Magna cum laude is a Latin academic honor meaning "with great distinction" or "with great honor." It is one of the highest honors awarded to graduating students, signifying that they performed exceptionally well academically, typically ranking in the top 6% to 15% of their class or having a GPA around 3.7 to 3.8, though exact criteria vary by institution
. In the hierarchy of Latin honors, magna cum laude ranks above cum laude ("with honor") but below summa cum laude ("with highest honor"), which is reserved for the very top students, often the top 1% to 5% of the class with near-perfect GPAs
. Magna cum laude is commonly awarded with bachelor's degrees and may involve additional requirements such as completing an honors thesis or being part of an honors program, depending on the school
. This distinction is recognized in various countries and fields, and it reflects strong academic achievement and dedication, often benefiting graduates in competitive career fields
