Hospitality Management Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Management of hotels, restaurants, tourism, and event operations.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$72K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Hospitality Management Overview
Management of hotels, restaurants, tourism, and event operations.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
25%
Lifetime Premium
$400K
Female Graduates
55%
Hospitality Management Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$384,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($400,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Hospitality Management Salary Progression
Common Hospitality Management Careers
Hotel Manager
Restaurant Manager
Event Coordinator
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Hospitality Management
#1
Cornell
#2
University of Nevada Las Vegas
#3
Penn State
#4
University of Houston
#5
Florida International
Hospitality Management Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Hospitality Management Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for hospitality management programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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