30 Best Colleges for Hospitality and Tourism Management 2024

Best Colleges for Hospitality and Tourism Management

Choosing the right college for hospitality and tourism is important. Each of these Best Colleges for Hospitality and Tourism Management offers great programs and opportunities. Graduates have successful careers in many fields. High GPAs and good SAT/ACT scores are needed. Students also need strong essays and recommendation letters. These Best Colleges for Hospitality and Tourism Management help students become hotel managers, event planners, and tourism experts. Graduates earn good starting salaries. They work in top hotels, resorts, and tourism boards. The right college can set the path for a successful career in hospitality and tourism management. Here are the 40 best colleges for studying Hospitality and Tourism Management in 2024. Best Colleges for Hospitality and Tourism Management listing includes details like GPA requirements, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and salary information. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.

1) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in top hotels and resorts.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $55,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located in Las Vegas, with strong industry ties.

2) Cornell University

  • GPA: 3.9
  • Median SAT: 1480
  • Median ACT: 34
  • Acceptance Rate: 11%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in global hotel chains and management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $60,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Prestigious program with an extensive alumni network.

3) University of Central Florida (UCF)

  • GPA: 3.7
  • Median SAT: 1320
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 44%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tourism boards and event planning.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located near major theme parks and resorts.

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4) Michigan State University

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1300
  • Median ACT: 28
  • Acceptance Rate: 76%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel management and event planning.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on international hospitality management.

5) Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)

  • GPA: 3.7
  • Median SAT: 1320
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in luxury hotels and resorts.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $55,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Renowned faculty and strong industry partnerships.

6) Purdue University

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1300
  • Median ACT: 28
  • Acceptance Rate: 60%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tourism management and event planning.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong internship programs and industry connections.

7) Virginia Tech

  • GPA: 3.7
  • Median SAT: 1320
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel chains and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $55,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on real-world experience and internships.

8) University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst)

  • GPA: 3.7
  • Median SAT: 1320
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and resort management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program with hands-on learning opportunities.

9) University of Houston

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel management and tourism.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located in a major city with strong industry ties.

10) California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 55%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and restaurant management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong emphasis on practical experience and internships.

11) Florida International University (FIU)

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in tourism management and event planning.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located in a major tourist destination with industry ties.

12) University of South Carolina

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel management and tourism.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on hospitality and tourism research.

13) University of North Texas

  • GPA: 3.4
  • Median SAT: 1220
  • Median ACT: 25
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $52,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located in a major city with strong industry ties.

14) Temple University

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 60%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program with strong industry connections.

Best Colleges for Hospitality and Tourism Management

15) University of Delaware

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel chains and tourism boards.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on practical experience and internships.

16) University of Denver

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and resort management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located near major ski resorts and tourist destinations.

17) Boston University

  • GPA: 3.7
  • Median SAT: 1320
  • Median ACT: 29
  • Acceptance Rate: 19%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in luxury hotels and tourism boards.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $55,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Prestigious program with extensive industry connections.

18) University of San Francisco

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 65%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located in a major tourist city with industry ties.

19) New York University (NYU)

  • GPA: 3.8
  • Median SAT: 1400
  • Median ACT: 32
  • Acceptance Rate: 21%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, recommendation letters.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in global hotel chains and tourism boards.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $57,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on international hospitality management.

20) University of San Diego

  • GPA: 3.6
  • Median SAT: 1260
  • Median ACT: 27
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Requirements: High GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and resort management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $54,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located in a major tourist destination with industry ties.

21) San Diego State University

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 34%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel management and tourism.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on practical experience and internships.

22) University of Alabama

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 80%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong emphasis on hospitality and tourism research.

23) University of Kentucky

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 94%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel chains and tourism boards.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program with strong industry connections.

24) University of Tennessee, Knoxville

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and resort management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on practical experience and internships.

25) Oklahoma State University

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong emphasis on hospitality and tourism research.

26) Auburn University

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 81%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel chains and tourism boards.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program with strong industry connections.

27) Northern Arizona University

  • GPA: 3.4
  • Median SAT: 1220
  • Median ACT: 25
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and resort management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $52,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Located near major tourist destinations with industry ties.

28) California State University, Long Beach (CSU Long Beach)

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 39%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and event management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on practical experience and internships.

29) University of Arkansas

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 77%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel chains and tourism boards.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program with strong industry connections.

30) University of Missouri

  • GPA: 3.5
  • Median SAT: 1240
  • Median ACT: 26
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Requirements: High school diploma, SAT/ACT scores, essays.
  • Professional Outcomes: Graduates work in hotel and resort management.
  • Salary: The average starting salary is $53,000.
  • Academic Highlights: Strong focus on practical experience and internships.

Colleges with hospitality and tourism majors – Conclusion

Choosing the right college for hospitality and tourism management is very important. Each of these thirty Colleges with hospitality and tourism majors offers strong programs and excellent opportunities for students. High GPAs and good SAT/ACT scores are needed for admission. Students also need strong essays and recommendation letters to stand out. These colleges have strong industry connections, providing students real-world experience through internships and practical training. Graduates from these programs often secure jobs in top hotels, resorts, event planning companies, and tourism boards, setting the foundation for successful careers.

Graduates from these colleges have successful careers in various fields within the hospitality and tourism industry. They earn good starting salaries, with many finding positions in top hotels, resorts, event planning companies, and tourism boards. The industry connections and real-world experience provided by these programs are invaluable. Whether students want to manage luxury hotels, plan large-scale events, or work in tourism management, these colleges offer the education and opportunities needed to succeed. The right college can set students on a fulfilling and prosperous career in hospitality and tourism management.