketing to customer service and culinary arts, providing students with a well-rounded education and valuable skills for their future careers.
• Global Outlook: Hospitality is a global industry, allowing students to travel and work in different countries and gain a global perspective on the industry.

In summary, studying for a hospitality degree can lead to a fulfilling career in a dynamic and growing industry, as well as the development of valuable skills and a global outlook.

What are the best universities with a hospitality degree?

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

The School of Hotel Administration can be found at Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York. The program claims to have been the “first collegiate program in hospitality management” since it was established in 1922.

Today, undergraduate students can earn degrees in hotel administration at the Bachelor of Science level. In contrast, graduate students can choose between Master of Management in Hospitality, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy programs in hospitality. In addition to having a rich history of educating students, the hotel administration program at Cornell University is highly regarded as one of the best universities with a hospitality degree in the industry.

According to the findings of a study conducted by Taylor Nelson Sofres, only one of the many colleges with hospitality majors in the United States made the list of the Top 10 International Hospitality Management Schools in the world. That school is located at Cornell University. The School of Hotel Administration was also ranked second in the world by the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, with the school coming first in the United States.

In the curriculum of the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, notable features include the following: management training through the hotel leadership development program; the annual Hotel Ezra Cornell conference; the Cornell Hospitality Business Plan Competition; the Guest Chefs Series; hands-on experience opportunities at the Statler Hotel and its three student-run restaurants; and the Cornell Hospitality Business Plan Competition.

University of Nevada (Las Vegas, NV)

According to the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research findings, the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Reno, holds the third spot on the global list and the second in the United States. Additionally, the school is home to the Capstone Café, which is run entirely by the students. Studies in the following topics are required for the undergraduate major in hospitality management:

• Introduction to hospitality
• Organizational behavior
• Leadership, management, and ethics
• Hospitality law
• Food sanitation
• Food service operations
• Cost control and accounting
• Hands-on internship and hospitality work experience

The university enables students to concentrate on areas of study such as gaming management, meeting and event management, restaurant management, and professional golf management. This has made the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) an excellent option as one of the colleges with hospitality majors for undergraduate students interested in working in a particular subfield of the hospitality industry.

Graduate students have a variety of academic tracks from which to choose, including the following:

• Master of Hospitality Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Administration
• Master of Science in Hotel Administration
• Dual Degree: Master of Science in Hotel Administration and Master of Science in Management Information Systems
• Dual Degree: Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Hotel Administration

Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA)

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the School of Hospitality Management at Pennsylvania State University is housed in a college that deals with health and human development; it’s an excellent program in its own right. Even though the program is not part of a business school, that does not stop more than one hundred recruiters from visiting the campus each year. It also does not prevent graduates from having an employment rate close to 100 percent.

The Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management program at Penn State has been around since 1937, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges with hospitality majors. According to the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, the program is number four in the world.

Café Laura is run entirely by students at this school. They are responsible for everything from developing new recipes to providing excellent customer service, determining the cost of each item on the menu, and managing the finances.

Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program at an accredited college or university can specialize in either Hospitality Management or Management Dietetics. Students in these programs must complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of practical training in addition to classroom instruction that covers topics such as management, organization, theory, and technical skills.

Graduate students looking to further their education in the hospitality industry can choose from Penn State’s Master of Science in Hospitality Management or Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management degree programs.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, VA)

The Pamplin College of Business at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, more commonly referred to as Virginia Tech, is home to the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Although undergraduate students must complete at least 700 hours of hands-on industry experience, a significant portion of their curriculum also focuses on developing a solid foundation in business education.

Perhaps this is why major recruiters like Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, and Marriott International choose to send their employees to this school, elevating it as one of the best colleges with hospitality majors.

The Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Tech offers a variety of degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Business with a Major in Hospitality and Tourism Management, a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The institution is ranked sixth in the world by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, and it consistently ranks among the top five in the United States. Both the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration and the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business have recognized Virginia Tech as meeting their criteria for accreditation, making it one of only sixty schools in the world to do so.

Not only the department but even the entire college of business is held in high esteem by the academic community. According to U.S. News & World Report, Virginia Tech is one of the top 100 colleges in the country when viewed as an institution as a whole.

Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)

The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University is recognized as a research leader, contributing to the university’s overall reputation as one of the top 100 colleges in the country. Purdue University is renowned for its research and is consistently ranked among the top 100 colleges in the country. The university is home to several important research centers and laboratories focusing on the hospitality, food service, and tourism industries.

The program offered by Purdue University is currently ranked seventh in the world by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. The Accreditation Commission accredits the programs offered at Purdue’s West Lafayette and Calumet campuses for Programs in Hospitality Administration (Accreditation Commission).

The undergraduate program at this school, in particular, has garnered a great deal of acclaim; the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education has ranked it as one of the best colleges with hospitality majors in the country.

The School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University provides educational opportunities leading to baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Purdue University students majoring in hospitality must complete two internships during their four years of undergraduate study. Some of these students participate in study abroad programs that take them as far away as China.

In addition, students can gain practical experience in casual dining (at the Boiler Bistro) and more upscale dining (at the John Purdue Room) at two of Purdue University’s restaurants. The university’s career center assists with career planning for students majoring in hospitality and annually coordinates the scheduling of 700 interviews between undergraduate students and recruiters.

Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK)

Oklahoma State University has offered education in hospitality, both in the classroom and through hands-on experience, for the past 75 years. The School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration, which is a part of the College of Human Sciences and currently holds the number eight spot on the global rankings for hospitality and tourism administration schools, was recently recognized by the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research.

Undergraduate students at Oregon State University can participate in a program that is truly global by taking advantage of the opportunity to gain hospitality experience in Switzerland while also earning a second undergraduate degree from a European partner institution.

Students at Oklahoma State University can choose to enroll in an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree program. Undergraduate students at Oregon State University can gain significant real-world experience due to the school’s requirement to complete 800 hours of work experience and the school’s West Side Café, Taylor’s Dining Room, and Atherton Hotel Experiential Laboratory.

Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI)

The hospitality management program at Michigan State University was established in 1927, and the university boasts that it is “the original hospitality business school.” The university has spent the past nine decades teaching students about the hospitality industry.

According to the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, the hospitality program at Michigan State University is ranked ninth among the world’s best colleges with hospitality majors. To earn a bachelor’s degree from the School of Hospitality Business at the university, undergraduate students must, in addition to their studies in the classroom, participate in two internships totaling 400 hours each.

Additionally, the school provides four graduate degree programs, including a Graduate Specialization in Hospitality Business, the Michael L. Minor Master of Science in Foodservice Business Management, the Master of Science degree in Hospitality Business Management, and a Secondary Concentration in Hospitality Business as part of the Master of Business Administration Degree Program.

The hospitality program at Michigan State University is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the world, and the university is consistently ranked among the top 100 schools in the United States. The program’s impressive academics are not its only claim to fame. Each year, the student hospitality association puts on three major events:

• A two-day career expo that brings in nearly 80 major recruiters to the school.
• An annual auction fundraising event.
• Les Gourmets is a formal dining event with seven courses requiring guests to wear black tie attire.

University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)

It should come as no surprise that one of the best hospitality programs in the world can be found at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, which is located close to major tourist destinations like Walt Disney World and the resorts at Universal Studios. The Rosen College of Hospitality Management at this university has been ranked tenth globally by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research.

The Hospitality Education Department at the University of Central Florida offers a variety of courses for students at all levels of study. Students have the opportunity to earn degrees in the following areas:

• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
• Bachelor of Science in Restaurant & Foodservice Management
• Bachelor of Science in Event Management.
• Master of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Ph.D. in Hospitality Management

As one of the best colleges with hospitality majors, students can study various specialty topics in addition to the traditional curriculum of classes such as financial management and food service. These specialty topics include theme park attractions, beer, wine, and spirits management. In addition to completing coursework and gaining practical experience, undergraduate students must complete three internships during their time there.

Washington State University (Pullman, WA)

In 2011, the hospitality business management program offered by Washington State University was ranked ninth in the world by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. Even though it is one of the country’s oldest hospitality degree programs, it did not offer any higher degrees until fairly recently.

The highest degree it could award was a Bachelor of Arts. In addition, the Ph.D. in Business Administration program at the Carson College of Business at Washington State University now features a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism.

The undergraduate hospitality program at Washington State University places a strong emphasis on practical experience. It requires students to accumulate one thousand hours of work experience before graduation. Students can learn and advance their skills in the school’s Marriott Foundation Hospitality Teaching Center, which features a sophisticated dining room, a wine-tasting area, and a teaching kitchen that is fully equipped for instruction and production.

Texas A&M University (College Station, TX)

In general, Texas A&M University enjoys high recognition and esteem. According to a U.S. News & World Report ranking, it is one of the top 100 colleges in the country and is tied for 68th place. The hospitality program at the university, in particular, has an even better reputation than it already did.

The program that Texas A&M University offers has been ranked 12th among the best colleges with hospitality majors in the world by the journal Hospitality and Tourism Research.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University offers undergraduate students a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences. This degree can be earned through the school’s Department of Tourism and Recreation.

The Master of Science in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences and the Doctor of Philosophy in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences are two advanced degrees that can be earned in this field. The coursework students take as part of their tourism studies at Texas A&M University will cover important topics like financing and fundraising, planning, marketing, management, and the social and behavioral sciences.

Now that you know where to study to get your hospitality degree in the future, the next thing you should think about is your college admissions. To ensure that you get into the college you want, you can get help with AdmissionSight. With ten years of experience with college admission experts, AdmissionSight can help you get into the college of your choice. You can talk to our experts today to get an initial consultation.