Purdue University

What you'll study

The programme combines core business and hospitality-specific courses with general education requirements to create a broad managerial foundation. Typical topics include hospitality operations, lodging management, food and beverage management, service quality and guest relations, hospitality accounting and finance, marketing for hospitality, human resource management, revenue management and hospitality law.

Students also study quantitative and analytical subjects such as statistics or data analytics applied to hospitality, plus electives in event management, tourism, sustainability and technology in service industries. Practical learning is emphasised through laboratory classes, simulated operations, project work and a supervised industry practicum or internship. Many students complete a capstone project that integrates strategic planning, operations and finance in a real-world hospitality context.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary-school qualification that meets Purdue's undergraduate admission standards. Competitive applicants typically present strong coursework in English and mathematics and demonstrate interest in business or service industries through extracurricular activity, work experience or volunteer roles.

Standardised test requirements and minimum grade thresholds vary; applicants from outside the United States must demonstrate English language proficiency through an accepted test or approved pathway. Transfer applicants may be considered with college-level coursework in relevant areas. Admission decisions take academic records, personal statement and any relevant practical experience into account.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a wide range of roles across hotels and resorts, food and beverage operations, events and conference management, and tourism organisations. Typical entry and mid-level positions include assistant hotel manager, food and beverage supervisor, event coordinator, sales or revenue analyst, and operations manager. With experience, graduates progress to director-level roles such as general manager, director of operations, director of sales or regional management positions.

Other career pathways include hospitality consulting, hospitality technology and distribution, tourism development, destination management, and entrepreneurship in foodservice or boutique hospitality ventures. The programme's emphasis on internships and employer engagement helps students convert academic learning into industry employment.

Why study at Purdue University

Purdue's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management combines academic rigour with practical learning and industry engagement. Students benefit from faculty research linked to contemporary industry challenges, established employer partnerships and support from Purdue's career services for internship and job placement.

The university offers access to interdisciplinary resources across business, engineering and data analytics, enabling students to develop competitive technical and managerial skills. Strong alumni networks and connections with regional and national hospitality employers help graduates find pathways into the global hospitality and tourism sectors.