Why This Matters
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41% OF MEETING, CONVENTION, AND EVENT PLANNERS HAVE BACHELOR’S DEGREES
Out of the hospitality workers that take on more advanced roles, such as meeting and event planning, 41% have bachelor’s degrees.
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THE U.S. NEEDS 10,800 MORE OF YOU BY 2029
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those working in hospitality and event planning can expect an above-average employment rate of 8% over the next ten years.
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EARN $51,560 PER YEAR WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Getting your bachelor’s degree in the food and hospitality sector is a great way to boost your earning potential. The average meeting and event planner earns a median yearly salary of $51,560.
Our Research
This list covers some of the best bachelor’s degree programs in hotel and restaurant management. Most of these programs award a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, although some offer a Bachelor of Arts instead. While the majority of these programs are offered online, some provide a hybrid format.
To guarantee that these programs provide a high-quality education, we only included regionally accredited schools. For instance, some of these programs have been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a peer-reviewed organization that examines the mission, integrity, and effectiveness of post-secondary education institutions in the central United States. Degrees and credits from regionally accredited institutions are generally more transferable and often required for professional credentials.
- 67 hours to write this article
- 75 universities and colleges we assessed
- 106 education programs we compared
The Top 50 Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree
Hospitality and tourism programs teach students how to serve customers across a variety of locations, including restaurants, hotels, spas, and tourist attractions. Hotel and restaurant management programs narrow this focus down to hotel and food service, and they pay greater attention to behind-the-scenes management tasks.
Students should look for institutions that are accredited by recognized national or regional organizations. Some popular accreditations include the HLC and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
Hospitality workers with a bachelor’s degree gain access to more advanced positions in event and convention planning. These occupations have a positive outlook — the employment rate is expected to increase by 8% over the next ten years.
Restaurant and food service managers can obtain licensing to help differentiate themselves in the job market. Many hotel managers get certified by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), and many food managers take the Food Safety Manager Certification Examination (FSMCE).
What’s Next?
Here are some questions to ask when researching online bachelor’s hotel and restaurant management programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? Many hotel and restaurant management programs at the bachelor’s degree level accept high school graduates from all backgrounds. However, some programs enforce a minimum grade point average (GPA) or expect candidates to have some work experience in the hospitality field.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? A bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management usually takes about four years to complete. However, many online programs give students the option of an accelerated format, which can take as little as two years.
While researching programs, keep track of any impending deadlines or materials you may need for your application. You can usually find this information online or by consulting the school’s admissions department. You should also consider how you plan to pay for your education. Potential sources of funding include scholarships, assistantships, and employee tuition benefits.