Latin honors sound like a throwback to an old world. A vestige of academic tradition wrapped in Latin phrases most people don’t translate, such as Summa cum laude. Magna cum laude. Cum laude. They carry a certain air. They show up on diplomas, in graduation programs, maybe even on your parents’ fridge for a while. But what do they mean?
And more importantly, how do they matter once the applause fades and you’re stepping into job interviews, graduate applications, or just the long stretch of your twenties?
This isn’t just a list of definitions. It’s a map through the cultural, academic, and practical weight these honors carry, and where that weight holds up or quietly evaporates.
What Are Latin Honors?
At their simplest, Latin honors are academic distinctions given to students who graduate with high GPAs. They’re not standardized globally, or even nationally in some cases, but they represent recognition for consistent academic excellence throughout an undergraduate degree.
The three core honors are:
- Cum Laude: “With praise”
- Magna Cum Laude: “With great praise”
- Summa Cum Laude: “With highest praise”
Some universities add modifiers or alternatives, but most institutions follow some version of this structure. The honors don’t usually replace your degree classification; they sit alongside it. A history major with a 3.85 GPA might graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude.”
They sound formal because they are. But behind the pomp is just one metric: your GPA.
How Do the Levels Break Down?
While there’s no universal scale, here’s a general breakdown of how Latin honors are awarded in the U.S., depending on GPA thresholds. Keep in mind, schools can and do set their own criteria.
| Honor | Typical GPA Range | Translation |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.9 – 4.0 | With highest praise |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.7 – 3.89 | With great praise |
| Cum Laude | 3.5 – 3.69 | With praise |
Some institutions adjust these based on percentile within your graduating class rather than raw GPA. For instance, the top 5% might receive summa, the next 10% magna, and so on. Others require that you not only meet GPA benchmarks but also complete an honors thesis or receive faculty endorsements.
In the Ivy League or in honors colleges within larger universities, the bar is often even higher. A 3.8 might only get you magna, not summa. Because GPA inflation varies across schools and departments, many use internal ranking systems or weighted criteria.
Are Latin Honors the Same as Dean’s List?
No. Dean’s List is usually a semester-based recognition, awarded to students who meet a GPA cutoff (often 3.5 or higher) in a given term. Latin honors are cumulative. They consider your entire undergraduate record.
In a sense, making the Dean’s List is a series of academic sprints. Graduating with Latin honors is a marathon.
What Do Latin Honors Actually Reflect?
On paper, they signal consistency. That you didn’t just shine in a few classes—you maintained a high level of performance across your academic journey. It suggests discipline, responsibility, and a certain capacity for self-management.
But it also reflects a specific kind of success. Success within a defined academic structure.
You hit deadlines. You understood grading rubrics. You figured out how to write what a professor wanted. And you likely optimized for that. It doesn’t mean you’re brilliant in all contexts. It means you were very, very good at the game you were asked to play.
That distinction becomes more important once you leave school.
How Should You List Latin Honors on a Resume?
There are a few clean ways to do it. Here’s what most hiring managers are used to seeing:
Example 1
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Summa Cum Laude
University of Michigan, 2023
Example 2 (in Education section)
University of Texas at Austin
B.A. in Government, Magna Cum Laude
GPA: 3.86, May 2024
You don’t need to italicize the Latin (though some do), and you shouldn’t translate it into English. It’s expected in its Latin form, which functions more like a title than a sentence.
If you didn’t graduate with honors but made the Dean’s List, that can also be listed. Just clearly distinguish the two.
Does It Matter to Employers?
Sometimes.
For entry-level jobs, especially those with large applicant pools (consulting, banking, publishing, research), Latin honors can help your resume float closer to the top. They act as a filter, not a guarantee.
But after your first job or after graduate school, almost no one cares. Employers look for experience, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Most won’t even ask what your GPA was once you’ve got one or two solid roles under your belt.
That said, in fields where intellectual rigor is a hiring metric—academia, research, think tanks—Latin honors can still carry weight. They’re not irrelevant. They’re just not the whole story.
Graduate School: Do Latin Honors Give You an Edge?
Yes, but modestly.
Grad programs look at GPA, letters of recommendation, test scores, and statements of purpose. Latin honors can be a nice shorthand for “this person performed at the top of their class,” but admissions committees usually prefer context.
For example, a 3.75 GPA with honors from a rigorous university will often weigh more than a 4.0 from a less demanding one. Honors are a signal, not the decision-maker.
In research-based programs, writing samples or thesis work often matter more than your final label.
Latin Honors Requirements Beyond GPA
Some universities tack on extra requirements for Latin honors, especially for summa:
- Senior thesis or capstone project
- Oral defense before a faculty panel
- Departmental nomination
- No disciplinary record
- Completion of honors seminars or specialized coursework
These added layers are meant to ensure that the honors reflect not just grades, but intellectual engagement and academic character.
So even if your GPA qualifies, you might not receive the honor if you haven’t fulfilled these components.
Do Latin Honors Matter Long-Term?
Here’s the honest answer. They matter in narrow, early-career windows. Beyond that, they’re mostly symbolic.
The real value is in the habits they imply: perseverance, organization, follow-through. But those qualities need to keep evolving. The world rewards risk, flexibility, and emotional intelligence just as much as academic mastery, sometimes more.
Your GPA will fade. Your honors may get glossed over. But your ability to think, adapt, and ask better questions will outlast the paper you graduated with.
Quick Comparison Table: Latin Honors at a Glance
| Honor Level | Meaning | Typical GPA Range | Common Requirements |
| Summa Cum Laude | With highest praise | 3.9 – 4.0 | Top GPA percentile, thesis or faculty endorsement |
| Magna Cum Laude | With great praise | 3.7 – 3.89 | High GPA, possible departmental approval |
| Cum Laude | With praise | 3.5 – 3.69 | Meets minimum GPA cutoff |
How to Get Latin Honors
To earn Latin honors, GPA is the most important factor—but it isn’t always enough. Most institutions consider:
- A minimum residency level, typically at least 45–60 credits taken directly at the university.
- Cumulative GPA thresholds, which may vary depending on percentile (top 5–25 %) or numerical cutoffs.
- In some cases, departmental or honors program requirements—such as an honors thesis, faculty endorsement, or completion of specific course sequences.
Generally, to earn honors:
- Ensure you meet the minimum in‑residence credits requirement so your GPA reflects your performance at that institution.
- Maintain the necessary cumulative GPA range (e.g., 3.5 +: cum laude, etc.).
- If required, complete additional honors course components or internal approvals before graduation.
Where to Put Latin Honors on LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn profile can reflect Latin honors in a couple of effective spots:
Education Section
Include it clearly with your degree:
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Magna Cum Laude
University of X, May 2024
LinkedIn allows you to include bullet points—expand with GPA or academic awards if space permits.
Accomplishments / Honors & Awards
Create a dedicated entry labelled “Latin Honors – Magna Cum Laude” under your degree or in the honors section. It draws attention without crowding your headline or summary.
University Comparison: Latin Honors Requirements
This table summarizes the Latin honors policies for ASU, UMass Amherst, and SNHU, showing GPA thresholds and credit rules. All details are based on institutional registrar policies.
| University | Residency Requirement | Cum Laude | Magna Cum Laude | Summa Cum Laude |
| ASU | ≥ 56 resident credits | GPA 3.40–3.59 | GPA 3.60–3.79 | GPA 3.80–4.00 |
| UMass Amherst | ≥ 45 graded credits at UMass | Top 25 % class (varies) | Top 10 % class | Top 5 % class |
| SNHU | ≥ 60 institutional credits (online or campus) | GPA 3.50–3.699 | GPA 3.700–3.849 | GPA 3.850–4.000 |
ASU Latin Honors
At Arizona State University, Latin honors are strictly tied to ASU-gained GPA (not including transfer credits) and require at least 56 credits earned in residence. The GPA bands used are:
- Cum Laude: 3.40–3.59
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.60–3.79
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.80–4.00
You also need to complete at least 120 total credits for graduation. Latin honors are conferred slightly before commencement and determine eligibility for honor cords.
UMass Amherst Latin Honors
At UMass Amherst, Latin honors are awarded based on class percentile within your school or college, provided you have at least 45 graded in-residence credits. Designations are:
- Cum Laude: top 25 %
- Magna Cum Laude: top 10 %
- Summa Cum Laude: top 5 %
Each year, the Registrar publishes the specific GPA thresholds determined by historical class GPAs. Commonwealth Honors College students can hold both Latin and CHC distinctions concurrently.
SNHU Latin Honors
Southern New Hampshire University requires 60 credits earned through SNHU (transfer credits excluded) to be eligible. Latin honors are awarded based on clear GPA ranges:
- Cum Laude: 3.500–3.699
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.700–3.849
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.850–4.000
SNHU allows both online and campus students to qualify, and honors are recorded on the diploma and transcript (unlike ceremonial honors, which are not permanent).
Final Thought
Latin honors aren’t just relics of old-world academia. They still carry some cultural cachet, especially in early career stages and competitive academic environments. But their value, like any credential, fades if it’s not paired with growth.
They’re not the peak of your potential. They’re just a snapshot of who you were at graduation: someone who knew how to finish something hard and do it well.
The real question is what you’ll do now that no one’s keeping score.
