Approximately how much is the average expense for graduation?

Depends on the country you live in, the state, province, city, town you live in, the regulations of the school, whether there's a graduation dinner, an after party, where the ceremony is, whether your rent or buy your graduation gowns, pictures, what dress you choose, whether you get a limo or get a ride from your parents, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks Alty!
I'm kind of having a difficult time budgeting my money for my brother's graduation. Do you think it's wise to actually buy a graduation gown? He's only going to use it once. On a second thought, it would also be good to have something as a graduation keepsake, right?
What do you think?

Again, it is all where you are at. For my boys, there was no choice, they had to buy the gown, and the rest depends on how many other things you want.

Thanks Fr Chuck!
Guess I need to prepare for the possibility of buying in advance.

A HS grad gown and cap should cost under $100. If there is a financial issue the school usually makes some provision. But to participate in the ceremony he has to have a gown.

Any other expenses should be voluntary and depend on the HS.

For my high school graduation, many, many, many, many, years ago, we only had to buy the cap, which we kept, and the tassel. The gown was rented. I know that in some schools you don't have a choice but to buy the gown. If you do have a choice, I wouldn't buy it. He'll have the cap as a keepsake. The gown will just sit in his closet, never to be looked at, never to be worn.

I'd invest more on the graduation pictures, since you'll have those forever. Since this is your brother, he can rent a suit (if this is a formal graduation). Of course investing in a suit is never a bad idea, especially since he's moving into the grown up world.

If he's taking a date he should save for a corsage. I prefer a wrist corsage. It doesn't mess up the look of the dress the girl is wearing, and fits with any gown as well.

The rest should just be the details, like the party afterwards, and the after party (if there is one), whether to rent a limo (usually a group of friends pitches in together for that, just to keep costs down), etc.

Hi ScottGem! Thanks for the reference price you gave on grad cap and gown. I did my own search about its standard pricing and it really surprised me that the price could really be as low as $12.95!

I don't know with the others but I find the products here (http://www.gradshop.com/) very affordable.


Speaking of graduation pictures Alty, I'm really hoping that I could find like a sort of picture holder or something.

And yes, investing in photos is great! Thanks!

Speaking of graduation pictures Alty, I'm really hoping that I could find like a sort of picture holder or something.

And yes, investing in photos is great! Thanks!

Don't buy frames or anything from the photographer, you usually pay through the nose. Check frame stores or flea markets to find graduation themed frames.

When I graduated many years ago the gowns and cap were all rented, far cheaper than buying if that is even an option for you... we had to purchace the tassle for the hat which we would keep..

But as the others have said...a lot depends on where you live what would be required vs. what is optional.

"Don't buy frames or anything from the photographer, you usually pay through the nose. Check frame stores or flea markets to find graduation themed frames."

Noted! I'll keep that in mind. Thanks ScottGem!

"When I graduated many years ago the gowns and cap were all rented, far cheaper than buying if that is even an option for you"

I think so too smoothy! Thanks! Right now I need all the options I can get!