UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 5209

Hospitality Administration/Management: is this undergraduate certificate or diploma worth it?

National picture across 16 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$49,976 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$49,976Median year-4 earnings
$11,614Average institution net-price context
$17,715Median federal debt
Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →
A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Hospitality Administration/Management

How much do Hospitality Administration/Management undergraduate certificate or diploma graduates earn?

The national median is $49,976 four years after completion across reportable undergraduate certificate or diploma programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $17,715. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.

Does the college matter for Hospitality Administration/Management?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $34,757 to $53,566 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Hospitality Administration/Management?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 12 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$49,976Median reported earnings · year 4
$35,756Average reported earnings · year 5
$17,715Median federal debt
49thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
481IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
14With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 13 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

CURRENT VIEW

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings
$49,976
Federal debt
$17,715
Reporting programs
16
14 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$40,788
Federal debt
$17,450
Reporting programs
36
34 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$55,790
Federal debt
$23,995
Reporting programs
145
141 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$79,799
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
12
12 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)

Year-4 earnings
$53,606
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
1
1 report earnings →
COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median
25th percentile$34,757National median$49,97675th percentile$53,566
14 programs report year‑4 earnings.
DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$53,56675th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs
$16,930Median federal debt across programs that report it
1Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

All reporting colleges Lower-price, higher-earnings quadrantAxes trim the outer 5% for readability; outliers remain pinned to the chart edge. Price is institution-wide context, not exact program tuition.
Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →
Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

14 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
1Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$60,220Federal debt$18,500Annual net price$14,967
2University of IowaIowa City, IA · PublicYear-4 earnings$59,801Federal debt$26,642Annual net price$22,531
3Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · PublicYear-4 earnings$54,060Federal debt$23,018Annual net price$11,668
4Colorado Mountain CollegeGlenwood Springs, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$53,769Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$7,813
5Institute of Culinary EducationNew York, NY · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$53,566Federal debt$6,734Annual net priceNot available
6Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$51,008Federal debt$16,930Annual net price$14,158
7Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC · PublicYear-4 earnings$50,065Federal debt$21,679Annual net price$8,759
8University of Phoenix-ArizonaPhoenix, AZ · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$49,887Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,520
9Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$45,806Federal debt$15,494Annual net price$8,752
10Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$34,757Federal debt$19,010Annual net price$11,762
11Sinclair Community CollegeDayton, OH · PublicYear-4 earnings$33,791Federal debt$5,500Annual net price$5,992
12Albany Technical CollegeAlbany, GA · PublicYear-4 earnings$28,033Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$4,524
13NUC UniversityBayamon, PR · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$20,179Federal debt$5,500Annual net price$8,920
14Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO · PublicYear-4 earningsNot availableFederal debt$25,187Annual net price$17,613
Open the full program search →
WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Arizona State University Campus Immersion$60,2202University of Iowa$59,8013Indiana University-Indianapolis$54,0604Colorado Mountain College$53,7695Institute of Culinary Education$53,5666Northern Arizona University$51,0087Wake Technical Community College$50,0658University of Phoenix-Arizona$49,8879Florida Atlantic University$45,80610Tidewater Community College$34,757

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Food Service Managers$69,390 median wage238,430 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9051+5.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 38.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$45,960$107,640 10th–90th percentileLodging Managers$69,250 median wage42,620 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9081+3.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 5.5k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$40,070$128,880 10th–90th percentileManagers, All Other$141,900 median wage622,190 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9199+4.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 100.9k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$74,300$238,270 10th–90th percentileEntertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$79,520 median wage37,980 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9072+6.0% projected employment, 2025–35 · 5.1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$46,270$139,110 10th–90th percentilePersonal Service Managers, All Other$69,770 median wage10,450 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9179+6.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$44,910$118,710 10th–90th percentileFacilities Managers$106,660 median wage156,180 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-3013+4.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 14.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$64,480$176,120 10th–90th percentileBusiness Teachers, Postsecondary$99,080 median wage82,150 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1011+5.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 7.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$47,180$209,470 10th–90th percentileGambling Managers$93,220 median wage5,030 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9071+3.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$55,960$164,350 10th–90th percentileBusiness Operations Specialists, All Other$83,050 median wage1,087,090 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1199+3.9% projected employment, 2025–35 · 98.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$47,880$150,010 10th–90th percentileFirst-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers$63,820 median wage26,010 U.S. jobs · SOC 39-1013+3.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 2.6k annual openingsTypical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent$41,400$84,750 10th–90th percentileMeeting, Convention, and Event Planners$61,160 median wage142,860 U.S. jobs · SOC 13-1121+5.8% projected employment, 2025–35 · 16.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$36,830$101,700 10th–90th percentileTravel GuidesUnreported U.S. jobs · SOC 39-7012

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR HOSPITALITY ADMINISTRATION/MANAGEMENT

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#CollegeLocationEarnings, year 4Federal debtROI statusCost context
1Arizona State University Campus ImmersionUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaTempe, AZ$60,220$18,500WithheldBaseline needed$14,967
2University of IowaUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaIowa City, IA$59,801$26,642WithheldBaseline needed$22,531
3Indiana University-IndianapolisUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaIndianapolis, IN$54,060$23,018WithheldBaseline needed$11,668
4Colorado Mountain CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaGlenwood Springs, CO$53,769Not availableWithheldBaseline needed$7,813
5Institute of Culinary EducationUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaNew York, NY$53,566$6,734WithheldBaseline neededNot available
6Northern Arizona UniversityUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaFlagstaff, AZ$51,008$16,930WithheldBaseline needed$14,158
7Wake Technical Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaRaleigh, NC$50,065$21,679WithheldBaseline needed$8,759
8University of Phoenix-ArizonaUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaPhoenix, AZ$49,887Not availableWithheldBaseline needed$13,520
9Florida Atlantic UniversityUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaBoca Raton, FL$45,806$15,494WithheldBaseline needed$8,752
10Tidewater Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaNorfolk, VA$34,757$19,010WithheldBaseline needed$11,762
11Sinclair Community CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaDayton, OH$33,791$5,500WithheldBaseline needed$5,992
12Albany Technical CollegeUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaAlbany, GA$28,033Not availableWithheldBaseline needed$4,524
13NUC UniversityUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaBayamon, PR$20,179$5,500WithheldBaseline needed$8,920
14Missouri State University-SpringfieldUndergraduate Certificate or DiplomaSpringfield, MONot available$25,187WithheldBaseline needed$17,613
15University of Phoenix-NevadaUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma, $49,887Not availableWithheldBaseline neededNot available
16Career Technical InstituteUndergraduate Certificate or Diploma, Not available$7,917WithheldBaseline neededNot available

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.