Program Description

The Hospitality Management Associate Degree program prepares learners with the necessary customer service, room operations, dining room and food service operations skills for an exciting career. Learn about catering and special event planning, as well as hospitality law and liability. Learn to sell to convention organizers and businesses, and coordinate tourism efforts for communities. Tourism is an integral part of the economy and creates a broad range of employment opportunities. Whether you are preparing for an important business meeting or wedding reception, learn to create memorable experiences for customers through this degree program.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$11,392
Tuition & Fees: $10,853
Books & Supplies: $539

Starting Salary

$21,382–$40,010
Average, according to Lightcast

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

Available

100% Online
Get Started

The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

A Closer Look

Detailed Program Information

Take a deeper dive into the details of this program. This section offers information to help you evaluate whether the program fits your goals, interests, and timeline. Use it as a tool to guide your decision-making process.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
100%
at Antigo
100%
at Medford
100%
at Phillips
100%
at Spencer
100%
at Wittenberg
100%
at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Direct individuals and/or processes to meet organization goals
  • Organize hospitality resources to achieve the goals of the organization
  • Plan the operations within a hospitality organization
  • Control hospitality processes/procedures

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Hotel Manager
  • Night Manager
  • Rooms Director
  • Front Desk Manager
  • Front Office Director
  • Front Office Manager
  • Resort Manager
  • Guest Services Manager
  • Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper

Courses

The Hospitality Management Associate Degree is a 63 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered scenario playthroughs allow students to step into realistic hospitality and recreation situations—managing guest complaints, coordinating large-scale events or responding to service disruptions. These interactive experiences create a “real-feeling” environment at a distance, transforming passive learning into active problem-solving. Students practice decision-making in dynamic settings that mirror the pace and expectations of today’s hospitality industry.

Second, AI enhances personalized learning through timely, meaningful feedback. Students receive detailed input on ideas, service strategies and operational plans, helping them refine professional communication and critical thinking skills. Idea generation tools also support creativity, encouraging students to design innovative guest experiences, marketing concepts and recreation programming that reflect current industry trends.

Finally, AI supports intentional course design. Custom-generated images and scenario materials enrich instruction and ensure content remains current, visually engaging and aligned to industry needs. Every activity is mapped to core hospitality competencies — from customer service excellence to leadership and operations management — ensuring graduates are workforce-ready.

Consistent with NTC’s commitment to high-quality, accessible education and a caring campus community, this approach ensures students can learn when it’s convenient for them while still engaging in meaningful, hands-on experiences . By integrating AI strategically, this program helps students build employable skills and confidently step into careers in hospitality and recreation.

Learn more about Our Commitment to AI Integration

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2026–2027 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student may incur while attending NTC. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College takes into consideration the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student’s cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student’s financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies. The costs displayed below are estimates based on a 16-week semester or term enrollment. Expenses such as food and housing, personal or transportation may be less based on the weeks you are enrolled.

  • Full Time: 12 or more credits
  • 3/4 Time: 9 to 11 credits
  • 1/2 Time: 6 to 8 credits
  • Less Than 1/2 Time: 1 to 5 credits
Associate Degree or Technical Diploma — Student Living Away From Home. Please note: these estimates are based on one 16-week semester or term of enrollment, not the full academic year.
Expense Category Full Time 3/4 Time 1/2 Time Less Than 1/2 Time
Tuition and Fees* $2,620 $1,965 $1,310 $655
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $732 $549 $366 $183
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $5,455 $5,455 $5,455 $0
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $1,542 $1,542 $1,542 $0
Transportation $1,950 $1,950 $1,950 $1,950
Federal Loan Fees $43 $43 $43 Not applicable
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $12,342 $11,504 $10,666 $2,788
Associate Degree or Technical Diploma — Student Living With Parent(s). Please note: these estimates are based on one 16-week semester or term of enrollment, not the full academic year.
Expense Category Full Time 3/4 Time 1/2 Time Less Than 1/2 Time
Tuition and Fees* $2,620 $1,965 $1,310 $655
Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment $732 $549 $366 $183
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $1,612 $1,612 $1,612 $0
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $1,542 $1,542 $1,542 $0
Transportation $1,950 $1,950 $1,950 $1,950
Federal Loan Fees $43 $43 $43 Not applicable
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance $8,499 $7,661 $6,823 $2,788

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2026–2027 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. Your tuition cost is based on your enrollment level. These will appear on your bill and account.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees, visit our Tuition & Fees page.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647
financialaid@ntc.edu

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.