Your GPA so far.
Semester hours or credit units earned to date.
Credits needed until graduation.
Thresholds
Edit to match your school.
| Honor Level | Threshold | Required GPA | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cum Laude | 3.50 | — | — |
| Magna Cum Laude | 3.70 | — | — |
| Summa Cum Laude | 3.90 | — | — |
Thresholds Vary Widely
Latin honors cutoffs differ enormously across institutions. Some schools use percentile rank or class standing instead of GPA; others apply different thresholds to major GPA versus overall GPA; still others use departmental honors rather than university-wide honors. The values shown here are common defaults, but you must verify your own school's exact requirements in your graduate handbook or registrar's office before making any academic decisions based on this tool.
About Latin Honors
Latin honors are academic distinctions awarded at graduation, traditionally based on cumulative GPA. The three main levels—from lowest to highest—are cum laude ("with praise"), magna cum laude ("with great praise"), and summa cum laude ("with highest praise"). Some institutions also award laude lower than cum laude, or higher distinctions above summa.
Historically, the practice originated at European universities and is now standard in many U.S. colleges and graduate programs. However, there is no universal GPA threshold. A cumulative GPA of 3.5 may qualify for cum laude at one school but fall short at another. Some programs weight final semesters more heavily; others use major GPA instead of overall GPA; still others rank students by percentile and award honors to the top 10%, 5%, and 1% regardless of their actual GPA.
Graduate schools in particular vary widely. Some master's programs award Latin honors based on thesis defense performance and course grades rather than a simple cumulative average. Ph.D. programs rarely use Latin honors at all, preferring dissertation quality and publication record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard GPA for cum laude?
There is no universal standard. Most schools use a GPA between 3.4 and 3.6 for cum laude, but some use lower or higher thresholds, and many use class rank instead of GPA. Your school's handbook will specify its exact requirement, and some programs set thresholds by percentile of the graduating class rather than a fixed GPA.
Does every school use the 3.5/3.7/3.9 thresholds?
No. While 3.5/3.7/3.9 are common defaults at many undergraduate programs, they are not universal. Some schools use lower cutoffs (like 3.3/3.6/3.8), others use higher ones (like 3.6/3.8/3.95). Graduate programs, in particular, have highly variable thresholds. Always check your specific institution's policy.
Does Latin honors use overall GPA or major GPA?
It depends. Most undergraduate programs award Latin honors based on overall cumulative GPA. However, some schools calculate honors based on major GPA, and a few require both to meet the threshold. Many graduate programs award Latin honors on the basis of performance in graduate-level coursework only, not undergraduate GPA. Check your degree program's specific rule.
Can Latin honors be based on class rank instead of GPA?
Yes, absolutely. Many schools award honors to students in the top 10% (cum laude), top 5% (magna cum laude), and top 1% (summa cum laude) of their graduating class by GPA rank, rather than using fixed GPA thresholds. Some schools use a hybrid approach: for example, "at least 3.6 GPA OR top 10% of class." These percentile-based policies ensure that honors are always awarded to some students, even in classes with high average GPAs.
How do I know my school's Latin honors thresholds?
Check these sources in order: your graduate student handbook or degree audit website (usually in the registrar's office), your department's requirements page, and your graduate program coordinator. You can also email the registrar directly and ask for the official policy in writing. Do not assume a policy; request confirmation from your institution.
Sources
This tool helps you perform calculations based on your own institution's thresholds. Because Latin honors thresholds are set individually by each school, there is no single authoritative source to cite. The concepts and common practices described above are drawn from standard academic policy references and the published honors criteria of major universities. For verification of your own school's exact thresholds and policies, consult your institution's official degree audit system, graduate handbook, or registrar's office.