By Josie Osborne, Campus News Editor
May 7, 2025 is the day Saint Leo University seniors have been waiting for throughout their college careers. It’s a day of goodbyes, celebration, and accomplishment—graduation.
As seniors begin their preparations and eagerly finish their finals, one question comes to mind: is the ceremony really worth it?
With invitations and envelopes, ordering a cap and gown can cost nearly $200, not including the mandatory $145 Graduation Application Fee (which you must pay even if you don’t attend the ceremony). With these necessities alone, seniors are facing an almost $345 expense, on top of any tuition or loans they’re still working to pay off. This doesn’t include the additional costs of a dress or tuxedo for under the gown, or the expenses for family and friends who wish to attend.
Senior English major Kore Ramos shared why she doesn’t wish to attend the ceremony this spring.
“Other than personal opinions, I feel that I don’t want to go to the graduation ceremony because of the extra fees. The expenses fall on me, and it’s difficult to find expendable money,” she explains. “Though, I’m going to the graduation for my parents. I’m the only one out of my three other siblings who went to university and is graduating. So, I feel a duty to give them this moment to feel pride.”
For some students, this day is everything they’ve dreamed of since high school, but for others, it’s just another steppingstone. Seniors who plan to attend graduate school or continue their education after earning their bachelor’s degree may view the ceremony as an unnecessary hassle—a roadblock in the grander scheme of things.
This is not a high school graduation, where you are surrounded by friends you’ve known since childhood. It’s a ceremony with over 1,000 students—people you may have never met—and professors who have never taught you. It’s not as intimate or special for many. Even though Saint Leo University is a smaller school, it’s still easy to get lost in the crowd of soon-to-be alumni.
So, consider celebrating in your own way this year, with those closest to you, and in a manner that’s best for both your wallet and mental health.
Why add extra pressure when you already have finals? It may be a once-in-a-lifetime moment for some, but not for everyone.
