Top 8 Restaurant Management Degree Online Programs | Bachelor’s Under $40K

A restaurant management degree online is a great path to a unique, fast-paced career with a great salary! If you’re interested in the business side of the restaurant industry, or you’ve already had experience leading your team, consider a bachelor’s in the field. You’ll learn about the strategies, skills, and demands of food service leadership and hospitality!

Managing a restaurant means handling the daily operations of a dining business. You are in charge of whether it runs efficiently and profitably. Managers will oversee staff recruitment and training. They’ll create work schedules, provide customer service, and engage in other tasks that ensure efficiency.

Want to break into the leadership field? Or maybe advance your current position? If so, consider an online hospitality degree with an emphasis in restaurant management! In this article you’ll find the best bachelor’s degrees online in this field. Read on to find out more about the best and cheapest options available today!

Article Navigation: Restaurant Management Courses Online | Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management Online Overview | 2 Best Online Restaurant Management Degrees | 6 Cheapest Bachelor’s in Restaurant Management Degree Online Under $37K | Restaurant Management Degree Online Prerequisites | What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management Online? | Embark on Your Culinary Journey with an Online Restaurant Management Degree

Restaurant Management Courses Online

What classes will you take with a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management? Overall, you’ll develop a proficient knowledge of the hospitality sector. Specifically, your curriculum will cover the culinary industry. Some bachelor’s programs will focus on areas such as kitchen operations, broad management practices, and more.

Below, you’ll find out the distinctions between types of bachelor’s degrees. There are several options, and each offers a unique approach to management.

Bachelor of Arts

First, let’s check out the Bachelor of Arts path. A BA incorporates elements of nontechnical liberal arts subjects in hospitality management. You’ll maintain general courses in the arts while exploring online restaurant management courses on:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Marketing
• HR
• Strategic Planning
• Revenue Management

A Bachelor of Arts will prepare you for directly leading restaurant operations. You’ll know the ins and outs of working with teams, quality management, and more. The best BA programs in restaurant management online can offer internships, too. That means that you’ll gain hands-on experience from working professionals.

With this degree, students can pursue careers ranging from management to consulting. There are also opportunities for entrepreneurship in the field with a BA.

Bachelor of Science

If you’re more interested in the technical side of management, consider a BS! A Bachelor of Science in Restaurant Management prepares you for standard practice in the field. In addition, BS students learn about:

• Food Safety Compliance
• Operational Policies
• Analytics
• Finance and Accounting
• Culinary Arts

If you want a good foundation in management and operating food service business, consider a Bachelor of Science. The science-oriented curriculum emphasizes quantitative and analytical skills. You will graduate able to lead strategically. This makes it ideal for a comprehensive knowledge of culinary arts and business in hospitality.

Graduates may find supervisory roles as managers and directors. BS graduates also might explore consultancy or become academic researchers.

Bachelor of Applied Science

A Bachelor of Applied Science is a distinctly career-focused program. It’s very useful if you already have an associate’s degree or experience in the field. Specifically, an associate degree in hospitality management or related fields. A BAS can accept both academic and experiential credit!

The program explores technical topics on accounting, operations, marketing, human resources, and law. Students also take specialized courses in food service, lodging, and catering. Ultimately, you’ll take a practical approach to gaining skills necessary for advancing your career.

Anyone can opt for a BAS program. However, it’s the best option for those already in the field seeking to enhance their qualifications. Graduates are well-suited to move into management positions. You can take on supervisory roles, or establish your own business with a BAS in restaurant management online!

Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management Online Overview

At this point, you must have noticed the term “hospitality management.” As it turns out, restaurant management and hospitality are connected pathways.

An online hospitality degree prepares students for careers in hotels, restaurants, and more. It’s a requirement for full-service or luxury hotel management positions. Overall, hospitality management degrees are business programs. They cover advanced topics from customer service to marketing, promotions, financing, and operations.

At the same time, restaurant management degrees are a subset of hospitality management programs. They are more specialized in the culinary sector, however. A restaurant management program might be best for those pursuing careers as restaurant managers, chefs, consultants, etc. Aside from culinary arts, restaurant management courses also include food safety, nutrition, and menu design.

Program Structure

An online bachelor’s degree in hospitality management takes four years to complete. However, the online format may introduce accelerated or part-time options! This option can either shorten or lengthen the program duration.

Nonetheless, students must complete between 120 and 160 credit hours within this timeframe, depending on the college.

Most online programs allow students to complete the degree requirements completely online. However, some programs, mostly BAS programs, introduce internships, practicums, or capstone projects. These in-person practical opportunities help students gain hands-on skills and network with industry professionals.

Accreditation

Next, let’s go over accreditation. Accredited online hospitality management degrees will provide students with the best credentials for the job. Programmatic accreditation for a restaurant degree might come from the following accreditors:

• Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA)
• Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

On the other hand, regional and national accreditation is held by an institution overall. It’s different from programmatic accreditation that way. Students should always seek out an online school with regional or national recognition. It’s easier to transfer credits, qualify for financial aid, and find reputable employment with an accredited degree.

Regional Accreditation comes from the following list of organizations:

1. Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
2. Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
3. New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
4. Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
5. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
6. WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

2 Best Online Restaurant Management Degrees

A restaurant management degree online is not out of reach! The following list features online Bachelor’s degrees in this field. These two in particular stand out as degrees fully focused on restaurant management. Both emphasize the nuances of the restaurant industry. They provide a solid foundation for successful careers in management!

1. New Mexico State University

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management
   Accreditation: HLC
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $45,624

   NMSU’s online restaurant management degree delivers a comprehensive curriculum from diverse faculty. Students will learn from teachers with extensive experience in various hospitality settings. This program meets the demand for competent managers. Despite the online nature of the programs, you will experience hands-on training with paid internship opportunities.

   The program is completely remote, so you can reach your learning goals while balancing personal commitments. NMSU also provides tailored degree options to suit specific career interests. You can expect in-depth elective classes in courses such as:

   – Resort management
   – Event planning
   – Revenue management
   – Business management

   Graduates of this program are well-prepared for a wide range of professional roles across various sectors.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management

    

2. Northern Arizona University

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management
   Accreditation: HLC, ACPHA
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $56,264

   NAU’s Hotel & Restaurant Management course provides an extensive study of advanced topics in the industry. Gain professional knowledge and skills in areas ranging from levels of service to leadership. In addition, the NAU bachelor’s degree provides internship opportunities to its online students.

   You can transfer up to 75 units of credit into this program from accredited community colleges in Arizona. Otherwise, you must complete 72 courses at NAU. There are also up to 9 units of major prefix courses and optional elective courses to take. In total, students graduate with 120 completed credits. Expect to cover subjects such as guest services, food preparation, and sales, to name a few.

   NAU’s hotel and restaurant management program prepares students for successful careers. The program’s curriculum addresses the current needs of Arizona’s evolving hospitality industry.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management

    

6 Cheapest Bachelor’s in Restaurant Management Degree Online Under $37K

Many schools also offer more affordable degrees for aspiring managers, too! The following online bachelor’s degrees in restaurant management are priced under $37,000. This price is already below the national average for an online bachelor’s degree! Read on to find the perfect program for you.

1. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management
   Accreditation: SACSCOC, AACSB
   Tuition (in-state): $21,413
   Tuition (out-of-state): $39,101

   UNCG offers students a cost-effective bachelor’s degree in hospitality management online! From hospitality to tourism, students will cover what it takes to fill management positions today. How does this program relate to restaurant management? Students can complete and earn industry-recognized certification from courses such as:

   – Food service safety
   – Responsible alcohol service
   – Industry analytics

   While this is a fully online program, students must still complete industry work hours/extended internship courses. Graduates of this online restaurant management program have gone on to work for many well-known companies. The career track of UNCG graduates ranges from work in management, planning, distribution, coordination, and more.

   Earn this degree online, on your schedule, with all the support you would receive on-campus.  Explore an accredited business degree in hospitality online with UNCG today!

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management

    

2. Florida International University

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management
   Accreditation: SACSCOC
   Tuition (in-state): $28,286
   Tuition(out-of-state): $42,334

   FIU is an accomplished institution specializing in a multitude of fields and disciplines. The Chaplin School is one such example, where you can gain real-world knowledge in the hospitality scene. The online bachelor’s degree in hospitality management trains students in areas like finance, logistics, and accounting, HR, and more.

   This hospitality management degree online still emphasizes industry experience. The program requires students to complete at least 500 documented hours of practical training and work experience. Additionally, you must choose from one of the available internships:

   – 300 hours in HFT 4945 Advanced Internship
   – 500 hours of hospitality practical work

   As for the program’s devotion to restaurant management, explore courses such as:

   – Restaurant culinary management
   – Spirits management
   – Beverage management
   – General hospitality

   Aside from this BS degree, FIU also offers a Master’s in Hospitality Management online for students looking to advance their careers.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

    

3. Ohio University

   Degree: Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management
   Accreditation: HLC
   Tuition (in-state): $29,064
   Tuition (out-of-state): $29,424

   Ohio University (OU) is one of the oldest public research universities in the United States. It’s highly regarded for academic excellence and a comprehensive student experience. The school extends these features to all of its in-person and online programs, including a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hotel Management.

   OU can expand your career or secure better opportunities in the hospitality and tourism field. The hospitality management degree online features asynchronous coursework that covers:

   – Restaurant management
   – Hotel operation
   – Customer service
   – Tourism

   Furthermore, this program is flexible! Students can finish the degree in four semesters or align it to suit other commitments. You can also explore different kinds of transfer credit. For example, credit from other universities, dual enrollment, and credit by examination.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Management

    

4. Southern Utah University

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Resort & Hospitality Management
   Accreditation: NWCCU
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $31,693

   This Bachelor’s in Hotel, Resort, and Hospitality Management is another cost-effective option. Become an efficient manager with some of the best restaurant management courses online, featuring business management topics.

   The Food and Beverage Management Emphasis offers students a direct route to success. You can earn either a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts through this program! You emphasis requirements cover topics such as:

   – Beverage management
   – International cuisine
   – Special topics

   Aside from in-class requirements, students can network and learn from industry leaders with extensive industry experience. SUU also includes summer internships, ensuring graduates have great job placements.

   This program requires students to complete 800 hours of work in a hospitality-related position in order to prepare for managerial positions upon graduation.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Resort & Hospitality Management

    

5. University of the Potomac

   Degree: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management
   Accreditation: MSCHE
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $33,500

   University of the Potomac offers a range of degrees focused on practical, career-focused education. This applies to its Bachelor’s of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Prepare for leadership with the Restaurant and Food Service Management concentration. Aside from its quality online classes for hospitality management, the program also introduces fieldwork experience. In this way, students connect theoretical knowledge with real-life scenarios.

   This online Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management requires a total of 120 credits. Students can transfer up to 84 credits into the program.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management

    

6. American Public University System

   Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management
   Accreditation: HLC, ACBSP
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $36,900

   Up next is a great program if you’re looking to build your managerial competency in global hospitality enterprises. APUS’ online degree in hospitality management provides an ideal platform for those with a professional interest in managing or owning a restaurant.

   Discover principles in HR, marketing, revenue management, and leadership. The program also provides a platform to improve research, critical thinking, and writing skills. Like other APUS programs, students looking to apply learning to real scenarios can explore internship opportunities.

   This hospitality management program is fully online and takes 8 to 16 weeks to complete. Aside from the affordable tuition, APUS also offers military rates and veteran grants.

   Find Out More:
   Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management

    

Restaurant Management Degree Online Prerequisites

A restaurant management degree online has prerequisites, just like a traditional degree.  Admission requirements can vary from school to school. However, there are some general prerequisites to look for an online bachelor’s degree:

• More often than not, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Students must also have a minimum GPA of 2.0 to apply
• Some universities require a transcript from previous college coursework
• Letter of recommendation
• A resume or CV; however, this is optional for some programs

Some programs may also specify prerequisites in courses like math or business. Hence, it’s best to check the admission requirements of each program and university before applying.

What Can I Do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management Online?

If you want to become a restaurant manager on your terms, consider a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management online! But did you know there are other careers you can pursue with this degree? Remember, these are business programs, so there are a lot of valuable, transferable skills you will learn.

Top Career Opportunities

Are you interested in exploring the culinary aspect of hospitality? Here are some top career prospects with a Bachelor’s degree in Restaurant Management online in restaurant operations.

• General Manager: The general manager manages the operations of a restaurant, including customer service, staff management, budgets, inventory, and quality assurance. The average salary for general managers is about $60,227 per year.
• Assistant Manager: These professionals support the general manager in running a restaurant. The responsibilities of assistant managers include staff supervision, cash and payroll management, inventory, and enforcing workplace policies. Assistant managers earn about $41.783 annually.
• Shift Manager: A shift manager is in charge of managing the staff and operations of a restaurant during a specific shift. This could be during opening, closing, or peak hours. As part of their responsibilities, shift managers assign roles, track performance, handle customer issues, and report directly to the general or assistant manager. Shift managers earn about $29,474 annually.
• Food and Beverage Manager: These professionals supervise the food and drink service of a restaurant. They coordinate with chefs and servers to plan menus, purchase ingredients, control costs, and ensure food quality. Food and beverage managers earn about $51,312 per year.
• Banquet Manager: Banquet managers oversee special events like weddings, parties, or corporate events, in a restaurant. They organize and execute these events by collaborating with clients, vendors, and restaurant staff, ensuring the event meets the client’s expectations and budget. Typically, banquet managers earn an average annual salary of $48,897

A Step Towards Career Advancement

A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management also serves as a step towards a master's degree. While a bachelor’s equips students with the knowledge and skills relevant to the restaurant industry, a master’s can lead to higher positions and a better salary.

Furthermore, a bachelor’s degree can serve as an admission prerequisite to many master’s programs. If you want to get even further in your career, consider a master’s in hospitality management online!

Embark on Your Culinary Journey with an Online Restaurant Management Degree

Ultimately, earning a restaurant management degree online is a great option! It opens a gateway to the dynamic industry. Not only will it equip you with the skills to operate a restaurant, but it’s also delivered in a flexible online format. Find more hospitality and restaurant management degrees with GetEducated!