30 Best Hospitality Management Degrees

Cornell University is a nationally ranked Ivy League school in New York and also hosts one of the best hospitality schools in the U.S., the School of Hotel Administration (SHA). Students and faculty in the SHA are Hotelies—those devoted to making a difference through “leadership, passion, and emotional intelligence” (SHA website).

Cornell’s SHA features a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration. This degree arms students with:

• solid management experience
• exposure to all aspects of hospitality
• the opportunity to study abroad
• the ability to tailor their program to their interests and future career goals

You have the opportunity to specialize in any of the following three concentrations:

• Finance accounting and real estate
• Hospitality leadership
• Services marketing and operations management

The BS in hotel administration includes 120 classroom credits. It also includes 800 hours of field work. The 21 core courses focus on:

• management in communications
• organizational behavior
• food and beverage
• marketing
• law
• finance
• real estate

You can also minor in real estate or choose one of the 70 minors Cornell offers.

Michigan State University is a nationally ranked Big Ten research school. It includes nearly 50,000 Spartan-dedicated scholars and researchers, reaching their academic and career goals. You can certainly be one of them by earning a bachelor of arts in hospitality business from MSU’s School of Hospitality Business. This program certainly stands out among others.

The BA in hospitality business is rigorous. The application process is competitive. That is why this program prepares you for the best hospitality management careers in the nation. You will take a combination of credits in:

• integrative studies
• hospitality business
• hospitality major field
• advanced electives

This is a total of 120 credits.

To add to your versatility and your resume, you will also complete two paid internships and have the opportunity to study abroad either for a few weeks or the entire semester. The students in this hospitality program come from 28 different countries, making it a diverse community. They all have at least one thing in common. They love people, business, and serving others.

From the historically rich, vibrant Amherst, you will find the University of Massachusetts. It is a nationally ranked flagship university that is featured as our #3 rating. 

UMass Amherst includes the Isenberg School of Management Hospitality and Tourism Management, one of the best hospitality schools out there. This top-ranked business school offers a bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management. It has been a gateway to student success for over 75 years!

Through this hospitality management program, you will learn how to be an effective leader through:

• coursework
• hands-on experience
• industry leaders
• international travel

The coursework encompasses management areas, such as lodging, food and beverage, customer experience, events, clubs, and revenue and data analytics (UMass website). Take advantage of experiential learning through events such as HTM Career Day and Marriott Meals.

UMass offers this program both on-campus and online. That is another benefit. UMass Amherst graduates are sought after for jobs! In fact, 95% of graduates have a job right after graduation from top employers such as:

• Marriott International
• Hillstone Restaurant Group
• Encore Boston Harbor
• Expedia
• Twitter

Virginia Tech’s motto is Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). This rings true in all their programs, but especially this ranking. First of all, it’s no surprise that the hospitality and tourism program at VT is ranked #5 in the nation! The bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management will prepare you for leadership careers globally in the tourism hospitality field.

The hospitality management program has a backbone in business. It features a well-rounded scope of courses in areas such as:

• event management
• franchising
• international business
• lodging operations

You will develop skills in:

• market analysis
• critical decision-making
• effective leadership
• communication

You can also choose to double major in another business area or real estate.

Because this program is globally focused, students are strongly encouraged to study abroad to gain an understanding of both the business and cultural aspects that other countries offer. You can go to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or Spain for a semester-long trip or participate in short-term trips to Korea or the Caribbean.

The University of Houston includes its own school for hospitality management. The Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management has over 50 years preparing students for successful hospitality careers. Hilton College is also known as the most diverse in the world. It has students from 54 different countries.

The BS in hotel and restaurant management has a well-rounded hospitality management program by combining:

• business courses
• social sciences
• hospitality marketing
• human resources
• communications

In addition to coursework, you will complete 1,000 hours of work experience. You will enjoy class trips, including international ones, and the many hospitality organizations offered.

You can also choose to minor in beverage management and marketing to give you expertise in the multi-billion dollar wine and beer industry. If you know you want to earn a master’s degree eventually, you can go ahead and check that off your list with the dual BS + MS program where you earn both degrees in just five years.

University of Central Florida is one of the best hospitality management colleges. UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management is ranked among the top five hospitality management programs in the world. It is also the nation’s largest program with over 3,000 students (Program brochure). Rosen College actually offers six academic degrees, but we are going to focus on the Bachelor of Science in hospitality management.

The BS in hospitality management encompasses all aspects of the industry, including finance, customer service, human resources, and marketing. You can personalize this program even more by adding one of the following career tracks:

• Golf and club management
• Lodging management
• Professional tennis management
• Theme park and attraction management

You are required to complete three paid internships. We see this as a huge perk because it allows you to become well-rounded in all types of hospitality settings. Graduates are highly prepared for management positions. More than 97% have full-time jobs by graduation. Graduates work all over the world. Some notable companies are:

• Delta Air Lines
• Hilton Hotel and Resorts
• SeaWorld Parks
• Walt Disney Co.

If you are a rebel and you know it, check out the University of Nevada Las Vegas and join the Rebels—“a culture that inspires people to take chances, seize opportunities, and find unconventional solutions to any challenge they care to tackle” (UNLV website).  The bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from UNLV is a top-ranked program that features a broad approach to hospitality all at an affordable cost.

In this program, you will take a myriad of courses, including:

• Human Resource Management
• Purchase and Cost Control
• Leadership

You can also choose a concentration in:

• Gaming management
• Meetings and events
• PGA golf management
• Restaurant management

To tailor your program further, you have 22 elective credits to choose from based on your personal interests.

The career possibilities from UNLV’s program are endless. Whether you want to work in tourism, food service, hotels, or casinos, you can get there with this degree. Check out these career opportunities where alumni are currently working.

New York University is one of the most esteemed research universities in the world. It is a leader in global education including campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai!  

NYU’s School of Professional Studies is among the best hospitality schools and features the bachelor degree in hotel and tourism management. The degree is a blend of liberal arts and industry-specific business courses to provide students for leadership in the hospitality field.

You will take 60 liberal arts core classes and 41 professional core credits in the areas of:

• hospitality finance
• sales and marketing
• food and beverage
• event planning

You can also choose a concentration in:

• event management
• hotel development
• marketing and revenue management
• organizations and operations
• tourism development

A huge benefit is that this hospitality management program is in the middle of vibrant New York City. You will gain hands-on experience in the bustling city along with exciting global opportunities. NYU is committed to a holistic approach to admissions. They currently do not require any test scores to apply. You can apply using the CommonApp.

Washington State University is known for life-changing research. WSU is a school of discovery and innovation with 11 National Academy members and 5 Grand Challenges.  It is no surprise that WSU’s School of Hospitality Business Management is in the top 5% of 170 similar programs throughout the country. It is described as a “go-to” institution for the hospitality industry. 

This well-rounded hospitality management program requires real-world experience. It includes at least 1,000 hours in a hospitality setting, international experiences, all guided by the top industry professionals. Through the bachelor of arts in hospitality business management, you be well prepared to become a leader in the following areas of the industry:

• Operations
• Revenues
• Sales
• Service
• Event planning
• Consulting

The school is so wide-spread, reaching students worldwide. They offer this degree program through their campuses at Everett, Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Switzerland, and their global campus.

Penn State is one of the top hospitality schools in the U.S. Penn State continues to offer diverse, robust programs that share the common goal of enriching the lives of others. Penn State’s bachelor of hospitality management program is as diverse as they come. It will help land you in any hospitality career that you choose!

This program prepares students for “management positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, casinos, convention centers, health care and corporate dining facilities, educational institutions, and other commercial and non-commercial settings” (Penn State website). There is truly no limit to what you can do with this degree.

You can choose to concentrate on restaurant, hotel, or institutional management. Along with general education requirements, you will take 54 core hospitality management credits that need to be taken in a certain sequence. You then take at least 19 elective credits that you can choose based on your interests. You can choose to minor in entrepreneurship and innovation for an additional 18 credit hours.

Temple University comes in at number 11 on our list of top hospitality schools. Studying hospitality management in Philadelphia, the 6^th largest city in the country, and “the best place to visit in the U.S.” has its perks. (U.S. News & World Report). Temple University’s bachelor of science in tourism and hospitality management is a well-rounded, diverse hospitality program right in the middle of the robust city of 5-star hotels and award-winning restaurants.

This program allows you to choose one of three concentrations:

• hospitality operations
• destination management
• event leadership

You will take courses like:

• Global Issues in Travel
• Tourism and Hospitality Sales
• Organization Management in Tourism and Hospitality

You will reinforce your knowledge through two internships and a Senior Professional Development Seminar.

You can also pursue the 4+1 program where you earn a bachelor’s and master’s in just five years. Temple University encourages students from all walks of life. Their application process is simple. The school looks at a variety of criteria including:

• past academic history
• application essay
• extracurricular activities
• optional standardized test scores
• letter of recommendation

MSU Denver is one of the top colleges for hospitality management. Join the community of nearly 20,000 Roadrunners from MSU Denver. Start your journey to a fulfilling career in hospitality management.  MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality stands out since it is the only U.S. program with a:

• “LEED Gold® hotel
• commercial conference space
• state-of-the-art beverage testing laboratory
• commercial restaurant
• working brewery all on campus (MSU website)

As the largest hospitality program in the region, you can choose from four bachelor of science programs:

• Hospitality leadership
• Hotel management
• Event and meeting management
• Brewery operations

While you can choose each of these stand-alone degrees, you can also adapt to meet your goals. For example, you could earn a bachelor’s in hospitality leadership with a concentration in food and beverage management, travel and tourism, or even outdoor recreation! The versatility is a huge perk here. The opportunities are vast.

You would think that with a diverse range of programs from one of the world’s best hospitality schools, the cost of tuition would be pretty high. Not so at MSU Denver. In fact, MSU Denver offers the lowest tuition rates of Colorado’s 4-year public institutions, another reason to check this one out.

A nationally ranked institution, Oklahoma State University is as good as it comes with quality, affordability, and diverse academics. With a rich tradition of preparing students for leadership in global hospitality, OSU’s Spears Business School features a bachelor’s in business administration in hospitality and tourism management.

As a business degree, your first two years will be spent taking core education and business courses such as Career Planning for Business Success and the Economics of Social Issues. Some courses include:

• Event Planning
• Hospitality Industry Financial Analysis
• Hospitality Industry Human Resource Management

In the summer before your final year, you will complete a 480-hour internship.

Students gain leadership through planning and presenting events such as the Distinguished Chef Series and the Wine Forum of Oklahoma. Ninety-four percent of graduates land a job within just three months of graduation. As a graduate, you can pursue any facet of the hospitality industry, including:

• event
• food and beverage
• lodging
• tourism management

The Best in the West! That’s how the U.S. News & World Report describes Cal Poly Pomona with multiple rankings, including:

• most innovative
• top performer in social mobility
• best undergraduate teaching
• top public school in the west

Through the Collins College of Hospitality Management, you can earn a bachelor of science in hospitality management. Through this program, you will obtain a solid base for working in the hospitality business and develop five essential skills, highlighted in the student learning outcomes:

• Hospitable service
• Technology literacy
• Analytical thinking
• Teamwork
• Leadership

Notable courses include Hotel/Resort Operations and Strategic Leadership in the Hospitality Environment, along with electives such as Beer and Culture and World Cuisine. A minimum of 800 hours of professional work experience and a senior project are required before graduating.

As a student at Cal Poly Pomona, you will have access to three state-of-the-art facilities that include:

• kitchen laboratories
• conference facilities
• food and wine education center

Since hospitality students manage the college’s restaurant at Kellogg Ranch, you will gain experience, serving lunch and dinner to the campus community and the public.

Did you know that George Washington Carver earned a master’s degree in agricultural science from Iowa State University? Many notable people start their education at ISU. With ten schools and 100 majors, you could, too. Through ISU, you can earn a bachelor of science in hospitality management, the only four-year hospitality program in Iowa!

In this hospitality management program, you will complete 123 credits in business management and super interesting courses, including:

• Casino Management
• Attractions and Amusement Park Administration
• Hospitality Law 

You will complete 800 hours of internship hours and 200 of those should be completed before the end of your first year, reinforcing knowledge right away.

You will have hands-on experience at the Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom. While most hospitality programs have learning laboratories, what sets this one apart is that it is the oldest student-run restaurant on a college campus in the nation! Through this program, you can also earn both a bachelor’s and master’s in five years.

Purdue University is ranked 6^th in the nation in innovation by U.S. News & World Report. Purdue offers an impressive hospitality program. Purdue’s School of HTM is one of the best in the nation. Two peer reviewed studies have ranked the bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management number one!

Purdue’s hospitality and tourism program stands out because of the myriad of opportunities. You will take courses, but you will also spend much time learning from experience. You will train in the school’s two restaurants, the John Purdue Room and the Boiler Bistro. You will complete two paid internships. One six-month paid internship could be at Shangri-La Hotel in China or another study abroad opportunity! 

You will also have access to three nationally recognized research centers. These include the:

• Avery Foodservice Research Laboratory
• Center for the Study of Lodging Operations
• Purdue Tourism & Hospitality Research Center

Career options are endless. You could pursue just about any facet of hospitality with this Purdue’s notable degree. Check out this student spotlight video to see if Purdue is a match for you. 

Boston University is the real deal in academics and research. BU has over 35,000 students and 300 programs that span through 17 schools and colleges. BU programs continuously rank high, and it’s no surprise. 

If you love to travel and experience new cultures, Boston University’s bachelor’s in hospitality administration is for you. Why? Because international travel is a required part of this program.

You can choose between one of four concentrations:

• hospitality marketing
• event management
• hospitality real estate development
• revenue management

This is a 128-credit hour program. You will take a combination of foundational courses and SHA core and elective courses. These include Hospitality Sales Management and Private Club Management.

In addition to two 400-hour work experiences, you will participate in the study abroad program. This is a super exciting opportunity! You have other program options. You can complete the dual degree, include hospitality management as a minor, or even take advantage of the 4+1 option where you complete both a bachelor’s and master’s in just five years.

George Washington University is located in our nation’s capital. It is home to more than 26,000 students from all 50 states, 130 countries, and from Washington D.C. GWU is also among the top hospitality schools in the U.S.

Through George Washington University School of Business, you can earn a unique bachelor of science in business with a concentration in sport, event, and hospitality management.

This BBA program allows you to obtain a solid business background and concentrate on one of three specific areas:

• sports management
• event management
• hospitality management

All three concentrations include five field courses, including:

• Introduction to Tourism and Hospitality Management
• Human Capital Sustainability
• three required track courses

You will apply theoretical learning to hands-on experience through practicums and internships.

Career opportunities from this program are endless. You could work for a professional sports organization like the NFL Players Association, the Washington Redskins, or Nike. Maybe you see yourself working for the Washington Convention and Tourism Corporation or Walt Disney, or what about the Smithsonian or the Marriott International?

FIU is Miami’s dynamic public research university. It ranks as both “most innovative” and a “top-50 national public university” by both U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly. FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism features a global-perspective bachelor of science in hospitality management that prepares students for leadership careers in hospitality settings such as:

• restaurants
• events
• hotels
• international travel

While most of the degrees from this article are offered on campus, this program can also be completed fully online. This hospitality degree is offered as a dual program in conjunction with Tianjin University of Commerce (TUC) in Tianjin, China and offers many study abroad experiences.

You will complete:

• 60 general education credits
• 32 credits of core hospitality requirements
• 18-30 hospitality electives
• an additional 18 optional hours in other areas like beverage management or travel and tourism
• 500 hospitality/tourism training and work experiences

The University of Texas is a fun, inclusive campus of more than 39,000 students. It is also ranked a Tier One research university by the Carnegie Classification. It boasts a plethora of other awards, including a top diversity school by the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education. Check out UNT’s bachelor of science in hospitality management and join the “Mean Green Family!”

In this program, you will take a combination of business and hospitality management core and elective courses, such as:

• Hospitality Industry Finance
• Restaurant Operations I and II
• Creating Consumer Experiences

Through the Club at Gateway Center, a student-operated restaurant, field seminars, and executive-in-resident program, you will “learn by doing” as you gain valuable practical experience.

UNT features guaranteed admission requirements, which is a perk. These requirements are dependent on past academic performances. You will also be reviewed holistically through:

• employment experience
• special abilities
• achievements
• public service
• extracurricular activities

Appalachian State University is a true academic gem nestled in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. The prestigious Walker College of Business is AACSB-accredited. It houses the bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in hospitality and tourism management.

App State’s BSBA in hospitality and tourism management emphasizes industry connections. It prepares students for management and marketing careers in hospitality fields. You will learn from professional, experienced faculty who have worked for notable:

• convention centers
• hotels
• airlines
• other organizations

Networking is a big part of this program. You will have opportunities to make professional connections from multiple industry leaders, attend national conferences, join student associations, and study abroad. The program includes a combination of business and hospitality and tourism courses, along with a global issues requirement. App State graduates are sought after. With this degree, you can choose from a host of hospitality careers.

From the coast of Long Beach, CA, you will find California State University. It is a powerhouse in public education. It is one of the best value schools with low tuition and high social mobility. The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a bachelor of science in hospitality management to equip students to excel as hospitality industry leaders.

In this hospitality management program, you will take courses such as:

• International Hospitality Development
• Exploring a Sustainable Food System
• Hotel and Restaurant Information Technology

In addition to 800 hours of work experience, you will also complete an internship, giving you a host of experience before you graduate.  You can also choose to minor in event planning and management, tailoring your degree even more.

Graduates of this program can work anywhere in the hospitality field, including:

• restaurant or hotel managers in corporate settings
• hospitality planners
• directors of nutrition programs
• food purchasers or brokers
• stadium or amusement park administrators

This program is proudly accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).

New Jersey’s largest private university is Fairleigh Dickinson University. Among other rankings, it is ranked one of the Best Regional Universities and the Top 50 in the North region by U.S. News & World Report. Here lies the International School of Hospitality and Tourism, established in 1942 and one of the oldest in the United States!

The International School of Hospitality and Tourism actually offers four different bachelor’s in hospitality management. For this article, we are focusing on the bachelor of science in luxury hospitality management. While this program combines liberal arts, business, and intensive hospitality courses, it most emphasizes hands-on experience.

This program will keep you moving! As a student, you will complete at least 1,200 hours of working experience through the Professional Development Series. This series includes visits to:

• major food markets
• ethnic neighborhood tours
• wine seminars
• internships
• workshops
• lectures
• international trips

When you’re not taking classes, taking seminars, or gaining practical experience in the field, you can join the Hospitality Society club and the Club Management Association of America to gain networking skills.

Florida State University is one of the top schools for hotel management. Straight from sunny Tallahassee is the home of the Seminoles. FSU was formally recognized as a Preeminent Research University. FSU’s Dedman School of Hospitality has been preparing students for leadership positions in the hospitality field since 1947. Here, you will find a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management that will help you land the hospitality job of your dreams.

You will take core classes such as: 

• Hospitality Financial Analysis
• Lodging and Luxury Hotel Management
• Hospitality Leadership and Ethics

You also have the opportunity to take courses in Switzerland through the Leysin, Switzerland international program. In addition to coursework, you will complete 1,000 hours in the hospitality field. Of these hours, 250 must be through an approved internship.

The work certainly pays off in this program because the graduate job placement rate is nearly 100%. However, admission is competitive and limited-access. Admission is based on space availability. Each year the Dedman School establishes a base GPA requirement. However, all applicants need to have completed at least 52 credit hours and earned at least a C in four prerequisite classes.

Northern Arizona University is located in the popular tourist destination of beautiful Flagstaff. NAU is home to nearly 31,000 students. It is also home to the beloved mascot, Louie the Lumberjack. Within NAU’s W.A. Franke College of Business is a bachelor of science in hotel and restaurant management, nationally recognized by the Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.

In addition to hotel and restaurant content knowledge, you will gain skills in:

• analysis/problem solving
• communications
• leadership
• diversity

Eighty units of courses will be taken in hospitality administration, business, concentration requirements, and two semesters of a foreign language, which will aid you in bilingual settings. You will complete 1200 hours of extensive work experience and have the opportunity to study abroad.

You can also choose from one of seven hospitality certificates to further tailor your career goals. While this program is offered on the Flagstaff campus, you can also take online classes. Graduates land jobs as:

• hotel
• restaurant
• club and spa managers
• entrepreneurship careers

Drexel University is one of the best schools for hospitality management. From one of the most historic and energetic cities in the world, Philadelphia is the home of Drexel University. This private university has been awarded “very high research activity” from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions (Drexel home website).

Drexel offers a bachelor of science in hospitality management with a minor in business that prepares students for careers in the following areas:

• Restaurant management and ownership
• Hotels rooms division management
• Casino operations
• Convention, special events, meeting planning and tourism agencies
• Cruise lines (the fastest-growing segment of the industry) (Drexel University Website)

Another defining quality is the co-op opportunity. This means that you can complete this degree in five years with three six-month educational experiences where you work with organizations such as AKA Hotel Residencies, Borgata Hotel Casino, Four Seasons Hotel, or Walt Disney World Co.

Because you will be just steps from Philadelphia’s 30^th Street Station, you will have access to some of the nation’s best restaurants and hotels, but also quick access to Washington DC, New York City, Boston, Baltimore, and overseas, with specific courses in Rome, Italy!

The University of Delaware is rich in history. It was founded in 1743 as a private school. It has evolved over the years into one of the nation’s leading research schools with a strong global impact. The bachelor of science in hospitality business management is a dynamic program to prepare you for exciting careers in the industry.

The HOSP program includes courses like: 

• Strategic Hospitality Management
• Property Engineering
• Managerial Accounting and Finance

You will learn in two on-campus hospitality labs: Vita Nova fine-dining restaurant and the nationally known Courtyard Newark. You could also study abroad in Switzerland or Italy!

You will be able to network through events like the Hospitality Career Fair and the Paul Wise Executive in Residence Speaker Series and meet students, alumni, and future employers. UD is known as a best value school and makes tuition as affordable as possible. Check out the tuition rates and financial assistance here.

The Ohio State University is a top choice among colleges with hospitality management programs. Ohio State University is home the Buckeyes. It is ranked No.1 in Ohio and #17 among all public universities (U.S. News and World Report 2020). With artisan restaurants, nationally known distilleries and casinos, Columbia, OH is one of the best places to earn your degree in hospitality.

The bachelor of science in hospitality management is designed to prepare you for management careers in the most exciting hospitality settings.

This program includes a broad curriculum that focuses on:

• business
• management
• hospitality
• service

Courses include Hospitality Marketing, Casino Operations, and Special Events Planning and Management. You will get involved in events such as the Big Dish, Hospitality Listens, internships, and a mentor program where you are connected with hospitality partners.

Here is what a past student said about OSU’s program, “The Hospitality Management program at The Ohio State University is built to give its students the best education. We are provided continuous hands-on experience through the university and positively pushed by our professors to put ourselves out there.” (OSU website). No matter what facet of hospitality you want to pursue, you can do so with OSU’s unique program.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is among the best colleges for hospitality management. It was founded in 1867. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best public universities, especially in ground-breaking research and innovation. From UIUC’s Department of Food Science and Food Nutrition, you can earn a bachelor of science in food science and nutrition with a hospitality management concentration.

If you are interested in food science and nutrition, this bachelor’s degree is for you. This program combines business management with social and biological sciences for a well-rounded, practical knowledge and skill base for future leaders in hospitality.

You will take 35 credit hours of hospitality courses, including: 

• Science of Food Preparation
• Strategic Operation Management
• Meat Production and Marketing

In addition to two internships, you will gain hands-on experience in the student-run restaurants, the Bevier Café and the Spicebox, along with sensory labs, the Pilot Processing Lab, and the Metabolic Kitchen. Graduates will be armed with knowledge and skills in:

• hospitality management
• the science of food nutrition
• food preparation 

This will help them gain employment as:

• restaurant or hotel managers
• event planning and catering
• other facets of the hospitality ndustry

San Diego State University is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego. SDSU provides vibrant, diverse, and global-perspective academic programs to over 36,000 students each year. A huge tourist destination, San Diego was ranked the No. 1 domestic destination by Money Magazine in 2016. The bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management is offered by the L. Robert Payne School.

This program includes emphasis options:

• Hotel management
• Restaurant management
• Meetings and events
• Tribal gaming

The first three concentrations are common ones, but the Tribal Gaming concentration allows you to focus on “cultural and political contexts; casino operations; legal and regulatory issues; marketing; and public relations in tribal gaming.” (Program website).

Through rigorous coursework, internships, seminars, and student organizations, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary for a vibrant hospitality career. You will complete 1,000 hours of work experience, beginning in your second year. You could also spend a semester studying abroad! Ninety-nine percent of Payne School graduates receive job offers right away.