In this article, we profile the top 15 most affordable MBA in hospitality management online programs.
Through research and data synthesis, we were able to find the most affordable and accredited MBA in hospitality management online programs. An MBA in hospitality management combines comprehensive business education with a specialization in hospitality and tourism. Jobs that require this type of specialized degree include:
- casino managers
- hotel managers
- tourism specialists and supervisors.
Top 15 Most Affordable MBA Hospitality Management Online Programs Methodology
We looked at 40 colleges and universities listed by reputable online sources, such as the Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) College Navigator that offer an MBA in hospitality management online programs. We narrowed our original pool of schools by applying the following criteria:
- Regional or national accreditation
- full- or part-time online completion pathways
- program and/or school rankings with U.S. News and World Report
- graduate tuition/fees less than $22,000 per year
We then ranked the top 15 programs according to raw affordability.
Below is our list of the most affordable MBA in hospitality management online programs.
#15 – University of the Potomac
Online MBA Hospitality and Tourism
Washington, District of Columbia
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $21,844
The University of the Potomac is one of our most affordable schools offering online MBA in hospitality management programs. It devotes itself to providing high quality degrees. The online MBA in hospitality and tourism fulfills all the same requirements and academic rigor as the on-campus program. All courses are delivered online and cover business administration topics like:
- business ethics
- managerial accounting
- strategic management
Courses for the hospitality and tourism concentration include:
- applications of technology in hospitality and tourism
- financial management and planning in hospitality and tourism
- marketing and advertising in hospitality and tourism
In addition to academic rigor, the school is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an unranked business school that is fully accredited.
#14 – Roosevelt University
Online MBA Hospitality and Tourism Management
Chicago, Illinois
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $20,466
Roosevelt University offers affordable online hospitality management programs in the form of an MBA. The MBA program offers a diverse selection of concentrations, including hospitality and tourism management. Courses are delivered online and taught by Roosevelt’s faculty. Students must complete 37 credit hours to earn their MBA. Of the 12 core and concentration courses required for the degree, at least nine must be courses taken from the College of Business. Some of the concentration courses include:
- applied research methods in hospitality management
- hospitality operations analysis
- issues and trends in the hospitality management industry
Roosevelt is accredited and ranked by U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News ranks the school #88 in best regional universities in the Midwest.
#13 – Schiller International University
Online MBA in International Hospitality and Tourism
Largo, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,800
The MBA in hospitality management program at Schiller International University is offered fully online. It requires the completion of 45 credits and prepares students for careers in business and hospitality. All courses are taught by Schiller’s esteemed instructors. Some of these courses include:
- case studies in hospitality and tourism management
- hotel and restaurant accounting information systems
- IT applications in business
- tourism planning and marketing
The online MBA with concentration in hospitality and tourism may be completed in just 15 months. This makes the program one of the fastest on our list from enrollment to graduation. Schiller is an accredited institution with campuses around the world. Accreditation is recognized by CHEA to award MBA programs.
#12 – Husson University
Online MBA in Hospitality and Tourism Management
Bangor, Maine
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,950
Husson University’s online MBA in hospitality management program is designed for professionals who want to balance work and home life with a graduate study program. The MBA is offered fully online to accommodate the needs of working students. Business courses are required as part of the core curriculum. Students also take a series of classes related to their concentration. Hospitality and tourism management classes include:
- advanced front office operations
- advanced sales and marketing in hospitality
- legal issues in hospitality management
- managing service
Husson ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 142nd to 187th best regional university in the North.
#11 – University of New Hampshire
Online MBA Hospitality Management
Durham, New Hampshire
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,935
Part-time and online hospitality management programs at University of New Hampshire provide students with highly sought-after skills and knowledge. These are needed to advance careers in business and management. Admission is a simple online application. However, applicants must submit:
- letters of recommendation
- personal statements
- transcripts
GMAT test scores are optional, though they may be provided to supplement your application. The hospitality management specialization allows students to tailor their MBA online degree to fit with career goals. Hospitality courses include:
- asset management and finance
- human resources
- operations in hospitality management
According to U.S. News and World Report, University of New Hampshire ranks #106 in best national universities and #76 in best value schools.
#10 – Johnson & Wales University
Online MBA in Hospitality
Providence, Rhode Island
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,350
Johnson & Wales University offers an affordable MBA in hospitality management online degree program. It’s designed to be completed in just two years. It has eight-week courses that are administered fully online. It also has a career-focused curriculum. Course highlights include:
- ethics and corporate social responsibility
- event leadership and planning
- franchising and licensing
- hospitality and tourism global issues
Getting into Johnson and Wales’ MBA program requires a GPA of 2.85 or higher. This GPA will allow for the GMAT waiver. According to U.S. News and World Report, the institution’s online MBA programs rank #193 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#9 – Lynn University
Online MBA in Hospitality Management
Boca Raton, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,840
Lynn University’s MBA in hospitality management online program emphasizes advanced business and management skills. All students gain knowledge and expertise needed to succeed in business, as well as hospitality management. Courses are delivered online. Students take classes such as:
- food service administration
- resort development and management
- service management
Successful admission requires applicants complete a personal statement and provide letters of recommendation from previous professors and employers. Lynn ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 100th best regional university in the South. Also, the online MBA programs rank #202 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs.
#8 – Washington State University
Online MBA Hospitality Business Management
Pullman, Washington
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,802
Washington State University’s online hospitality management programs include concentrations in a variety of disciplines, including hospitality business management. It has a flexible online format and no GMAT is required for qualified applicants. WSU offers one of the most flexibly designed online MBA programs on our list. The concentration in hospitality business management requires the completion of several specialized courses. These courses include:
- hospitality operations analysis
- international tourism strategy and planning
- services management
WSU offers a 128-year tradition of serving talented and dedicated students and alumni. Also, the school ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, WSU ranks:
- #140 in best national universities
- #83 in best value schools
- #13 in best online MBA programs.
#7 – Lakeland University
Online Hospitality MBA
Plymouth, Wisconsin
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $10,962
Lakeland University’s online MBA in hospitality management program prepares students for a variety of organizations and businesses as:
- hotel managers
- resort managers
- management
All coursework delivered online integrates:
- research
- case studies
- technology
- contemporary learning processes
Some of the courses in the online hospitality management MBA program include:
- applied marketing management
- organization effectiveness
- production and operations management
As part of the concentration area, students must complete nine semester hours of the cooperative education experience. This is in the form of:
- a paid or unpaid cooperative education work experience
- internship
- intensive research opportunity
U.S. News and World Report ranks Lakeland #128-#165 in best regional universities in the Midwest.
#6 – University of Louisiana
Online MBA in Hospitality Management
Lafayette, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,796
At the accredited B. I. Moody III School of Business Administration at University of Louisiana, students can earn an online MBA in hospitality management. In as few as 15 months, students can earn the online MBA by taking convenient classes and completing degree requirements. Admission to the online MBA requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and program.Also required is a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or better. The MBA in hospitality management consists of 33 credits and 11 courses. Concentration courses include:
- feasibility studies in hospitality and tourism
- global contemporary issues in hospitality and tourism
- international business
- organizational behavior and leadership
U.S. News and World Report ranks University of Louisiana among the top 300 national universities and business programs. Also, the online MBA degree programs rank #153 out of more than 1,200 surveyed by U.S. News.
#5 – East Carolina University
Online Hospitality MBA
Greenville, North Carolina
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,485
The online hospitality management programs at East Carolina University are ideally designed for working students. There is no cohort and no dictated pace. Admission to the online MBA at ECU requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and satisfactory undergraduate performance. GMAT scores may be required if the applicant’s GPA is less than 2.7 at the time of application. The flexible design of the online MBA allows students to tailor their degree in an area of interest, such as hospitality management.
Students take a series of concentration area classes like:
- current issues and strategies in hospitality management
- strategic management of conventions and special events
- strategic management of lodging operations
ECU ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, ECU earns rankings in best national universities and top public schools. It’s #90 in best online MBA programs (out of 1,200 surveyed).
#4 – Louisiana State University
Online MBA in Hospitality and Casino Management
Shreveport, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,349
Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS) offers an MBA in hospitality management online degree program. It’s designed to equip students for leadership roles in the gaming industry. In as little as 10 months, students earn their MBA with a specialization or concentration in hospitality and casino management. A total of 30 credit hours are required. Courses include:
- a series of core business classes
- concentration classes
- electives
Hospitality and management classes include:
- casino and resort management
- hospitality and casino marketing
- quantitative methods in business
To apply, you must have an accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.7 GPA. LSUS ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the school ranks #107-#141 in best regional universities in the South.
#3 – Midway University
Online MBA in Tourism and Event Management
Midway, Kentucky
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $7,020
One of the top online MBA in hospitality management programs on our list is Midway University’s online MBA in tourism and event management. Kentucky is known for its bourbon. So it should come as no surprise that Midway University offers students the opportunity to study bourbon tourism and other specialized areas of hospitality. Courses are delivered online, making the program convenient for working students. The program consists of 33-36 credits. It can be completed in just 15 months by taking online courses. These courses include:
- bourbon tourism industry analytics
- event management and the bourbon experience
- financial management
- strategic marketing management
Midway is an accredited and ranked institution. It ranks with U.S. News and World Report as the 107th-141st best regional university in the South.
#2 – Florida Atlantic University
Online Hospitality MBA
Boca Raton, Florida
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,657
Florida Atlantic University offers an MBA in hospitality management online degree program designed for working professionals. The AACSB-accredited MBA prepares students for leadership roles in the world’s largest service industry. Graduates of the FAU program have found employment with:
- casinos
- cruise lines
- hotels and resorts
- private country clubs
- theme parks
With flexible online classes, students may continue working and gaining valuable work experience while earning their online MBA. Some of the required courses include:
- contemporary issues in hospitality marketing
- hospitality operations
- strategies for excellence in guest service management
FAU ranks #230-#301 in best national universities according to U.S. News and World Report. Also, the online MBA programs rank #51 out of more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News.
#1 – Fort Hays State University
Online MBA in Tourism and Hospitality Management
Hays, Kansas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $4,266
The #1 most affordable MBA hospitality management online program on our list is at Fort Hays State University. The program may be completed entirely online by taking a series of business classes and three courses in tourism and hospitality management. Classes cover topics like:
- hotel and resort management
- international hospitality – problems and planning
- principles and practices in tourism and hospitality management
- service operations
- tourism and hospitality marketing
The application process includes the submission of:
- official undergraduate transcripts
- official scores on the GMAT or GRE
- two letters of recommendation
- a personal statement
Fort Hays State ranks with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 128th-165th best regional university in the Midwest. Also, the online MBA programs rank #113 out of more than 1,200 surveyed programs. Fort Hays offers the most affordable MBA in hospitality management online program on our list.
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