Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism

Badge for BEST ONLINE ASSOCIATE'S IN HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM

Do you have a desire to work in event planning, create a comfortable stay, a memorable vacation, or a positive business travel experience for your clients? An online associate degree in hospitality or tourism may be perfect for you.

Key Takeaways

  • An associate degree can greatly increase your salary over someone who has a high school diploma alone.
  • Graduates of an online associate in hospitality degree program are qualified for entry-level opportunities in hotel management, travel booking, resort services, event planning, food service, and much more.
  • The median salary for travel agents was over $43,000 per year

Top 10 Online Associate in Hospitality Degrees

Sort by:
  1. College of Southern Nevada
  2. Casper College
  3. Hillsborough Community College
  4. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
  5. Bluegrass Community and Technical College
  6. Fayetteville Technical Community College
  7. Central Texas College
  8. Holyoke Community College
  9. Murray State College
  10. Tidewater Community College
  1. College of Southern Nevada
  2. Central Texas College
  3. Hillsborough Community College
  4. Finger Lakes Community College
  5. Scottsdale Community College
  6. Bluegrass Community and Technical College
  7. Tidewater Community College
  8. Murray State College
  9. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
  10. Casper College
    1. Finger Lakes Community College 23 to 1
    2. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College 22 to 1
    3. Hillsborough Community College 21 to 1
    4. College of Southern Nevada 21 to 1
    5. Tidewater Community College 20 to 1
    6. Gulf Coast State College 18 to 1
    7. Bluegrass Community and Technical College 18 to 1
    8. Murray State College 17 to 1
    9. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College 17 to 1
    10. Fayetteville Technical Community College 16 to 1
    1. Luzerne County Community College $8,040
    2. NHTI – Concord's Community College $6,450
    3. Holyoke Community College $5,088
    4. Finger Lakes Community College $4,968
    5. Murray State College $4,830
    6. Tidewater Community College $4,680
    7. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College $4,296
    8. Bluegrass Community and Technical College $4,296
    9. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College $4,020
    10. Central Texas College $3,570
      1. NHTI – Concord's Community College
      2. Scottsdale Community College
      3. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
      4. Isothermal Community College
      5. Gulf Coast State College
      6. Finger Lakes Community College
      7. Luzerne County Community College
      8. Tidewater Community College
      9. Murray State College
      10. Holyoke Community College
      1. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College
      2. NHTI – Concord's Community College
      3. Isothermal Community College
      4. Fayetteville Technical Community College
      5. Luzerne County Community College
      6. Holyoke Community College
      7. Gulf Coast State College
      8. Casper College
      9. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
      10. Murray State College
        1. NHTI – Concord's Community College 8 to 1
        2. Holyoke Community College 12 to 1
        3. Isothermal Community College 12 to 1
        4. Central Texas College 14 to 1
        5. Casper College 14 to 1
        6. Luzerne County Community College 15 to 1
        7. Scottsdale Community College 15 to 1
        8. Fayetteville Technical Community College 16 to 1
        9. Murray State College 17 to 1
        10. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College 17 to 1
        1. Gulf Coast State College $1,750
        2. Isothermal Community College $1,824
        3. Hillsborough Community College $1,931
        4. Scottsdale Community College $2,040
        5. Fayetteville Technical Community College $2,432
        6. Casper College $2,520
        7. College of Southern Nevada $3,293
        8. Central Texas College $3,570
        9. University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College $4,020
        10. Elizabethtown Community and Technical College $4,296

          Featured Programs

          Frequently Asked Questions About Hospitality and Tourism Degrees

          Why get an online associate degree?

          Associate degrees are a great alternative to a bachelor’s degree. An associate degree can not only boost your earnings but also can be earned in half the time.

          According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning an associate degree can increase your salary by more than $8000 over someone who has a high school diploma alone.

          And, if you have already earned that high school diploma and want to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree can be a great first step towards earning that next degree. In fact, an associate degree in hospitality can be a stepping stone into a bachelor’s program in nutrition. Find out what you can do with a degree in nutrition.

          In fact, many community colleges have transfer agreements with nearby public and state colleges that make continuing on towards higher education as painless as possible.

          Even better, many regionally accredited colleges now offer degree programs online, which can offer a more flexible schedule over classes taken on-campus.

          Why get an online associate degree in hospitality and tourism?

          An online associate degree in the hospitality and tourism industry is ideal for students with an interest in:

          • hospitality management
          • tourism management
          • hotel management
          • food service management
          • travel agent
          • event planning
          • customer service

          Back to top.

          How long does it take to get an associate degree in hospitality and tourism?

          In about two years, students in an online associate degree program in hospitality and tourism can complete the required 60 credits either online or in person.

          Back to top.

          What kind of courses are required to get online associate degrees in hospitality and tourism?

          During their studies, online students in a hospitality or tourism program will study the theoretical and practical aspects of the thriving hospitality, tourism, event planning, and luxury sectors.

          In a hospitality associate degree program, typical courses include business law, event planning, financial record keeping, lodging management, and marketing.

          Students will also learn effective communication and problem-solving skills as well as customer service management best practices in the context of hospitality.

          In a tourism management program, typical courses include marketing and sales, cruise and resort operations, customer service, and event planning, to name a few.

          Back to top.

          What can I do with an associate degree in hospitality management?

          Graduates of an online associate in hospitality degree program will be prepared for entry-level opportunities in hotel management, travel booking, resort services, event planning, food service, and much more.

          According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for travel agents was over $43,000 per year.

          Back to top.

          Best Online Associate's in Hospitality and Tourism Degree Programs Badge
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          Ranking: Best Online Associate Degrees in Hospitality and Tourism

          1. #2

            Casper College

            Casper , WY
            Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            37%

            Student body

            5K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Casper College

            Cost of Degree: $3,528
            Expenses: $12,340
            Starting Salary: $30,753
            Salary after 4 years: $34,447
            Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Hospitality And Tourism Management
            • Required Credits: 60
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online
          2. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            35%

            Student body

            38K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Hillsborough Community College

            Cost of Degree: $2,506
            Expenses: $15,702
            Starting Salary: $27,402
            Salary after 4 years: $30,694
            Cost Recoup Time: 7 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary

            Online Degrees

            AA in Hospitality Administration Transfer Track
            • Required Credits: 60
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          3. Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            41%

            Student body

            8K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College

            Cost of Degree: $4,560
            Starting Salary: $23,381
            Salary after 4 years: $26,190

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Business Administration Systems

            Concentrations

            • Hospitality Management
            • Required Credits: 62
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          4. Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            19%

            Student body

            15K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College

            Cost of Degree: $2,564
            Starting Salary: $22,860
            Salary after 4 years: $25,606

            Online Degrees

            AA in Hospitality Management
            • Required Credits: 66
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          5. #7

            Central Texas College

            Killeen , TX
            Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            18%

            Student body

            18K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Central Texas College

            Cost of Degree: $3,720
            Expenses: $11,511
            Starting Salary: $25,988
            Salary after 4 years: $29,109
            Cost Recoup Time: 6 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Hospitality Management

            Concentrations

            • Hotel Management
            • Food & Beverage Management
            • Required Credits: 60
            • Completion time: 2-3 years
            • Format: Online
          6. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            23%

            Student body

            5K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Holyoke Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,570
            Starting Salary: $25,988
            Salary after 4 years: $29,109

            Online Degrees

            AS in Hospitality Management Transfer
            • Required Credits: 63
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online
            AS in Hospitality And Culinary Arts
            • Required Credits: 60
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online
          7. #9

            Murray State College

            Tishomingo , OK
            Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Murray State College

            Cost of Degree: $6,630
            Expenses: $13,080
            Starting Salary: $26,583
            Salary after 4 years: $29,776
            Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary

            Online Degrees

            AS in Business

            Concentrations

            • Hospitality Management
            • Required Credits: 64-65
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online
          8. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            26%

            Student body

            25K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Tidewater Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,561
            Starting Salary: $26,285
            Salary after 4 years: $29,443

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Hospitality Management

            Concentrations

            • Event Planning
            • Required Credits: 65
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online
          9. Tuition + fees

            $10K

            Graduation

            20%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Luzerne County Community College

            Cost of Degree: $10,330
            Starting Salary: $26,211
            Salary after 4 years: $29,359

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Business Administration

            Concentrations

            • Hospitality Business Management
            • Required Credits: 65
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online
          10. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            30%

            Student body

            9K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Finger Lakes Community College

            Cost of Degree: $5,914
            Expenses: $19,221
            Starting Salary: $25,541
            Salary after 4 years: $28,609
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Hospitality and Tourism Management

            Concentrations

            • Event and Tourism Management
            • Required Credits: 64
            • Completion time: 2-3 years
            • Format: Online
          11. #13

            Gulf Coast State College

            Panama City , FL

            Tuition + fees

            $2K

            Graduation

            63%

            Student body

            6K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Gulf Coast State College

            Cost of Degree: $2,370
            Starting Salary: $25,317
            Salary after 4 years: $28,359

            Online Degrees

            AS in Hospitality and Tourism Management
            • Required Credits: 60
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          12. Other Rankings

            Tuition + fees

            $2K

            Graduation

            40%

            Student body

            3K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Isothermal Community College

            Cost of Degree: $2,030
            Starting Salary: $19,807
            Salary after 4 years: $22,186

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Business Administration

            Concentrations

            • Hospitality
            • Required Credits: 68-29
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          13. Tuition + fees

            $6K

            Graduation

            22%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at University of Arkansas – Pulaski Technical College

            Cost of Degree: $5,820
            Starting Salary: $22,860
            Salary after 4 years: $25,606

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Hospitality Management
            • Required Credits: 60
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          14. Tuition + fees

            $2K

            Graduation

            17%

            Student body

            12K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at Scottsdale Community College

            Cost of Degree: $2,070
            Starting Salary: $31,647
            Salary after 4 years: $35,448

            Online Degrees

            AAS in Hospitality: Hotel Management
            • Required Credits: 61-66
            • Completion time: None Reported
            • Format: Online
          15. Tuition + fees

            $7K

            Graduation

            27%

            Student body

            5K

            Career Outlook for Hospitality and Tourism degree at NHTI – Concord's Community College

            Cost of Degree: $7,200
            Expenses: $16,268
            Starting Salary: $31,051
            Salary after 4 years: $34,781
            Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary

            Online Degrees

            AS in Hospitality and Tourism Management
            • Required Credits: 62-63
            • Completion time: 2 years
            • Format: Online

          Career Outlook for Students with Hospitality and Tourism Degree

          Go to Degree Finder tool

          Hospitality Administration/Management

          Degree Level: Associate's

          • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
          • Avg. Cost of Degree*: $4,419
          • Avg. Expenses*: $13,669
          • Avg. Starting Salary*: $27,053
          • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $30,303
          • Avg. Cost Recoup Time**: 7 years
          • Job Growth: 1.81%
          • Number of Jobs: 457,800
          • * denotes ‘annually’
          • ** denotes ‘at 15% of annual salary’

          Career Salaries

          CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
          Managers, All Other3.35%$106,040
          Facilities Managers4.57%$95,139
          Business Teachers, Postsecondary7.01%$86,765
          Gambling Managers1.89%$83,473
          Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling8.33%$69,366

          Average Career Salaries

          Bottom 10%MedianTop 10%
          $43,547$68,959$113,242

          Promising Job Markets

          StateCost of LivingAvg. Salary
          #2 Texas10% higher than average$75,548
          #3 New York5% higher than average$85,634
          #4 New Jersey13% higher than average$91,916
          #5 Michigan15% higher than average$68,159
          #6 Virginia5% higher than average$74,722

          Top Industries

          IndustryAvg. Salary
          Managers, All Other$106,040
          Facilities Managers$95,139
          Business Teachers, Postsecondary$86,765
          Back to Top

          Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

          If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

          No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

          If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

          In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

          Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

          Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

          As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

          In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

          Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

          If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

          While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

          The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

          Resources for Online College-Bound Students

          Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

          Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here