I want to do an MBA or similar program in the hospitality field from a business school in the US. I came across Cornell's Master of Management in Hospitality and it seems like a good program.

My question is how does this compare to a real MBA program? Will I be able to get the same kinds of jobs after I graduate? I would specifically like to work in the marketing function in a hotel chain or resort. I wonder if these organizations usually prefer managers who have MBAs over master of management degrees.

There's a huge difference, and that is that grads of that master in management program generally only make about 2/3rds of the salary that Cornell's MBA grads make. Of course, this is because it places in such a narrow field -- many Johnson MBAs by and large go into higher-paying roles in finance and consulting.

My sense of it is that if you know your career path is going into hospitality, the Cornell master in hospitality management is great. If you aren't 100 percent sure, or want more flexibility to go into different industries, then do an MBA instead.

Hi Abel1207,

You pose a great question. I’m an assistant director for admissions at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University and can help shed some additional insight. If you plan on staying in hospitality after graduation, then the Cornell Hotel School is a great option. It is the #1 hospitality school in the world so graduates often do find positions with large hotels. If you plan on switching industries, earning your MBA would be a great fit because of its appeal to many industries. Another option? Consider the dual degree. You can have the best of both worlds. If you have any other questions or want to chat, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Nichole Grossman
Assistant Director
Admissions and Financial Aid
Johnson at Cornell University
114 Sage Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
607.255.0240