Most Affordable Online Master’s In Hospitality Management Degrees

A ranking of the most affordable online master's degrees in hospitality management. Programs ranked by affordability, flexibility, and academic quality.

Updated on May 8, 2023

Looking for advancement opportunities in your service career? One of the most affordable online master's in hospitality management can help.

Hospitality is a complex, competitive industry. How do you get ahead?

There are no shortcuts to success – but a master's degree in hospitality management can be a huge step in the right direction.

Many people who consider a graduate degree are held back by the intimidating cost of higher education. Luckily, there are degree programs out there to fit just about any budget. In this ranking, we feature the schools with the strongest combination of value, quality, and convenience.

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What kind of master's degree in hospitality management should you get?

On-campus programs are ideal for some students, but they're not practical for everyone. As a rule of thumb, online programs tend to be cheaper than on-campus alternatives.

Not only are these programs typically less expensive on a per-credit-hour basis, but you'll also save on commuting or moving costs. Additionally, you'll have a much easier time continuing to work full- or part-time while pursuing an online degree.

If budget is a top priority in your school search, be sure to visit our ranking of the Most Affordable Online Colleges for a Master's Degree.

How much money do people make with a master's degree in hospitality management?

You can find an entry-level position in the hospitality industry with just a bachelor's degree, or without any college education at all. But to maximize your earning potential, a master's degree is a must.

With an advanced degree, you can secure a job as a food service manager. This job title comes with a median pay of $52,030 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lodging managers have a median pay of $51,800 per year, while Administrative services managers have a yearly median pay of $94,020.

What can you do with a master's degree in hospitality management?

A master's degree in hospitality management can serve you well in a diverse range of settings and industries. It's one of the things that makes this degree so valuable.

After graduation, you may choose to:

  • Oversee a particular aspect of a major hotel chain, such as front desk management

  • Work in culinary management, quantity food production, or beverage management

  • Serve as a director or manager in a sports venue, conference center, or casino

  • Open your own restaurant or hotel

What are the requirements for a master's degree in hospitality management?

Many programs require applicants to submit scores for the GRE or MAT. If you're going to apply to such a school, put aside plenty of time to study and prepare for the exam.

Internships are the most common capstone experience for master's degrees in hospitality management. An internship requirement typically consists of a set number of clock-hours (more than 1,000, in many cases) spent working in a leadership role in a hospitality setting. Less commonly, a traditional master's thesis may be required.

Popular Online Programs

Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.

What are the most affordable online master's degrees in hospitality management?

Our rankings take into account not only the published tuition rates, but also the typical net cost of attendance – including average financial aid packages.

Of course, you wouldn't want to choose a graduate school that sacrifices academic quality for the sake of affordability. In light of that, we only include regionally accredited institutions with strong reputations for excellence in scholarship. We examine data from sources such as the National Center for Educational Statistics and U.S. News & World Report.

We wish you the best of luck on your school search!

Ranking

See our rankings methodology page.

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