What Does It Mean to Graduate with Honors?

When I was in school, graduating with honors was one of the most fulfilling aspects of my experience. Having an honors sash on my graduation robe meant I went above and beyond to rank highly in my class by achieving a high level of academic excellence while pushing myself past my own expectations. It was a thrill!

All those late-night study sessions and writing stories through the night really paid off because I graduated cum laude, and my name was included in the honors section of my commencement program, but if you’ve ever wondered, what’s the point? I am here to give you a deeper understanding of what graduating with high honors means in academia and what it can mean for you.

In this article, I will talk about the honors system at the collegiate level, how honors are ranked, and its significance to the education system. I will even leave you with some tips on how you can graduate with honors, as well. While graduating with honors is highly recognized by institutions, it can be an even more significant accomplishment for you. And believe me, if I can graduate with honors, you can, too!

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Significance of Honors

Graduating with honors can be a significant milestone in a student’s academic career. To earn honors, students should strive to achieve a high-grade point average (GPA). Being recognized with honors can be an easy way to judge a student’s success in school, but depending on the school, it may not be the only way.

Graduating with honors can also be a valuable addition to a student’s academic record in terms of recognition from colleagues and professionals in their field. So much so that a potential employer may look at two applicants with the same degree and prefer the applicant who graduated with honors. Please note that this is not always the case, but it is recognized by some.

Honors programs in college offer students the opportunity to engage in more challenging and intellectually stimulating coursework with smaller class sizes, making the experience more personalized from faculty to student. Participating in an honors program can push students to new levels of learning critical thinking skills, communication skills, and research. These programs are designed to provide students with access to unique academic and extracurricular opportunities they can participate in, such as research projects, study abroad programs, and special events.

Completing an honors program and/or earning honors distinctions can also enhance a student's academic resume, which can open future doors for them in their respective fields. Having that recognition on your student's diploma and resume not only demonstrates a commitment to excellence but dedication, as well.

Honors at the High School Level

Achieving high honors in high school typically involves meeting specific academic criteria, such as maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher, qualifying for the honor roll, or being named Valedictorian or Salutatorian. The criteria for these distinctions can differ from one school to another. Some schools only recognize the highest-ranking student as Valedictorian and the second-highest as Salutatorian, while others may designate several Valedictorians based on achieving a particular GPA.

Additionally, students can earn honors or awards through participation in honor societies or by earning AP credits. Graduating with high honors can open up greater opportunities for future success.

Honors at the Collegiate Level

First, it’s important to note that graduating with honors can look slightly different from university to university. Though they all generally follow similar criteria, the Latin honors are awarded based on an overall high GPA. While high school scaled their honors system starting at a 4.0 GPA, colleges and universities divvy the ranking into three levels, starting at a 3.0 GPA: cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude.

In addition to these honors, schools may also offer honor programs, which usually involve a more academically rigorous course progression. They can also offer departmental honors, which are based on GPA and additional outstanding academic achievements in a discipline (i.e., the first honors thesis or completion of significant projects or research). However, when one refers to “graduating with honors” from college, these honors are based strictly on your GPA at graduation.

On the other hand, rather than using a GPA scale, some colleges scale honors based on a student’s class rank. For example, according to New York University statistics, the university confers summa cum laude honors in the top 5% of its undergraduate class, magna cum laude in the next 10%, and cum laude in the next 15%, meaning that 30% of its graduates receive one of the three honors.

Origins of Latin Honors

The Latin honors system can be traced back to 1869 at Harvard University. Only a few other countries, such as Indonesia, Israel, and Canada, also use this same academic honors award system. The Latin honors terms cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude were used to distinguish levels and grades of academic achievement among students. Each term distinguished excellence levels that were reserved for students who demonstrated exceptional academic excellence. Over time, Latin honors have become a common practice in many educational institutions around the world to recognize and celebrate students’ college graduates' academic accomplishments.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the three Latin honors levels:

Cum Laude

Cum laude is a Latin term that translates to “with praise” or “with great honor” in the English context and is used to denote a level of academic achievement. Generally, it signifies that the student’s academic performance ranks above average within their graduating class but may not necessarily be at the very top. Cum laude is often awarded to students with a high GPA, typically between 3.5 to 3.7. However, some schools can have a higher designation, like 3.89 to 3.95, depending on the top percentage of the graduating class.

Magna Cum Laude

Also, a Latin term, magna cum laude, translates as “with great distinction” and stands above cum laude. It might be awarded to a student who has done hard work and earned high grades or some other mark of academic achievement, but not the highest possible. Magna Cum Laude is typically awarded to students with a GPA between 3.8 to 3.9.

Summa Cum Laude

Like summiting a mountain, the student who has achieved summa cum laude has achieved “the highest distinction.” This student has earned grades within the highest percentage in their class or has achieved some other metric that the school considers worthy of the highest degree of recognition. Summa Cum Laude is typically awarded to students with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.

Though there is a ranking system in honors, it’s important to remember that academic distinction at each level of honors is just as significant as the other. Be sure to ask your institution how they measure their honors system to know what to expect!

How to Become an Honors Student

Becoming an honors student is a personal achievement that can bring pride to any academic journey. Reaching an honors level may involve some late nights, challenging courses in classes like computer science, and pushing yourself past your comfort zone, but without risk, there is no reward. Here are some ways you can become an honors student in college:

• Meet a certain number of academic criteria set by the institution 
• Maintain a high GPA (typically 3.5 and above)
• Take on challenging courses and excel in them
• Participate in honors programs or courses
• Demonstrate leadership skills and critical thinking abilities

Though the standard of measure is per university, these factors contribute to the honors system. It's important to check with your college or university for further information on specific requirements and opportunities available for honors students.

How Honors Are Awarded

Now, it’s no secret that ranking as honors in college is dependent on a student's academic performance and achievements. However, different colleges and universities may have different measuring scales for awarding honors. What we do know is honors designations like cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are often based on specific GPA thresholds, but it’s also important for students to know what they should expect according to their institution's specific requirements for earning honors.

Understanding Collegiate Decision-Making Process for Honors

While there is no universal standard of measure for what it takes to qualify for honors, colleges and universities do have the freedom to have different requirements and set their own criteria for them. Here’s a brief breakdown of how honors are determined by various colleges and universities:

• GPA standards - will always depend on the granting institution. Some use a GPA threshold (i.e., above 3.5 or 3.7)
  • Others take the best students (i.e., the top 5% of all students, ranked by GPA)
• Completion of honors courses or programs
• Participation in research or creative projects

As always, if you do have questions about how your institution implements their honor system, be sure to ask your administrative staff. And most importantly, remember you can be the honors student of your dreams. Have a great school year!

Frequently Asked Questions About Graduating with Honors

What does it mean to graduate with honors?

On an academic level, graduating with honors means that a student has achieved a high level of academic excellence during their studies. This recognition is often based on a student's GPA and sometimes other academic achievements. However, on a personal level, graduating with honors can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your college career.

What can you do to become an honors student?

Depending on the institution, students can do a couple of things to transition into an honor student. For instance, taking on challenging courses and excelling in them can help instill honor-level qualities, joining honors programs or courses can help push grade level boundaries, and even demonstrating leadership critical thinking abilities can also contribute to an honors status. However, maintaining a high GPA (typically 3.5 and above) will put you into the honors category.

What is the highest honor level possible?

The highest honor level possible in college is known as "summa cum laude." This Latin term translates to "with highest honors" and is awarded to students who have achieved a very high GPA (3.9 to 4.0) and demonstrate outstanding academic performance throughout their college career. Summa cum laude is considered the highest academic honor that a student can receive at many colleges and universities.

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