Summa Cum Laude: Highest Academic Honors Explained

Summa cum laude, Latin for “with the highest distinction,” is the top of the three traditional Latin honors awarded at many U.S. colleges and universities. It recognizes graduates whose academic performance and demonstrated mastery of their field place them among the very highest achievers in their class. Criteria vary widely by institution and can include GPA thresholds, class rank, credit requirements, departmental recommendations, and evidence of scholarly work such as a thesis or capstone project.

Key takeaways

• Summa cum laude is the highest Latin academic honor, above magna cum laude and cum laude.
• Requirements differ by school and may be based on GPA, class rank, departmental performance, or a combination.
• The honor is recorded on diplomas and transcripts and can influence graduate-school admission and hiring decisions, though its weight varies by field and employer.
• Prestigious universities often reserve summa for a small top percentage of graduates; at some schools this percentage—and the equivalent GPA—can change year to year.

How summa cum laude is awarded

Colleges use several approaches to determine recipients:
* GPA-based: a fixed minimum GPA plus residency or credit-hour requirements.
Rank-based: awarded to students in a defined top percentage of the graduating class or department.
Performance-based: tied to excellence in major-specific or honors coursework, often requiring a thesis, capstone, or comprehensive examination.
Some institutions use non-Latin phrases (e.g., “with Distinction”) as equivalent honors, and others do not use Latin honors at all.

GPA standards and examples

There is no universal GPA cutoff for summa cum laude. Examples illustrate the variation:
* University of New Mexico: typically requires a 3.90 GPA plus a minimum number of credits.
University of Denver: example requirements include a 3.95 GPA, 90 quarter hours, and a thesis or senior project.
Class-rank systems: the University of Massachusetts Amherst awards summa to students finishing in the top 5% of their college with sufficient credits. The University of Notre Dame awards honors within each college and has historically required top-5% standing; the GPA needed to reach that rank can vary by year (e.g., around 3.94–3.97 in recent years).
* Harvard: faculty evaluate mastery in the student’s field—major grades, course rigor, and scholarly work (thesis or examination). Summa is limited to roughly the top 4–5% of graduates in a field; example cutoffs can be extremely high (Harvard’s May 2023 point cutoff for summa was about 3.986).

Impact and special considerations

• Graduate school: some programs place strong emphasis on GPA and rank; Latin honors can be influential for selective programs.
• Job market: honors may signal strong academic ability and work ethic, but many employers prioritize skills, experience, and fit over honors. Some employers list GPA requirements, but that is uncommon.
• Visibility: summa cum laude appears on diplomas and transcripts and is often announced during commencement.

Practical tips

• Verify your institution’s specific rules early—requirements may include minimum credit residency, departmental approval, or submission of a thesis.
• If you plan to list honors on a resume or CV, place them after the degree: for example, B.A. in History, summa cum laude.

Frequently asked questions

What GPA is needed for summa cum laude?
There is no single GPA standard—requirements depend on the institution and may instead be based on class rank or departmental criteria.

Is summa higher than magna?
Yes. Summa cum laude (“with the highest distinction”) is the highest, followed by magna cum laude (“with great distinction”), then cum laude (“with distinction”).

How should I list an honors degree on a resume?
List the honor after the degree: e.g., B.A. in History, summa cum laude. If you include the major, place the honor directly after it.

Bottom line

Summa cum laude is the most prestigious undergraduate honor at institutions that award Latin distinctions. Because criteria vary, students should consult their college’s policies to understand the requirements and whether factors such as class rank, GPA, thesis work, or departmental approval determine eligibility.