President's list

University of Iowa undergraduates who achieve a grade point average of 4.00 in 12 semester hours or more of UI graded coursework and who have no “I” marks (incompletes) or “O” marks (no grade reported) on their records for two consecutive semesters (excluding summer session) are recognized by inclusion on the President's List. The President’s List is reported in a University of Iowa News Release at the end of every semester for students who have not restricted release of information to the public.

Note: For the spring 2020 semester only, a minimum of nine (9) semester hours of UI graded coursework was permitted for inclusion on the President's List.

Graduation with distinction

Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, the criteria for undergraduate students to graduate with distinction will be consistent among undergraduate colleges at the University of Iowa. The criteria will be based solely on a static GPA.

The three levels of distinction beginning in fall 2024 are as follows.

With highest distinction: 3.95 GPA or above
With high distinction: 3.85–3.94 GPA
With distinction: 3.75–3.84 GPA

To be eligible for consideration, degree candidates must complete 60 semester hours in residence as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa and at least 45 graded semester hours must have been completed prior to the final semester or session of registration. The grade-point average (GPA) upon which distinction is determined is the University of Iowa cumulative GPA (Iowa work) and overall cumulative GPA (Iowa and any transfer work) and includes all work undertaken prior to the beginning of the final semester or session.

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 commencement program, and will be read at the commencement ceremony if the student attends. Note that student records will be reevaluated by the Registrar after final grades post. Students who meet the criteria for distinction at that time will have the appropriate distinction level noted on their transcript and diploma, but they will not recognized at commencement.

For students who graduated from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in summer 2024 or earlier, the following graduation with distinction policy applies:

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 s.h. in residence at the University of Iowa, of which at least 45 s.h. must have been completed before the student's final registration. The Registrar confirms with the Dean of the College the names of students eligible to graduate with distinction.

Graduation with honors in the major

Each department establishes requirements for graduation with honors in the major. Successful completion of these requirements results in a baccalaureate degree "with honors" in the major.