Since 1996, the honors program has sought students who are looking for challenges in their studies and in their lives.

This invitation-only program, comprised of about 470 students, fosters the highest levels of academic achievement. The program is open to students in every school and program. This selective program provides the college’s most motivated students with enhancements to the Ithaca experience. Honors students gain exclusive entry to innovative courses and seminars, which are specially designed and marked by a highly challenging spirit of inquiry.

Honors seminars are taught by faculty who have been chosen for their depth of knowledge and exceptional teaching abilities. There are more than 50 faculty in the honors program from many disciplines, offering seminars on a wide variety of subjects. These seminars require you to read important texts, test time-honored theories, and engage in an active and ongoing exchange of ideas.

Honors also fosters international study with our London honors semester, taught at Ithaca College’s London campus. Our scholar-in-residence program brings renowned writers, intellectuals, and academics to work directly with our students.

Our honors program extends far beyond the classroom. The honors residential learning experience offers the opportunity to be surrounded by intellectually serious and curious students. Honors students also share a 24-hour lounge with computer access reserved especially for them. We also have a robust co-curricular program with educational, social, and service components.

The program has proven to be an excellent preparation for for graduate and professional education. Historically, over 85 percent of honors students go on to graduate or professional school within five years of graduation. Our students have pursued degrees some of the best universities in the country. Many others have gone on to receive prestigious fellowships, such as Killams and Fulbrights.

If you're looking for that kind of challenge, we're interested in you.