Students that earn an online bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management prepare for a variety of career positions in the hospitality industry. There are several reasons that make this program the ideal option for students that want to work in management roles at hotels, restaurants, resorts, or other establishments.
Why Should I Earn a Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management?
Some schools list their restaurant management bachelor’s degree program as a separate degree from their online hotel management program, or the hospitality management program. Some colleges and universities offer multiple program options related to restaurant or hotel management.
Top 5 Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Carolina University | Greenville, North Carolina |
| 2 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida |
| 3 | University of the Potomac | Washington, D.C. |
| 4 | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, Texas |
| 5 | SUNY Delhi | Delhi, New York |
Another reason to earn a bachelor’s in hotel and restaurant management is the available career options. The University of the Potomac discusses the benefits of working in the industry, and lists career options such as lodging manager, meeting, convention or event planner, or food service manager. Other management positions, listed by the National Restaurant Association, include catering manager, dining room manager, general manager, maître d’hôtel, public relations manager, president or CEO.
The hospitality industry careers continue to grow, with the American Hotel & Lodging Association indicating that its ‘Hospitality is Working’ campaign serves to provide upward mobility and long-term careers, along with investing in the workforce of the industry. This is another benefit of earning a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hotel management.
This list of the best bachelor’s in restaurant and hotel management programs are all offered online, to allow for flexibility in completing coursework, and benefits those that simply prefer online learning. The listed tuition does not cover the cost of fees, supplies, books, or other costs.
Best 16 Online Bachelor’s in Hotel and Restaurant Management
East Carolina University
East Carolina University offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Leadership degree. Students choose their preferred concentration, including the Food and Beverage Management concentration, or the Lodging Management concentration option. Students complete coursework, an internship, and an externship during the program.
Students can complete both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree programs within five years.
- Admissions requirements: Apply to the school online and then to the program
School Overview
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida Online Bachelor of Science in Restaurant and Food Service Management program provides students with the knowledge and skills to serve in leadership roles in the food and beverage industry. Students learn the aspects of managing, operating, and owning a restaurant or food distribution company.
The school also offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management for students already working in the industry that want to work in lodging management or other areas of hospitality management. Students learn from renowned faculty and network with influential leaders. The program focuses on graduating top executives across the hospitality industry
- Admissions requirements: Speak with a success coach, submit an online application, and transcripts
School Overview
University of the Potomac
The University of the Potomac offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management degree that prepares graduates to work in managerial positions in hospitality, restaurant, and tourism management at hotels, restaurants, destination management organizations, resorts, or casinos. Students gain sound business skills, learn to develop business strategies, and learn the theories, principles, and processes of providing outstanding customer service.
The curriculum combines online coursework and field experiences.
- Admissions requirements: Apply online, attest to high school completion, submit any college transcripts, and military training documents
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
School Overview
Texas Tech University
Texas Tech University offers an Online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management degree. It is designed to put students on the fast track to earning their bachelor’s degree after completing an associate’s degree from an approved educational institution.
Students gain the practical management and leadership skills that are essential for success in a restaurant, hotel, and institutional management career. The strong business focus of the program attracts top employers and allows graduates to either start or advance their management careers.
- Admissions requirements: Submit an online application, and submit a transcript that demonstrates completion of Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Sciences or Hospitality Management from a community college
- Accreditation: SACSCOC, Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)
School Overview
SUNY Delhi
The online SUNY Delhi Bachelor of Business Administration in Hotel and Restaurant Management provides students with the expertise to work in management positions in premier hotels, restaurants, and resorts. Students complete courses such as Hotel and Resort Operations, Hospitality Financial Management, and Advanced Human Resource Management. Students have the opportunity to work for college credit at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida through the Walt Disney College Program.
- Admissions requirements: Provide proof of completion of an associate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.0
School Overview
Granite State College
Granite State College offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Management program with a Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Concentration. The program provides students with the business management knowledge and skills needed for individuals working in hotel and restaurant management. Students also learn communications skills, leadership skills, team-building, and multi-tasking skills.
Active-duty military members receive a tuition discount.
- Admissions requirements: Submit copies of high school diploma or GED, along with transcripts or life-long learning such as military experience, volunteer work, or employment
School Overview
University of Wisconsin Stout
The University of Wisconsin Stout offers an online Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management that partners students with industry leaders looking to hire graduates. The curriculum provides students with the professional skills, communications skills, and critical thinking skills required for success in the industry. Students learn how to analyze major trends and leadership practices, and to develop and enforce operating procedures to maximize sales and profits while acting in an ethical manner.
Resident and non-resident students pay the same tuition, and there are no extra technology fees.
- Admissions requirements: Submit the application along with the high school or college transcripts and SAT or ACT scores if applicable
School Overview
University of Alabama
The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management Online program offered by the University of Alabama prepares students for leadership roles within the hospitality industry. The 120-credit hour program consists of online coursework and an internship or practicum that students may complete at any of the school’s approved hospitality organizations around the world.
Sample required courses include Introduction to Hotel, Restaurant, & Hospitality Management, Lodging Operations and Management, Management of Food and Beverage Operations, and Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry.
- Admissions requirements: Submit an application online, along with high school transcript or college transcripts
School Overview
Sullivan University
Sullivan University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program that students complete in either 48 months or in an accelerated program of 36 months of study. Students learn the knowledge and skills that are required to succeed in restaurant and hotel management in facilities of all sizes, from the small restaurant or hotel, to large restaurants and international hotel chains. Students take courses in topics such as hospitality management, international travel and tourism, financial management, and business law and ethics.
- Admissions requirements: Submit online application with copies of transcripts and supporting materials
School Overview
California State University State East Bay
The California State University (Cal State) East Bay online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism program is offered for students that need the flexibility of online studies. The program prepares students to work in management positions in restaurant and food service management, lodging management, event planning & management, and other areas in the hospitality and tourism industry. Students choose from the Food and Beverage concentration, Lodging, Resort, Club management concentration, or Event Planning and Management concentration.
Students learn management skills, effective leadership and teamwork strategies, communications skills, and how to address challenges in the lodging, food service, travel, and event management industries.
School Overview
University of South Carolina Beaufort – Palmetto College
The online Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management at USCB provides students with strong skills to work in management and leadership roles in lodging or food service establishments, resort operations, conference centers and convention arenas, and other facilities.
Students take courses such as Hotel Management, Hotel, Restaurant, and Travel Law, Restaurant Food Production Management, and Hospitality Financial Management.
- Admissions requirements: Submit online application, select Palmetto College, and then Hospitality Management
School Overview
Northern Arizona University
The Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management program at Northern Arizona University provides students with a solid liberal arts foundation. Students complete two semesters of a modern language to be more effective when working in bi-lingual environments, and to appreciate diversity. Students also complete a supervised internship.
Working 1,200 hours in hospitality establishments provides students with on-the-job experience, with the opportunity to build their resume, and to apply their coursework knowledge to real-world experiences. Students have the opportunity to study abroad, and to join one of several student clubs for enhanced professional development and recruiting opportunities.
- Admissions requirements: Apply online, submit any transcripts or credit for life learning if applicable
School Overview
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson & Wales University offers several online bachelor’s degree options for students that are interested in entering the restaurant and hotel management industries. The Bachelor of Science in Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship program, the Bachelor of Science in Food Service Compliance Management, and the Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Resort Management program are a few options. Some students choose the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program.
The programs are 100 percent online, with 97.7 percent career outcomes rate.
- Admissions requirements: Submit online application, transcripts, resume, any life experience or transfer credits for credit consideration
School Overview
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst offers an online Bachelor of Science degree program in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The program provides instruction in topics that include food and beverage management, lodging operations, revenue management, human resource management, and hospitality law.
The program is offered as a degree completion program.
- Admissions requirements: Submit online application along with proof of minimum of 27 transferable credits
School Overview
Lakeland University
The Lakeland University students that have graduated from the Hospitality Management program have gone on to work in fast-paced careers in hotels, restaurants, on cruise ships and other exciting locations. The bachelor’s degree program falls under the umbrella of the school’s business degree, allowing for considerable flexibility for students to personalize their program.
The curriculum focuses on areas such as responsible and effective workplace behavior skills and traits, the major concepts in the areas important to hotel and restaurant management such as leadership, management, and management information systems. Students also learn to evaluate a variety of outcomes to issues in hospitality operations.
- Admissions requirements: Submit copy of high school diploma or college transcripts with online application
School Overview
East Coast Polytechnic Institute
The East Coast Polytechnic Institute (ECPI) online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Hospitality Management program provides students with a well-balanced curriculum that prepares graduates for a successful career in settings such as restaurants, hotels, or resorts. Sample courses include Supervision for Food Service, Facility Management, Advanced Hospitality Customer Service, Front of House Management, and Technology Optimization.
- Admissions requirements: Speak with academic adviser, submit online application with supporting documents
School Overview
Methodology
We searched for the best online bachelor’s in restaurant and hotel management programs, and ranked the top programs, in ascending order based on tuition, along with the program being accredited, and offering an easy admissions process.
Please contact us if you would like to be included in our rankings, or if you need to update the information for your school.
If you need help selecting the right online college or university, we can help you, based on the program that you select.
