What is the difference between Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude?
Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude are Latin honors awarded based on academic performance. They differ in ranking, GPA thresholds, and class standing, with Summa Cum Laude representing the highest level of academic distinction.
Latin honors appear on thousands of diplomas every year, yet few students truly understand what they signal beyond graduation day.
In the United States alone, over 4 million students graduate from colleges and universities annually, and a significant share earn some form of academic distinction.
Among them, Cum Laude is the most commonly awarded Latin honor, but also the most misunderstood.
For early-career candidates, academic signals still matter. That is why terms like Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude often surface in job applications, resumes, and background checks, even though their long-term career impact fades over time.
So what does Cum Laude actually mean? How does it compare to other Latin honors? And more importantly, when does it help you and when does it stop mattering?
This guide breaks down the meaning, hierarchy, eligibility, and real-world value of Cum Laude honors, and shows you how to present them correctly on your resume without overstating their impact.
What Is Cum Laude?
Cum Laude is a Latin phrase that means ‘With Honor’. It is the lowest of three Latin honors any university student can earn.
There are three Cum Laude levels named Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude. The Cum Laude honors are especially for individuals with higher grades at the time of their graduation.
Understanding Cum Laude
Let us understand Cum Laude by an example. Suppose Emily is about to graduate from a University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
She is an intelligent student and has managed to get a spot in the top 25% of students in her batch. Her university awards Cum Laude to the top 25% marks achievers.
Hence, she will be honored on her graduation day.
Required Cum Laude GPA
According to commonly cited university practices, including those summarized by Indeed, Cum Laude is typically awarded to students with a GPA ranging from approximately 3.5 to 3.7, depending on the institution.
Some universities also determine eligibility based on class rank percentiles rather than a fixed GPA, which means the exact cutoff can vary each year.
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What Is Magna Cum Laude?
Magna Cum Laude is a Latin phrase that means ‘With Great Honor’. It is the second-highest of the three Latin honors any university graduate can obtain.
Understanding Magna Cum Laude
To understand the Magna Cum Laude, we will continue the above-given example of Emily. Suppose if Emily manages to fix her spot in the list of top 10% scoring students in the university, she will be honored by Magna Cum Laude on her graduation day.
Required Magna Cum Laude GPA
There is no universal GPA requirement for Magna Cum Laude across U.S. universities.
As noted by Investopedia, Magna Cum Laude is commonly awarded to students with GPAs that fall between Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude thresholds, often around the 3.7 to 3.9 range, depending on the institution.
Many universities also base eligibility on class rank or percentile standing rather than a strict GPA, which means the exact cutoff can vary by school and graduating class.
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What Is Summa Cum Laude?
Similar to the above-given honors, Summa Cum Laude is also a Latin phrase that means ‘With Highest Honor’.
This honor is the highest a student can earn and is reserved for the students with the finest academic achievement and highest GPAs in the graduation batch.
Understanding Summa Cum Laude
Though there are no concrete criteria for the Summa Cum Laude honor, we can consider the top 5% scoring students eligible for it as it is the highest honor a student can earn.
Required Summa Cum Laude GPA
There is no standardized GPA requirement for Summa Cum Laude across U.S. universities.
According to Indeed, Summa Cum Laude is typically awarded to students with the highest GPAs in their graduating class, often around 3.9 or higher, depending on the institution.
Some universities determine eligibility strictly by class rank or percentile, while others set their own GPA thresholds, which can vary by school and academic year.
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Difference Between Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude
Numerous colleges and universities across the entire United States are using these honors. Still, there is no standardization for students' eligibility for them. To make a clear picture of both these honors, we are differentiating them in the table given below:
| Magna Cum Laude | Summa Cum Laude |
|---|---|
| It means ‘With Great Honor’ | It means ‘With Highest Honor’ |
| It is for students having 3.7 and 3.8 GPA | It is for students having 3.9 and 4.0 GPA |
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Why Should You Showcase Cum Laude on Your Resume?
Showcasing Cum Laude on your resume can be a great way to highlight your academic achievements and demonstrate your dedication and hard work.
Here are some reasons why you should consider adding your Cum Laude honors to your resume:
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Helps you stand out from the competition: Having Cum Laude on your resume can help you stand out from other candidates who may not have achieved the same level of academic success. Employers are often impressed by candidates who have excelled academically, and displaying your honors can help you make a positive first impression.
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Demonstrates your commitment to excellence: Graduating Cum Laude is no small feat, and it demonstrates your commitment to academic excellence. This can be an important trait for employers who are looking for candidates who are dedicated and hardworking.
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Showcases your academic abilities: Displaying your Cum Laude honors can be an effective way to demonstrate your academic abilities, particularly if you don't have a lot of work experience yet. Employers may be more willing to consider candidates with less work experience if they have achieved impressive academic honors.
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Reflects your potential for success: Graduating Cum Laude is a strong indicator of potential for future success. Employers are often looking for candidates who have the ability to learn and grow, and your academic achievements can be a good indicator of these qualities.
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Boost your confidence: Finally, adding your Cum Laude honors to your resume can be a great way to boost your confidence and feel proud of your achievements. This can help you approach job interviews and networking events with greater self-assurance, which can ultimately lead to more success in your career.
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How to Show Cum Laude on a Resume?
If you have received this prestigious academic honor of Cum Laude, it is important to highlight it on your resume as it can significantly improve your chances of getting hired by a potential employer.
Here are some tips on how you can showcase Cum Laude on your resume effectively:
Include Cum Laude in the Education Section
The education section is the best place to highlight your Cum Laude distinction.
To include Cum Laude in your education section, follow these steps:
- Start by listing your degree and the institution where you earned it
- List your Cum Laude distinction next to your degree. For example, you can write "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Cum Laude"
- Make sure to capitalize "Cum Laude" as it is a proper noun
Mention the Cum Laude Distinction in the Objective or Summary Section
The objective or summary section can be a great place to highlight your Cum Laude distinction.
Since this section is usually at the beginning of the resume, it gives you an opportunity to highlight this prestigious accomplishment right off the bat to employers.
To mention your Cum Laude distinction in the objective or summary section, follow these steps:
- Start by introducing yourself and stating your career objectives
- Mention your Cum Laude distinction and the degree you earned it in. For example, you can write "Recent computer science graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Cum Laude"
- Keep it brief and to the point. The objective or summary section should be no more than two to three sentences.
Include Cum Laude in the Honors and Awards Section
If you have received other academic scholarships, honors, and awards, you can include your Cum Laude distinction in this section.
To include Cum Laude in the honors and awards section, highlight your Cum Laude distinction next to your degree. For example, you can write "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Cum Laude."
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What Is an Academic Distinction?
The United States education system has two forms of academic distinctions, i.e., Annual Distinctions & Graduating Distinctions. Let us get a detailed description of both of these below:
Annual Distinctions
Annual distinctions are calculated via the number of credit hours completed versus the GPA. These distinctions are provided annually via the publication of Dean’s List.
Graduating Distinctions
As its name suggests, graduating distinctions are given at the time of graduation based on the overall GPA of a student. The Latin honors, i.e., Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude, can be considered graduation distinctions.
How to Gain Academic Distinction?
To gain an annual academic distinction, you need to complete all your credit hours and get an annual GPA of at least 3.5 or higher.
Similarly, to get a graduating distinction, you need to maintain a GPA of more than 3.5 throughout your degree course.
What Is the Highest Cum Laude?
Summa Cum Laude honor is considered to be the highest Cum Laude honor that is offered to the students having 3.9 or 4.0 GPA throughout all the semesters of their degree course.
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When Did Latin Honors Originate
The Harvard University of America gave the first Latin honors in 1869. Only a few countries like Israel, Canada, and Indonesia use this award system apart from the United States.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom uses an English award system to honor deserving students.
Other Academic Honors Your College May Award
Universities offer many other honors apart from Laude Honors across the United States. Here are some honors you might see in your university for students who perform well in academics in an academic year:
1. Dean's List
This academic honor is for the students who earn the highest GPA in a full-time course at the university.
2. Chancellor's Scholars
This honor is for fresh students and works as a scholarship for those having higher grades in their high school.
3. Honor Students
The students who enroll in honors courses or work on special projects receive this recognition.
4. Academic Distinction
This academic honor is for the students who achieved higher grades in semesters.
5. Valedictorian and Salutatorian
These two are the highest academic honors one can get in the United States. You will become Valedictorian if you are equipped with the highest academic achievements and Salutatorian if you have the second-highest academic achievements.
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Key Takeaways
- What is Cum laude?
Cum Laude is a Latin phrase that represents the lowest of three Latin honors any university student can earn, especially for individuals with higher grades at the time of their graduation. To be eligible for this honor in a United States University, a minimum GPA of 3.5 is required, but there are no fixed criteria.
- What Is Summa Cum Laude?
Summa Cum Laude is the highest Latin honor a student can earn and is reserved for those with the highest academic achievement and GPAs in their graduation batch, typically the top 5%. To be eligible, a student must have a GPA of at least 3.9, although there are no fixed criteria.
- What Is Magna Cum Laude?
Magna Cum Laude is the second-highest of the three Latin honors, meaning "With Great Honor". To be eligible for this honor in a US university, a minimum GPA of 3.7 is generally required.
- How to showcase Cum Laude on a resume?
If you have received the prestigious academic honor of Cum Laude, it is highly recommended to showcase it on your resume as it can increase your chances of getting hired. You can include Cum Laude in the education section, mention it in the objective or summary section, and add it to the honors and awards section. By highlighting your Cum Laude distinction, you can demonstrate your academic excellence and commitment to hard work, which can make you stand out among other job applicants.
You can visit Hiration's career activator platform that has 24x7 chat support to help you draft the best resume.
Latin Honors — FAQ
What does Cum Laude mean?
Cum Laude means “With Honor” and is the lowest of the three Latin honors awarded to graduating students based on academic performance.
What is the difference between Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude?
Magna Cum Laude means “With Great Honor” and is awarded to high-performing students, while Summa Cum Laude means “With Highest Honor” and is reserved for the top academic performers in a graduating class.
Is there a fixed GPA requirement for Latin honors?
No. GPA thresholds for Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude vary by institution and are often based on class rank or percentile rather than fixed GPA cutoffs.
Should Cum Laude be listed on a resume?
Yes, especially for students and early-career professionals. Listing Latin honors can help highlight academic performance when work experience is limited.
Where should Latin honors appear on a resume?
Latin honors should be listed in the education section, and can also appear in the summary or honors and awards section if relevant.
Do Latin honors matter later in your career?
Their impact decreases over time. While valuable early on, professional experience and skills eventually carry more weight than academic distinctions.
Can Hiration help students present academic honors correctly?
Yes. Hiration helps students and graduates structure education sections, highlight academic distinctions appropriately, and maintain clarity across resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
