BACHELOR'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 5209

Hospitality Administration/Management: is this bachelor's degree worth it?

National picture across 145 reporting college programs.

10-year estimate · Negative payoff

−$143,662 over 10 years

National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.

With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.

23.3 yrsModeled economic break-even
−57%Modeled 10-year ROI
$55,790Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate it
A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Hospitality Administration/Management

How much do Hospitality Administration/Management bachelor's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $55,790 four years after completion across reportable bachelor's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $23,995. 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 $49,834 to $61,413 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.

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

What stays fixed$55,790 observed annual earnings · 4 years of study · $45,000 alternative annual earnings · ten-year horizonThe marked price is the average college-wide net-price context across reporting institutions. This is a sensitivity test, not a tuition quote or earnings forecast.
WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$55,790Median reported earnings · year 4
$51,860Average reported earnings · year 5
$23,995Median federal debt
36thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
86IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
141With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 22 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.

OPEN PROFILE

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 →
CURRENT VIEW

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$49,834National median$55,79075th percentile$61,413
141 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.

$61,41375th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs
$23,250Median federal debt across programs that report it
17Programs 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.

$75,118Observed year-4 earnings$51,833
$9,812Annual college-wide average net price$36,131
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.

100 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
1Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$112,289Federal debt$13,987Annual net price$28,690
2New York UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$84,375Federal debt$19,000Annual net price$37,050
3Boston UniversityBoston, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$82,302Federal debt$26,000Annual net price$24,402
4University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$77,757Federal debt$19,500Annual net price$41,431
5George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$75,683Federal debt$22,500Annual net price$36,586
6University of DenverDenver, CO · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$75,118Federal debt$21,923Annual net price$36,131
7Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$72,817Federal debt$25,680Annual net price$24,953
8DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$71,556Federal debt$16,375Annual net price$30,902
9Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusTeaneck, NJ · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$71,188Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$15,404
10Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusMadison, NJ · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$71,188Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$22,829
11University of DelawareNewark, DE · PublicYear-4 earnings$71,102Federal debt$22,850Annual net price$17,799
12University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,916Federal debt$24,385Annual net price$22,383
13San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,113Federal debt$17,749Annual net price$15,364
14Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,651Federal debt$22,625Annual net price$19,680
15Lasell UniversityNewton, MA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$68,693Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$27,511
16West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV · PublicYear-4 earnings$68,473Federal debt$26,000Annual net price$15,634
17Washington State UniversityPullman, WA · PublicYear-4 earnings$66,874Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$14,971
18University of New Hampshire-Main CampusDurham, NH · PublicYear-4 earnings$66,046Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$23,805
19University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineManchester, NH · PublicYear-4 earnings$66,046Federal debt$27,000Annual net price$10,864
20California State University, East BayHayward, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$65,655Federal debt$19,470Annual net price$9,320
21San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$65,510Federal debt$14,400Annual net price$12,278
22James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA · PublicYear-4 earnings$65,016Federal debt$22,250Annual net price$23,322
23York College of PennsylvaniaYork, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$64,754Federal debt$26,000Annual net price$18,556
24Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$64,526Federal debt$25,000Annual net price$36,708
25Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · PublicYear-4 earnings$64,315Federal debt$15,891Annual net price$14,967
Open the full program search →
WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Cornell University$112,2892New York University$84,3753Boston University$82,3024University of San Francisco$77,7575George Washington University$75,6836University of Denver$75,1187Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$72,8178DePaul University$71,5569Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus$71,18810Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus$71,188

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. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.

#CollegeLocationEarnings, year 4Federal debt10-year ROIVerdict
1Cornell UniversityBachelor's DegreeIthaca, NY$112,289$13,987+128%Strong payoff
2New York UniversityBachelor's DegreeNew York, NY$84,375$19,000+20%Positive payoff
3Boston UniversityBachelor's DegreeBoston, MA$82,302$26,000+34%Positive payoff
4University of San FranciscoBachelor's DegreeSan Francisco, CA$77,757$19,500-5%Negative payoff
5George Washington UniversityBachelor's DegreeWashington, DC$75,683$22,500-6%Negative payoff
6University of DenverBachelor's DegreeDenver, CO$75,118$21,923-7%Negative payoff
7Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's DegreeBlacksburg, VA$72,817$25,680-1%Negative payoff
8DePaul UniversityBachelor's DegreeChicago, IL$71,556$16,375-13%Negative payoff
9Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan CampusBachelor's DegreeTeaneck, NJ$71,188$25,000+8%Positive payoff
10Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusBachelor's DegreeMadison, NJ$71,188$25,000-3%Negative payoff
11University of DelawareBachelor's DegreeNewark, DE$71,102$22,850+4%Positive payoff
12University of Massachusetts-AmherstBachelor's DegreeAmherst, MA$70,916$24,385-4%Negative payoff
13San Diego State UniversityBachelor's DegreeSan Diego, CA$70,113$17,749+4%Positive payoff
14Michigan State UniversityBachelor's DegreeEast Lansing, MI$69,651$22,625-5%Negative payoff
15Lasell UniversityBachelor's DegreeNewton, MA$68,693$27,000-18%Negative payoff
16West Virginia UniversityBachelor's DegreeMorgantown, WV$68,473$26,000-3%Negative payoff
17Washington State UniversityBachelor's DegreePullman, WA$66,874$25,000-9%Negative payoff
18University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeDurham, NH$66,046$27,000-24%Negative payoff
19University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies OnlineBachelor's DegreeManchester, NH$66,046$27,000-6%Negative payoff
20California State University, East BayBachelor's DegreeHayward, CA$65,655$19,470-5%Negative payoff
21San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's DegreeSan Francisco, CA$65,510$14,400-10%Negative payoff
22James Madison UniversityBachelor's DegreeHarrisonburg, VA$65,016$22,250-27%Negative payoff
23York College of PennsylvaniaBachelor's DegreeYork, PA$64,754$26,000-22%Negative payoff
24Southern New Hampshire UniversityBachelor's DegreeManchester, NH$64,526$25,000-40%Negative payoff
25Arizona State University Campus ImmersionBachelor's DegreeTempe, AZ$64,315$15,891-19%Negative payoff
26College of CharlestonBachelor's DegreeCharleston, SC$64,154$23,448-25%Negative payoff
27Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh ValleyBachelor's DegreeCenter Valley, PA$63,798$24,500-26%Negative payoff
28Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksBachelor's DegreeReading, PA$63,798$24,500-32%Negative payoff
29Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeUniversity Park, PA$63,798$24,500-40%Negative payoff
30Auburn UniversityBachelor's DegreeAuburn, AL$63,419$24,500-34%Negative payoff
31Campbell UniversityBachelor's DegreeBuies Creek, NC$63,402$19,750-34%Negative payoff
32George Mason UniversityBachelor's DegreeFairfax, VA$62,727$24,722-30%Negative payoff
33Florida State UniversityBachelor's DegreeTallahassee, FL$62,673$18,864-22%Negative payoff
34Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's DegreeFort Collins, CO$62,556$20,500-34%Negative payoff
35University of Missouri-ColumbiaBachelor's DegreeColumbia, MO$61,441$23,250-37%Negative payoff
36National Louis UniversityBachelor's DegreeChicago, IL$61,413$28,491-29%Negative payoff
37Endicott CollegeBachelor's DegreeBeverly, MA$60,969$23,250-53%Negative payoff
38Temple UniversityBachelor's DegreePhiladelphia, PA$60,347$26,417-48%Negative payoff
39University of Hawaii at ManoaBachelor's DegreeHonolulu, HI$60,157$20,250-38%Negative payoff
40St. Joseph's University-New YorkBachelor's DegreeBrooklyn, NY$60,041$21,812-41%Negative payoff
41Florida Gulf Coast UniversityBachelor's DegreeFort Myers, FL$60,011$21,000-35%Negative payoff
42New York Institute of TechnologyBachelor's DegreeOld Westbury, NY$59,490$21,750-46%Negative payoff
43Georgia State UniversityBachelor's DegreeAtlanta, GA$59,089$20,750-42%Negative payoff
44East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's DegreeEast Stroudsburg, PA$58,882$26,905-45%Negative payoff
45Purdue University-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeWest Lafayette, IN$58,861$19,432-42%Negative payoff
46Northern Arizona UniversityBachelor's DegreeFlagstaff, AZ$58,857$20,046-41%Negative payoff
47The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's DegreeKnoxville, TN$58,854$22,500-46%Negative payoff
48University of Nevada-Las VegasBachelor's DegreeLas Vegas, NV$58,719$19,003-38%Negative payoff
49Northern Illinois UniversityBachelor's DegreeDekalb, IL$58,546$25,001-42%Negative payoff
50Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's DegreeAllendale, MI$58,413$26,000-45%Negative payoff
51Kansas State UniversityBachelor's DegreeManhattan, KS$58,282$25,000-48%Negative payoff
52Culinary Institute of AmericaBachelor's DegreeHyde Park, NY$58,165$26,778-59%Negative payoff
53California State University, Long BeachBachelor's DegreeLong Beach, CA$57,927$17,125-42%Negative payoff
54University of South FloridaBachelor's DegreeTampa, FL$57,695$23,656-42%Negative payoff
55Roosevelt UniversityBachelor's DegreeChicago, IL$57,617$23,916-52%Negative payoff
56Metropolitan State University of DenverBachelor's DegreeDenver, CO$57,312$20,500-49%Negative payoff
57University of North TexasBachelor's DegreeDenton, TX$57,255$23,070-49%Negative payoff
58Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's DegreeLubbock, TX$57,221$22,500-52%Negative payoff
59California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's DegreePomona, CA$57,114$15,000-46%Negative payoff
60University of South Carolina-ColumbiaBachelor's DegreeColumbia, SC$56,688$26,000-57%Negative payoff
61Florida International UniversityBachelor's DegreeMiami, FL$56,667$19,300-46%Negative payoff
62Virginia State UniversityBachelor's DegreePetersburg, VA$56,476Not available-53%Negative payoff
63University of Wisconsin-StoutBachelor's DegreeMenomonie, WI$56,451$25,225-54%Negative payoff
64Widener UniversityBachelor's DegreeChester, PA$56,345$23,250-60%Negative payoff
65Central Michigan UniversityBachelor's DegreeMount Pleasant, MI$56,314$29,000-55%Negative payoff
66Utah Valley UniversityBachelor's DegreeOrem, UT$56,252$23,250-45%Negative payoff
67Kent State University at AshtabulaBachelor's DegreeAshtabula, OH$56,143$25,112-51%Negative payoff
68Kent State University at KentBachelor's DegreeKent, OH$56,143$25,112-58%Negative payoff
69California State University, Monterey BayBachelor's DegreeSeaside, CA$55,856$11,000-54%Negative payoff
70The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's DegreeSan Antonio, TX$55,821$22,767-52%Negative payoff
71Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceBachelor's DegreeProvidence, RI$55,790$26,175-65%Negative payoff
72Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteBachelor's DegreeCharlotte, NC$55,790$26,175-63%Negative payoff
73Johnson & Wales University-OnlineBachelor's DegreeProvidence, RI$55,790$26,175-59%Negative payoff
74East Carolina UniversityBachelor's DegreeGreenville, NC$55,541$26,000-57%Negative payoff
75Iowa State UniversityBachelor's DegreeAmes, IA$55,491$20,998-59%Negative payoff
76University of Central FloridaBachelor's DegreeOrlando, FL$54,921$20,500-55%Negative payoff
77Florida Atlantic UniversityBachelor's DegreeBoca Raton, FL$54,635$23,032-55%Negative payoff
78Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's DegreeCollege Station, TX$54,251$19,500-65%Negative payoff
79Mercyhurst UniversityBachelor's DegreeErie, PA$53,812$26,000-66%Negative payoff
80Stockton UniversityBachelor's DegreeGalloway, NJ$53,796$20,197-67%Negative payoff
81Missouri State University-SpringfieldBachelor's DegreeSpringfield, MO$53,789$26,000-65%Negative payoff
82Indiana University-IndianapolisBachelor's DegreeIndianapolis, IN$53,784$24,947-61%Negative payoff
83University of Nebraska-LincolnBachelor's DegreeLincoln, NE$53,777$22,250-65%Negative payoff
84Indiana University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's DegreeIndiana, PA$53,551$27,000-65%Negative payoff
85Southeast Missouri State UniversityBachelor's DegreeCape Girardeau, MO$53,527$18,750-65%Negative payoff
86Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleBachelor's DegreeCarbondale, IL$53,392$27,000-64%Negative payoff
87University of HoustonBachelor's DegreeHouston, TX$53,344$21,423-65%Negative payoff
88The University of AlabamaBachelor's DegreeTuscaloosa, AL$53,180$25,000-70%Negative payoff
89State University of New York at PlattsburghBachelor's DegreePlattsburgh, NY$53,178$21,500-67%Negative payoff
90Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeColumbus, OH$53,039$26,000-68%Negative payoff
91University of Maryland Eastern ShoreBachelor's DegreePrincess Anne, MD$52,883$26,000-66%Negative payoff
92University of MemphisBachelor's DegreeMemphis, TN$52,627$29,000-67%Negative payoff
93University of KentuckyBachelor's DegreeLexington, KY$52,477$21,610-71%Negative payoff
94Central Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's DegreeNew Britain, CT$52,238$22,225-71%Negative payoff
95Eastern Michigan UniversityBachelor's DegreeYpsilanti, MI$51,874$22,500-72%Negative payoff
96Husson UniversityBachelor's DegreeBangor, ME$51,833$26,963-74%Negative payoff
97Rochester Institute of TechnologyBachelor's DegreeRochester, NY$51,363$26,689-80%Negative payoff
98North Dakota State University-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeFargo, ND$51,277Not available-74%Negative payoff
99Coastal Carolina UniversityBachelor's DegreeConway, SC$50,864$25,000-75%Negative payoff
100Western Kentucky UniversityBachelor's DegreeBowling Green, KY$50,712$24,883-74%Negative payoff

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.