College Honors

College honors at graduation are determined by final cumulative GPA and are noted on the diploma and final transcript:

3.500 - 3.699 Cum laude
3.700 - 3.849 Magna cum laude
3.850 - 4.000

Summa cum laude

Averages are not rounded to the next higher number in the calculation of honors.

Departmental Honors

Many departments have a departmental honors program for outstanding students in their majors. Small group seminars, honors course sequences, specialized advising, and senior thesis programs are available in certain departments. For further information about the specific offerings of the departmental honors program in a particular department, see the website for each major program.

National Society of Collegiate Scholars

NSCS at Rutgers is an honor society inviting high-achieving freshmen and sophomores. Members must have a GPA of 3.4 or above and rank in the top 10 percent of their class.  NSCS at Rutgers State University continues to grow, building off of their past successes each year.

Phi Beta Kappa

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious liberal arts honorary society in the United States. The organization was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Virginia. The Alpha chapter in the State of New Jersey was established at Rutgers University in 1869. For more information, please visit: https://pbk.rutgers.edu/

 Prizes and Awards

The School of Arts and Sciences, academic departments, and other units of Rutgers University offer a variety of prizes and awards for students with excellent academic records or special eligibility. Students should consult with their academic departments and visit the corresponding websites for additional information.