Table of Contents

What Is Magna Cum Laude?

By

Julia Kagan

Updated May 12, 2025

Reviewed by

Amy Soricelli

Fact checked by

Yarilet Perez

Definition

Magna cum laude is a Latin phrase that means “with great praise."

What Is Magna Cum Laude?

Magna cum laude is a term used in academics to acknowledge that a student graduated with a grade point average (GPA) near the top of the class. In the U.S., there are three levels of academic distinction or Latin honors. Cum laude, meaning "with distinction," magna cum laude, or "with great praise," and summa cum laude, or "with highest distinction."

Key Takeaways

Each college or university determines the GPA that earns the magna cum laude distinction.
Latin honors are most commonly awarded with bachelor's degrees.
High schools may also grant Latin honors using the same phrasing.

Criteria

The awarding of Latin honors is common in colleges and universities in the United States. Latin honors are commonly awarded with bachelor's degrees. Students who graduate with honors may wear stoles of a distinct color or some other designation during commencement ceremonies, and their honors may be cited when their names are read. Magna cum laude is more prestigious than cum laude honors but less prestigious than summa cum laude.

Each institution defines the criteria. Some use GPA while others calculate their honors according to class placement. For example, a student in the top 3% of the class might qualify for a magna cum laude distinction. Colleges may consider other factors in their decisions to grant magna cum laude status.

An institution might require that students complete an honors thesis to be eligible. Others seek letters of recommendation from faculty members. Some may require students to complete a certain number of advanced courses.

Fast Fact

Latin honors are generally noted in a student’s official transcript.

Examples

Texas A&M graduates must complete 60 credit hours while earning a GPA of 3.70 to 3.899 to earn a magna cum laude degree.
A student graduating magna cum laude in engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, must finish in the top 5% to 10% of the class after completing 90 credits. For the 2024–2025 academic year, students must achieve a 3.938 GPA.
Brown University does not use a student’s GPA in its calculation since the school does not calculate GPAs. Students are eligible for just one Latin honor, magna cum laude, upon graduation by earning a high percentage of A grades and S for distinction marks for courses, as well as meeting other criteria as determined by the school. No more than 20% of a graduating class can earn magna cum laude honors.

What Other Honors Do Universities or Colleges Use?

Some schools have substituted other titles, such as “with distinction,” in place of or in addition to the traditional Latin terms.

Is Magna Cum Laude Important for Graduates?

The relative value of a magna cum laude degree or another Latin honor is difficult to judge as a factor in the job market. It may mean a great deal to some employers and nothing to others. It may benefit students competing for slots in graduate school. The top law schools, for example, expect students to have achieved certain GPAs as undergraduates—the type of high marks that are often accompanied by Latin honors.

What Do Latin Honors Indicate?

Graduating with honors notes that an individual has shown exemplary performance at school, particularly in academics. It indicates that an individual is capable of performing at the highest level.

The Bottom Line

A college degree is a great achievement, but a new graduate with honors may stand out in a crowded field of job seekers or graduate school applicants. Latin honors such as a magna cum laude distinction indicate a student has consistently performed at a high level.

Article Sources

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Indeed. "Magna Cum Laude vs. Summa Cum Laude: What's the Difference?"
Texas A&M University, Aggie One Stop. “Graduation With Honors.”
University of California, Los Angeles, Samueli School of Engineering, Office of Academic and Student Affairs. “Latin Honors Eligibility.”
Brown University. “The College: Latin Honors (Magna Cum Laude).”

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What Is Magna Cum Laude?

Key Takeaways

Criteria

Fast Fact

Examples

What Other Honors Do Universities or Colleges Use?

Is Magna Cum Laude Important for Graduates?

What Do Latin Honors Indicate?

The Bottom Line

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