The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s University Honors is ranked No. 8 nationwide by College Transitions in its 50 Best Honors Colleges list for 2026. The ranking highlights the nation’s strongest and most comprehensive honors programs.
The educational consultant group recognized UT for resources such as honors-only advising, research funding opportunities and the University Honors Living and Learning Community, as well as specialized classes and curriculum. The ranking cites the success of University Honors students, who graduate at rates nearly 20% higher than their nonhonors peers and are almost twice as likely to pursue graduate or professional school after graduation.
“Earning a top 10 national ranking proves that our investments in University Honors are paying off,” said Amber Williams, vice provost for student success. “Collaborating with our faculty, we have raised the bar on rigor and value by introducing new distinctive credentials in leadership and complex problem-solving. This recognition confirms we are building one of the country’s premier honors programs right here at UT — and we’re just getting started.”
Talent, commitment and real-world problem solving
To determine the rankings, College Transitions evaluated and scored hundreds of U.S. honors programs and colleges based on three key factors: selectivity, program rigor and benefits offered. Scores were then standardized, weighted and totaled to produce the final rankings.
Selectivity, which included test scores, GPAs and acceptance rates, contributed 25% to the overall score. The 2,000 students in University Honors represent 7% of the total UT student body. University Honors students who came to UT in fall 2025 had a mean high school GPA of 4.6 and ACT score of 34.
Program rigor — measured by required honors credit hours and minimum GPA standards — also accounted for 25%. University Honors features 18-credit-hour minors and requires students to maintain a 3.5 GPA and complete a thesis and capstone project. About half of honors students also complete discipline-focused honors programming in their major.
“Our honors scholars are engaged learners who extend their curiosity beyond the classroom by living, learning and leading on campus and in their home communities,” said Talisha Adams, director of University Honors. “Through immersive residential experiences, meaningful connections with faculty, staff and peers, and participation in high-impact opportunities such as research, global engagement and internships, our scholars are supported to engage deeply, build lasting connections and transform knowledge into action.”
The remaining 50% of the score was determined by benefits such as living-learning opportunities, research offerings, culminating projects, and support for competitive scholarship and fellowship applications. University Honors provides scholarships (in contrast to some honors programs that charge a fee) and offers experiential learning grants, an honors lounge, priority registration, and exclusive advising around fellowships and graduate and professional studies.
“As a land-grant university, our mission is to open doors — and University Honors shows that excellence and service go hand in hand,” said Pat Akos, executive director of University Honors. “By attracting top scholars, fostering interdisciplinary innovation and partnering across the entire university, we are creating a rigorous experience that is distinctly UT. This recognition reflects the extraordinary talent and momentum of our faculty, staff and students.”
University Honors serves nearly 2,000 undergraduates each year and is open to qualifying students in any degree program at UT. The Office of Undergraduate Research, Fellowships, and Service-Learning offers exclusive programming for University Honors, and University Honors students routinely receive national competitive awards. Recent examples include the Churchill Scholarship, the Amgen Scholars Program, a coveted internship at J. P. Morgan, the Gilman Scholarship and Fulbright Grants. UT has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for seven consecutive years.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, sestep3@utk.edu)
Kara Addy (865-974-5534, kaddy1@utk.edu)