Cal Poly Pomona’s Collins College of Hospitality Management is ranked No. 5 in the world on the 2023 “Best Hospitality and Hotel Management Schools” list compiled by CEOWorld Magazine. The college has risen steadily from No. 32 five years ago. It is the only California program to make the Top 25.
The ranking is based on program quality, academic reputation, job placement rate, specialization, and survey responses from approximately 185,000 recruiters, employers and graduates.
One of only 70 programs worldwide accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), the college’s academic programs feature courses are taught in world-class facilities by leaders in the hospitality industry, infusing the classroom experience with their expertise, innovative scholarly research, and activities in professional associations. The students reflect the region’s rich cultural diversity and traditions.
Collins students gain real-world experience in business operations and management through a variety of polytechnic experiential learning opportunities in their undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
During their course at the award-winning Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch – the centerpiece and a curriculum requirement of the hospitality management program. With weekly rotations in both the back and front of the house, students gain transferable skills for future leadership roles across all sectors of the industry. Through the Disney College Program, students work frontline positions at Disneyland Resort to develop professional skills while earning pay and full-time units.
The Collins College offers three areas of emphasis: food & beverage, lodging and events. Students learn how to analyze and interpret real lodging market data to tell a story that informs and enables business decisions and budgeting. They also learn how to design and cost a restaurant menu while team-based problem-solving and solution techniques are applied in realistic operational situations.
“The second I saw Collins I knew this is where great things happen. I know that when I go to a class the professor will know my name and be open to discussions about industry questions I have,” said Andrew Soel, a hospitality management freshman
“I am just so proud, coming to Collins I knew how great the school was and I am happy that the industry can see that as well. I reached out to everyone I knew and shared the exciting news, you can just feel a sense of accomplishment on Collins.”
The Collins College, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, provides a pipeline to the state’s professional hospitality industry and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Career paths include lodging, food and beverage, private clubs, meetings and events, tourism, and sports and attractions. The college boasts an 84 percent job placement and continuing education rate. Its master’s degree program ranks among the Top 10 hospitality and tourism graduate programs in the United States.