Resort Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Resort Management equips students with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead and innovate within the dynamic hospitality and leisure industry. This program focuses on the integrated oversight of vacation destinations, combining business acumen with guest experience excellence to deliver seamless, high-quality resort operations.
- Hospitality Administration: Core principles of managing large-scale hospitality environments, emphasizing leadership, service culture, and organizational efficiency.
- Hotel and Motel Management: Techniques for daily operations, guest satisfaction, revenue optimization, and property maintenance in lodging-focused settings.
- Restaurant and Food Services Management: Strategic planning and execution of culinary operations, menu development, and dining experiences tailored to resort guests.
- Facilities Planning: Design and layout strategies for resort infrastructure, including sustainable development and space utilization for peak guest flow.
- Leisure Studies: Exploration of recreational behavior, leisure trends, and the social impact of vacation experiences across diverse demographics.
- Recreation Administration: Leadership in organizing and managing recreational activities, from sports programs to cultural events, within resort contexts.
- Marketing in Resort Environments: Data-driven approaches to branding, digital promotion, customer segmentation, and demand forecasting for vacation destinations.
- Recreation Equipment and Grounds Operations: Maintenance protocols and operational management of outdoor facilities, including pools, golf courses, and adventure zones.
- Business Finance for Resorts: Budgeting, cost control, financial reporting, and investment analysis specific to hospitality enterprises.
- Insurance and Taxation in Hospitality: Risk mitigation strategies and compliance with fiscal regulations affecting resort operations and property ownership.
- Event Management and Guest Services: Coordination of special events, weddings, conferences, and personalized guest experiences to enhance satisfaction and loyalty.
- Personnel Management: Recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and retention strategies for diverse hospitality workforces.
- Travel and Logistics Management: Coordination of transportation, guest arrivals, and on-site movement to ensure efficiency and comfort.
- Safety and Health Services: Implementation of emergency response plans, health protocols, and regulatory compliance to ensure guest and staff well-being.
- Professional Standards and Ethics: Adherence to industry codes of conduct, integrity in decision-making, and responsible stewardship of resources.
- Application to Specific Vacation Types and Locations: Tailored strategies for managing resorts in tropical destinations, mountain retreats, urban hubs, and eco-tourism sites.
Resort Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Resort Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Resort Management degrees, including Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling and Lodging Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 78,050 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling 11-9072 | $77,180 | $45,320 - $134,680 | 36,700 | $37.11 |
Lodging Managers 11-9081 | $68,130 | $39,490 - $126,990 | 41,350 | $32.76 |
Resort Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $53,310 in Arkansas to $104,840 in Rhode Island—a 97% difference. The highest-paying states include Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Colorado. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 78,050 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Resort Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 14 institutions offering Resort Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Resort Management is found at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), Firelands (34 graduates), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) (32 graduates), Coastal Carolina University (CCU) (22 graduates), Colorado Mountain College (CMC) (14 graduates), and Vermont State University (VTSU) (10 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 130 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Huron, Ohio | Public | firelands.bgsu.edu |
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
Coastal Carolina University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Conway, South Carolina | Public | coastal.edu |
Colorado Mountain College (CMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
14 | Glenwood Springs, Colorado | Public | coloradomtn.edu |
Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
Fort Lewis College (FLC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Durango, Colorado | Public | fortlewis.edu |
Lemoore College |
Associate's
|
4 | Lemoore, California | Public | westhillscollege.com |
SUNY Morrisville (SUNY Morrisville) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Morrisville, New York | Public | morrisville.edu |
SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Delhi) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Delhi, New York | Public | delhi.edu |
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
College of the Desert (COD) |
Other Award
|
1 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Schnecksville, Pennsylvania | Public | lccc.edu |
Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
1 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Resort Management programs
How much can I earn with a Resort Management degree?
Salaries for Resort Management graduates vary by role and location. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling earn a median of $77,180 annually, while Lodging Managers earn around $68,130. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Rhode Island average $104,840 compared to $53,310 in Arkansas. Approximately 78,050 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Resort Management programs?
Currently 14 accredited institutions offer Resort Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Bowling Green State University (BGSU), Firelands (34 graduates), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) (32 graduates), and Coastal Carolina University (CCU) (22 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Resort Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 179 in 2010 to a peak of 298 in 2020, before declining slightly to 130 in 2023-24. This represents a 27% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Resort Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling, Lodging Managers, . Related occupations employ approximately 78,050 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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