Hospitality Administration/Management at University of Delaware

University of Delaware's hospitality management program shows exactly what parents want to see: strong starting earnings that more than double within four years. That 64% earnings growth—from $37,563 to $61,655—signals graduates are building real career momentum rather than hitting an immediate ceiling. While the program ranks only at the 60th percentile within Delaware (though there are just two schools offering this degree in-state), it performs well above the national median, landing in the 71st percentile among nearly 300 hospitality programs nationwide.

The debt picture is reasonable given the field. At $22,850, it's actually slightly below the national median for hospitality degrees, creating a manageable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one. That drops considerably by year four when median earnings reach $61,655. Compare this to the national median of $34,675 for hospitality graduates, and Delaware's program delivers about $3,000 more annually right out of the gate—money that compounds over a career.

For students genuinely committed to hospitality careers, this represents a solid foundation. The combination of below-average debt, above-average starting pay, and substantial earnings growth suggests the program's connections and training translate into real advancement opportunities. Just understand that hospitality careers typically mean non-traditional hours and customer-facing work—the economics look promising, but make sure your child understands the day-to-day reality of the industry.