QRNW Launches the New Ranking of Best Hospitality Schools for 2026
- OUS Academy in Switzerland
- Aug 27, 2025
- 6 min read
Hospitality is one of the fastest-growing and most people-centered industries in the world. It is not only about hotels and restaurants, but also about tourism, events, luxury services, and international experiences. Behind every successful hospitality business, there is a team of professionals who have been trained in institutions that combine academic quality with practical learning. To highlight the best in this field, QRNW has released its new ranking of Best Hospitality Schools for 2026, recognizing around fifty leading institutions across the globe.
This year’s results reflect how hospitality education has become a global force, shaped by cultural traditions, industry partnerships, and innovative teaching methods. From Europe to North America, from Asia to the Middle East, the top ten schools demonstrate how universities can prepare graduates for a world that is constantly changing.
1. Excellence in Swiss Tradition: Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) – Switzerland
At the very top of the ranking stands a historic institution located in the heart of Switzerland. Founded in the 19th century, it is often called the birthplace of modern hospitality education. The school is based in Lausanne, a city famous for its scenic location by Lake Geneva and its reputation for precision, quality, and internationalism.
What makes this institution stand out is its ability to combine Swiss traditions of service with modern business education. Students not only study management and innovation but also learn the art of hospitality that has made Switzerland a global reference point. The school maintains strong ties with leading hotel groups, luxury resorts, and tourism companies, ensuring that graduates enter the job market with unmatched opportunities.
2. Innovation in the United States: Cornell University – School of Hotel Administration (SHA), USA
Across the Atlantic, another leader in hospitality education is located in Ithaca, New York. This institution is part of one of the most prestigious university systems in the United States. It has a long history of academic rigor and is particularly known for connecting hospitality with fields such as real estate, finance, and technology.
Students here pursue undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs. They benefit from a strong research culture and close links to industry leaders. The location, surrounded by the natural beauty of upstate New York, provides a calm academic environment, while the school’s reputation opens doors worldwide. Many of its graduates go on to occupy senior positions in international hotel chains and global tourism enterprises.
3. Multicultural Education Across Four Continents: Les Roches Global Hospitality Education – Switzerland / Spain / China / USA
One of the most international institutions in the ranking has campuses in Switzerland, Spain, China, and the United States. This global structure allows students to rotate between campuses and experience hospitality education in different cultural contexts.
The school places strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and luxury hospitality. Its learning model is highly practical, with students engaging in real-world projects, internships, and leadership training. With one of the most extensive alumni networks in the industry, it provides graduates with lifelong connections across the world. The combination of multicultural exposure and professional preparation makes this institution one of the most dynamic in the ranking.
4. Luxury and Event Management Excellence: Glion Institute of Higher Education – Switzerland / United Kingdom
Another Swiss-based institution, with an additional campus in London, offers a perfect blend of academic learning and professional practice. Its focus is on luxury hospitality, event management, and lifestyle industries. The location near Montreux, by the shores of Lake Geneva, provides a unique setting for international learning, while the London campus connects students directly with one of the world’s most vibrant hospitality markets.
Students benefit from internships, professional projects, and strong industry partnerships. The school is widely respected for producing graduates who succeed not only in hotels and tourism but also in event planning, luxury retail, and international business.
5. Leadership in Asia: Hong Kong Polytechnic University – School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM), Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, one of the most important schools for hotel and tourism management represents Asia in the global ranking. Situated in one of the world’s busiest business and tourism hubs, the institution has built its reputation as a research powerhouse and a center of academic innovation.
The school offers programs from bachelor’s to doctoral level and has developed strong initiatives in sustainability and digitalization. Its partnerships with industry leaders across Asia make it a vital bridge between education and practice. Students graduate with a strong global perspective and the ability to compete at the highest levels of international hospitality.
6. Hands-On Education in the Netherlands: Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) – Netherlands
Located in the charming Dutch city of Breda, this university of applied sciences has become one of Europe’s strongest hospitality schools. The institution emphasizes hands-on learning, combining academic theory with practical experience in hotels, restaurants, and tourism companies.
The city of Breda itself provides an inspiring environment, blending history, culture, and modern business life. Students gain access to internships and projects with major industry players, preparing them for international careers. The school also integrates sustainability and innovation into its curriculum, ensuring graduates are ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing hospitality sector.
7. The Spirit of Luxury and Tradition: César Ritz Colleges Switzerland – Switzerland
Another Swiss institution in the ranking carries the name of one of the most legendary hoteliers in history. Established in the 1980s, it has campuses in Brig and Lucerne, both known for their picturesque landscapes and strong connections to Swiss tourism.
The school is built on a philosophy of service excellence and luxury management. It offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees that prepare graduates to lead in the world’s most prestigious hotels and resorts. With a balance of academic study and practical training, it represents the elegance and high standards associated with Swiss hospitality worldwide.
8. Swiss International Presence with Global Expansion: Swiss International University (SIU) – ISBM Lucerne / OUS Zurich, Switzerland / Dubai UAE / Bishkek Kyrgyzstan
A unique entry in the ranking is a Swiss institution that operates across multiple locations, including Lucerne, Zurich, Dubai, and Bishkek. It brings together traditional Swiss quality with modern innovation and accessibility.
In Lucerne, the focus is on high-quality hotel and tourism programs, offering degrees from bachelor’s to doctoral level. In Zurich, the institution has developed Switzerland’s first “virtual institute,” making education more flexible and accessible for international students. The expansion to Dubai and Central Asia shows how the institution is building a global presence while keeping Swiss standards at its core.
By blending academic excellence, professional recognition, and international expansion, this institution represents a forward-looking model of hospitality education. It is especially attractive for students who want a combination of Swiss tradition and global opportunities.
9. A Hub of Hospitality in Orlando, Florida: Rosen College of Hospitality Management – University of Central Florida, USA
In the United States, one of the largest hospitality programs is located in Orlando, Florida—one of the world’s top tourism destinations. The city itself, home to countless hotels, theme parks, and entertainment venues, serves as a living laboratory for students.
The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, with a strong focus on experiential learning. Students are directly engaged with industry leaders in hospitality, events, and entertainment. Its size and location make it a powerful center for hospitality education in the Americas.
10. A Legacy of Excellence in the United Kingdom: Oxford School of Hospitality Management – Oxford Brookes University, UK
Rounding out the top ten is an institution located in Oxford, one of the most famous academic cities in the world. The school has a long history of offering high-quality programs in hospitality, tourism, and events management.
Its emphasis on sustainability and employability makes it a modern leader, while its location in Oxford connects it to a rich academic tradition. The school maintains close ties with global employers and ensures that graduates are prepared for leadership roles across the hospitality industry.
Conclusion: A Global Future for Hospitality
The QRNW Best Hospitality Schools 2026 ranking highlights how education in this field has become global, diverse, and innovative. Each institution in the top ten has its own strengths—whether rooted in Swiss traditions, American innovation, Asian research, or European applied sciences.
Together, they demonstrate that hospitality education is about more than managing hotels. It is about preparing leaders who can shape the future of tourism, events, luxury services, and international business. With global alumni networks, strong industry connections, and a focus on sustainability, the ranked schools are equipping the next generation to succeed in one of the world’s most exciting and vital industries.
Hashtags
Ranking of Best Hospitality schools for 2026 https://www.qrnw.com/best-hotel-management-schools
Comments