In this article, we profile the 30 best online master's in hospitality and tourism degree programs for 2018.
The United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports in the most recent Occupational Outlook Handbook that the employment of lodging managers will increase 4 percent, and the employment of food service managers will increase 9 percent through the year 2026. This is a steady growth and about as fast as the average for all management positions. Jobs are available, but competition can be fierce. One way to help set yourself apart from the competition is to have earned advanced education, such as a master's in hospitality and tourism online degree, and gain adequate work experience.
We reviewed nearly 75 colleges and universities with online master's in hospitality and tourism or closely related programs. We narrowed our search by selecting only regionally or nationally accredited programs and/or schools. We then collected the most recently published annual tuition/fees from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES College Navigator) and listed the schools in order of raw affordability. We chose the top 30 programs that cost less than $30,000 per year. As an added indicator, we selected schools and/or online master's in hospitality and tourism programs that had received rankings or recognition from a major publication like U.S. News and World Report.
Below is our list of the 30 best online master's in hospitality and tourism programs for 2018.
#30 – George Washington University
Online Master's in Tourism Administration
Washington, District of Columbia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $29,840
George Washington offers an online master's in hospitality and tourism for individuals seeking advanced skills and training from one of the top learning institutions in the world. The degree is offered completely online and was first launched in the year 2000, making it one of the first online master's degrees in hospitality and tourism. The GWU program allows students to watch lectures recorded in state of the art studios and download them to their portable devices. Students also engage in real-time discussions with professors and peers as a way to build community and participate in intellectual discourse. Courses include conference exposition and management, destination marketing, quantitative applications in tourism and hospitality management, and tourism and hospitality management research. U.S. News ranks George Washington #56 in national universities.
#29 – Widener University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism
Chester, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $22,600
Widener University provides an online master's in hospitality and tourism for students seeking to qualify for upper-level management positions where a master's degree is often required. The hospitality concentration teaches and prepares students for leadership and management positions within the tourism and hospitality space. With over 40 established relationships with companies such as Aramark, Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, and Wyndham, Widener is well-suited to help students and graduates earn a cutting-edge, relevant education that provides best practices, skills, and knowledge needed to be successful on the job. Classes include contemporary principles of management and leadership in a service culture and strategic marketing in hospitality management. U.S. News ranks Widener #192 in national universities.
#28 – Nova Southeastern University
Online Master's in Business with Concentration in Hospitality and Tourism
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Nova Southeastern University offers an MBA with concentration in hospitality and tourism online.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $20,419
Nova Southeastern University offers a master's in hospitality and tourism online for MBA students seeking specific business and leadership training within the hospitality and tourism space. The curriculum focuses on students achieving top positions in the hotel, restaurant, and cruise industries. Hospitality and tourism classes include distribution and revenue management, hospitality investments and asset management, innovative data driven decision making for hospitality, and research project within a hospitality organization. The hospitality and tourism MBA can be completed online in as little as 21 months. Students may matriculate to the program in August, January or May. U.S. News ranks Nova Southeastern #198 in national universities.
#27 – Roosevelt University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Chicago, Illinois
Roosevelt University's online master's in hospitality and tourism is ranked and accredited.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $19,879
Roosevelt University offers an online master's in hospitality management for students seeking upward career mobility into management and executive positions within the industry. Delivered via the Heller College of Business, the online master's can be completed in just one year. Admission requirements include transcripts, resume, and letter of intent. Sample classes include applied research methods in hospitality management, executive leadership, human capital management and development, organizational development multiculturalism and cultural diversity, and strategic innovation and entrepreneurial leadership. Roosevelt University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. U.S. News and World Report ranks Roosevelt #109 in regional universities Midwest.
#26 – Schiller International University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Largo, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,800
Schiller International University provides online hospitality and tourism degrees to students seeking management positions within the tourism, hospitality, and event planning industries. The Schiller program is embedded within the institution's MBA program as one of the many concentration options. The 45-credit program can be completed in just 15 months, which allows students to qualify for new career opportunities and advancement. Courses within the program include case studies in hospitality and tourism management, food and beverage control, and hotel and restaurant accounting information systems. Schiller International is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools to confer associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees.
#25 – Temple University
Online Master's in Travel and Tourism
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $17,054
Delivered through Temple's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, the master's in hospitality and tourism online is specifically offered for students seeking flexible course offerings allowing them to earn a degree while maintaining personal and professional obligations outside the classroom. The degree is offered 100% online and can be finished in just 13 months with full-time enrollment. Full-time enrollment consists of taking one course every five weeks. Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree. Courses include crisis and risk management, cultural intelligence, destination marketing and management, tourism economics and policy, and understanding tourism in the 21st century. Temple is ranked #115 in national universities by U.S. News.
#24 – Monroe College
Online Master's in Hospitality
Bronx, New York
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,768
The King Graduate School at Monroe College offers an online master's in hospitality management for individuals seeking advanced academic training and knowledge within the tourism, restaurant, hotel, and resort spaces. Students are able to maintain their current obligations as the bulk of the program is delivered online. Students do get the opportunity to participate in a two-week residence at the onset and end of the program. During the residence, students live in housing accommodations in New Rochelle – just a 30-minute ride from Manhattan. Classes include contemporary problems and issues in hospitality, global tourism in emerging markets, qualitative research applications in hospitality, and strategic management and leadership in hospitality. U.S. News ranks Monroe College #146 in regional universities North.
#23 – University of Toledo
Online Master's in Recreation and Leisure
Toledo, Ohio
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $14,984
The University of Toledo provides online hospitality and tourism degrees that are a mixture of recreation and tourism courses. This unique conflation of courses prepares students for a variety of positions within the fields of recreation and hospitality. The program is highly customizable according to the student's career trajectory and interests and can be completed in just three semesters. Having been founded in 1872, University of Toledo is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Curriculum includes financial resources in recreation and recreation therapy, community event planning, leisure theory and popular culture, principles of travel and tourism, and planning and promotion of sport tourism. University of Toledo is ranked #231 in national universities.
#22 – Stratford University
Online Master's in International Hospitality Management
Fairfax, Virginia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,515
Stratford University provides an online master's in hospitality management consisting of 12 courses delivered online in 5-10 week terms. The 54-credit program can be completed in as few as 15 months. The Stratford master's is appropriate for entry level and seasoned hospitality and tourism personnel seeking upward career movement to mid-career or high-level management positions. Core requirements include financial management in hospitality, facilities and assets development, human resource management, issues in hospitality management, and strategic planning in hospitality management. The program also allows students to choose from a wide variety of concentration areas according to their interests and career aspirations.
#21 – Lynn University
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Boca Raton, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,420
Through its College of Business and Management, Lynn University provides a master's in hospitality and tourism online for those interested in advanced business training within the context of the hospitality and tourism sector. The program focuses on training current and future leaders within the space to achieve career and academic results based on quality pedagogy and curriculum that reflects industry best practices. Graduates must complete a total of 36 credits, including food service administration, resort development and management, and service management. Embedded within the MBA curriculum, the hospitality specialization will address event planning, food service, lodging and resort management, and hospitality. U.S. News ranks Lynn University #95 in regional universities South.
#20 – Johnson & Wales University
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Providence, Rhode Island
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,008
Johnson & Wales University offers an online master's in hospitality management for students seeking flexible online courses with career-focused curriculum. The JW degree program provides 11-week courses, with the degree taking a total of just 15 months to finish. Classes include competitive strategies for hospitality management, hospitality and global tourism issues, and organizational behavior in the hospitality industry. Admission requirements include transcripts, 2.85 minimum GPA for GMAT waiver, 500-word statement of purpose, and two recommendation letters. Johnson & Wales is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges to confer associate, bachelor, and master degrees. U.S. News ranks JWU #64 in regional universities North.
#19 – Thomas Edison State University
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Trenton, New Jersey
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,024
Thomas Edison State University provides students with a convenient online master's in hospitality management focusing on career-minded skills and industry best practices. The curriculum also focuses on developing leadership and management skills within hospitality and tourism contexts and organizations ranging from restaurants, hotels, resorts, and cruise lines. Courses taught include finance and accounting for managers, hospitality industry law and labor relations, strategic planning and operations in the hospitality industry, and technology systems and applications in the hospitality industry. Graduate admission requirements include transcripts, statement of purpose, resume, and a recommendation of 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA. U.S. News and World Report recognizes Thomas Edison in its cohort of best regional universities North.
#18 – Arizona State University
Online Master's in Sustainable Tourism
Tempe, Arizona
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,938
Unlike most online hospitality and tourism degrees focusing on general aspects of the hospitality sector, Arizona State University's online program provides focused curriculum on the environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism. The pedagogical philosophy includes integration of the three main underpinnings of sustainability as they relate to tourism and hospitality. Today's tourism and industry organizations face increasing demands to incorporate sustainable practices that shrink their environmental footprints and need trained leaders to develop innovative solutions. Courses include advanced tourism and recreation studies, sustainable food management in tourism, and sustainable tourism destination planning and management. U.S. News ranks ASU #115 in national universities and #1 in most innovative schools.
#17 – Florida State University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Tallahassee, Florida
FSU is ranked and affordable for online master's in hospitality and tourism programs.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,553
Florida State University offers a master's in hospitality and tourism online within its MBA curriculum for students desiring training and knowledge of leadership and management within the tourism and hospitality sector. Delivered by the Dedman School of Hospitality, graduates go on to manage and lead resort destinations, hotels, restaurants, convention centers, travel agencies, cruise lines, and more. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and includes 33 credits designed to be completed in two years (six semesters). Admission includes GMAT score of 550 or 156 GRE score on each section, GPA of 3.0 on upper division coursework, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. U.S. News ranks FSU #81 in national universities.
#16 – Florida International University
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Miami, Florida
12 months to complete – FIU's online master's in hospitality management.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $11,097
Florida International University provides an online master's in hospitality management through its Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The online degree consists of 33-credits and can be completed in just 12 months with full-time enrollment. The program is designed for working professionals to maintain their current responsibilities while attending graduate school. Courses include contemporary global issues in the hospitality industry, globalization of competitive methods of multinational hospitality companies, organizational behavior in the hospitality industry, and research methods and statistics. U.S. News and World Report ranks Florida International University #216 in national universities and #21 in best online graduate business programs.
#15 – Auburn University
Online Master's in Hotel and Restaurant Management
Auburn, Alabama
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,974
Auburn University offers an online master's in hospitality management through its Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management designed for busy working professionals seeking graduate study without forgoing their other obligations. The program is non-thesis oriented and provides the same curriculum as the on-campus track. The entire program is 33 credits, which culminates in a 5-credit graduate level project that students present to graduate faculty. Online students can watch lectures in a synchronous or asynchronous format as their schedule allows. A typical full-time course load is two courses per semester. Classes include advanced tourism analysis, conference coordination, global hospitality, and organizational leadership and change. U.S. News and World Report ranks Auburn #103 among national universities.
#14 – Lasell College
Online Master's in Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management
Newton, Massachusetts
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,960
Lasell College offers an online master's in hospitality and tourism through its Graduate and Professional Studies department designed for working professionals seeking graduate study while keeping their professional and personal obligations. The 36-credit degree is disaggregated into 24 core credits, 9 concentration area credits, and a 3-credit capstone. All classes are completed online over an 8-week term. Core courses include financial management in the sport industry, historical and current issues in sports, sport-recreation-tourism and the law, and sport sponsorship and marketing. Admission requirements include transcripts, two letters of recommendation, one-page personal statement, and resume. Lasell is ranked #130 in regional universities North by U.S. News.
#13 – The University of Alabama
Online Master's in Human Environmental Sciences Restaurant and Hospitality Management
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,780
University of Alabama provides an online master's in hospitality and tourism for current industry professionals seeking graduate study in a flexible online format. The degree is 30 credits and includes a thesis and non-thesis track. Students must have taken and passed an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics within the past three years from the date of application. Classes include financial management and hospitality operations, leadership in the hospitality industry, seminar in hospitality, and strategic management in the hospitality industry. Admission requirements include 3.0 GPA, 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours or acceptable MAT/GRE/GMAT scores, three letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose. UA is ranked #110 in national universities.
#12 – Purdue University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management
West Lafayette, Indiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,992
Purdue University offers online hospitality and tourism degrees with a business focus to train current and future managers. The degree consists of 34 credits and can be completed within 24 months. The core curriculum pedagogical philosophy is based on creating classes that emphasize real-world application with immediate insight into core job functions needed to be successful on the job. Classes also include theoretical components allowing students to understand job functions as an outgrowth of theory. Classes include advanced hospitality accounting and finance systems, business statistics and quantitative analysis, economics of travel and tourism, and hospitality and business risk management. Purdue ranks #56 in national universities by U.S. News.
#11 – University of Louisiana
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Lafayette, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,778
The University of Louisiana Lafayette offers a master's in hospitality and tourism online within its MBA curriculum. Students can complete the 33-credit degree in 15-months while studying a comprehensive coursework training them to lead and manage all aspects of hospitality and tourism businesses and organizations. The program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Hospitality and Tourism classes include feasibility studies in hospitality and tourism, global contemporary issues in hospitality and tourism, international business, and organizational behavior and leadership. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school, 3.0 GPA (qualifies for test waiver), transcripts, and resume. ULL is #231 in national universities.
#10 – University of Houston
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Houston, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,046
The University of Houston offers a master's in hospitality and tourism online for tourism and hospitality professionals seeking advanced training and education to facilitate upward career mobility. The program focuses on customer-centric strategies to help students drive innovative solutions where the result is increased customer experience outcomes and value. Moreover, the program provides theory and practice in the areas of data analytics, marketing, human capital management, planning, and asset protection within the hospitality sector. The program consists of 30-credits and takes just one year to complete. Admission requirements include 3.0 undergraduate GPA, resume, five years of experience at the management level, and three letters of recommendation. UH is ranked #192 in national universities by U.S. News.
#9 – Colorado State University
Online Master's in Tourism Management
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,000
Colorado State University offers online hospitality and tourism degrees to build the business acumen of its graduates as they prepare for leadership positions within the tourism industry. The curriculum also focuses on the development and integration of long-term sustainable tourism practices that reduce environmental impact. The CSU program offers a unique concentration area allowing students to specialize in ski resort tourism and management. Courses include communication and conflict management in tourism, financial management in tourism, strategic management for travel and tourism, and sustainable tourism development foundations. U.S. News and World Report ranks Colorado State University #124 in national universities for 2018.
#8 – San Diego State University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management
San Diego, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,894
Through its College of Extended Studies, San Diego State University provides an online master's in hospitality and tourism for seasoned hospitality and tourism personnel to fill the gap between middle management positions and upper-level management and top leadership careers. The program focuses on core business functions as relevant to the hospitality and tourism sector that graduates must have mastery of to adeptly carry out mission critical functions within a particular business or organization. The program consists of 17 months of online instruction as well as two one-week on-campus practicums focusing on team building and the final capstone experience. Classes include financial management, going green, leading in complex human systems, and theoretical foundations in leadership and management. U.S. News ranks SDSU #140 in national universities.
#7 – University of Central Florida
Online Master's in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Orlando, Florida
University of Central Florida's online master's in hospitality and tourism management is for working students.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,872
The University of Central Florida offers an online master's in hospitality and tourism for current industry professionals seeking additional education and training through online courses at the master's degree level. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism, business administration or a related discipline, and a desire to achieve upward career mobility. The UCF program focuses on business training within the H&T sector with an emphasis on real-world training and skill mastery needed to succeed on the job. Graduates often go on to careers as convention managers, hotel general managers, restaurant general managers, procurement directors, tourism managers, and more. U.S. News ranks UCF #171 in national universities.
#6 – Liberty University
Online Master's in Sport Management and Tourism
Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University offers online master's in management and tourism that focuses on the sports industry.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,723
Liberty University provides online hospitality and tourism degrees at the masters' level that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The program is designed to educate and prepare hospitality and tourism professionals for upper-level management positions through best practice instruction in business principles within the context of the tourism industry. The courses include current issues and theories for hospitality and tourism management, hospitality and tourism marketing strategy, sports management, and sport and event tourism planning impacts. Students enrolled in the program can choose from a thesis or non-thesis project where they complete an academic project rather than a thesis. U.S. News ranks Liberty #231 in national universities.
#5 – University of New Orleans
Online Master's in Hotel and Tourism Management
New Orleans, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,298
The University of New Orleans offers an online master's in hospitality and tourism for working professionals seeking a graduate education without foregoing personal and professional obligations. The 10-class program is condensed into 12-months disaggregated into five 8-week sessions. Students often start in January and finish in December of the same calendar year. Courses include change management for hospitality and tourism, hospitality and tourism finance and revenue management, and marketing applications for the hospitality and tourism industry. Within the twelve months, students have the opportunity to build applicable and transferrable skills needed to succeed in upper management positions. U.S. News and World Report ranks University of New Orleans #231 in national universities.
#4 – Louisiana State University
Online Master's in Hospitality and Casino Management
Shreveport, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,349
Louisiana State University provides one of the most unique online hospitality and tourism degrees in the country through its hospitality and casino management concentration. Students specifically interested in managing and leading gaming facilities and casinos will find the program especially worthwhile as the curriculum includes multiple courses dedicated to all facets of casino management. The program is also suitable for students seeking careers in hotel operations and management. Program curriculum focuses on business functions within the hotel and casino space with particular attention to casino and resort management, hospitality and casino marketing, and quantitative methods in business. The program is accredited by the AACSB and is ranked #114 in regional universities South by U.S. News.
#3 – University of North Texas
Online Master's in Hospitality Management
Denton, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,165
University of North Texas provides an online master's in hospitality and tourism for tourism and hospitality workers seeking a master's level education while maintaining outside obligations. In addition to careers in upper management, graduates also go on to careers in academia teaching hospitality and tourism courses at the collegiate level. Operated by the Toulouse Graduate School, admission requirements include three letters of recommendation, resume, and a professional personal statement. Courses include food safety, finance in hospitality and tourism, hospitality education and administration, nutrition and dining habits of consumers, and services marketing and management. U.S. News ranks University of North Texas #231 in national universities.
#2 – Midway University
Online Master's in Tourism and Event Management
Midway, Kentucky
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,870
Founded in 1847, Midway University offers a master's in hospitality and tourism online for today's learners seeking an advanced degree while continuing their current career. The tourism and event management degree is embedded within the larger MBA curriculum where students learn business fundamentals. The curriculum also focuses on the thriving Bourbon tourism in Kentucky. Courses include economic analysis for business decision-making, history and evolution of Bourbon, strategic management, and strategic marketing management. Midway University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. U.S. News and World Report ranks Midway University #89 in regional universities South.
#1 – University of Nevada
Online Master's in Hospitality Administration
Las Vegas, Nevada
University of Nevada's online master's in hospitality administration is the #1 most affordable program on our list.
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $5,776
The University of Nevada Las Vegas offers an online master's in hospitality and tourism for professionals seeking management opportunities in the gaming, hospitality, and tourism space. Located in Las Vegas, UNLV is specifically positioned to provide cutting curriculum and pedagogy as it relates to the H&T industry. The program is 30-credits divided into 10 3-credit courses that teach accounting and finance, marketing and public relations, human capital and resource management, and strategic planning. Online students also receive several student services including IT assistance, career advising, research opportunities, and association membership. U.S. News and World Report ranks UNLV #231 in national universities.
BMD Staff
June 2018