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University Registrar

University Registrar
  2. Academic Records
  3. Latin Honors

Latin Honors

Undergraduate students whose cumulative GPAs meet the required threshold will graduate with Latin honors. Honors are earned as follows:
  • Summa cum laude: Students whose grade point average equals or exceeds that of the top 5 percent of the previous year’s Vanderbilt graduating seniors.
  • Magna cum laude: Students whose grade point average equals or exceeds that of the next 8 percent of the previous year’s Vanderbilt graduating seniors.
  • Cum laude: Students whose grade point average equals or exceeds that of the next 12 percent of the previous year’s Vanderbilt graduating seniors.
Latin honors are noted on the diploma and published in the Commencement program. The thresholds are determined in June for each upcoming academic year.

Latin Honors Thresholds

GPAs are calculated to the third decimal place and are not rounded up.