What GPA Do You Need to Graduate With Honors?

The GPA required to graduate with honors depends on the college or university a student attends. Some schools also have additional qualifying requirements. Ivy league and private colleges tend to have much higher requirements than most state schools.

There are three Latin honors awarded to college graduates. Cum laude means “with honors,” magna cum laude means “with high honors” and summa cum laude means “with highest honors.” In addition to GPA and hours, some schools have other requirements, such as department recommendations, theses, projects or distinction in a major. Yale University has one of the highest minimum GPA requirements for honors. At Yale, cum laude requires a 3.80, magna cum laude requires a 3.88 and summa cum laude requires a 3.96.