Best institutions to study Foodservice Systems Administration/Management
A program that focuses on the principles and practices relating to the administration of food service systems in institutional settings, and that prepares individuals to manage such operations in public and private facilities.
30 U.S. institutions graduated 333 Foodservice Systems Administration/Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 19.0505, a specialization of Foods (CIP 19.05), and leads most directly to the Food Service Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9051).
About Foodservice Systems Administration/Management programs
A program that focuses on the principles and practices relating to the administration of food service systems in institutional settings, and that prepares individuals to manage such operations in public and private facilities. Includes instruction in human nutrition, food safety, the design and organization of food service systems, purchasing, personnel management, and related business practices.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Foodservice Systems Administration/Management program focuses on the principles and practices essential for managing food service systems in various institutional settings. This program is designed for individuals interested in overseeing food operations in public and private facilities, ensuring quality service and compliance with regulations.
Students will gain knowledge in human nutrition, food safety, and the organization of food service systems. Coursework also covers purchasing, personnel management, and essential business practices, equipping graduates with the skills necessary for effective management in foodservice environments.
Credentials awarded
What Foodservice Systems Administration/Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree158 graduates / yr · 5 institutions47%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year148 graduates / yr · 20 institutions44%
- Associate's degree18 graduates / yr · 6 institutions5.4%
- Master's degree6 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,310 |
| 2013 | 1,669 |
| 2014 | 1,684 |
| 2015 | 1,644 |
| 2016 | 1,418 |
| 2017 | 1,269 |
| 2018 | 1,066 |
| 2019 | 855 |
| 2020 | 724 |
| 2021 | 438 |
| 2022 | 454 |
| 2023 | 382 |
| 2024 | 373 |
| 2025 | 333 |
Top 30 institutions for Foodservice Systems Administration/Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 61 | 55% | $31,634 | $32,586 |
| 2 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Charlotte, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 50 | 49% | $29,446 | $32,586 |
| 3 | Johnson & Wales University - Online Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 0% | $21,981 | $32,586 |
| 4 | Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 43% | — | — |
| 5 | College of the Albemarle Elizabeth City, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 35% | — | — |
| 6 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 31% | — | — |
| 7 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 13 | 30% | — | — |
| 8 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 29% | — | — |
| 9 | Halifax Community College Weldon, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 35% | — | — |
| 10 | Glendale Community College Glendale, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 9 | 37% | — | — |
| 11 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 48% | — | — |
| 12 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 40% | — | — |
| 13 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 31% | — | — |
| 14 | Rio Salado College Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 6 | 9% | — | — |
| 15 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 24% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 17 | Luzerne County Community College Nanticoke, PAPublicAssociate's | 6 | 23% | — | — |
| 18 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 5 | 37% | — | — |
| 19 | Merced College Merced, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 36% | — | — |
| 20 | Merritt College Oakland, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 26% | — | — |
| 21 | Mott Community College Flint, MIPublicAssociate's | 4 | 32% | — | — |
| 22 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 53% | — | — |
| 23 | American River College Sacramento, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 37% | — | — |
| 24 | Fullerton College Fullerton, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 34% | — | — |
| 25 | Lamar University Beaumont, TXPublicBachelor's | 2 | 37% | — | — |
| 26 | Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 21% | — | — |
| 27 | San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 28% | — | — |
| 28 | Connecticut State Community College New Britain, CTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 1 | 24% | — | — |
| 29 | Sullivan County Community College Loch Sheldrake, NYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 33% | — | — |
| 30 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 88% | — | $34,540 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Foods field (CIP 19.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 14 states
Where Foodservice Systems Administration/Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Foods programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 2 | 106 | Johnson & Wales University - Providence61 / yr |
| North Carolina | 4 | 101 | Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte50 / yr |
| California | 13 | 72 | Long Beach City College13 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 15 | Central New Mexico Community College15 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 7 | Ivy Tech Community College7 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 7 | Anne Arundel Community College7 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 6 | Rio Salado College6 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 6 | Luzerne County Community College6 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 4 | Mott Community College4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 4 | Portland State University4 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Lamar University2 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 1 | Connecticut State Community College1 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | Sullivan County Community College1 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 1 | Ohio State University - Main Campus1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9051, Food Service Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Food Service Managers, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 6.4% and approximately 42,000 annual openings. The median wage for food service managers is $65,310, typically requiring at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 19.0505
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Food Service Managersprimary SOC 11-9051 | $69,390 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~42,000 | High school diploma or equivalent |
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers SOC 35-1012 | $44,080 | +6.0% Faster than average | ~183,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria SOC 35-2012 | $37,450 | +2.0% About as fast as average | ~69,700 | No formal educational credential |
Dietitians and Nutritionists SOC 29-1031 | $76,400 | +5.5% Faster than average | ~6,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1192 | $75,870 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~200 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Foodservice Systems Administration/Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Count money and make bank deposits.
- Establish standards for personnel performance and customer service.
- Keep records required by government agencies regarding sanitation or food subsidies.
- Schedule staff hours and assign duties.
- Investigate and resolve complaints regarding food quality, service, or accommodations.
- Maintain food and equipment inventories, and keep inventory records.
Tools and technology used
Other Foods specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Foods (CIP 19.05).
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Bachelor's degree, an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, an Associate's degree, and a Master's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and learning strategies, among others.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Food Service Manager, First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation, or in other related roles.
What is the job outlook for food service managers?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.4% and 42,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Foodservice Systems Administration/Management?+
Foodservice Systems Administration/Management is CIP 19.0505 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Foods (CIP 19.05). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the principles and practices relating to the administration of food service systems in institutional settings, and that prepares individuals to manage such operations in public and private facilities. Includes instruction in human nutrition, food safety, the design and organization of food service systems, purchasing, personnel management, and related business practices.
How many institutions offer Foodservice Systems Administration/Management programs?+
30 U.S. institutions reported Foodservice Systems Administration/Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 14 states, awarding 333 credentials in the year. That is 9.1% of all Foods graduates.
How much do Foodservice Systems Administration/Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Service Managers occupation, which Foodservice Systems Administration/Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $69,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Foods field report median earnings of $32,586 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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