Graduating cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude is a significant academic achievement—and one that belongs on your resume. But how do you list Latin honors on a resume correctly? In this guide, we’ll show you exactly where and how to include cum laude on your resume, along with formatting tips, real-world examples, and advice on when to leave it off. Whether you’re a new graduate or updating your resume for the job market, our AI Career Tool makes it easy to create a polished, keyword-optimized resume that gets noticed.
🎓 What Does Cum Laude Mean on a Resume?
Latin honors are distinctions awarded to students who graduate with outstanding academic performance. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. award honors in the following tiers:
- Cum laude: with honor (typically awarded to the top 25–30% of graduates)
- Magna cum laude: with great honor (top 10–15%)
- Summa cum laude: with highest honor (top 5–10%)
Each school sets its own criteria for these honors, which are usually based on GPA, class rank, or both.
📍 Where Should You List Cum Laude on Your Resume?
The Education section is the primary location to list Latin honors. You can include it on the same line as your degree or beneath it.
In the Education Section
Example 1:
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude
May 2023
Example 2:
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology, Summa Cum Laude
Graduation Date: December 2022
Example 3:
Boston College – Bachelor of Science in Marketing
Graduated: May 2024
Honors: Cum Laude
In the Resume Summary (Optional)
Example:
Detail-oriented accounting graduate (summa cum laude) with internship experience in auditing and financial analysis. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a passion for accuracy.
✏️ Best Practices for Listing Cum Laude
- Use correct Latin spelling: Write “cum laude,” “magna cum laude,” or “summa cum laude” in lowercase.
- Italics are optional: Choose one style and use it consistently.
- Include only verified honors: Double-check your transcript.
- Keep it concise: No need to explain what the honors mean.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect capitalization (e.g., “Cum Laude”)
- Misspellings (e.g., “magnum cum laude”)
- Listing honors multiple times unnecessarily
- Including honors you didn’t earn
🧠 When Should You Include Latin Honors?
Latin honors are most relevant if:
- You’re a recent graduate with limited work experience
- You’re applying to academia, research, or competitive entry-level roles
- You’re applying for grad school or scholarships
If you’ve been in the workforce for 10+ years, professional accomplishments usually take precedence.
🏆 Where Else Can You Highlight Cum Laude?
In an Awards or Honors Section:
Honors & Awards
- Summa Cum Laude – University of California, 2022
- Dean’s List (All Semesters)
On LinkedIn:
Use the “Honors” field in the Education section of your profile.
📘 FAQs About Cum Laude on Resumes
Q: Should I include my GPA if I list cum laude?
A: You can, especially if it’s 3.5 or higher.
Q: Do employers care about Latin honors?
A: Yes, particularly for entry-level and academic roles.
Q: Can I write “with honors” instead of cum laude?
A: Only if that’s how your school officially lists it. Use the correct Latin term when appropriate.
🚨 Final Thoughts
Graduating cum laude reflects your hard work and academic excellence. By listing it properly, you enhance the credibility of your education section. Our AI Career Tool helps you create a professional, keyword-optimized resume that highlights your achievements—Latin honors and all.
🖐 Need help crafting a standout resume? Use our AI-powered resume tool or review our resume packages to get started!
