Best institutions to study Restaurant/Food Services Management
A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and market restaurants, food services in hospitality establishments, food service chains and franchise networks, and restaurant supply operations.
45 U.S. institutions graduated 783 Restaurant/Food Services Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0905, a specialization of Hospitality Administration/Management (CIP 52.09), and leads most directly to the Food Service Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9051).
About Restaurant/Food Services Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and market restaurants, food services in hospitality establishments, food service chains and franchise networks, and restaurant supply operations. Includes instruction in hospitality administration, food services management, wholesale logistics and distribution, franchise operations, business networking, personnel management, culinary arts, business planning and capitalization, food industry operations, marketing and retailing, business law and regulations, finance, and professional standards and ethics.
See also: 12.0504 - Restaurant, Culinary, and Catering Management/Manager., 19.0505 - Foodservice Systems Administration/Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Restaurant/Food Services Management program, part of the Hospitality Administration/Management field, prepares individuals to effectively plan, manage, and market food services in various hospitality settings. This program is ideal for those looking to pursue a career in the dynamic food service industry, including restaurant management and food service operations.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in hospitality administration, food services management, business planning, and marketing. Coursework typically covers areas such as personnel management, culinary arts, and business law, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to succeed in the food service sector.
Credentials awarded
What Restaurant/Food Services Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree328 graduates / yr · 9 institutions42%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year218 graduates / yr · 19 institutions28%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years124 graduates / yr · 13 institutions16%
- Associate's degree77 graduates / yr · 16 institutions9.8%
- Master's degree32 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks4 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Restaurant/Food Services Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,231 |
| 2013 | 1,377 |
| 2014 | 1,519 |
| 2015 | 1,794 |
| 2016 | 1,844 |
| 2017 | 1,734 |
| 2018 | 1,494 |
| 2019 | 1,257 |
| 2020 | 1,039 |
| 2021 | 942 |
| 2022 | 911 |
| 2023 | 782 |
| 2024 | 729 |
| 2025 | 783 |
Top 45 institutions for Restaurant/Food Services 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 | Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 271 | 63% | $31,271 | $35,865 |
| 2 | Central Texas College Killeen, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 133 | 11% | — | — |
| 3 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 41% | — | $22,960 |
| 4 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 32 | 48% | — | $31,588 |
| 5 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor's | 30 | 67% | — | $41,688 |
| 6 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 38% | — | — |
| 7 | CUNY LaGuardia Community College Long Island City, NYPublicAssociate's | 23 | 24% | — | $27,031 |
| 8 | Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | 41% | — | — |
| 9 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 34% | — | — |
| 10 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 46% | — | — |
| 11 | ECPI University Virginia Beach, VAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 13 | 42% | $21,909 | $33,711 |
| 12 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 54% | $9,377 | $16,255 |
| 13 | University of North Alabama Florence, ALPublicBachelor's | 11 | 55% | — | — |
| 14 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 68% | — | $35,128 |
| 15 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor's | 10 | 78% | — | $33,624 |
| 16 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 57% | $10,199 | $37,174 |
| 17 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 18 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 8 | 19% | — | $23,035 |
| 19 | Nashville State Community College Nashville, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 18% | — | — |
| 20 | Pensacola State College Pensacola, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 7 | 36% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor's | 7 | 85% | — | — |
| 22 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 61% | — | $37,402 |
| 23 | Northern Michigan University Marquette, MIPublicAssociate's | 6 | 52% | — | $21,074 |
| 24 | Erie Community College Buffalo, NYPublicAssociate's | 6 | 28% | — | — |
| 25 | Atlanta Technical College Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 49% | — | — |
| 26 | Cuyahoga Community College District Cleveland, OHPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 31% | — | — |
| 27 | Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 39% | — | — |
| 28 | Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 32% | — | — |
| 29 | Northampton County Area Community College Bethlehem, PAPublicAssociate's | 4 | 24% | — | $37,199 |
| 30 | Guam Community College Mangilao, GUPublicAssociate's | 4 | 25% | — | $14,091 |
| 31 | Central Arizona College Coolidge, AZPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 3 | 27% | — | — |
| 32 | Joliet Junior College Joliet, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 21% | — | — |
| 33 | Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 22% | — | — |
| 34 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 17% | — | — |
| 35 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez - Carolina Campus Carolina, PRPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 34% | $8,847 | $14,978 |
| 36 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 17% | — | — |
| 37 | Seminole State College of Florida Sanford, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 41% | — | — |
| 38 | Albany Technical College Albany, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 42% | — | — |
| 39 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 2 | 29% | — | — |
| 40 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 68% | $24,409 | — |
| 41 | Klamath Community College Klamath Falls, ORPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 43% | — | — |
| 42 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAssociate's | 1 | 25% | — | — |
| 43 | Butler Community College El Dorado, KSPublicAssociate's | 1 | 32% | — | — |
| 44 | Atlantic Cape Community College Mays Landing, NJPublicAssociate's | 1 | 30% | — | — |
| 45 | Walnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 58% | $33,541 | $30,352 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Hospitality Administration/Management field (CIP 52.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states & territories
Where Restaurant/Food Services Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Hospitality Administration/Management programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9051, Food Service Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Food Service Managers and Lodging Managers, with a job outlook showing a growth rate of 6.4% and approximately 42,000 annual openings. The median wage for food service managers is $65,310, with typical educational requirements being a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0905
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 |
Lodging Managers SOC 11-9081 | $69,250 | +3.4% About as fast as average | ~5,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
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 Restaurant/Food Services 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 Hospitality Administration/Management specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Hospitality Administration/Management (CIP 52.09).
- Hospitality Administration/CIP 52.0901
Management 7,736 graduates / yr369 institutions - Hotel/CIP 52.0904
Motel Administration/ Management 1,755 graduates / yr90 institutions - Tourism and Travel Services ManagementCIP 52.0903862 graduates / yr48 institutions
- Meeting and Event PlanningCIP 52.0907781 graduates / yr54 institutions
- Hospitality Administration/CIP 52.0999
Management 579 graduates / yr32 institutions - Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant ManagementCIP 52.0909445 graduates / yr52 institutions
- Resort ManagementCIP 52.0906163 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Casino ManagementCIP 52.0908partial data16 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Brewery/CIP 52.0910
Brewpub Operations/ Management limited data4 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include Bachelor's degrees, Associate's degrees, and shorter awards ranging from 12 weeks to 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and management.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is faster than average, with a growth rate of 6.4% and about 42,000 openings each year.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates typically work as Food Service Managers or Lodging Managers.
What is the CIP code for Restaurant/Food Services Management?+
Restaurant/Food Services Management is CIP 52.0905 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Hospitality Administration/Management (CIP 52.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to plan, manage, and market restaurants, food services in hospitality establishments, food service chains and franchise networks, and restaurant supply operations. Includes instruction in hospitality administration, food services management, wholesale logistics and distribution, franchise operations, business networking, personnel management, culinary arts, business planning and capitalization, food industry operations, marketing and retailing, business law and regulations, finance, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Restaurant/Food Services Management programs?+
45 U.S. institutions reported Restaurant/Food Services Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states & territories, awarding 783 credentials in the year. That is 6.0% of all Hospitality Administration/Management graduates.
How much do Restaurant/Food Services Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Food Service Managers occupation, which Restaurant/Food Services Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $69,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Hospitality Administration/Management field report median earnings of $31,588 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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