The University of Notre Dame has compiled a useful list of honors GPAs from throughout the past 60 years. From 1994-2004, cum laude honors were awarded to students with a GPA of 3.4 and 3.5, magna cum laude for students with 3.6 and 3.7, and summa cum laude for students with 3.8 and above. While these standards vary slightly between institutions, they provide a reliable benchmark.
The Latin distinction of cum laude means "with praise." Other ways of stating this distinction include "graduated with honors," "with honors," "graduation honors," and "graduate cum laude." This honors level is the third tier of honors, but still encompasses many of the top students at an institution. According to Academic Apparel, the general range for cum laude honors stretches from 3.5 to 3.7, a range similar to the Notre Dame standard.
The distinction of magna cum laude is one tier above the cum laude distinction. The translation for magna cum laude is "with great praise." This is a second-level honors distinction, just below the top, summa cum laude. According to Academic Apparel, the range for the magna cum laude distinction is 3.8 to 3.9, slightly higher than the Notre Dame standard.
The honors distinction of summa cum laude is the highest general honors category possible in the academic system in North America. The summa cum laude distinction is "with highest honor" and it includes those students with the top grades in an institution. The Academic Apparel standard from summa cum laude is a 4.0 or greater, although the Notre Dame standard sets the bar slightly lower than this.