More than half of the nearly 8,000 graduates at National Economics University in 2026 received an excellent classification, up from 38.5% in 2024. This swift rise signals a notable shift in the distribution of top honors.

When good and excellent classifications are combined, the proportion can approach 80% in some graduation rounds, meaning only a small minority receive lower rankings. Such a concentration reduces the distinction between average and outstanding performance.

Minister of Education and Training Hoang Minh Son warned that an unusually high proportion of excellent graduates may reduce the need for student effort. He instructed universities to curb grade inflation and avoid preset high‑grade quotas.

Hoang Anh Tuan, Head of Academic Affairs at the School of Business and Management, warned that when many graduates hold good or excellent classifications, employers may lose confidence in the meaning of graduation rankings. This may affect hiring.

The School of Business and Management illustrates how strict standards keep honors selective. Between 2023 and 2025, only four students – less than 1% of the cohort – achieved an excellent classification, while about 20% earned a good classification.

If top‑honor degrees become too common, their signalling power may weaken, making employers more cautious and potentially affecting the job prospects of all graduates. Monitoring grading standards is therefore essential for preserving the value of academic achievements.