An Overlooked Opportunity: The Honors College

Apr 8

For many high-achieving students, the college search tends to orbit a familiar set of highly selective universities. But of course, in addition to these “reach” colleges, students must balance their list with “target” and “likely” options. This can be tricky, as many students who want academic rigor and prestige associate that with institutional selectivity.

One often-overlooked option? Public universities with selective honors colleges or honors programs. These can offer many of the same benefits students are chasing at selective colleges: small classes, close faculty relationships, intellectual community, curated opportunities, and a more flexible structure.

And, for some students, this isn’t a backup plan; it’s the better plan.

What is an honors college, exactly?

The terminology can be confusing, but the distinction is fairly simple:

Honors colleges are usually semi-independent schools within a larger university, with their own advising, housing, and academic requirements
Honors programs are smaller, less academically specific tracks layered on top of a student’s major

In both cases, the goal is the same: create a more rigorous, discussion-based, and personalized academic experience within a larger institution. This is done through:

Smaller, seminar-style classes
Priority registration
Dedicated advising
Access to research, funding, and special programming
A built-in community of academically motivated peers

In other words, many of the attributes students hope to find at highly selective private colleges.

Let’s break down these advantages:

1. You get small classes—without giving up big resources

Large universities often come with incredible resources: research labs, course variety, funding, internship pipelines. Honors programs allow students to access those resources and have:

Discussion-based classes instead of large lectures (at least part of the time)
Professors who know their names
More direct academic mentorship

It’s a hybrid model that can be hard to find elsewhere.

2. Priority registration is a bigger deal than it sounds

This is one of the most underappreciated benefits. At many large universities, getting into the classes you want, especially as a first- or second-year student, can be frustrating.

Honors students often register earlier, which means:

Better schedules
Access to high-demand professors
More flexibility to explore interests

Over four years, that adds up in meaningful ways.

3. Built-in academic community

At very large schools, it’s easy to feel anonymous. Honors colleges tend to create smaller academic communities through:

Cohort-based classes
Honors housing
Specialized advising

For students who want both scale and connection, this balance can be ideal.

4. Strong outcomes—often with less pressure

Honors provide students with:

More individualized support
Less day-to-day competition than hyper-selective environments

This leads them to be successful in future pursuits:

Competitive graduate programs
Prestigious scholarships and fellowships
Selective career paths

Early on, students are encouraged to take intellectual risks and enjoy learning. Later, they’re prepared for their future, with strong critical-thinking skills and clear goals in mind.

5. Merit scholarships and financial flexibility

This is a practical—but important—piece of the conversation. Honors colleges frequently come with:

Merit-based scholarships
Additional funding for research, travel, or internships

For families thinking about cost, this can significantly change the equation.

Who should apply?

Honors colleges tend to work especially well for students who:

Are intellectually curious and self-motivated
Want discussion-based learning but not a small campus
Are comfortable advocating for themselves
Like the idea of flexibility—academically and socially

They can be a particularly strong fit for students who are:

Applying to selective colleges but want thoughtful, high-quality options across a range of admit rates
Interested in combining multiple fields or exploring across disciplines before committing to a major

What to look for when researching honors options

Not all honors programs are created equal.

As you build a college list, it’s worth looking closely at:

Curriculum: Are honors courses truly distinct, or just labeled differently?
Class size: Are seminars actually small?
Advising: Is there dedicated honors advising?
Housing: Is there an honors residential community (and do you want that)?
Thesis or capstone requirements: What are the details and how much support is provided?
Access to opportunities: Research, funding, internships, study abroad? What do you want, and what is offered?

And just as importantly:

How easy is it to use these benefits in practice?

A note on selectivity and applications

Some honors colleges require separate applications, essays, or interviews. Others offer entry without an additional application, but with a specific (often earlier) deadline. Be sure to research the honors colleges to which you intend to apply, and make note of different deadlines, requirements, and the overall timeline.

A few honors colleges worth a closer look

Here are a few well-regarded examples, including programs at schools many of our students already consider:

Barrett, The Honors College (Arizona State University)
One of the largest and most established honors colleges in the country, Barrett offers a full honors residential experience, small seminar-style classes, and extensive research opportunities. It’s a strong fit for students who want a clearly defined honors community within a big university.
Echols Scholars Program (University of Virginia)
A good example of a more flexible model: fewer requirements, more academic freedom, and perks like priority registration. (UVA also offers additional honors pathways depending on the school or major.)
Honors Program (University of Washington)
Offers both interdisciplinary honors and departmental honors, giving students options depending on whether they want a broad liberal arts experience or deeper work within a major.
Honors Program (University of Wisconsin–Madison)
Combines honors coursework with opportunities for research and close faculty interaction, while still allowing students to take full advantage of a large flagship campus.
Honors Carolina (UNC Chapel Hill)
Focuses on small seminars, interdisciplinary thinking, and enriched academic experiences within an already selective university environment.
Honors College (CU Boulder)
Known for its residential academic programs and seminar-style courses that emphasize discussion and critical thinking.
Commonwealth Honors College (UMass Amherst)
A well-developed honors college with its own residential community, strong advising, and a clear academic structure.
Honors College (University of Maryland College Park)
Offers multiple living-learning programs with different thematic focuses, allowing students to choose a community that aligns with their interests.
Honors College (University of Vermont)
A smaller program that emphasizes close faculty relationships, discussion-based learning, and a tight-knit academic community.
Clark Honors College (University of Oregon)
A standout for students seeking a true small liberal arts experience within a public university—very small classes and a strong writing focus.
Hutton Honors College (Indiana University Bloomington)
Offers a flexible honors experience with access to enriched coursework, advising, and funding opportunities.

The goal isn’t to find the “best” honors college—it’s to find the one that matches how a student learns, how much structure they want, and what kind of college experience they’re hoping to build.

Final thoughts

For ambitious students, it’s easy to equate challenge with exclusivity.

But the most important question isn’t, “How hard was it to get in?”

It’s:

Where will I be challenged, supported, and able to make the most of what’s available?

Honors colleges offer one answer to that question—one that combines rigor, opportunity, and flexibility in ways that are often underestimated.

And for the right student, that combination can be exactly what makes college not just impressive on paper, but genuinely transformative.

Bridget Allen