Distinction
The Office of the Registrar certifies to the deans of the colleges the names of students eligible to graduate with distinction.
Graduation with Distinction
Please Note: Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, the criteria for undergraduate students to graduate with distinction will be consistent among undergraduate colleges. The criteria will be based solely on a static GPA.*
*The College of Pharmacy and Tippie Professional Programs maintain a different set of criteria.
Distinction criteria beginning in fall 2024 can be found in the General Catalog. Criteria for for graduates prior to fall 2024 can be found below.
The University of Iowa designates distinction by gold stars worn on the left sleeve of the student's regalia.
There are three levels of distinction at Iowa:
- With Highest Distinction = 3 Stars
- With High Distinction = 2 Stars
- With Distinction = 1 Star
Distinction levels will appear on the transcript and diploma, the program, and will be read at commencement.
Collegiate Distinction Criteria (through summer 2024)
Graduates with distinction in the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, and Tippie College of Business rank as follows:
- With Highest Distinction: Highest 2%
- With High Distinction: Next Highest 3%
- With Distinction: Next Highest 5%
The three levels of distinction in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences:
- With Highest Distinction: 4.00 GPA or above
- With High Distinction: 3.95-3.99 GPA
- With Distinction: 3.89-3.94 GPA
The three levels of distinction in the College of Engineering:
- With Highest Distinction: 4.00 GPA or above
- With High Distinction: 3.94-3.99 GPA
- With Distinction: 3.86-3.93 GPA
The three levels of distinction in the Tippie College of Business:
- With Highest Distinction: 4.00 GPA or above
- With High Distinction: 3.92-3.99 GPA
- With Distinction: 3.78-3.91 GPA
The three levels of distinction in the College of Education, College of Nursing, and College of Public Health:
- With Highest Distinction 3.90 GPA or above
- With High Distinction 3.80–3.89 GPA
- With Distinction 3.75–3.79 GPA
Graduates with distinction in University College must complete a total of 45 semester hours in residence; 30 must be completed prior to final registration. The three levels of distinction in University College:
- With Highest Distinction 3.90–4.00 GPA
- With High Distinction 3.80–3.89 GPA
- With Distinction 3.75–3.79 GPA
The three levels of distinction for the undergraduate programs in the Carver College of Medicine:
- With Highest Distinction 3.85 GPA or above
- With High Distinction 3.75–3.84 GPA
- With Distinction 3.65–3.74 GPA
The three levels of distinction in the College of Pharmacy:
- With Highest Distinction 4.0 GPA or above
- With High Distinction 3.75–3.99 GPA
- With Distinction 3.50–3.74 GPA
Graduates must meet the following criteria prior to the final registration to graduate with distinction:
- Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program: 3.80 GPA or above in their MBA program coursework completed at the University of Iowa
Graduates wear gold cords instead of gold stars with their regalia. Distinction does appear on the transcript and diploma.
Graduation with Honors
Students may graduate with either or both of honors in the major and university honors.
Honors in the major recognizes excellence in a student’s major area(s) of study, whereas university honors recognizes completion of the UI Honors Program curriculum.
University Honors
University honors requires the completion of a flexible curriculum of honors coursework and experiences—such as research, study abroad, or internships—woven into the student’s undergraduate education.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the major requires additional work by the student, commonly a scholarly project or creative piece completed under the mentorship of a single faculty member, that goes beyond the regular requirements for the major.
Honors in the major is based on the college and department you are earning your degree from. Information for each undergraduate degree granting college can be found at:
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Nursing
- College of Public Health
- Tippie College of Business
Questions about your eligibility to graduate with honors in the major should be directed to your department or college.