The end of spring and beginning of summer brings with it tons of graduation ceremonies at many levels. Giving a cash gift is a super nice gesture that will help a new graduate make the transition to the next part of their life. However, it can be a little challenging to know how much to give as a graduation gift and which factors to consider when you're writing that check (or sending that Venmo).
Whether the student in your life is finishing middle school, high school, or college, money is a common gift to give graduates for a reason. They can use it for anything from books to travel to transportation. How much you should give depends on the student's age and your relationship to them. Don't stress, though. If you keep a few tips in mind, you'll be all set!
Helpful Guidelines That Simplify Monetary Graduation Gifts
If you're wondering about how much to give for a graduation gift, you should consider first what you can afford and then your relationship to the graduate. If you're really close, you may want to give more. If they are the child of a coworker or not someone you know really well, you may not choose to give quite as much.
Like most rules about giving presents, there's no specific amount that etiquette dictates is appropriate for a graduation gift. However, there are some guidelines to help you make the choice.
| Type of Graduation | Typical Gift Amount |
|---|---|
| Middle school | $10 to $30 |
| High school | $30 to $200 or more |
| College | $30 to $500 or more |
How Much Should You Give for Middle School Gifts?
A middle school graduation isn't an event that tends to get as much hype as a high school or college graduation. Anyone who has made it through middle school knows that it's a rite of passage though, and it's totally worth celebrating.
Some students are beginning to send out announcements, letting friends and family know that they are heading to the next phase in their education. In that case, it makes sense for parents and grandparents to give a gift to acknowledge the accomplishment.
- Great!Schools.org suggests giving movie passes, spa vouchers, gift certificates, or spirit wear instead of cash to middle school grads.
- If you are giving cash, about $10-30 is appropriate.
How Much Money Do You Give a High School Graduate?
Graduating from high school is a momentous occasion. To show teens what a big deal this is, people tend to give a lot more for this type of accomplishment. The National Retail Federation pointed out that about 33% of people plan to give money or another graduation gift.
According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey, the average amount people spent on a graduation gift in 2023 was about $116. That's a slight increase over the previous year.
The amount varies based on age bracket, but parents are typically the highest spenders. The average high school graduation money gift is between $30 and $200 dollars. The amounts can vary depending on your relationship, but these are some ranges to keep in mind:
- Friends and siblings: If you're giving a graduation gift to a sibling or friend, there's no set amount. Still, something in the range of $30 to $75 is usually appropriate, depending on how close you are.
- Children of acquaintances or coworkers: It's a nice gesture to give a gift to the son or daughter of your neighbor, coworker, or other acquaintance. You can spend whatever feels right, but generally, $30 to $50 is appropriate if you don't have a personal relationship with the graduate.
- Nieces and nephews: There's no set rule for how much to give your nephew or niece for high school graduation, but it's generally more than you'd give a friend. Something in the range of $100-$200 is a good choice.
- Children: A typical graduation gift from parents can range from $100 to much more. If parents are helping with college costs or other expenses, they may give less.
- Grandchildren: An appropriate college graduation gift from grandparents can range from $50 to $200 or more, depending on how close the student is to the grandparents and the financial situation of everyone in the family.
Related: 70+ Energizing Graduation Quotes to Celebrate the Big Day
How Much Money Do You Give for a College Graduation Gift?
Graduating from college is a big deal, which makes many wonder if a larger monetary gift is required. Giving a cash gift for graduation can help defray some of the costs of getting that degree, allowing a student to pay down some loans or begin their career with a nest egg. Bright Hub states that many people give between $100 and $500 as a college graduation gift, but this can depend a lot on their relationships with the recent grad.
Typically, for a two- to four-year degree, these are some guidelines to consider:
- Children: Anywhere from $50 to $500 or more is appropriate for a parent, depending on how much financial help they have offered throughout the college years.
- Close relatives like grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and siblings: If you're a close family member of the graduate, expect to give around $50 to $200.
- Close friend: If a good friend is graduating, a $50 to $100 gift is a good choice.
- Acquaintance or co-worker: Spend less for someone you don't know quite as well. A good range is $30 to $75.
The amount you give for advanced degrees like Master's or PhD's can go up by about $100 for each degree.
4 Tips for Giving a Monetary Graduation Gift
While these are general guidelines for what to give, the giving is truly based on your own discretion. Don't stress about making sure your gift falls within the average range. Instead, it's about what works for you.
Give What You Can Afford
When you consider giving a gift of money, you'll want to take into account your personal finances and how much you can afford. If you're on a fixed income, you might give less. On the other hand, if you have disposable income, you might choose to give more.
Think About Special Circumstances
The graduate's situation also needs to come into play. Did the person graduate with honors at any of the different levels? This might be rewarded with a higher-than-average monetary gift.
Consider the Graduate's Financial Situation
The average cost of college has gone up by 134% in the past 20 years, and many graduates are dealing with increased tuition costs on top of inflation and other factors. When you're considering how much to give for graduation, think about the graduate's circumstances. Will they have student loans? How much will their family be helping? Do they have other financial pressures? Try to base your gift on their level of need.
Give Your Cash Gift at the Appropriate Time
When you give monetary gifts, you want to be sure that you do it right. You don't just want to hand a graduate a wad of cash while in their cap and gown. Unless you're getting creative, putting it in a card with a personalized message is best. Additionally, it's discouraged to give anything at the ceremony itself. This is because the graduate might lose it in the shuffle. Wait to give it to them at the open house if they have one or put it in the mail. If that isn't possible, wait until you can talk to them privately and hand them a card.
Related: 80 Classy Graduation Instagram Captions to Celebrate Success
11 Creative Ways to Give Cash Gifts
If you're considering giving an appropriate cash amount as a gift, try these creative ideas to make that graduate smile:
- Make paper money flowers out of the cash.
- Make a lei out of one-dollar bills.
- Blow up balloons with money inside.
- Use a box from a chocolate sampler and put folded bills where all the chocolates were.
- Make a money tree gift.
- Give them a calendar with money taped to each month.
- Fill a piggy bank with twenty-dollar bills.
- Put some cash inside a shadow box with a glass front and add a decal or sticker that says, "In case of emergency, break glass."
- Tuck cash into a photo album filled with pictures leading up to the graduation.
- Roll dollar bills and arrange them to create a layered cake, secured with ribbon.
- Tuck money into school supplies, such as a pencil holder or notebook.
Cash Gifts Are Perfect for Graduation
Monetary graduation gifts are an excellent idea with a lot of creative potential. Get a little creative with your cash gift and make the presentation something to remember. The graduating student will really appreciate the gesture, no matter how much you give them.
