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Business · Hospitality Management Rank #1 of 135

Hospitality Managementat Cornell University

Graduates earn $77,803/yr in their first year — about 121.0% above the national Hospitality Management average. Base-case 10-year earnings $697K; scenarios range from $612K to $718K depending on AI disruption.

Ithaca, NY Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
64 SOLID
64
Optimistic
58
Pessimistic
Earnings
$77,803
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.7x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$697K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
48% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Cornell University

The robust earnings reflect Cornell's unparalleled reputation in hospitality education, often called "The Hotel School." This program is not just about managing hotels; it's a rigorous business degree with a specialized focus. Your education here prepares you for leadership roles across a vast ecosystem, from real estate development and finance within the hospitality sector to consulting, asset management, and entrepreneurial ventures, far beyond traditional operations.

The high AI risk, however, highlights an evolving industry. While your strategic thinking and interpersonal skills will remain vital, many routine managerial and operational tasks, from revenue management to guest services coordination, are increasingly optimized by artificial intelligence. This means your career will demand adaptability, focusing on overseeing these advanced systems and innovating customer experiences rather than performing those tasks manually. You'll need to master leveraging technology to your advantage. Your actionable advice is to actively seek internships and projects that integrate data analytics and new technologies, ensuring you're not just managing people, but also managing and interpreting the insights from AI-driven tools.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$612K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score58/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$697K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple2.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$718K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score64/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cornell University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Hospitality Management graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Facilities managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 13,200 openings/yr
$104,690/yr
Moderate
3
Business teachers, postsecondary
+5.7% 10-yr growth · 8,100 openings/yr
$97,270/yr
Moderate
4
Gambling managers
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 600 openings/yr
$85,580/yr
High
5
Business operations specialists, all other
+3.0% 10-yr growth · 108,200 openings/yr
$81,270/yr
High
6
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 5,500 openings/yr
$77,180/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Hospitality Management

How Cornell University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
University of Denver
CO · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Top score
James Madison University
VA · Public
62
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Boston University
MA · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
Utah Valley University
UT · Public
61
DW Score
$42K
1-yr earn
19.9x
ROI
Also at Cornell University

Other top programs at Cornell University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cornell University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Hospitality Management offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Hospitality Management trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Hospitality Management at Cornell University

What does a 64/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Hospitality Management at Cornell University?

At 64/100, Cornell University's Hospitality Management program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Hospitality Management at Cornell University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is Cornell University one of the best schools for Hospitality Management?

Among 135 Hospitality Management programs, Cornell University's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

What do students actually pay for Hospitality Management at Cornell University?

The 51% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $264,056. At a net cost of $129,348, the earnings multiple improves substantially.