Both are milestones. But what a 17-year-old heading to a dorm needs is different from what a 22-year-old starting a career wants. Here's how to adjust.
Done in seconds. No sign-up required.
Most high school grads are about to start the most expensive transition of their lives so far: college, trade school, or their first apartment. According to a 2024 NerdWallet analysis, the average first-year college student spends over $1,200 on dorm supplies and essentials alone.
Cash gives them flexibility to spend on what they actually need. Gift cards for Target, Amazon, or a local college bookstore work well too. Avoid novelty items with their graduation year on them. Those end up in a drawer by August.
If you want to give something physical, think practical: a quality water bottle, a portable phone charger, or a laundry bag. Boring? Maybe. Useful? Very much so.
College graduates are entering the workforce or graduate school. Their needs shift from "dorm supplies" to "adult life setup." The Federal Reserve reports that the average student loan debt for the class of 2023 was about $29,400. Cash contributions toward that debt, while not glamorous, can be the most impactful gift you give.
Beyond cash, think about their next environment. Starting a corporate job? A quality leather bag or professional accessories. Moving to a new city? A gift card to a home goods store. Going to grad school? A bookstore gift card and a sincere "you've got this."
Experience gifts also land well here: a nice dinner out, concert tickets, or a weekend trip. After four years of studying, a celebration experience can mean more than a physical object.
Whether it's a high school or college grad, the gift is better when you have time to think about it. A week of lead time lets you choose something that fits their situation instead of grabbing a generic gift card in the checkout line.
Graduation season stacks multiple ceremonies into a few weeks. If you have a niece graduating high school and a friend's kid finishing college in the same month, a graduation gift reminder for each one means neither slips through the cracks.
For specific spending ranges, see the graduation gift budget guide. For rules about announcements and party gifts, check the etiquette guide.
Generally yes. College graduation marks the transition to full adulthood and career. Close family members often give $100 to $500 for college versus $50 to $200 for high school. Friends and acquaintances adjust proportionally.
Cash, gift cards for dorm shopping, a nice journal, or practical items for their next chapter. Most high school grads appreciate flexibility since they are still figuring out what they need for college or trade school.
Cash for moving expenses, professional accessories like a quality bag or watch, experience gifts, or contributions toward student loan payments. College grads tend to value gifts that help them launch into their career.
If you gave for high school, it is nice to acknowledge college too, but not required. A card with a sincere message is always appropriate. If you give a gift for both, the college gift is typically the larger one.
Cash and gift cards work for both. The difference is usually the amount and the thought behind it. A $25 Target card suits a high schooler heading to college. A $100 gift card to a professional clothing store fits a college grad entering the workforce.
Set a graduation gift reminder for each ceremony on your calendar. Free, no account, takes 30 seconds. Get emailed days before so you have time to choose the right gift.
Set a Graduation Gift ReminderLast modified: