50 Best Honors Colleges of 2026 by College Transitions

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Given the proliferation of honors-related programming at colleges across the U.S., we wanted to uncover which institutions, in particular, stood out from the rest. Our list of the 50 Best Honors Colleges highlights the nation’s strongest and most comprehensive honors programs, while hopefully giving you the info needed to determine which program is ultimately best for you.

Check out the full list below:

  1. University of Georgia (Morehead Honors College)
  2. Arizona State University (Barrett, The Honors College)
  3. Penn State University (Schreyer Honors College)
  4. Clemson University Honors College
  5. Miami University Honors College
  6. University of South Carolina Honors College
  7. Ohio State University (University Honors Program)
  8. University of Tennessee (University Honors)
  9. University of Connecticut Honors Program
  10. Texas A&M University (University Honors)
  11. University of Delaware Honors College
  12. Ohio University (Honors Tutorial College)
  13. Purdue University (John Martinson Honors College)
  14. University of Michigan (LSA Honors)
  15. University of Mississippi (Barksdale Honors College)
  16. University of Pittsburgh (Frederick Honors College)
  17. Florida State University (University Honors Program)
  18. University of Virginia Echols Scholars Program
  19. University of Vermont (Leahy Honors College)
  20. Florida Atlantic University (Wilkes Honors College)
  21. University of Oregon Clark Honors College
  22. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Honors Carolina)
  23. Rutgers University Honors College
  24. University of Massachusetts Amherst Commonwealth Honors College
  25. University of Arizona (Franke Honors College)
  26. University of North Carolina Wilmington Honors College
  27. University of Texas at Austin (Plan II Honors Program)
  28. City University of New York (Macaulay Honors College)
  29. East Carolina University Honors College
  30. Texas Tech Honors College
  31. Oklahoma State University (The Honors College)
  32. University of Houston Honors College
  33. University of Central Florida (Burnett Honors College)
  34. University of Washington Interdisciplinary Honors Program
  35. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (University Honors Program)
  36. University of Maryland Honors College
  37. New Jersey Institute of Technology (Albert Dorman Honors College)
  38. University of New Mexico Honors College
  39. Temple University Honors Program
  40. Colorado State University (University Honors)
  41. University of Kansas Honors Program
  42. Louisiana State University (Ogden Honors College)
  43. University at Buffalo (University Honors College)
  44. College of Charleston Honors College
  45. George Mason University Honors College
  46. Georgia State University Honors College
  47. Iowa State University (University Honors Program)
  48. University of South Florida (Genshaft Honors College)
  49. University of Kentucky (Lewis Honors College)
  50. James Madison University Honors College

More on the methodology here:

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Odd that the University of Alabama Honors College is not included among the Top 50 list of honors colleges. My best guess is that maybe that U Alabama Honors College did not submit data in a timely manner ?

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I was surprised to see Oregon State Honors College omitted too.

I wonder if Alabama isn’t on the list because they have auto admit based on stats to honors and selectivity was one of the criteria.

“Selectivity Score (25%) – Accounts for the average SAT/ACT scores and high school GPA of incoming students, the university’s overall acceptance rate, and the percentage of a university’s student body enrolled in the honors program.”

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My Clemson and UDel grads loved their honors colleges, and felt they were worthwhile.

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Mine loved her honors college experience at Purdue too!

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I completely agree that UGA deserves the top spot. Elite level students, excellent perks and top notch opportunities.

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It used to be ASU and U of SC were #1/2 before UGA. Now USC is down below. ASU is not a hard admit to Barrett - relative to others.

I think College of Charleston was 27 last year but that might have been a different poll.

I think - and Oregon State was mentioned - @eyemgh raves about it and yet it’s not here - so I think, different strokes for different folks. It’s likely as great as @eyemgh sees it. Some just join for nicer housing (U of Arizona’s is unreal - with a cafe on the bottom and gym adjacent). Some don’t care about the academics at all - hence those, like my kid, who dropped last semester after early course registration was no longer needed.

So I think, ranking aside, kids need to - not just apply to Honors for Honors sake - but look at what each and every Honors College offers - does it work for them. There’s a million - from various SUNY branches like Oswego to a URI to a Northern Arizona - and they won’t be found here.

But for students at those schools - they might be an experience home run - to make their time better.

Because job apps don’t ask for Honors, etc - a rank is great - but in most cases, I don’t think it matters. Where it matters is for the student - so I wouldn’t worry about - where does my school fall on this list. Many don’t fall.

For my one kid, he didn’t, as an example, apply for Purdue’s Honors - the academic side turned him off. At his school, he did apply - for the better dorm and registration. The academic side also turned him off and he dropped his last semester - but they didn’t hold you on schedule - I think he just took 1 or 2 Honors total- but the program is set up for that. Perhaps the school uses it as a marketing tool - get a better dorm and register earlier…while still offering the rigor/diversity of classes that others seek. His college gf ate up Honors even as he despised it. And of course, at some you might get access to certain programs - like the DC Semester at U of SC or certain research that - being in Honors makes it easier to get.

My other did apply for Honors everywhere and turned down #1 and #6 because they weren’t right for her, but she was rejected by #5 and #17 and WL by #16 - and ended up at #44 - simply because it was right for her. So #1 and #6 - in her case - not as difficult admits.

So the rank is nice - but the same program will be great for one and not great for another - and students should ensure the programs fit their needs vs. just applying. Not all are equal. And in most cases, would make a different in career outcomes. If you get an interview, then you can talk about it (it will be on your resume). Getting an interview is a big “if”.

Good luck to all.

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I’d never view a list like this as exhaustive, nor the exact rankings as definitive.

However, as a way of generating leads that might be worth checking out? Great!

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