A salutatorian is the student who ranks second in their graduating class, right behind the valedictorian. The title is based on grade point average, and it comes with a specific role at commencement: the salutatorian traditionally delivers the welcoming speech to open the graduation ceremony. If you’ve heard the term and weren’t sure exactly what it meant (or how it differs from valedictorian), here’s the full picture.
How the Salutatorian Is Chosen
Schools determine the salutatorian by class rank, which is calculated from cumulative GPA across all four years of high school. The student with the highest GPA earns valedictorian, and the student with the second-highest GPA earns salutatorian. In most schools, only courses completed through a specific cutoff date (often the end of the final grading period before graduation) count toward the calculation.
Weighted GPAs are common, meaning honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses carry extra grade points. A student who earns a B in an AP class may receive the same weighted GPA points as a student who earns an A in a standard class, which can push rankings in unexpected directions. The exact weighting scale varies by school district.
When two or more students are tied for second place, schools use tiebreaker rules that differ from district to district. One common approach looks at the number of AP courses a student completed with qualifying exam scores, rewarding the student who took the most rigorous courseload. If that doesn’t break the tie, some schools compare total AP exam scores. Other districts simply name all tied students as co-salutatorians, though typically only one delivers the speech.
The Salutatorian’s Role at Graduation
The salutatorian’s main ceremonial duty is to welcome everyone to the commencement ceremony on behalf of the graduating class. While the valedictorian’s speech is directed primarily at fellow graduates and usually comes near the end of the ceremony, the salutatorian’s speech is aimed at the entire audience: parents, family members, teachers, administrators, and guests. The salutatorian may also introduce other speakers or representatives participating in the event.
A typical salutatorian speech runs about 5 to 10 minutes. The tone is generally warm and inclusive, since the purpose is to set the stage for the rest of the ceremony. Common themes include gratitude toward teachers and families, reflection on shared memories from the school years, and a forward-looking note about what lies ahead. Humor works well in these speeches because the salutatorian is essentially the host, and a lighthearted opening puts the audience at ease. Unlike a valedictorian speech, which often carries a more reflective or advisory tone, the salutatorian speech is about welcoming people and celebrating the moment.
What the Title Means for College and Scholarships
Being named salutatorian signals strong academic performance to college admissions offices, but it’s worth understanding how that translates in practice. Admissions officers at selective colleges have noted that they place more weight on how students perform in rigorous courses than on class rank alone. A salutatorian who challenged themselves with demanding coursework and maintained strong grades will stand out regardless of the title itself.
The title can also unlock specific scholarship opportunities. Some universities offer merit-based scholarships reserved for students who graduated as salutatorian of their high school class. These awards vary widely in value and eligibility requirements. For example, Mississippi State University offers a Salutatorian Scholarship worth up to $2,000 for qualifying students. Other schools and private organizations have similar programs, so it’s worth searching scholarship databases with “salutatorian” as a keyword if you hold the title.
Beyond designated scholarships, the salutatorian distinction strengthens any college application. It provides concrete evidence of sustained academic excellence over four years, which is exactly what admissions committees look for. It also demonstrates consistency, since maintaining a near-top GPA requires strong performance across many subjects, not just one area of strength.
Some Schools Are Moving Away From the Title
A growing number of high schools have eliminated the valedictorian and salutatorian designations entirely. The reasoning centers on student mental health: school officials at districts that have made the switch cite concerns about intense competition among top students, with some noting that the pressure to maintain class rank drives students to avoid challenging courses they might find interesting but could lower their GPA.
Schools that drop these titles typically replace them with a Latin honors system. Under this model, every student who meets a GPA threshold receives recognition. Students above a 4.0 weighted GPA might graduate summa cum laude (with highest honors), those between 3.75 and 3.99 magna cum laude (with great honors), and those between 3.5 and 3.74 cum laude (with honors). This approach recognizes a broader group of high achievers rather than singling out just two students.
Proponents of this shift argue it lets students focus on exploring subjects they’re genuinely interested in rather than gaming their GPA. Critics counter that the traditional system rewards hard work and gives a meaningful goal to strive for. Both models remain common across the country, so whether the salutatorian title is available depends on your specific school district’s policies.
Salutatorian vs. Valedictorian
The difference is straightforward: the valedictorian ranks first in the class, and the salutatorian ranks second. Both titles are based on GPA, and both students typically speak at graduation. The valedictorian delivers the farewell address (the word “valediction” means farewell), while the salutatorian delivers the welcoming address (from the Latin “salutare,” meaning to greet). In terms of college applications and scholarships, both titles carry significant weight, and the practical difference between the two is often a fraction of a GPA point.