What is an honors college? Most honors colleges are housed within larger universities and offer students a smaller, liberal arts college feeling. Honors colleges offer myriad benefits, such as more rigorous and often enriched general education coursework options, dedicated advising and faculty, smaller class sizes, research opportunities, honors housing (dorms), additional merit aid, and more academically-focused peers. These intensive programs are designed to challenge high-achieving students and provide them with access to a community of academically-driven peers.
Why choose an honors college? There are many reasons that students want to participate in an honors college. Some want to attend a large university, but want a smaller, liberal arts feel, others want to be a part of a cohort of academically driven students, others may be drawn to an honors college because of the smaller class sizes or some of the many other benefits, such as:
- Smaller class sizes
- Priority registration
- More challenging curriculum
- Additional research opportunities
- Dedicated academic counseling
- Honors Capstone Project
- Honors dorms, study areas, libraries, etc.
- Scholarships (some honors colleges charge an additional fee, while others though most offer additional free funding to students)
There are TONS of Honors Colleges across the country. While they all offer enhanced opportunities for students, programs at state schools, in particular, can turn a less competitive school into a challenging, enriching, and affordable experience for academically driven students who want a bigger school feel, with access to big school resources. Please talk to your cousnelor if you are interested in exploring your options.
Some of our Favorite Honors Colleges:
| Clark Honors College at University of Oregon: | The Clark Honors College offers small, seminar-style classes, close interaction with faculty, and a focus on critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning. Students engage in honors-level coursework across various disciplines. |
| Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University: | Barrett is a nationally recognized honors college offering academically rigorous programs, personalized advising, and a close-knit community. It provides opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, and global experiences. |
| Global Scholars Program at Arizona State University focusing on international affairs: | This program provides a comprehensive education in international affairs, emphasizing cultural understanding, global perspectives, and diplomatic skills. Students engage in coursework, research, internships, and study abroad experiences, preparing them for careers in diplomacy, international business, and non-profit organizations. |
| College of Business Honors Program at University of Texas at Austin: | This program offers an accelerated and challenging curriculum for business students, focusing on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Students engage in honors seminars, internships, and collaborative projects, and they have access to specialized advising and networking opportunities. |
| Honors College at University of Tennessee, Knoxville: | The Honors College at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, provides an intellectually stimulating environment for academically talented students. It offers advanced coursework, research opportunities, and personalized advising. Students in the program engage in interdisciplinary study, experiential learning, and community service. The Honors College fosters critical thinking, creativity, and leadership skills, preparing students for success in their academic and professional pursuits. |
| Honors College at Washington State University: | This honors college provides an enriched academic experience for students interested in agricultural sciences and natural resources. It emphasizes hands-on learning, research opportunities, and engagement with industry professionals and policymakers. |
| Honors College at Michigan State University: | This honors college emphasizes interdisciplinary study, hands-on research, and leadership development. Students benefit from small classes, close interaction with faculty, and a supportive community of scholars. |
| University Honors College at Indiana University Bloomington: | The Honors College provides a rigorous and interdisciplinary academic experience, including honors seminars, research opportunities, and a strong emphasis on community engagement. |
| University of Connecticut – Honors Program: | The Honors Program at UConn provides a rigorous and interdisciplinary academic experience for high-achieving students. It offers small classes, research opportunities, and a supportive community of scholars. Students in the program have access to specialized advising, honors housing, and extracurricular activities. |
| University of Florida – UF Honors Program: | The UF Honors Program offers a challenging and supportive academic environment for motivated students. It features honors coursework, research opportunities, and personalized advising. Students in the program benefit from small classes, close interaction with faculty, and a strong sense of community. |
| University of Massachusetts Amherst – Commonwealth Honors College: | The Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst offers an enriched undergraduate experience with honors coursework, research opportunities, and personalized advising. It fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity through interdisciplinary study and engagement with faculty mentors. |
| University of Massachusetts Boston – Honors College: | The Honors College at UMass Boston offers an enriched undergraduate experience with small, seminar-style classes, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary coursework. It emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement, and provides personalized advising and extracurricular activities. |
| University of Nevada, Reno – Honors Program (WUE): | The Honors Program at UNR offers a challenging and supportive academic environment for motivated students. It features honors seminars, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary coursework. Students in the program benefit from personalized advising, honors housing, and a strong sense of community. |
| University of Texas at Austin – Plan II Honors Program: | The Plan II Honors Program offers a broad-based liberal arts curriculum for highly motivated students. It emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary studies, and intellectual curiosity. Students engage in small, seminar-style classes and have opportunities for research and study abroad. |
| University of Utah – Honors College (WUE): | The Honors College at the University of Utah provides an enriched undergraduate experience with honors seminars, research opportunities, and interdisciplinary coursework. It emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and community engagement, and offers personalized advising and extracurricular activities. |
| University of Colorado Boulder – Honors Program: | Generally, students in the top 10 percent of the incoming class receive an invitation, though if you would like to be considered for the program, you can request a manual review. This program offers a vibrant intellectual community for academically motivated students. It features small, discussion-based classes, interdisciplinary coursework, and opportunities for research, service learning, and leadership development. Students engage in rigorous academic inquiry and collaborate with peers and faculty. |
| University of Colorado Boulder Engineering Honors Program | Being part of the Honors Program will give you the opportunity to belong to a community of dedicated fellow students and faculty—a place where you will find true peers. EHP students, while being very good at math and science, are a very diverse group that includes musicians, artists, gourmet cooks, writers, athletes and student leaders whose goals are to become engineers, development workers, educators, entrepreneurs, medical doctors, professors, researchers and environmental policy makers. |
| University of Colorado Boulder Leeds Business Honors Program | The Leeds Honors Program provides a differentiated business curriculum for the highest-achieving students. Students in the Honors Program join a community of like-minded peers, take smaller and more rigorous business honors courses, have priority placement in the Leeds Honors Living & Learning Community or Leeds Residential Academic Program, and are given the opportunity to participate in an exclusive First-Year Global Experience. Students who complete the Leeds Honors curriculum and maintain the required minimum GPA will receive Leeds Honors distinction on their final transcript. |
| University of Washington – Honors Program: | The Honors Program at the University of Washington provides an enhanced undergraduate experience with small, discussion-based classes, interdisciplinary coursework, and opportunities for research, leadership, and community engagement. Students work closely with faculty mentors and benefit from a supportive academic community. |
Honors College FAQ
- Do I have to study a specific major to be a part of an honors college?
- Answer: Honors college students may choose any available
- Is there a difference in curriculum at honors colleges?
- Answer: Honors students must take a rigorous curriculum that includes accelerated and enriched general education courses, as well as
- Is there an additional cost to participate in an honors college?
- Answer: Many honors colleges offer additional merit aid to students admitted to honors college. And while an honors college may tack on up to $1,000 per term in tuition, the total cost is still far below that of elite liberal arts schools.
- What are the admission requirements for honors colleges?
- Answer: Admission requirements vary by institution, but can include a high GPA, strong standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), evidence of extracurricular involvement, leadership potential, and letters of recommendation.
- Can I join an honors college after being admitted to the university?
- Answer: Some universities allow students to join the honors college after being admitted to the university, typically based on their academic performance during their first year.
- How do honors colleges support students’ research and creative endeavors?
- Answer: Honors colleges often provide funding, mentorship, and resources for students to conduct research, pursue creative projects, and present their work at conferences or symposiums.
- How do I apply to an honors college?
- Answer: Some colleges let you apply directly through the Common Application. The application process varies by institution, but it typically involves submitting an application form, essays or personal statements, letters of recommendation, and sometimes an interview. Check the college website to learn the process.
