Top 30 Accredited Online Degrees in Travel and Tourism

If managing the hustle and bustle of events such as concerts and sporting events sounds exciting, then getting your travel and tourism degree may be the answer to ultimate career bliss.

Accredited Online Colleges For Travel And Tourism

Select the perfect program from our list of the best degrees in travel and tourism! This is the first step to a financially rewarding and fun career. You will actually look forward to waking up and going to work each morning!

You read that right – a managerial career in hospitality and tourism can pay off in more than a high-energy atmosphere. In this career, you can earn a large income, too!

What Will You Learn With a Hospitality and Tourism Degree?

Think it would be a piece of cake to be a manager at travel agencies, hotels, or tourism programs? Think that education and training are not needed? Think again!

Events are complex undertakings, and running a business is also a complicated task. People managing these entities need to understand what it takes to oversee a large event thoroughly. The education and training you’ll get with travel and tourism degrees make the experiences of these events and destinations go off without a hitch.

We mentioned businesses above because a solid business foundation is essential to work in this field. After all, events, travel, and tourism are all businesses that hopefully make money for business owners.

The other skill set often taught in these programs is the management of different kinds of events. Each has its own unique challenges and obstacles to smooth operation. Most of the colleges for travel and tourism reviewed below put you into an internship or real-world experience in the industry. Nothing truly drives home the gap between theory and how things happen than performing the job for an extended period before you even graduate!

Of course, your learning begins with coursework on essential travel and tourism topics. The degrees discussed below all offer similar courses to prepare you for your career, including:

Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Marketing
Lodging Operations
Food and Beverage Operations
Management

A degree in travel and tourism also requires that you complete elective courses, which are the classes that allow you to fine-tune your studies to meet your specific needs and occupational desires. For example, you might learn about leadership, accounting, or revenue management. What’s more, you can study travel and tourism as it pertains to specific career opportunities, like working in hotels, restaurants, or even cruise ships or theme parks.

Heck, you can work in this industry on a part-time or full-time basis, at a tourism program near home, or as part of international business travel. The possibilities are endless with an education in this field!

Travel and tourism degrees online are all a little different, though, so before enrolling in a degree, be sure to explore several programs to see which one best fits your needs.

What are the Best Accredited Online Colleges For Travel and Tourism Degrees?

Accredited Online College uses the most recent data from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics to rank each travel degree below.

Each program is scored individually. It’s then compared to all other universities offering that degree to determine the final score you see by each ranking. Accredited Online College considers several factors for ranking purposes, including the following:

affordability
student-to-faculty ratio
number of programs offered on-campus and online

In other words, we do the heavy lifting for you! Rather than relying on random Google searches like “degree travel and tourism” or “colleges tourism,” you can rely on our tried-and-true methodology and ranking to quickly see how schools stack up against one another.

To learn more, visit our methodology page.

Check out the online tourism degree options below!

1. University of Central Florida

The online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida prepares you for high-level jobs in the travel and tourism sector. The program is applicable to many management positions in this field, from cruise director to theme park manager to hotel general manager.

You must complete 120 credits to graduate. Of those, most are general travel and tourism courses like marketing, business administration, and management. However, you also have the opportunity to study niche areas in this field, like golf course management.

Moreover, this program is taught by well-respected faculty with real-world experience in this industry. Their expertise will help you further develop your knowledge and skills in preparation for your career after graduation.

Learn more about the accredited tourism program at the University of Central Florida here.

2. East Carolina University

East Carolina University gives you the power to direct your educational journey by allowing you the choice of concentrating on one of three travel and tourism specialties:

Lodging Management
Food and Beverage Management
Convention and Special Event Management

The lodging management and the food and beverage management concentrations may work well if you want to make your name with a travel and tourism degree online. These specialties are widely applicable to many niches in the travel and tourism industry, including hotels and motels, RV parks, and convention centers, to name a few.

The foundational curriculum consists of 42 credit hours of coursework. This includes:

Principles of Microeconomics
Applied Mathematics for Decision Making
An externship experience (during the second year)
An internship (during the fourth year)

The Bachelor of Science in hospitality management has a common core curriculum. It is composed of 45 semester hours of coursework.

Each specialization consists of seven courses. You can pursue a business administration minor with an additional 24 semester hours of work.

The entire program is 126 semester hours in length. You’re required to complete all hospitality management courses with a minimum of a C or greater.

Learn more about the accredited travel school at East Carolina University here.

3. Florida International University

This online Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management is from the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. This is a well-respected division of Florida International University.

This is a 120-credit hour program. It’s designed to teach you everything you need to know to build a successful hospitality and tourism management career.

If you decide to pursue your educational goals at Florida International University, you can choose to concentrate your studies in:

Hotel/Lodging Management
Restaurant/Culinary Management
Entertainment Management
Event Management
Food Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Hospitality Leadership
Spirits Management
Travel and Tourism Management

Each concentration area for this undergraduate degree consists of core courses designed to teach you the specialized knowledge needed to make a career out of your passion.

Learn more about travel degrees online at Florida International University here.

4. Washington State University

The Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business Management traces its roots back to the 1930s. This was when the school’s hospitality program was first founded.

Today, you can complete this degree online yet get real-life experience that readies you for the world of work. It also gives you the business knowledge to take advantage of opportunities that are likely to come your way.

While working toward your degree, you will work 1,000 hours in the hospitality industry. This work experience provides an opportunity to network with future employers that might offer you that first job upon graduation. The best part is that this work experience is paid!

The BA in Hospitality Business Management is a 120-credit hour program. The degree is from the Carson College of Business, which is AACSB-accredited. This program requires that you take 25 credit hours in this area of study. This equals nine classes. The rest of your studies include general education courses and electives. Courses include:

Professional and Career Development for the Business World
Hospitality Systems
Career Management
Career Management
Career Management

Learn more about the online tourism degree at Washington State University here.

5. University of Utah

The University of Utah’s online campus offers you the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Management. This degree opens doors for you to pursue a career in:

Tourism Marketing and Enterprise
Hospitality Management
Sustainable Tourism Management
Adventure and Nature-Based Tourism

This bachelor’s degree consists of 67 major area credits (of the 122 credits required to graduate). This includes courses like:

Recreation Programming & Leadership
PRT Experience & Service Marketing
Professional Preparation in PRT
Financial Management in PRT
Sustainable Tourism & Protected Area Management

One of the things that separates this degree from others is that while pursuing this degree, you can choose to complete a hospitality operations certificate program offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

The certificate program consists of eight courses. Upon completion, you’ll have an internationally recognized certificate. Internships are available if you want to seize opportunities and work in places like Walt Disney World ® Resort. International study abroad programs are also available to you to gain additional experience.

Learn more about the tourism degree online at the University of Utah here.

6. Northern Arizona University

If you want the freedom of a liberal arts curriculum combined with hospitality-specific coursework, you should consider the Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University.

NAU allows you to switch from an Arizona community college and transfer up to 75 units of credit into this degree program. Doing so helps you finish your degree on a lower budget.

This degree program aims to help you develop the following:

hotel and restaurant management content knowledge
analytical/problem-solving skills
communication and leadership skills
critical thinking
professional responsibility
technical skills and knowledge

You can get involved in the hospitality industry by joining one of the school’s eight hospitality-related student clubs. Likewise, you’re required to complete 1,200 supervised internship hours in the hospitality field to be eligible to graduate. This field experience significantly extends your learning and experience prior to graduation.

The liberal arts foundation is underscored by the school requiring that you take two semester hours of a modern language. Doing so helps you understand the diversity of the world in which we live and can also equip you with relevant skills for working in this industry.

Learn more about the tourism degree online at Northern Arizona University here.

7. Fort Hays State University

Fort Hays State University gives you all the tools you need to be successful as a tourism and hospitality professional with its Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree.

Like many travel and tourism degree colleges, Fort Hayes has a strong business curriculum for this tourism degree. It consists of 24 credit hours of coursework with classes ranging from accounting to marketing to business law. In total, you can expect to take eight business courses in the business core curriculum.

The tourism and hospitality major consists of 23 credit hours divided into seven courses. This includes:

Principles and Practices in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Tourism and Hospitality Marketing
Service Operations Management
International Hospitality: Problems and Planning
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Internship
Sustainable Tourism and Events
Beginning Spanish II for Tourism and Hospitality

If you decide to choose this program, you also need to take 12 credit hours of required electives and three classes that comprise the general education cognate portion of the program.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For the Hospitality and Tourism Industry at Fort Hays State University here.

8. Missouri State University

You can pursue either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Leadership at Missouri State University.

The Bachelor of Applied Science program is a great option if you already have an Associate of Applied Science in this field or in culinary arts. The Bachelor of Science option is better suited for you if this is your first degree program. Either way, both the BS and the BAS programs prepare you for management positions upon graduation.

The good news about the BS program is that the number of credits needed to graduate is five less than it used to be. Now, you must complete the typical 120-credit hours of coursework to graduate (down from 125). If you enroll in this university, you must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 throughout your coursework. Moreover, to receive your diploma, you must:

Complete a public affairs capstone course
Take a university exit examination
Take and pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination with a score of 70 percent or better

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For the Hospitality and Tourism Industry at Missouri State University here.

9. Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University is a private, non-profit, regionally-accredited school based in Rhode Island. However, you don’t have to attend class on campus because the university offers a robust online learning environment.

One of the many programs you can pursue at Johnson & Wales is the Bachelor of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management. This is a 120-credit program that focuses on many different areas of tourism and management. For example, you’ll take courses in:

Technology in the Tourism/Hospitality Industry
Hospitality Strategic Marketing
Food Culture and Tourism
Negotiations and Agreements in Hospitality, Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management
Destination Management Organization

This program also requires you to take a number of courses in business foundations, including Financial Management, Accounting, and Hospitality Law, among others.

Aside from a wealth of options for your coursework, Johnson & Wales offers multiple start dates throughout the year, opportunities for experiential learning, and the chance to learn from expert faculty members who have real-world experience in the tourism and hospitality fields.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For the Hospitality and Tourism Industry at Johnson & Wales University here.

10. Arizona State University

As a prospective student, you’ll find that Arizona State University comes near the top of your list if you want a bachelor’s program emphasizing business while also concentrating your studies on travel and tourism.

This Bachelor of Arts in Business with a concentration in tourism includes 41 classes. Over the 120-credit hours of coursework, you’ll explore principles of accounting, microeconomics, and business statistics. You’ll also take:

Marketing and Business Performance
Global Supply Operations
Organization and Management Leadership
Fundamental of Finance
Cultural Diversity, Global Awareness, and Historic Awareness courses
Business Law and Ethics for Managers

You must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while earning your bachelor’s degree.

The prestigious AACSB-accredited W. P. Carey School of Business offers the degree. This school is known worldwide for producing top-notch graduates.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism Management at Arizona State University here.

11. University of Massachusetts – Amherst

The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst distinguishes itself from the pack as it’s one of the oldest hospitality programs in the world. Not only that but this program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).

The degree is offered through the Isenberg School of Management. This school develops its core curriculum to support you in gaining critical business skills. To do so, you’ll take courses in the following:

Economics
Business probability
Marketing
Statistics
Corporate finance

The hospitality and tourism management major consists of 10 major-area courses. A hospitality practicum allows you to get work experience in an area specific to your major.

Around a dozen general education courses are required to graduate. This ensures that you get a well-rounded education with a variety of skills that can be utilized in many kinds of jobs.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst here.

12. Troy University

You’ll find Troy University’s main campus in Troy, Alabama. But you don’t have to worry about making the trek to Troy while pursuing an online bachelor’s degree. Instead, you can get your degree entirely online in tourism management with a concentration in hospitality, sport, and tourism management.

The hospitality, sport, and tourism management major comprises 51 credit hours of coursework. The concentration requires the completion of an additional 27 credit hours. It consists of classes such as:

Introduction to Tourism Management
Introduction to Hospitality Management
Hospitality and Tourism Marketing
Hospitality and Tourism Financial Management
Festivals and Special Events
Working in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism

You’ll work closely with and be mentored by Troy faculty throughout the program. The personal connection you have with your professors deepens your knowledge and understanding of course material. This close relationship with the faculty can help in a variety of situations, both while enrolled at Troy University and after graduation when working in the field.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at Troy University here.

13. Eastern New Mexico University

With the second-lowest bachelor’s degree tuition rates in New Mexico, Eastern New Mexico University provides one of the best bangs for your buck. This is especially considering the high-quality education you’ll get.

If choosing this school, you’ll work toward a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on hospitality management. This online course is administered through ENMU’s online learning platform, which uses Mediasite, Canvas, and Collaborate to connect you with your professors and classmates.

If you like seeing the information presented by a lecturer, you’ll be happy to find out that the lectures are recorded and available for online students like yourself to watch at your convenience.

Eastern New Mexico University is dedicated to its students’ success. The school has an Online Writing Center specifically for your online studies. ENMU also has tutoring services, among other resources, that can help ease the journey of earning your bachelor’s degree.

Once enrolled, you can choose among various concentrations, including:

Applied economics and finance
General business
Hospitality management
Information systems
Marketing
Personal finance planning

All told, you must complete 120 credits of undergraduate work, including 38 hours of business foundation courses and 21 hours of business core courses.

Learn more about getting into the hospitality and tourism industry at Eastern New Mexico University here.

14. Purdue University Global

Next in our rankings of tourism colleges is Purdue University Global. Purdue offers an Associate of Applied Science in business administration with the ability to choose a concentration in:

Business
Customer Service
Entrepreneurship
Health Club Operations
Hospitality Management
Information Processing
Meeting and Event Planning
Office Management
Retail management

Other options include Sales, Small Business Management, and Sport Entertainment Management.

The wide variety of concentrations associated with travel and tourism allows you to focus your studies on precisely what you want to do upon graduation.

The business major comprises 60 credit hours of coursework, while four courses or 20 credit hours make up each concentration area. The entire Associates of Applied Science in business administration is 90 quarter hours of coursework.

To graduate with the AAS in business administration, you must complete a capstone in management. You can explore other areas of interest throughout the program through the 15-quarter hours dedicated to open electives.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at Purdue University Global here.

15. The University of Alabama

The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Alabama is a 120-credit online program that prepares you for many different positions in the hospitality industry.

The curriculum includes coursework in areas like:

Management of Food and Beverage Operations
Introduction to Meetings & Event Industry
Managerial Accounting for the Hospitality Industry
Hotel Sales & Event Services
Sustainable Tourism

With a wide variety of courses, you’ll learn how to implement core travel and tourism concepts in many different applications. Furthermore, you can concentrate your studies on one of the following areas:

Food and Beverage Management Concentration
Hotel/Lodging Concentration
Meetings and Events Concentration
Sport and Entertainment Event Management Concentration

This degree program requires 50 hours of General Education courses and just under 50 hours of hospitality courses. The remaining credit hours are electives and concentration-area courses. Additionally, you must complete an internship or practicum experience prior to graduating.

As an added bonus, the University of Alabama offers numerous scholarships for online students that can help you graduate with fewer student loans.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism Management at The University of Alabama here.

16. University of South Carolina- Beaufort

This Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina – Beaufort was explicitly created for students with more than 45 credits from previous college classes. If you don’t have at least 45 hours, you’ll need to meet this requirement before applying for admission.

This program is 120 credit hours, of which the hospitality management major consists of 57 credits. With at least 45 credits already to your name, you must complete 75 credits to graduate. As a full-time student, you can complete the program in as little as two years because of the admission transfer credit requirement. The university requires you to maintain a 2.0 or greater GPA throughout your studies.

This program focuses on promoting and retaining students in the hospitality industry in the state of South Carolina. If this simply isn’t your future plan, don’t worry! You can still earn a degree through this university.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at the University of South Carolina – Beaufort here.

17. State University of New York – Delhi

If you’ve already completed an associate’s degree, the bachelor’s completion program at the State University of New York – Delhi might be a good fit. This transfer-only program is entirely online and results in a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

This is one of the oldest hospitality programs in the nation. As such, you’ll learn from faculty with expertise in the field who teach a curriculum that balances theoretical studies with technical knowledge.

Some of the features of this program include:

Learning from the same faculty as on-campus students
Having a personal concierge for any questions
Opportunities for in-field learning through internships

SUNY Delhi is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is recognized as a leader in online education.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at the State University of New York – Delhi here.

18. Utah Valley University

The Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University gives you a choice in what you’ll spend your time studying. That’s because UVU gives you five different specializations to choose from:

Operations
Revenue Management
Sales
Event Planning
Culinary Arts

As an online student at UVU, you can rely on a variety of student support services to help you complete your education. Academic advising, academic tutoring, and library access are available for you as an online student. Likewise, you can access the Career Development Center, Accessibility Services, and a network of Utah Valley Mentors to get the most out of your time at UVU.

This is a 120-credit program that requires four years to complete. You might take courses like:

Hospitality Managerial Accounting
Hospitality Strategic Management
Hospitality Finance
Event Venue and Convention Management

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at Utah Valley University here.

19. University of Wisconsin – Stout

The Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management (HRTM) offered by the University of Wisconsin – Stout focuses on giving you real-world experiences that will be helpful when you graduate.

Additionally, the faculty are seasoned professionals who have worked in the field, so they know what it takes to make it.

The curriculum provides you with a broad understanding of hospitality. It also emphasizes management and business skills by requiring courses like the following:

Principles of Hospitality Organizational Management
Introduction to Financial Accounting
Security and Risk Management for the Hospitality Industry
Food Service Production and Operation
Lodging Administration

UW Stout has over 100 agreements with domestic and international businesses. This means you have a wide variety of internships and practical learning experiences available to you in environments most conducive to your learning.

This program also has an extensive network of alumni. By networking with students that have already graduated, you might find the right connections to land your dream job when the time comes.

You won’t have to wait too long to start your educational journey, either. UW Stout has three start dates each year: fall, spring, and summer.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For the Hospitality and Tourism Industry at the University of Wisconsin – Stout here.

20. California State University – East Bay

California State University – East Bay offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism that allows you to complete your education entirely online.

The academic staff at this accredited travel school is also pretty impressive. There are more than 20 faculty members in the department, each of whom has a unique area of expertise in the travel and tourism industry.

The hospitality and tourism major is composed of eight core classes. These classes include:

Marketing in HRT
Serving Diverse Populations
Introduction to Finance in HRT
Law, Risk, and Regulation in HRT
Leadership, Management, and Ethics in HRT

Cal State East Bay offers multiple areas of concentration, too. You can choose from

Event Planning and Management
Food and Beverage
Lodging, Club Management, and Resort
Recreation
Recreation Therapy
Sustainability
Youth Development Programming

No matter which concentration area you choose, you must complete a six-credit internship prior to graduation.

If you’re interested in hospitality and tourism but don’t know if that is your genuine passion, you might consider Cal State East Bay’s hospitality and tourism minor. Minoring in this field and majoring in business administration, marketing, or management could be a great combination for a future career.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For the Hospitality and Tourism Industry at California State University – East Bay here.

21. Tompkins Cortland Community College

Tompkins Cortland Community College’s Associate of Applied Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management is ideal if you’re starting college and want to complete a two-year degree.

Through a unique program, Tompkins Cortland provides an in-depth understanding of restaurant and hospitality management. The college grows its produce on a farm it owns and delivers it to local restaurants. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the processes required to plant food, deliver it, and get it served on a dinner plate.

The AAS is a 62-credit hour program that can be completed in five terms or a little over a year. Some of the courses you might take include:

Foundations of Business
Food Service and Preparation
Principles of Accounting
Hospitality Law
Food and Labor Cost Control

Additionally, you can earn a Food and Beverage Service credential by completing three courses on safe alcohol handling, bartending, and food and beverage service operations.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at Tompkins Cortland Community College here.

22. Robert Morris University

If your goal is ultimately to pursue your MBA, then Robert Morris University has a program for you. Robert Morris has a 4 +1 integrated degree program that enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA in five years. That shaves an entire year off how long it would take you if you were to pursue these degrees separately!

If you pursue this BS in Business Administration, you may be eligible for the Early Law School Admission Program. The Early Law School Admission Program allows you to complete three years of undergraduate studies and three years of law school to graduate a year earlier than normal.

Some of the classes you might take for this degree include:

Integrated Marketing Communication
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Human Resource Management

Your studies include major credits, core classes, and electives, all of which total 120 credits to graduate.

The Robert Morris University School of Business is accredited by AACSB.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism Management at Robert Morris University – RMU Online here.

23. Ohio University

At Ohio University, you can earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management. This program offers an asynchronous learning format that gives you maximum flexibility for completing your studies.

You’ll learn about hospitality management in courses like:

Principles of Customer Service
Food Sanitation and Safety
Hotel Operations
Principles of Tourism
Marketing Principles

Ohio University further requires that you take a leadership course. You can choose between Leadership in Customer Service or Women and Leadership: Roles and Responsibilities.

Once you complete your degree and graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in many different hospitality fields. This includes hotel and lodging management, food service, and tourism management, to name a few.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Hospitality and Tourism at Ohio University here.

24. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University offers a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Administration that’s accredited by a number of organizations, including:

The Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB)
The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

Like most other programs on this list, this one requires you to complete at least 120 credit hours to graduate. Of those, about 60 credit hours of hospitality and tourism courses are required. Some of those courses include:

Leadership Colloquium in Hospitality and Tourism
Hospitality Law and Ethics
Hospitality Facilities Management
Procurement in Hotels and Restaurants
Human Resources Management

You will also get a sound business education with 18 credit hours of courses in the core business curriculum. Over the course of four years, you will log 1,000 hours of internship and work experience.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at North Carolina Central University here.

25. University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest is a private educational institution in New Mexico. It’s dedicated to the principles of providing a flexible education for students while ensuring top-quality education at the same time.

The university offers two programs that focus on the hospitality industry. If you have yet to finish your bachelor’s degree, consider pursuing the Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Hospitality Management.

The curriculum is built on a solid business foundation along with a thorough education in the hospitality industry. You’ll get the attention you need when you need it with the University of the Southwest’s relatively small class sizes and student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1.

If graduate school is your next step, then you’ll want to consider the university’s MBA with the ability to concentrate on a variety of areas, including:

Sports Management and Recreation
Accounting
Finance
Marketing
International Business

The University of the Southwest even offers a self-designed MBA program.

The MBA curriculum is 36 credit hours and can be finished in one year if you study full time during the spring, summer, and fall semesters.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at the University of the Southwest here.

26. Monroe College

At Monroe College, you can pursue one of two hospitality-focused degrees. If you’re a first-year student, the Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management will help you get your feet wet in the industry. But, if a higher degree is what you want, Monroe’s Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management might be the way to go.

The BBA program allows you to further specialize your focus on either culinary management and tourism or destination management. The core curriculum is aimed at developing your skills related to:

Accounting
Management
Leadership skills
Specialized knowledge in specific hospitality niches

The BBA is a 120-credit hour program. Of those, 66 credit hours are hospitality-related coursework. Another 54 credits are used to meet general education and elective requirements to graduate.

Monroe University works hard to create relationships with local hotels and food establishments, so you get internship opportunities at established, reputable hospitality businesses in the New York City area. These internship experiences are vital experiential learning opportunities that help you put your classroom learning into practice. An internship is also an excellent way to network and make connections with potential employers.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at Monroe College here.

27. Norfolk State University

If you’re ready to spend the next four years immersing yourself into Norfolk State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in tourism and hospitality management curriculum it’s sure to change your life for the better. The entire program is 121-credit hours. Students are scheduled into classes two semesters each academic year. This means that in this program you’ll have the summers off to lay back and catch up on some rest and relaxation.
Each academic year students will take 30 to 31 credit hours of coursework. This is around 15 credit hours each semester. So you can expect to be pretty busy taking around five classes each semester. The first year of study is focused on the general academic requirements needed to graduate. Students focus more time on business and hospitality management content in the second year. During the fourth year of study, students will start working in the hospitality field. This will help them gain experience for when they graduate.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at Norfolk State University here.

28. Sullivan University

The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from Sullivan University focuses on critical areas of hospitality, including:

Logistics
Customer service
Production and service of quality and satisfying food and beverages

This BS degree is available in a 48-month and accelerated 36-month program. You must complete 180 quarter credit hours to graduate. You’ll do so in small classes where you get your professors’ focused attention. Classes include:

Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurship
Quality Service Management in the Hospitality Industry
Managing Diversity
Marketing Hospitality Services
Cost Accounting

Recognized leaders in the hospitality industry guide your studies. Their real-world knowledge benefits you as you learn how to become a leader in the industry.

Like other tourism schools, Sullivan University stresses the importance of candidates being able to work cohesively and effectively in teams. As such, you’ll have ample opportunities throughout the program to work with your classmates on projects that prepare all of you to be contributing members of a hospitality team.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at Sullivan University here.

29. DeVry University

Whether you want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or technical management, DeVry University allows you to specialize your degree with a concentration in hospitality management. The hospitality management concentration covers topics such as:

Tourism management
Customer and personal service
Meetings and events management
Foundations of hotel management
Customer and personal service

With the hospitality management focus, you’ll take classes such as:

Introduction to Hospitality Management
Restaurant Management
Food Safety and Sanitation
Casino Management
Computer Applications for Business

You can complete this program in as little as two years, eight months if enrolled full-time. If you live in the New York area and think a hybrid program may suit your learning style, this degree can be completed as a hybrid program.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at DeVry University here.

30. Oregon State University

Studying hospitality at Oregon State University means learning from industry experts. In fact, this program ranks in the top five in the nation, so your education is in good hands!

This 180-quarter credit hour Hospitality Management program requires four years of full-time study. You’ll learn in engaging online classrooms and also get real-world experience in the hospitality industry. Some of the courses you might take include:

Advanced Restaurant Management and Ownership
Service Management
Hospitality Law and Labor Relations
Lodging Management
Revenue Management and Pricing

As noted above, you’ll get real-world experience as well. This program requires you to complete three separate internships, all of which take place at an approved site in your community. You can also participate in internships in other cities, states, or countries if you prefer.

Another way to add more experience is to include a minor with your major. There are many choices for your minor, but economics or organizational leadership are beneficial for making your resume stand out from the crowd.

Learn more about Accredited Online Programs For Travel And Tourism at Oregon State University here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Salary Can I Expect After Attending an Online College for Travel and Tourism?

Sometimes the low pay of a job you enjoy can stop you from pursuing a career, instead choosing a less fulfilling career with better pay. But for the most part, you’re not going to have this problem in the hospitality and tourism industry.

The travel and tourism industry encompasses many different kinds of jobs and locations, each with its unique compensation. For example, you can work for curse lines or theme parks, in international tourism, or for local travel bureaus. You might also be tasked with online hospitality, destination marketing, or any number of other travel and tourism-related career options.

If you decide to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in travel and tourism, you likely want to pursue a management position. Doing so opens the door to larger salaries. Money isn’t everything, but getting a larger paycheck is something we all want!

Becoming a food service manager may be a promising career if you enjoy planning and coordinating departments that serve food and beverages. Only 18% of individuals currently working as food service managers have some college. The majority have completed high school or its equivalent. This means earning your degree could give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Food service managers can expect a median income of around $59,440 per year.

If the food service industry doesn’t appeal to you, you may be interested in pursuing a career as a lodging manager. Lodging managers are responsible for overseeing the operation of various types of lodging and accommodations. Most (72%) lodging managers have at least a bachelor’s degree.

As a lodging manager, you can expect to take home a decent salary of just under $59,430 per year if you choose this career. If you want to make even more money, you might consider becoming a gaming manager or a casino supervisor. These jobs pay a median salary of around $76,910 annually.

A general and operations manager can work in a variety of settings. If you enter this field, you’d be responsible for a business or organization’s operation and financial success. Only around 30% of individuals working as general and operations managers have a bachelor’s degree. Another 34% have some college experience or have completed high school or its equivalent. General and operations managers earn a median salary of around $97,970 annually.

What Requirements Do I Need to Meet to Apply and Be Accepted to a College for Travel and Tourism?

You have to keep in mind that colleges have different admission requirements. For example, one college might require you to submit a resume in support of your application, while another college might not have that requirement.

Even though each school is different, it’s still possible to outline a list of common requirements that many travel and tourism colleges have for prospective students. For example, common admissions requirements include the following:

Submitting an application for admission
Submitting an application fee
Providing high school transcripts or proof of obtaining a GED
Passing basic tests in math and language arts or providing satisfactory scores on the ACT or SAT

Remember, the specific requirements vary depending on the type of degree you want to pursue. For example, if you want to enroll in an associate’s degree program, the school will likely not require that you have a specific amount of college credits to transfer into the program.

However, a bachelor’s degree program may or may not require you to earn an associate degree. Master’s degree programs almost always require applicants to have completed a bachelor’s before enrollment.

As another example, an associate’s degree program might have a low GPA requirement for admission, like a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. However, bachelor’s degree programs usually set a higher bar (say, a 2.5 GPA), while graduate programs set the bar even higher, say, 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Many colleges require you to submit references. References are used to verify your integrity, educational potential, and work experience. References can also speak to the likelihood that you will be successful in your program.

If you’ve attended college and earned credit, you’ll need to submit official college transcripts of previous academic work from all colleges and universities. A high school transcript, diploma, or GED is typically required if you have no college experience.

No matter which degree level, most schools want proof of your proficiency in basic academic subjects, like reading, writing, and speaking English. This requirement ensures that you can comprehend and learn the material presented. Deficiencies in these areas necessitate that you take remedial courses to build the necessary skills for success at the collegiate level.

Be sure to find out the specific admission requirement of the programs you find interesting. This ensures you’re not delayed because parts of the admission packet are missing or incomplete.

Is a Bachelor’s Degree Enough to Get a Good Hospitality Job?

Yes! As discussed above, a bachelor’s degree qualifies you for management positions in many instances. Usually, a bachelor’s degree and a few years of experience or additional training will help you stand out from other applicants.

However, getting a master’s degree in this field opens up additional work opportunities (and higher pay, as noted earlier). For example, your job prospects will be much greater with an MBA than if you have a BA or BS. What’s more, an MBA qualifies you for many jobs outside of travel, tourism, and hospitality.

A doctoral degree is a step higher and, for the most part, is optional for most jobs in this field. However, having a doctorate enables you to explore different areas of travel and tourism. For example, with a Ph.D., you might specialize in hospitality research rather than focusing on a service-related area of this industry.

Additionally, with a doctoral degree, you can pursue employment in higher education. In some cases, a Ph.D. is not required to teach hospitality, but you will likely qualify for more academic jobs if you complete your doctorate.

If you’re interested in pursuing higher education, check out The Top 15 Accredited Online Accounting College Degree Programs and The Top 30 Easy Accredited Online Master’s Degrees!

School Finder

30 Accredited Online Colleges For Travel and Tourism Degree Programs