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Best Value Hospitality Administration/Management Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California's hospitality programs command the highest starting salaries but demand steeper upfront costs, with San Jose State graduates earning $47,930 annually despite net costs reaching $13,741. Meanwhile, CUNY New York City College of Technology delivers the lowest net price at just $4,783, though graduates start at $35,772. The hospitality industry employs over 15 million Americans, with management roles increasingly concentrated in tourism-heavy states like Florida and Nevada. Florida International University strikes a middle ground at $9,133 net cost while producing graduates who earn $38,634, reflecting Miami's position as a gateway for international tourism and cruise operations. Public universities dominate this field, with 14 of the 15 programs offering in-state tuition below $10,000. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from CUNY's 19.4% to Florida State's 83%, suggesting that program structure and student support systems matter as much as location when building a hospitality career.
50
Programs
$4,783 – $16,931
Net Price Range
$36,227
Avg. Program Earnings
54.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Hospitality Administration/Management Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,783 $35,772 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
2 $8,463 $38,289 $6,270 40.7%
3 $8,001 $35,416 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
4 $9,133 $38,634 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
5 $10,011 $42,073 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
6 $6,747 $28,236 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
7 $7,599 $31,719 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
8 $9,104 $36,134 $8,400 53.2%
9 $8,931 $33,993 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
10 $10,997 $40,780 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
11 $8,155 $29,685 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
12 $13,741 $47,930 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
13 $12,882 $44,755 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
14 $10,170 $35,060 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
15 $10,319 $34,633 $6,118 56.0% 74.4%
16 $11,580 $38,356 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
17 $11,276 $36,848 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
18 $11,800 $38,289 $7,513 37.2% 99.5%
19 $13,945 $45,082 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
20 $13,181 $42,433 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
21 $10,376 $33,352 $17,922 57.5% 59.8%
22 $8,463 $26,739 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
23 $14,106 $44,244 $7,812 14.3%
24 $10,043 $31,133 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
25 $11,408 $35,254 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
26 $14,401 $44,170 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
27 $10,650 $31,857 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
28 $11,234 $33,192 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
29 $11,147 $32,925 $9,172 42.5% 69.8%
30 $16,931 $48,432 $16,080 78.8% 73.8%
31 $11,513 $32,653 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
32 $11,432 $32,382 $6,770 59.0% 83.9%
33 $13,853 $38,455 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
34 $15,266 $41,937 $35,822 61.7% 84.1%
35 $13,670 $36,938 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
36 $13,164 $35,330 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
37 $10,916 $28,960 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
38 $14,294 $37,748 $10,780 29.9% 97.9%
39 $14,922 $39,257 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
40 $13,253 $34,467 $10,344 49.4% 94.6%
41 $14,352 $37,306 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
42 $7,569 $19,227 $6,920 36.4%
43 $13,742 $34,704 $11,640 50.8% 78.6%
44 $14,224 $35,420 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
45 $16,157 $40,140 $12,345 36.9% 92.1%
46 $16,334 $40,089 $10,857 63.7% 95.7%
47 $15,089 $36,848 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
48 $12,202 $29,685 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
49 $11,877 $28,381 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
50 $15,152 $35,996 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $9,000 gap between the lowest and highest net costs?

San Jose State's $13,741 net cost reflects California's high living expenses and strong job market, while CUNY NYC College of Technology's $4,783 represents New York's commitment to affordable public education. Geographic location drives much of this variation, with California and New York programs commanding premium prices. However, the earnings potential often justifies higher costs, as San Jose graduates earn $47,930 compared to CUNY's $35,772.

How do graduation rates affect program value in hospitality management?

Graduation rates range from CUNY's concerning 19.4% to Florida State's impressive 83%, directly impacting return on investment. Programs with rates above 60% typically offer stronger career services and industry connections, as seen with Florida International University's 73.9% rate and $38,634 starting salaries. Low graduation rates can indicate inadequate support systems or mismatched student expectations about the hospitality industry's demands.

Where do hospitality graduates earn the most relative to program costs?

San Jose State delivers the highest absolute earnings at $47,930, though its net cost reaches $13,741. Florida International University offers better cost efficiency, with graduates earning $38,634 against $9,133 in net costs. University of Nevada-Las Vegas produces strong earners at $42,073 with moderate costs of $10,011, benefiting from Las Vegas's concentration of hotels, casinos, and entertainment venues.

Does student debt burden vary significantly across hospitality programs?

Average debt ranges from California State Long Beach's manageable $12,500 to American Public University's concerning $31,334. Public universities generally produce lower debt loads, with most programs keeping graduates under $21,000 in debt. Florida schools consistently show moderate debt levels between $16,000-$20,000, reflecting reasonable tuition costs and strong in-state financial aid programs.

What acceptance rates reveal about program competitiveness?

Florida State stands out with just 25% acceptance, reflecting its reputation and limited enrollment capacity. Most hospitality programs accept 75-95% of applicants, including highly regarded options like San Francisco State at 94.2% and Florida Atlantic at 81.32%. High acceptance rates often indicate industry demand for graduates rather than program weakness, as hospitality management requires varied skill sets and personality types.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.