Why This Matters

  • 72% OF LODGING MANAGERS HAVE BACHELOR’S DEGREES

    O*NET reports that almost three-fourths of hotel and lodging managers have bachelor’s degrees. This means that completing your associate degree will likely be a required step to be competitive in the job market.

  • 15,200 MEETING AND EVENT PLANNING MANAGERS NEEDED

    The demand for hospitality managers with meeting, convention, and event planning experience is rising much faster than the average for all occupations, with 15,200 new jobs expected through 2029.

  • EARN $50,000 WITH A HOSPITALITY MANAGER DEGREE

    After earning an associate degree in hospitality management, you can potentially earn $50,000 or more for jobs such as general hotel manager, event planner, and food service leader, depending on where you live and how much experience you have.

Our Research

This list focuses on two-year associate degrees in hospitality management. Most programs offer an Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration or Hospitality Management, but in some programs, you can earn an Associate of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management. All of the programs on this list can be completed online, but some are also available in a hybrid format.

While there is no specific accreditation for hospitality management programs, all ranked degree plans are available at regionally accredited schools. That means they meet high quality standards for rigorous coursework and are generally transferable to other regionally accredited institutions. Many programs are accredited and recognized through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

  • 51 hours to write this article
  • 120 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 144 education programs we compared

The Top 50 Online Associate in Hospitality Management Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree

The hospitality industry includes a wide range of fields, including travel, tourism, event and meeting planning, gaming management, food and beverage services, and hotel and resort lodging. Projected growth and salary potential for each specialty area varies. For example, there is little expected growth in lodging management positions in the United States through 2029.

Demand for professionally planned meetings is expected to remain steady as companies and organizations continue to host events regularly. Projected job growth for meeting, convention, and event planners is expected to grow by 8% from 2019 to 2029.

Hospitality managers with degrees and certifications in meeting and event planning, tourism, and food and beverage service should have the best job opportunities. Job seekers with virtual meeting software and social media experience will have a competitive advantage.

Many large hospitality companies provide their own career training and professional development programs for employees. Although there are no required licenses or certifications for hospitality managers, there are industry-specific credentials you can earn, including the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification from the Events Industry Council.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching online associate in hospitality management programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Many hospitality management associate degree programs are available at community colleges, trade schools, and online universities and accept students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most programs require a high school diploma or equivalency.
  • How long does it take to complete this online degree? Most associate degree programs take two years to complete and include 35 to 90 credit hours of coursework, which includes general education courses and degree-specific classes.

As you research online hospitality management degree programs, review each school’s admission requirements and application deadlines. Learn about the different scholarships, grants, and federal loans that are available to help you finance your associate degree education.

Contact the school’s admissions office for specific questions about the hospitality management program, and make sure to track all your correspondence for future reference.