Magna cum laude and summa cum laude are two of the highest Latin honors awarded at graduation, with summa cum laude representing the top level of academic achievement.
These distinctions are typically based on GPA or class rank, but the exact requirements vary by institution.
This guide explains the difference between magna cum laude and summa cum laude, how they compare to cum laude, and what GPA is usually required for each level of academic honor.
What is the difference between magna cum laude and summa cum laude?
Magna cum laude and summa cum laude are both high academic honors, but summa cum laude is the highest level, awarded to top-performing students.
Magna cum laude is the second-highest distinction, typically given to students with slightly lower GPA or class rank.
| Honor | Meaning | Typical GPA | Class rank | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| magna cum laude | With great honor | ~3.7-3.8 | Top 10-15% | Second highest |
| summa cum laude | With highest honor | ~3.9-4.0 | Top 1-5% | Highest |
These ranges are typical, but each school sets its own criteria, so GPA thresholds and ranking percentages may vary.
Cum laude is the third level, usually awarded below magna cum laude.
What are Latin honors?
Latin honors are academic distinctions awarded to students who graduate with high academic achievement.
The three main levels are cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude, each representing a different level of performance based on GPA or class rank.
What does each Latin honor mean?
- Cum laude means “with honor” and is typically the entry-level distinction
- Magna cum laude means “with great honor” and is the second-highest level
- Summa cum laude means “with highest honor” and is the top academic distinction
These honors are ranked from lowest to highest as cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude.
How do you pronounce magna cum laude and summa cum laude?
- Cum laude: koom LOW-day
- Magna cum laude: MAG-nuh koom LOW-day
- Summa cum laude: SOO-muh koom LOW-day
Pronunciation can vary slightly, but these are the most commonly accepted versions.
What GPA do you need for magna cum laude and summa cum laude?
Magna cum laude and summa cum laude are usually awarded based on GPA, with summa cum laude requiring a higher average.
Most schools set their own thresholds, but summa cum laude typically requires a near-perfect GPA, while magna cum laude has slightly lower requirements.
| Honor | Typical GPA range | Typical class rank |
|---|---|---|
| magna cum laude | ~3.7-3.8 | Top 10-15% |
| summa cum laude | ~3.9-4.0 | Top 1-5% |
These ranges are general guidelines, and requirements vary by institution.
Some schools use strict GPA cutoffs, while others award Latin honors based on class rank or a combination of both.
If you’re planning to include this on your resume, it’s worth understanding how to format Latin honors correctly.
Why GPA requirements vary by school
There is no universal standard for Latin honors.
Universities may adjust GPA thresholds each year based on class performance or use ranking systems instead of fixed cutoffs, which means the same GPA may qualify for different honors at different schools.
Which is higher: magna cum laude or summa cum laude?
Summa cum laude is higher than magna cum laude and represents the highest level of academic distinction.
Magna cum laude is the second-highest honor, awarded to students who perform exceptionally well but do not reach the top tier.
From highest to lowest, Latin honors are ranked:
- Summa cum laude (highest honor)
- Magna cum laude (great honor)
- Cum laude (honor)
Summa cum laude is typically reserved for the top 1-5% of students, while magna cum laude is awarded to the next highest group.
How are Latin honors awarded?
Latin honors are awarded based on academic performance, usually measured by GPA, class rank, or a combination of both.
Each school sets its own criteria, so the requirements for magna cum laude and summa cum laude can vary.
1. GPA-based systems
Many schools award Latin honors using GPA thresholds.
Students who meet or exceed a specific GPA range qualify for a particular honor level, such as magna cum laude or summa cum laude.
2. Class rank systems
Some institutions award Latin honors based on how students rank compared to their peers.
For example, summa cum laude may be given to the top 1-5% of a graduating class, while magna cum laude is awarded to the next highest group.
3. Additional academic requirements
In some cases, schools may include additional criteria such as completing an honors program, writing a thesis, or receiving faculty recommendations.
Academic or disciplinary standing can also affect eligibility.
Do all schools use Latin honors?
No, not all schools use Latin honors.
While they are common in the United States, many institutions use different systems to recognize academic achievement, such as “with honors” or degree classifications.
In countries like the UK and Australia, universities typically use classifications such as first-class or upper second-class honors instead of Latin terms.
Some schools also use distinctions like “with distinction” or “with high honors,” depending on their grading system.
Key takeaways
- Summa cum laude is the highest Latin honor, followed by magna cum laude and cum laude.
- These distinctions recognize strong academic performance, typically based on GPA or class rank.
- Summa cum laude usually requires a GPA around 3.9-4.0 or a top 1-5% class ranking.
- Magna cum laude typically falls just below, with GPA ranges around 3.7-3.8 or top 10-15%.
- Requirements vary by school, so exact GPA thresholds and criteria are not standardized.
- Latin honors are widely used in the United States, but other countries use different grading systems.
FAQs for Latin honors
Here are answers to common questions about Latin honors, including GPA requirements, rankings, and how they compare.
Is summa cum laude the highest Latin honor?
Yes, summa cum laude is the highest level of Latin honors.
It represents the top academic distinction, followed by magna cum laude and cum laude.
It is typically awarded to students with the highest GPA or class rank.
What GPA do you need for summa cum laude?
Most schools award summa cum laude to students with a GPA around 3.9 to 4.0.
Some institutions also use class rank, such as the top 1-5% of students.
Exact requirements vary by university.
What GPA do you need for magna cum laude?
Magna cum laude is usually awarded to students with a GPA around 3.7 to 3.8.
It may also be based on class rank, often within the top 10-15% of students.
Criteria depend on the school.
What does cum laude mean?
Cum laude means “with honor” in Latin.
It is the entry-level distinction among the three Latin honors.
It typically reflects strong academic performance, but at a lower level than magna or summa.
What percentage of students graduate summa cum laude?
Summa cum laude is usually awarded to the top 1-5% of students in a graduating class.
Some schools adjust this percentage depending on overall performance.
The exact proportion varies by institution.
Is magna cum laude better than cum laude?
Yes, magna cum laude is a higher distinction than cum laude.
It represents a stronger level of academic achievement.
However, both honors indicate above-average performance.
Are Latin honors a big deal?
Latin honors are widely recognized as a sign of strong academic achievement.
They can be especially valuable early in your career or in academic fields.
Their importance tends to decrease as you gain more work experience.
