High academic achievement in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) is recognized upon graduation in three ways:

• Graduation with distinction (three levels), based upon grades only
• Graduation with honors in the major, based upon both grades and the completion of an honors project approved by the college and the major department
• Graduation with university honors, based on grades and completion of a formal curriculum of honors coursework and experiences. 

The college awards degrees “with highest distinction” to students in the highest 2 percent of their graduating class, “with high distinction” to students in the next highest 3 percent, and “with distinction” to the next highest 5 percent. Ranking is based on students’ grade point averages for both University of Iowa course work and all college-level study undertaken before the final registration.

To be eligible for graduation with distinction, students must complete a minimum of 60 semester hours in residence in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, of which at least 45 semester hours must have been completed before the student’s final registration.

Outstanding students are also invited to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, the oldest and most prestigious national honor society for students in the liberal arts and sciences. Since 1776, membership in Phi Beta Kappa has been a recognition of academic achievement. The Alpha of Iowa chapter was chartered in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1895. 

At commencement, these top students wear their distinction literally on their sleeves. Three stars signify highest distinction, two stars signify high distinction, and one star signifies distinction. In addition, students graduating with honors in the major wear a white cordon; students graduating with university honors are recognized by a medal worn on a black and gold lanyard; and students graduating with Phi Beta Kappa honors wear a pink and sky blue cordon.