Graduating With Honors
To graduate with honors, you must have 56 credits at the University of Idaho and a cumulative institutional GPA that meets the criteria below, or 32 credits at the University of Idaho and a cumulative institutional AND overall GPA that meets the criteria below. Graduate students are not eligible for honors.
Summa Cum Laude, “With Highest Distinction,” represents students whose GPA places them in the top 3% of graduates from their respective college within the last five years.
Magna Cum Laude, “With Great Distinction,” represents students whose GPA places them in the top 6%, but below the top 3%, of graduates from their respective college within the last five years.
Cum Laude, “With Distinction,” represents students whose GPA places them in the top 10%, but below the top 6%, of graduates from their respective college within the last five years.
Criteria for 2008-2009 graduates:
| College | Summa Cum Laude | Magna Cum Laude | Cum Laude |
| Agricultural & Life Sciences | 4.00 | 3.95 | 3.86 |
| Art & Architecture | 3.95 | 3.90 | 3.83 |
| Business & Economics | 3.94 | 3.85 | 3.73 |
| Education | 4.00 | 3.97 | 3.93 |
| Engineering | 3.95 | 3.90 | 3.81 |
| Law | 3.65 | 3.49 | 3.38 |
| Letters, Arts & Social Sciences | 3.97 | 3.92 | 3.85 |
| Natural Resources | 3.97 | 3.92 | 3.85 |
| Science | 4.00 | 3.94 | 3.87 |
The Jesse Buchanan Plaque
The Jesse Buchanan Plaque honors University of Idaho students for highest scholarship. It lists the names of University of Idaho students who, since 1927, have achieved a 4.00 grade point average for undergraduate coursework received while attending the University of Idaho. Recipients of this award must have completed all of their credits at the University of Idaho; Transfer students are not eligible.
The plaque is presented in honor of Jesse E. Buchanan, who was the first University of Idaho student to receive a 4.00 grade point average for in-residence coursework in 1927.