Best Hospitality colleges in the U.S.
Why a degree in hospitality?
Have you ever thought about working on a cruise ship or helping people book vacations? What about managing a hotel chain in Mexico or a casino in Vegas? You can finally turn that interest in vacationing into a career.
What hospitality degree options exist?
With an improving economy, domestic and world travel are gaining in popularity. The industry has been on the rise over the past decade, increasing at a rate of 17%*. It also accounts for almost 10% of the U.S. job market and supports over 14 million jobs*.
So go see a few more beaches and sip a little more wine. You may work longer hours than the average Joe since people vacation 365 days a year. But when you finally get your vacation, you won’t even have to leave the office.
* World Travel and Tourism Council, Research Inforgraphics* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth in the hospitality industry
Best Hospitality colleges in the U.S. for 2025
If you’re planning a career in the hospitality industry, it makes sense to choose a college near a vacation mecca. With 62 million visitors in 2014, Orlando certainly fits the bill. Located in the heart of this city’s tourist district, UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management boasts neighbors such as Walt Disney World Resort, Sea World Adventure Park, top hotels on International Drive, and the Orange County Convention Center. (UCF’s main campus is about 30 miles away.) As might be expected, opportunities for internships, networking, and future employment abound (not to mention quite a few behind-the-scenes tours). In addition to the university’s ties within the industry, hospitality students aid their own cause by hosting a career fair each semester. Putting their classroom knowledge to good use, they handle every aspect of the event – marketing, décor, theme, and even the lunch menu! The 159,000-square-foot, Mediterranean resort-style campus itself is a site to behold. The largest facility ever built for hospitality management education, highlights include a 200-seat training dining room and bar, a beer and wine laboratory, two test kitchens, and a 400-seat auditorium. Faculty members represent more than 17 different countries, and many of them have held executive roles in restaurants, hotels, and theme parks. This diversity provides a valuable global perspective. And for students who themselves aspire to be industry scholars and researchers, UCF offers a top-notch doctoral program in hospitality management.
Florida International University offers 9 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 812 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 626 Bachelor's degrees, and 186 Master's degrees.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas offers 11 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 484 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 425 Bachelor's degrees, 51 Master's degrees, and 8 Doctoral degrees.
Johnson & Wales University-Providence offers 13 Hospitality degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 367 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 222 Bachelor's degrees, 133 Associate's degrees, and 12 Master's degrees.
Clemson University offers 9 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2023, 165 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 110 Bachelor's degrees, 31 Master's degrees, 13 Doctoral degrees, and 11 Certificates.
Culinary Institute of America offers 5 Hospitality degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 484 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 232 Bachelor's degrees, 211 Associate's degrees, and 41 Master's degrees.
Valencia College offers 13 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 495 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 356 Certificates, and 139 Associate's degrees.
University of North Texas offers 8 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 154 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 114 Bachelor's degrees, 39 Master's degrees, and 1 Certificate.
Texas A & M University-College Station offers 16 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 299 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 197 Certificates, 89 Bachelor's degrees, 10 Master's degrees, and 3 Doctoral degrees.
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus offers 6 Hospitality degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 234 Hospitality students graduated with students earning 186 Bachelor's degrees, 37 Certificates, 7 Doctoral degrees, and 4 Master's degrees.
Find local colleges with Hospitality majors in the U.S.
Top schools offering Hospitality degrees in the U.S.
List of all Hospitality colleges in the U.S.
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 46 : 1 | 69,233 | |
|
Florida International University Miami, FL | 41 : 1 | 53,953 | |
|
University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV | 28 : 1 | 31,094 | |
|
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Providence, RI | 17 : 1 | 4,372 | |
|
Clemson University Clemson, SC | 19 : 1 | 28,747 | |