Meeting and Event Planning: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals aiming to excel in the dynamic world of gatherings and corporate experiences, this program equips learners with the strategic and operational expertise needed to orchestrate successful conferences, meetings, and special events across diverse industries. Emphasis is placed on end-to-end execution, from initial concept to post-event evaluation, ensuring seamless delivery in both public and private sector environments.
- Principles of Meeting and Event Planning – Foundations of organizing events, including goal setting, timeline development, and stakeholder coordination to ensure alignment with objectives.
- Special Event Management – Advanced strategies for managing complex events, covering logistics, risk assessment, team leadership, and real-time problem solving.
- Budgets and Finance – Techniques for forecasting, allocating, and tracking financial resources, including cost analysis and return-on-investment evaluation.
- Site Selection and Venue Coordination – Criteria for evaluating and securing optimal locations based on capacity, accessibility, infrastructure, and compliance requirements.
- Contracts, Vendors, and Negotiations – Skills in drafting legal agreements, managing supplier relationships, and securing favorable terms through effective negotiation.
- Marketing and Promotions – Development and implementation of targeted campaigns to attract attendees, build brand visibility, and enhance event engagement.
- Food and Beverage Management – Planning and oversight of catering services, including menu design, dietary considerations, service logistics, and cost control.
- Audio-Visual Basics and Meeting Technology – Integration of modern AV systems, live streaming, virtual event platforms, and digital presentation tools for enhanced attendee experience.
- Hospitality Law – Understanding legal frameworks governing event operations, including liability, insurance, licensing, and compliance with health and safety regulations.
Meeting and Event Planning Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Meeting and Event Planning Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Meeting and Event Planning degrees, including Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners. 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 134,670 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners 13-1121 | $59,440 | $35,990 - $101,310 | 134,670 | $28.58 |
Meeting and Event Planning Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $43,200 in Mississippi to $127,160 in Maine—a 194% difference. The highest-paying states include Maine, New York, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 134,670 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 Meeting and Event Planning by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 53 institutions offering Meeting and Event Planning 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 Meeting and Event Planning is found at University of Central Florida (UCF) (176 graduates), University of Iowa (69 graduates), Iowa State University (ISU) (62 graduates), New York University (NYU) (39 graduates), and Central Michigan University (CMU) (33 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 730 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
176 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Postbac Cert.
|
69 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
62 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
39 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| High Point University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | High Point, North Carolina | Private | highpoint.edu |
| Universidad del Sagrado Corazon |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
29 | Santurce, Puerto Rico | Private | sagrado.edu |
| University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Other Award
|
25 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
20 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
15 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
15 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
|
12 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Other Award
|
11 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| College of DuPage (COD) |
Residency
|
10 | Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Public | cod.edu |
| Gwinnett Technical College (Gwinnett Tech) |
Other Award
|
9 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Public | gwinnetttech.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Other Award
|
8 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Other Award
|
8 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| SUNY College of Technology (SUNY Delhi) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
8 | Delhi, New York | Public | delhi.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
8 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Athens Technical College (Athens Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Athens, Georgia | Public | athenstech.edu |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Winona Lake, Indiana | Private | grace.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Master's
Other Award
|
6 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Other Award
|
6 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Associate's
|
5 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| Edmonds College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Lynnwood, Washington | Public | edmonds.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Associate's
|
5 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| Canadian Valley Technology Center (CV Tech) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
5 | El Reno, Oklahoma | Public | cvtech.edu |
| Lynn University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Boca Raton, Florida | Private | lynn.edu |
| Lasell University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Newton, Massachusetts | Private | lasell.edu |
| Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Branchburg, New Jersey | Public | raritanval.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Carolina) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Carolina, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Other Award
|
4 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| College of the Ozarks (C of O) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Point Lookout, Missouri | Private | cofo.edu |
| Chemeketa Community College |
Other Award
|
3 | Salem, Oregon | Public | chemeketa.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| East Central University (ECU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | ecok.edu |
| Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | matc.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Other Award
|
1 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Other Award
|
1 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
| Hennepin Technical College (HTC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | Public | hennepintech.edu |
| Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Marshall, Minnesota | Public | smsu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
1 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Southeast Community College Area (SCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | southeast.edu |
| SUNY Broome Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Binghamton, New York | Public | sunybroome.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Associate's
|
1 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| Mercyhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | Public | pct.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Meeting and Event Planning programs
How much can I earn with a Meeting and Event Planning degree?
Salaries for Meeting and Event Planning graduates vary by role and location. Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earn a median of $59,440 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Maine average $127,160 compared to $43,200 in Mississippi. Approximately 134,670 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 Meeting and Event Planning programs?
Currently 53 accredited institutions offer Meeting and Event Planning degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Central Florida (UCF) (176 graduates), University of Iowa (69 graduates), and Iowa State University (ISU) (62 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 Meeting and Event Planning growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 338 in 2010 to a peak of 977 in 2020, before declining slightly to 730 in 2023-24. This represents a 116% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, 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 Meeting and Event Planning degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners. Related occupations employ approximately 134,670 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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