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Business · Hospitality Management Rank #79 of 135

Hospitality Managementat University of Denver

Graduates earn $47,679/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Hospitality Management average. Base-case 10-year earnings $555K; scenarios range from $506K to $561K depending on AI disruption.

Denver, CO Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
45 AVERAGE
46
Optimistic
37
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,679
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$555K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
48% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Denver

You've clearly spotted the strong financial outcomes for DU's Hospitality program, a testament to its unique positioning. This isn't just about general demand; Denver's thriving tourism, convention, and luxury resort economy creates a constant need for sophisticated management talent. As a private university, DU leverages deep industry connections within this high-growth market, often placing graduates directly into leadership-track roles at top-tier hotels, event venues, and resort properties throughout Colorado and beyond. The curriculum likely emphasizes strategic management, finance, and asset oversight, preparing you for roles where business acumen is as crucial as guest experience. You'll find yourself not just working in hospitality, but shaping its future in a dynamic, high-value market. To maximize your prospects, focus heavily on securing multiple management-level internships; these connections are invaluable for your post-graduation placement.

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
$506K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple2.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$555K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score45/100
Earnings Multiple2.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$561K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score46/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Denver'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 University of Denver stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Cornell University
NY · Private nonprofit
64
DW Score
$78K
1-yr earn
2.7x
ROI
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
59
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
2.6x
ROI
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 University of Denver

Other top programs at University of Denver

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Denver, 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 University of Denver

How does University of Denver's Hospitality Management program score?

This program scores 45/100 — on the lower end for Hospitality Management. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Hospitality Management to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Hospitality Management careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.