Hospitality Administration/Management (Bachelor's Degree) at Wilkes University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$35,007

Est. from PA median (8 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$26,000

Est. from PA median (3 programs)

Analysis

In Pennsylvania, hospitality management programs produce first-year earnings ranging from about $35,000 to $38,500, and Wilkes appears to land right in the middle of this range based on peer programs across the state. The estimated $26,000 debt load is slightly higher than the state median, though still manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74—meaning roughly nine months of gross income to cover what graduates typically borrow.

What's worth noting is how narrow the earnings spread is across Pennsylvania schools. The top-performing programs like East Stroudsburg and Widener only produce about $3,500 more in first-year earnings than the state average, suggesting that hospitality management outcomes are fairly consistent regardless of where you study in Pennsylvania. This pattern holds nationally as well, where the 75th percentile barely exceeds $38,000. The field simply doesn't offer dramatic earnings differentiation between schools.

For a family considering this program, the central question is whether a four-year degree investment makes sense when first-year earnings will likely hover around $35,000—about what many entry-level hospitality positions pay without a bachelor's degree. The debt burden is reasonable compared to earnings, but the career trajectory and advancement opportunities in hospitality management should be the deciding factors, not the initial paycheck. Given that Wilkes's estimated outcomes mirror those of nearby competitors, if your child is set on hospitality management, this program appears neither better nor worse than alternatives in Pennsylvania.

Where Wilkes University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all hospitality administration/management bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Hospitality Administration/Management bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (17 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Wilkes UniversityWilkes-Barre	$42,286	$35,007*	—	$26,000*	—
East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg	$11,036	$38,531*	$43,422	$26,905*	0.70
Widener UniversityChester	$53,638	$37,861*	$50,579	$23,250*	0.61
York College of PennsylvaniaYork	$24,606	$37,238*	$41,733	$26,000*	0.70
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia	$22,082	$35,339*	$49,666	$26,417*	0.75
Mercyhurst UniversityErie	$44,510	$34,675*	$43,101	$26,000*	0.75
National Median	—	$34,675*	—	$23,920*	0.69

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with hospitality administration/management graduates

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling

Plan, direct, or coordinate entertainment and recreational activities and operations of a recreational facility, including cruise ships and parks.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Lodging Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that provides lodging and other accommodations.

$68,130/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Food Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization or department that serves food and beverages.

$65,310/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.

$59,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Gambling Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate gambling operations in a casino. May formulate house rules.

$35,630/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers in assigned gambling areas. May circulate among tables, observe operations, and ensure that stations and games are covered for each shift. May verify and pay off jackpots. May reset slot machines after payoffs and make repairs or adjustments to slot machines or recommend removal of slot machines for repair. May plan and organize activities and services for guests in hotels/casinos.

$35,630/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Personal Service Managers, All Other

All personal service managers not listed separately.

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators

Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services. Manage and train staff of wellness specialists, health educators, or fitness instructors.

Spa Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of a spa facility. Coordinate programs, schedule and direct staff, and oversee financial activities.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Wilkes University, approximately 30% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.