Money for College: Consider an Honors College

March 30, 7:32 AMCollege Admissions ExaminerLauren Starkey

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If you’re thinking about applying to selective liberal arts colleges, but shudder at the thought of paying $40+ thousand a year, there’s a great option that can both deliver the education you’re looking for and save you tens of thousands of dollars: a public university Honors College.

While Honors Programs have been around for almost a hundred years, Honors Colleges are a relatively recent phenomenon: more than half were established after 1994. Honors Colleges are schools within schools, the larger institution being most often a large public university. Admissions standards are tougher, and the programs and services enjoyed by Honors College students are typically much better than those offered to regular students (think four-year Six Flags “fast pass”).

Here are some of the specific benefits:

Size: honors colleges have smaller enrollments and can provide a more personal education (at Towson University, less that 10% of the freshman calls is accepted). Forget the Intro classes with hundreds of students; honors college classes are typically much smaller.

Access to professors and programs: students can work directly with some of the top educators on campus, both in the classroom and through research opportunities. Interdisciplinary studies are encouraged and much easier to work out, and when it comes time to register for classes, honors college students often get first dibs.

Housing: many honors college have special (read better) housing, which allows students to create that school-within- a-school experience. At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the honors faculty have their offices in the residence building.  

Cost: here’s why this column is out on Monday—honors colleges have the regular university price tag. No extra charge for special speakers, better access to top faculty, smaller classes, nicer housing, and even (at the University of Alabama) first notice of scholarships, internships and “social opportunities” that are available to all students.

To learn more about Honors Colleges, check college search sites such as petersons.com that allow you to search specifically for honors colleges and honors programs.   

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