Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan
School of Hotel Administration
The leading school for hospitality business
Master the business of hospitality at the only Ivy League school of its kind. The Nolan School pioneered hospitality education and has continued to set the standard for over a century. Our prestigious degree programs build expertise in hospitality administration, services management and real estate finance. Nolan School students become part of the Hotelie community, a proud network of people-focused leaders.
No. 6
Best hospitality and hotel management schools in the world
CEOWORLD, 2026
91%
of graduates employed
within four months
$86K
average starting salary
for recent graduates
First-class programs
The Nolan School offers hospitality business degrees and programs to fit any career stage, from undergraduates to professionals and executives.
Undergraduate program
Our undergraduate program blends top-tier business and hospitality education with engaging experiential learning. Become head chef at The Establishment, a real restaurant, and build industry connections at the student-run Hotel Ezra Cornell conference. Leverage curriculum in finance, banking, real estate and analytics to tailor your ideal career path in hospitality.
Professional and executive-level programs
Our graduate programs combine business education with hospitality specialization to accelerate your career. Choose from a Master of Management in Hospitality, an Executive Master of Management in Hospitality, a Master of Professional Studies in Real Estate through the Rubacha Department of Real Estate or a Cornell-Peking MMH/MBA.
Research-focused programs
Our highly-ranked M.S. and Ph.D. programs offer research-focused training in hospitality management. Students collaborate with faculty on practical challenges and build the skills needed for high-level positions in academia, policy and industry.
An Ivy League education that serves your career
Rich traditions and new horizons
If you’re seeking academic achievement, career advancement and personal growth, the Nolan School is a perfect fit.
Why Nolan?
The Nolan School’s distinctive culture offers enriching traditions you can’t find anywhere else. Learn about how our students, faculty and alumni leverage these unique opportunities.
A history of hospitality
For over a century, the Nolan School has led the evolution of hospitality education. Our curriculum continues to push boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in tradition.
Leadership that inspires
Our leaders spark academic drive and innovative research, hosting a community that encourages rigorous debate and lifelong connection.
At the heart of Nolan
Students thrive with the support of inspiring leaders, top-notch faculty and a deeply-connected alumni network. Together, our community advances hospitality through mentorship, research and a shared commitment to excellence.
Our dean puts people first
Dean Ceridwyn King is a respected scholar and leader. She emphasizes a collaborative approach, encouraging students and faculty to engage across disciplines.
Instructors, practitioners and researchers
Our faculty advance hospitality in real estate finance, food and beverage, and services management, among other fields. Our dedicated educators prepare students to be emotionally intelligent, culturally aware and skilled in service.
A lifelong alumni community
Nolan School alumni are part of a strong community that supports students with mentorship, hiring and speaking on campus. Their gifts to the school sustain its initiatives and legacy.
Alumni perspectives
Our graduates prove the power of hospitality-focused business education. They gained versatile knowledge, industry connections and skills that endured long after graduation.
“[The Nolan School] helped me build a connection between what matters most — the spirit of hospitality and taking care of fellow team members — and how I could make a difference by pursuing my strengths in understanding complex problems through data. Every year I come back to recruit that mix of passion and analytical rigor and am constantly impressed.”
Jess Petitt ’05
SVP of Strategy, Insights & Full Service Brands at Hilton
“Attending [the Nolan School] expanded my purview, jump started my career and established my skill sets of communication, problem solving and people management that I’ve used throughout life since.”
Christina Heggie ’10
Senior Principal, GenAI Trust & Safety Strategy at Google
“My time at [the Nolan School] gave me a deep understanding of the hospitality industry that was underpinned by a comprehensive business curriculum and helped me form critical industry relationships. These factors combined to set me on the path to be a successful leader in business.”
Keith Barr ’92
President & CEO of CarMax, former CEO of IHG Hotels and Resorts
Cornell Business News
Hotelie creates hyper-seasonal cuisine, served with theatrical flair
Jake Potashnick ’15 offers a finely crafted tasting menu at Feld, his Chicago restaurant that earned a Michelin star in its second year.
Remember going to Triphammer Marketplace? Two alums bought it
A married couple, both Nolan School grads, plans improvements to the venerable shopping center near campus in Lansing.
This Hotelie is bringing a ‘superfruit’ to an airport (or campus) near you
A Class of ’19 alum designs the eateries in the health-conscious Sambazon chain, beloved for its açaí bowls and smoothies.
Climate change and wine grapes: Go, stay or change?
As the planet warms, wine-growing regions face an uncertain future. Should they double-down on what they grow or do something entirely different?
Hospitality roots, endless possibilities
You’ll gain more than a world-class business education at the Nolan School. Our long established, deeply connected school will open up countless career paths for you.
Experiential learning
Undergraduates take part in immersive experiences like the Hotel Leadership Development Program and Hotel Ezra Cornell. Graduate students engage in applied coursework, case competitions, global study trips and executive-level simulations that integrate realistic challenges into their education.
Hospitality-focused business education
All Nolan School students benefit from a curriculum rooted in hospitality, real estate finance and services leadership. Hotelies deliver the ethos of service across every industry they touch.
Interdisciplinary access across Cornell
Our students draw on Cornell’s extensive academic resources to build expertise across boundaries. At the Nolan School, hospitality intersects with tech, sustainability, entrepreneurship and real estate, allowing students to shape their education around emerging industries and trends.
Our campus
Purposefully designed to encourage collaboration, the Nolan School’s sophisticated facilities have a welcoming ambiance. A newly-renovated food lab allows students to market and operate their own restaurant. The Statler Hotel, a full-service on-campus luxury hotel, offers practical experience to students and top-tier hospitality to thousands of visitors every year.
Build your future in hospitality.
Reach your goals one in the world’s largest and most dynamic industries. With a Nolan School degree, you’ll be ready to launch a successful career in hospitality.