Learn to Make a Difference in the World
Average size of an honors course
Faculty teaching Honors courses
Entering first-year students
Average combined SAT score
Community of Scholars
Commonwealth Honors College students benefit from a tight-knit community, close ties with faculty, small honors classes, value-added honors advising, and access to special programs, merit scholarships, and research grants.
Small Classes, Big Ideas
Commonwealth Honors College students reach beyond the boundaries of their academic majors and our advanced scholarship tracks provide them with opportunities to contribute original knowledge to their fields of study.
Campus Full of Opportunities
Commonwealth Honors College students have access to the extensive resources of UMass Amherst — a large research university with roughly 100 majors and wide-ranging opportunities for student engagement.
Why the Honors Thesis: Esosa Osunde '24
Thinking about the Honors College or starting your thesis? Esosa Osunde '24 shares why these experiences are worth it.
Video produced by Mikey Hadley and the CHC Communications Team
Featured Events
In the News
Beyond The Past: Exploring The Power of Art, Activism, & Community at the 2026 Plenary Lecture
On October 8, Commonwealth Honors College welcomed Irene Mata for its 2026 Plenary Lecture in the Student Union Ballroom.
Beautiful Bonds: Honors College Plants Daffodils, Harvests Community
On September 3rd, Commonwealth Honors College families, friends and staff came together for the annual daffodil planting.
Home at UMass: Judi LaBranche joins Honors College as Faculty in Residence
Judi Bruno LaBranche, a senior lecturer in kinesiology, has been selected to serve as one of our two Faculty in Residence for the 2026-27 academic year!
