Would it be better to go to a college as a regular student, or to go to a lower ranked college as an honors student? Assume both colleges have similar honors programs. Thanks! 
It depends. First it depends on the two colleges in question and how big a gap you think there is academically. Second it depends on what the honors program offers which can vary wildly from college to college. Third you should consider if either college has attributes that you prefer.
I agree that it depends on the two schools, what the honors programs are offering, and what you are looking for.
…and, as always: what are the financial implications. Honors College at a solid but lower tier university that leaves you with little/no debt almost always >> better name university + lots of debt.
I was told by an admissions person that their honors college was created because their best students were having a hard time finding each other, became unhappy as a result, and then would transfer. Once they got an honors program going (including honors housing) the whole dynamic changed for these students and they stayed through graduation. So yes, if you’re in the top 10% of a class, it could help you be happier at a school you’re highly qualified for.
If you’re a middle-range student at a more challenging school, the honors program will just be more challenging. Sometimes it just means more papers, more studying, more expense, and more work, and this could be at the expense of something you would have rather spent some time in. You should really know what you’re signing up for and if you want the experience of it as much as you want the label “honors student.”
The reality is most people can have a perfectly good life without an honors college.
It’s a nice thing to put on a resume as a recent graduate though. It can only help you in that regard. The question is, do you want to do the work?
If you’re thinking that in general the “honors” stamp on your diploma is going to carry a lot of weight with future employers or grad schools, it won’t. It doesn’t hurt, of course, and there are some Honors programs such as Plan II at UT Austin that are widely respected.
But the truth is employers and grad schools look beyond the surface to see what you actually did. A perk of honors programs is it gives you the opportunity for research, puts you in a few classes with top profs, groups you with other strong students. But if you don’t take the initiative to actually do research, if you never go to office hours so those great profs get to know you personally and are willing to write glowing letters of rec, if you don’t build your network so you find out about internships and other opportunities that your friends have learned about – if you don’t do these things than the honors possibilities have largely been wasted.
For someone going to a given school, I’d always recommend considering honors if they offer it. But as to going to a less challenging school but where you can get honors vs one where you can’t, that’s a tougher choice.
At some schools, the honors program gives students priority registration. If it’s a school where classes fill up otherwise, it could be a useful perk.
Mine, at Penn State, is worth it for that and honors housing alone. ^
I agree with @collegemom3717 that the biggest advantage is usually a $$$ one. Honors at a state school vs. tons of debt at a “better” school is a no-brainer, to me.
But I agree with everyone else that it’s more about what you want out of your college experience than what it means to grad schools and/or potential employers. I have one kid who’s a great student but doesn’t do well in large groups and needs to be near the top of the pack to feel comfortable; Honors at a mid-range school was the right pick for her, even though she was accepted to “better” schools, too. She lives in Honors housing, has smaller classes, enjoys being a slightly bigger fish, etc. My other kid is a great student who is fine with big groups and would rather be with even smarter kids because it motivates him; he’s headed to a bigger, very competitive school, and isn’t opting for Honors (even though he was invited) because he thinks he’ll be challenged enough without it.
tl;dr: There is no “better.” There is only “better for you.” And you’re the only one who knows which is better for you.
Here is my take. Don’t choose a college based on honors.
Everything above is accurate. Like minded people, small engaging classes less then 10 typically, priority registering, special advisor, research opportunities earlier, extended length for library (much like a grad student), mentor, seperate computer lab.
My plan is to do honors at least the first 3 semesters for priority reasons, getting a schedule without conflicts.
@happy1 @twogirls @collegemom3717 @redpoodles @mikemac @college_query @bodangles @yankeeinGA @nitro11 Thank you for responding! I truly appreciate it. As for those who say that I might be looking for the “honors” stamp on my diploma, I’m really not. I really just want the experience and the perks of a honors program during college. Right now, I’m debating between George Mason with honors and Virginia Tech as a regular student. I know that VT’s honors program looks for quirky people, not necessarily for smart people. Both honors program have similar perks, such as priority registration, research, smaller classes, etc. I was leaning towards VT, but since I didn’t get into the honors program I have to choose carefully now where I want to go. I want to be surrounded by like-minded peers and have the perks of an honors program. I don’t know what to do now…
@infinigirly do you know what you want to major in? Is the VT honors program one you can join after a semester or two of good work?
@redpoodles I want to major in data science, which is basically computer science and statistics combined. The VT Honors program is one I can join one year later, which means my sophomore year of college. That’s fine with me, but it has been said that being in honors is best for freshman year so you can get priority registration.