Online Master's Degree in Hospitality Management (MHM) - Best of 2024

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Why Earn a Master’s in Hospitality Management (HM)?

Working to achieve a Master’s in Hospitality Management, either online or in flexible weekend/evening courses, is one of the best ways to ensure that your career in the hospitality industry or tourism industry continues to grow and develop. Employers value higher education more and more these days, so you might even find that your employer offers tuition reimbursement if you keep your grades up. Thus, if you are working in tourism and hospitality or hospitality business management and are eager to build on your education, you will be well-served by completing an online master’s in hospitality management program and you'll soon be able to rise into upper management. Hospitality professionals who are returning to a university as students in graduate hospitality management programs may focus on tourism and hospitality, international hospitality management, hospitality business management, lodging, and more.

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PROS

There are many positive aspects of earning a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management. The chief benefit is that you will attain the knowledge and skill to do your current job even better. Your improved performance, plus the degree itself, will soon lead to a higher salary, more calls from recruiters, and promotions up the corporate ladder.

When you enroll in an online or in-person hospitality management degree program, you will essentially declare a dedication to your career in the hospitality industry. The resulting mastery of your field thus solidifies your personal investment, making hospitality your life's work. That sort of dedication is always rewarded, and you'll see your salary rise far beyond those who have completed only undergraduate hospitality management programs.

A master's also opens new opportunities. If you work in a large hotel chain, for instance, you could move into upper management or into their international hospitality management team. Then, once you put the degree on your resume, you'll find that you start receiving more offers for job interviews and interest from recruiters. A master's will often make you a hot item on the employment market.

CONS

Though there are many upsides to a master's hospitality management degree, there are also negatives. If, for instance, you pursue an online master's without a true drive and devotion to the hospitality industry or tourism industry, all of the expense and hard work might not be worthwhile. Perhaps you could choose a different degree, or a different field altogether.

Master's programs are also a huge commitment. If you are working full-time in the real world, your studies will add another 15-20 hours to your workweek for at least a year. Then, if you need to work overtime, the stress could become intense. And, if you are attending online and stretch out your courses, you could be in school off and on for four more years.

Finally, a master's degree is not a guarantee. While it may seem true that most graduate degree holders experience an increase in pay and receive promotions, that doesn't always happen. If it doesn't happen, then you are saddled with debt and a lot of lost time.

Before you enroll as a student in a graduate hospitality management program, be certain that you want the knowledge and education for its own sake and make sure you do some research on the income of graduates with master’s degrees in your field and region.

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Top 25 Best Online Masters in Hospitality Management

Purdue University

Score: 90.96

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,718
- Out-of-State: $28,520
Net Price: $12,576
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 83%
Total Enrollment: 51,528
Undergrad Students: 38,593
Graduate Students: 12,935
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

New York University

Score: 87.16

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $38,826
- Out-of-State: $38,826
Net Price: $29,499
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 95%

Graduation Rate: 87%
Total Enrollment: 59,144
Undergrad Students: 29,401
Graduate Students: 29,743
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

San Diego State University

Score: 86.85

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State: $16,680
Net Price: $13,017
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 37,402
Undergrad Students: 32,194
Graduate Students: 5,208
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

University of Central Florida

Score: 80.51

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,916
- Out-of-State: $25,759
Net Price: $13,108
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 68,346
Undergrad Students: 58,662
Graduate Students: 9,684
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 29:1

Florida International University

Score: 80.29

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,119
- Out-of-State: $21,600
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Arizona State University

Score: 78.33

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,376
- Out-of-State: $25,722
Net Price: $14,808
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 80,065
Undergrad Students: 65,492
Graduate Students: 14,573
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Auburn University

Score: 78.26

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,692
- Out-of-State: $32,076
Net Price: $25,271
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 81%
Total Enrollment: 31,764
Undergrad Students: 25,379
Graduate Students: 6,385
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

University of Houston

Score: 78.1

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,723
- Out-of-State: $18,083
Net Price: $14,056
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 63%
Total Enrollment: 46,700
Undergrad Students: 37,943
Graduate Students: 8,757
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 77.47

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,159
- Out-of-State: $27,361
Net Price: $16,926
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 33,403
Undergrad Students: 25,777
Graduate Students: 7,626
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Score: 75.98

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,374
- Out-of-State: $29,760
Net Price: $22,427
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 35,653
Undergrad Students: 27,343
Graduate Students: 8,310
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Texas Tech University

Score: 75.92

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,956
- Out-of-State: $15,356
Net Price: $17,896
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 64%
Total Enrollment: 40,378
Undergrad Students: 32,579
Graduate Students: 7,799
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

Temple University

Score: 75.81

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,042
- Out-of-State: $27,555
Net Price: $23,935
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 33,196
Undergrad Students: 24,106
Graduate Students: 9,090
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Kansas State University

Score: 74.93

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,808
- Out-of-State: $24,169
Net Price: $18,855
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 19,722
Undergrad Students: 15,046
Graduate Students: 4,676
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

East Carolina University

Score: 74.85

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,749
- Out-of-State: $17,898
Net Price: $14,410
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 65%
Total Enrollment: 27,151
Undergrad Students: 21,688
Graduate Students: 5,463
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

California State University-East Bay

Score: 74.67

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State: $16,680
Net Price: $11,464
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 13,673
Undergrad Students: 10,796
Graduate Students: 2,877
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

The University of Alabama

Score: 74.29

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,100
- Out-of-State: $32,400
Net Price: $20,592
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Retention Rate: 87%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 38,644
Undergrad Students: 32,458
Graduate Students: 6,186
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

University of Kentucky

Score: 74.25

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,967
- Out-of-State: $34,096
Net Price: $18,693
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 31,547
Undergrad Students: 22,735
Graduate Students: 8,812
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of North Texas

Score: 71.65

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,160
- Out-of-State: $14,720
Net Price: $15,283
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 44,767
Undergrad Students: 33,023
Graduate Students: 11,744
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Score: 71.5

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,119
- Out-of-State: $23,075
Net Price: $13,159
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 30,660
Undergrad Students: 25,365
Graduate Students: 5,295
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of New Orleans

Score: 68.24

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,090
- Out-of-State: $10,660
Net Price: $11,508
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 7,111
Undergrad Students: 5,804
Graduate Students: 1,307
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

Missouri State University-Springfield

Score: 68.15

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,264
- Out-of-State: $12,492
Net Price: $17,677
Acceptance Rate: 93%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 22,535
Undergrad Students: 18,419
Graduate Students: 4,116
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Roosevelt University

Score: 65.11

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,764
- Out-of-State: $22,764
Net Price: $22,117
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 60%

Graduation Rate: 43%
Total Enrollment: 3,725
Undergrad Students: 2,413
Graduate Students: 1,312
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Lasell University

Score: 64.74

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,682
- Out-of-State: $11,682
Net Price: $29,706
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 61%
Total Enrollment: 1,591
Undergrad Students: 1,247
Graduate Students: 344
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Johnson & Wales University-Providence

Score: 62.49

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,156
- Out-of-State: $15,156
Net Price: $32,801
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 4,566
Undergrad Students: 4,158
Graduate Students: 408
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Atlantis University

Score: 57.87

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,764
- Out-of-State: $10,764
Net Price: $16,108
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 59%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 850
Undergrad Students: 443
Graduate Students: 407
Grads Salary: $40,900
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

Overview of a Master's in Hospitality Management

What Hospitality Management Master’s Degrees are Available?

Master of Science in Hospitality Management
An MS degree in Hospitality Management will focus more exclusively on the quantitative analysis involved in the field. That is, you might focus more on how to account for inventory and employment data. However, you should also learn about subjects such as strategic management, financial management and risk management, financial analysis, human resources, organizational behavior, and other skills as they apply to the hospitality and tourism industry - maybe even hospitality business law.
Master of Arts in Hospitality Management
An MA in Hospitality Management will have a slightly different program format and aim to provide a more well-rounded approach to the field. That is, your courses may cover softer topics such as leadership or theories of management, but you'll still cover things like inventory control and accounting. This degree can prepare you for management positions now or in the future.
Master of Management in Hospitality
If you wish to focus exclusively on management and are less interested in topics like accounting or marketing, this could be the degree for you. If you graduated with a liberal arts degree in college, this may be the perfect choice.
Master of Business Administration – Hospitality
An MBA program that offers a focus on Hospitality Management provides a comprehensive core business curriculum with an industry-centered focus on Hospitality. You will likely need relevant professional experience to get started, but an MBA of this sort is a great move if you aspire to the C-suites. You'll learn all sorts of knowledge pertaining to hospitality and tourism management, while also learning to apply leadership skills to upper-level management positions in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Online Admission Requirements

If you want a master's degree in hospitality management or hospitality and tourism management, you will first have to be admitted to a program. Thus, you should have a strong academic background and strong experience in the field. Even online master's degrees sometimes require that you have experience in the field, and nearly all online degrees require the same tests and previous education as traditional programs. Depending on your intended program, you may need to have certain courses on your transcript, if not specific degrees. For instance, an MS or MBA may require that you have particular quantitative skills in, say, accounting.

Even if you aren't required to have business courses on your transcripts, you will likely need to show practical experience in the field and a strong GPA, too. All graduate programs want to see a solid history of academic achievement.

How long does it take to earn an Online Master’s in Hospitality Management?

You can earn a master's degree in hospitality management or hospitality and tourism management in as little as a single year if you focus nearly solely on your online education. Such accelerated programs are a great help if you can dedicate yourself to academics for a solid 12-month stint. On the other hand, there are online and traditional programs that take up to two years.

While it is recommended that you work hard on a full-time schedule so that you complete your degree in a timely fashion, not everyone is able to do this. Thus, when you make the decision to apply for a graduate program, create a workable schedule of courses that you can complete in no more than three years. Make sure you adhere to your timetable. After all, this degree will help steer the course of your life.

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Potential Careers in Hospitality Management with a Master’s Degree

Meeting, Convention, or Event Management and Planning
Larger conventions and events need someone with the background to handle hundreds of moving parts with aplomb. Your hospitality management skills and business knowledge will help you pull off major logistical challenges with no worries. Professionals in this field earn a median salary of $57,800 and soon you'll be able to command that and more.
Food Service Management
From a small diner to large-scale banquet operations, food service needs skilled hospitality management. Your master's degree will put you at the top of the field. If you have a culinary degree, you could work as an executive chef in a five-star hotel or maybe you can climb into upper hospitality management and oversee regional food service operations for a chain of restaurants or hotels. Professionals in this field earn a median salary of $46,500.
General Manager, Hotel
If you are working in a large hotel with hundreds of rooms, you'll be happy that your master's degree in Hospitality Management or hospitality and tourism management prepared you to keep the operation running smooth. After all, you'll need to be prepared to oversee housekeeping, marketing, bookings, and every other aspect of a hotel. Professionals in this field earn a median salary of $57,100.
Sales Management
Your graduate degree in Hospitality Management will prepare you to oversee a department that sells products such as resort packages, brokers conventions, and contracts hospitality packages for corporate executives. When your team meets your sales projections, you may even receive a bonus. In the meantime, executives in this field earn a median salary of $61,300.
Marketing Management
You'll need to hone your creative an analytical skill for this position, and that's what your graduate degree is for. Your duties will include studying market data, conceiving new marketing strategies, and launching new marketing campaigns. You might also conduct market research studies to determine what contemporary customers need the most. Your hard work will help guide the future of the company. Degrees in marketing are the most commonly earned for those in marketing positions, but a minor or certificate in hospitality management or hospitality and tourism management can help you succeed in marketing in the hospitality and tourism industries. Professionals with this job description earn a median salary of $65,900.

Options to Advance

If you are working in the hospitality industry, one of the best ways to take your career to the next level is by earning a higher degree, as we've discussed with online master's degrees. Thus, if you are just starting out in the industry, you should first ensure that you have a hospitality management bachelor's degree. Then, after you have approximately five years of experience under you belt, you should consider a graduate degree.

With a graduate degree, you can take your career past being a kitchen manager or overseeing a single department in a hotel. You'll could find yourself advanced into upper management of your current location, if not becoming a regional supervisor. One day you might even rise into the C-suites. You will certainly need a graduate degree if you wish to rise that high.

Best Online Masters in Hospitality Management Degrees for 2024