Whether you’re already working in the hospitality industry, still thinking of what hospitality career to pursue or just upskilling, a hotel management degree can offer many skills and career opportunities that you can’t get anywhere else.
If you still need convincing about why you should be studying hotel management, then here are the top six benefits of a hotel management degree. We also included some of the best institutions where you can pursue your degree and scholarships to help make it more accessible.
Top 6 Benefits of a Hotel Management Degree
A total of 35% of current Hotel Managers in the United States (U.S.) reported having a bachelor’s degree, while only 17% reported having a high school diploma. This shows that a significant percentage of Hotel Managers have pursued higher education.
[Source: BLS]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.
If that alone doesn’t highlight the value of a hotel management degree, consider the other advantages below.
1. Various Career Options
Aside from being a Hotel Manager, there are many more things you can do with a hotel management degree. These can include managing restaurants, cruise lines and events.
You can even explore entrepreneurship by starting your own hospitality business, such as a small restaurant or a boutique hotel. With such flexibility in the hospitality industry, you can easily find jobs that best match your preferences, goals and lifestyle.
Below are some high-paying hospitality management positions you can aspire to pursue with your degree.
Did you know that 70% of jobs are not posted on job sites? Meanwhile, 80% of people get hired through connections, which only shows how important expanding your network is if you want to build a successful career.
With a hotel management degree, you’ll meet professionals who have the same interests and career prospects as you do. Even your classmates may be your future colleagues or partners, so you should maximize the opportunity to engage with them — either in class or at events.
Through the classes and even internships offered by your program, you will learn about the best practices in the hospitality and tourism industry. You’ll also exchange ideas with other young professionals, and learn from people who have invested years in the business and succeeded.
3. Relevant Skills and Experience
Getting a hotel management degree means acquiring many transferable skills that can be applied to different jobs.
These can include soft skills like problem-solving, leadership and communication skills. You can also develop hard skills like revenue management, recruiting, logistics and project management.
Both soft and hard skills will come in handy whether you choose to work in management, sales, food and beverage and the tourism sector, among others.
Another benefit of getting a hotel management degree, especially from reputable institutions, is having opportunities for internships. This is because many internships can’t be found in the job market.
Rather, companies go directly to these hospitality schools as they have confidence in the knowledge and work ethic of students from their trusted institutions.
These internships can expose you to different industries, such as event planning, travel and tourism, luxury management, sports and more — which can help you choose your focus moving forward.
4. Globally Accepted Qualifications and Travel Opportunities
Hotel management graduates from a school with a global and positive reputation are in for a treat. Given your internationally recognized qualifications, you can find employment opportunities in your favorite countries and satisfy your travel goals at the same time.
For example, being a Hotel Manager for a chain of hotels with different locations means more travel opportunities for you as they can assign you to any city, state or country where you can apply your skills.
Other exciting career choices that can let you see the world and appreciate diverse cultures include Cruise Ship Crew, Restaurant Consultant and Event Coordinator.
With your degree, you can be a competitive candidate regardless of where you choose to work. As it’s easier to get a foot in the door of many major hotel brands worldwide, you can build your career from up down on an international scale with ease.
By 2029, travel and tourism are expected to reach a market volume of more than $1 trillion market volume, where the hotel and accommodation sector has the largest market. In fact, one in nine jobs worldwide comes from the tourism and hospitality sectors. This global demand for skilled professionals can also make it easier to find opportunities worldwide.
With the right hotel management course and instructors, as well as enough training, you can travel and thrive in this continuously growing global industry.
5. Career Advancement and Attractive Pay
You might have landed a job in the hospitality industry without having to further your education. However, getting a hotel management degree can speed things up by making you qualified for positions that are above entry-level.
Add the fact that the hotel industry itself provides a quicker path for senior and above entry-level roles, according to a survey, and you’re on your way to higher-paying roles in the hospitality industry.
You can enjoy a competitive salary for various roles. For example, a Hotel Manager can earn an average of $76,790 per year, while a Hotel General Manager can earn an average of $93,384 per year.
If your degree has led you to the restaurant business instead, you can expect to earn an average of $69,540 per year as a Restaurant Manager or even $102,697 per year as a Director of Restaurant Operations.
Our Paycheck Calculator below will give you an idea of how much your take-home pay will be depending on your state and salary.
Paycheck Calculator
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
If your gross pay is $76,790.00 per year in the state of D.C., your net pay (or take home pay) will be $56,662.30 after tax deductions of 26.21% (or $20,127.70). Deductions include a total of [1] 12.58% (or $9,661.90) for the federal income tax, [2] 5.98% (or $4,591.36) for the state income tax, [3] 6.20% (or $4,760.98) for the social security tax and [4] 1.45% (or $1,113.46) for Medicare.
The Federal Income Tax is collected by the government and is consistent across all U.S. regions. In contrast, the State Income Tax is levied by the state of residence and work, leading to substantial variations. The Social Security Tax is used to fund Social Security, which benefits retirees, persons with disabilities and survivors of deceased workers. Medicare involves a federal payroll tax designated for the Medicare insurance program. As of 2022, Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not levy a state income tax.
6. Opportunity to Shape Your Management Style Early
A hotel management degree can also improve your creativity, requiring you to think outside the box and find innovative solutions to challenges. This can then help you define your management style.
Your experiences, personal strengths and team’s unique needs can shape your management style. With your degree, you can then learn how to respond to and navigate these challenges with confidence.
Whether you lean toward a collaborative approach, a hands-on style or a more strategic mindset, developing your own approach will help you lead effectively and inspire your team to achieve their best.
By getting a hotel management degree, you can familiarize yourself ahead of time with the many challenges hotels face daily and identify the kind of leader you want to be.
Moreover, you can promote collaboration, innovation and productivity within your team. You may also plan programs that promote work-life balance and help improve the hotel management industry.
More importantly, you can inspire change through sustainability efforts, charitable activities and responsible tourism.
Where To Get a Hotel Management Degree in the United States
Here are some of the best (and more affordable) colleges offering hospitality management programs. We included the program name, location and the estimated tuition fees for local (in-state) and non-local (out-of-state) students.
| Institution | Program Name | Location | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John’s University | Hospitality Management, BS | Queens, NY | $50,110 |
| Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management | Hospitality Management, BS | Miami, FL | • $18,964 (out-of-state) • $6,566 (in-state) |
| Purdue University – Main Campus | Hospitality and Tourism Management, BS | West Lafayette, IN | • $28,794 (out-of-state) • $9,992 (in-state) |
| Texas Tech University | Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management, BS | Lubbock, TX | • $24,092 (out-of-state) • $11,852 (in-state) |
| Florida State University | Hospitality & Tourism Management, BS and Minor in Hospitality Management | Tallahassee, FL | • $21,683 (out-of-state) • $6,517 (in-state) |
| California State University – Long Beach | Hospitality Management, BS | Long Beach, CA | • $17,200 (out-of-state) • $6,904 (in-state) |
| East Carolina University | Hospitality Management, BS | Greenville, NC | • $23,602 (out-of-state) • $7,325 (in-state) |
Hotel Management Scholarships in the United States
To help you get the best learning opportunities without breaking the bank, we also compiled hospitality education-specific scholarships for some of the institutions mentioned above.
| Institution | Scholarship Name | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Florida International University Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management | 1) Hospitality First Year Student Scholarship 2) Hospitality Graduate Scholarship | 1) $2,000 award for first-year hospitality students 2) $4,000 award for graduate hospitality students |
| Purdue University – Main Campus | 1) White Family Scholars Scholarship 2) Cecil B. Day Memorial Scholarship 3) IFMA Education Foundation Scholarship 4) Arthur J. Packard Scholarship 5) Statler Scholarship of Excellence | 1) Full tuition for one year 2) $7,000 award for two semesters 3) Financial support 4) $5,000, $3,000 or $2,000 award for the top 3 hospitality students 5) $25,000 for tuition fees and books |
| Texas Tech University | 1) HRM Undergraduate Scholarship 2) Lubbock Restaurant Association Scholarships | 1) Financial aid 2) Financial aid |
| Florida State University | 1) American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (Cecil B. Day) Scholarship 2) Bessie Morgan Marshall Scholarship 3) Dan Freire Internship Award in Hospitality 4) Davis Hospitality Administration Student Activity & Scholarship 5) And more | All: Financial aid |
| California State University – Long Beach | CHHS Scholarships | Financial aid |
Final Thoughts
Given the big demand for leaders in the hospitality sector, you can be a stand-out candidate with the knowledge you’ve gained from your degree. From discovering exciting hospitality career opportunities to setting your own leadership style, there are several reasons that you should study hotel management.
It’s a worthy investment that will help you grow personally and professionally. Start your hotel management education today to maximize these benefits and more.
FAQs About Getting a Hotel Management Degree
Admission requirements for hotel management programs can vary depending on the institution, but they typically include the following:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Minimum GPA depending on the institution
- Letter of recommendation
- Entrance examinations or interviews
- Application fees
Of course. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Hotel Managers can earn from $39,270 per year to as much as $127,090 per year.
A degree is not required to be a Hotel Manager. However, many hotels, especially larger establishments, tend to require a degree for their leaders.
Among applicants, those with a degree, even without work experience, are generally favored over those lacking both a degree and work experience.
It can also be easier to be a Hotel Manager if you have a degree. If you plan on not getting a degree, then you’d likely need more years of work experience before becoming a Hotel Manager.
