On the graduation day, the graduate’s outfit makes a difference in the crowd. Students wear the cap and gown, but graduates also wear graduation cords that show their achievements and honors in the university. These cords look simple, but they have deep meaning with different colors and designs at different universities. If you have wondered about why cords are more costly than other outfit accessories, you are not alone. The prices of cords are different and depend on material, design, and customization options.
There are many options available at different price points, so understanding the price differences can help you to make a decision according to your institution’s policy. In this blog, we will explore the average cost, types and their prices, what affects cord quality, and how to select the best option according to your budget. By the end of this blog, you will understand all about the graduation cords’ meaning and how to balance price and quality when you are buying and planning for graduation cords.
Average Cost of Graduation Cords
One of the most common questions students and schools ask is, how much do graduation cords actually cost? The answer to this question depends on many factors, like the types of material, thickness, and whether the cords are standard or customized. Most graduation honor cords are reasonable, but if you order in bulk or you customize the design of the cords, then the cost varies and is higher than the average price.
Standard Graduation Cord Prices
Standard single-color cords are the most affordable option for graduate students during their graduation ceremony. These are commonly used for general recognition, school colors, or basic academic achievements in university or in any other organization.
- Average price: $5 to $10 USD per cord
- Material: polyester or rayon
- Common use: basic honors, high school graduation cords
These cords offer a simple look, making them ideal for large ceremonies or when schools or universities need to order commencement cords in bulk for graduates.
Double or Multi-Color Cord Prices
Double- or multi-colored cords are more visually distinctive and make a difference between students. They are used by academic societies, clubs, or organizations that want a unique color combination according to their color choice that follows the organization’s guidelines.
- Average price: $8 to $15 USD per cord, for bulk orders, $5 to $10 USD
- Material: polyester or higher-quality rayon
- Common use: organizations, leadership roles, and graduation honor cords
These cords are more expensive than standard graduation cords because they require more effort and good-quality materials. However, they add more visual meaning and make your achievements easier to recognize for friends and family during the graduation ceremony.
Custom Graduation Cord Costs
When schools or organizations want something unique, they choose custom graduation cords for the graduation ceremony. These may include specific color patterns, special braiding, or unique design elements in the cords that help graduates customize and design according to their choice.
- Average price: $12 to $25+ USD per cord
- Custom colors or patterns
- Often ordered in bulk for specific groups
Custom options are popular for high school graduation cords, universities, honor societies, and special programs that want to highlight their identity through the cord in the graduation ceremony. The prices of cords are high, but they give you a premium look and representation of cords with different meanings for each group.
Types of Graduation Cords and Their Price Differences
All graduation cords are not the same; they are different and represent different achievements, organizations, and academic levels. These differences affect the price of graduation cords according to purpose, material, and design. So, understanding the types of cords and why some are more expensive than other cords is also important.
Honor Cords
Honor cords are the most common types of cords that are worn at graduation ceremonies by graduates. These cords represent academic excellence, such as graduating with honors, high GPA achievements, or membership in different honor societies.
- Price range: $5 to $15 USD per cord
- colors: gold, silver, or red
- Used as official graduation honor cords
Honor cords are important in academic achievement, so most of the time they are made with high-quality materials that give them a shiny and formal look in the graduation ceremony.
Club and Organization Cords
Many student clubs, leadership groups, and societies use colored cords to show membership or contributions in different organizations. These cords help you to identify different groups during the ceremony and highlight a student’s or graduate’s involvement outside the classroom.
- Typical price range: $7 to $14 USD per unit
- Color options: Organization colors
- Used as commencement cords for clubs, teams, or associations
For example, a debate club, student council, or volunteer organization may issue specific colored cords to its members for customization purposes. These cords represent leadership, service, or extracurricular activities during graduation.
Custom Cords
Custom cords are designed for different purposes according to the organization’s policy for customization. Schools, universities, or organizations choose specific color combinations or patterns that are not available in standard options for the ceremony.
- Price range: 10 to 20+ per unit
- Custom color patterns or thicker braids
- Popular for universities and special programs
Many institutions order custom graduation cords to match their branding or to make a difference from other specific programs. These are generally purchased with graduation stoles and cords for a complete and similar graduation look in the ceremony.
What Affects the Cost of Graduation Cords?
The price of graduation cords is not just affected by design. Many factors affect the price, like how much a graduation cord costs, from the materials used to the level of customization. Understanding these factors helps students, schools, and organizations to select cords that are in line with the budget and according to personal choice for cords.
Material Quality
One of the biggest factors in price is the material used to produce the graduation cord for the ceremony. Different kinds of materials affect the cord’s appearance, texture, and durability.
- Polyester: Affordable
- Rayon: Softer texture and shiny
- Silk or premium blends: Premium look and feel
Less costly cords are made from polyester, and graduation honor cords use rayon or good materials. The better the material, the higher the price. So, the cords with good material are higher priced than other cords with lower-quality materials.
Cord Thickness and Length
Graduation cords come in different thicknesses and lengths that affect the cost of graduation cords. Standard cords come around 60 inches long, but premium versions are thicker or longer than standard cords.
- Standard cords: More affordable than other cords
- Thicker, heavier cords: higher price
- Extra-long or custom lengths: Higher cost
Thicker cords are used as commencement cords for universities or formal ceremonies, where graduates prefer a different appearance.
Bulk Orders vs. Single Purchases
The number of cords ordered also plays an important role in affecting the cost of cords. If you buy cords in bulk, it reduces the price per cord.
- Single cord purchase: higher per-unit price
- Small group orders: moderate discount
- Large school or organization orders: moderate savings
Ordering cords in large quantities for a whole group is much more cost-effective than buying single cords separately.
Here is a clean and useful comparison table based on your content. It keeps the information practical and easy to scan.
Graduation Cord Price Comparison
Price comparison also helps you understand the difference when you are shopping for graduation cords. So the comparison table given below helps you understand the price level.
| Category | Price (USD) | Use | Advantages | Limitations | Best For |
| Budget Graduation Cords | 5–9 per unit | High school graduations, large ceremonies, general awards | Low cost, suitable for bulk orders, simple appearance | Less shine, thinner look, limited color options | Large graduating classes and cost-focused schools |
| Mid-Range Graduation Cords | 8–15 per unit | Academic programs, clubs, honor recognition | Better shine, stronger durability, wider color choices | Higher cost than budget, limited premium finish | For schools to balance between cost and quality |
| Premium Graduation Cords | 15–25+ per unit | University honors, custom recognition | Shiny, thicker build, custom design options | Higher price, bulk orders required for best value | High honors, prestigious programs, special recognition |
Where to Buy Graduation Cords
Finding the perfect place to buy graduation cords is also important as you choose the type. Prices, quality, and customization options vary and differ with different suppliers; you need to know where to buy.
Online Graduation Supply Stores
Online retailers are one of the most popular places to buy cords, and they offer a different collection of colors, materials, and price ranges. There are many advantages to buying online, as you can easily order in bulk at a competitive price and get your order at home. Online suppliers also sell the cords with different accessories for graduation ceremony outfits, like graduation stoles and cords.
School Bookstores or Official Vendors
School bookstores or official vendors also sell cords from their bookstores because they partner with schools, and this option provides the correct cords for their ceremony according to school guidelines. Buying cords from bookstores offers many benefits, like you can buy approved cords from your organization, guaranteed to follow the school policies, and it is simple and convenient for you.
Custom Manufacturers and Bulk Suppliers
Many schools, colleges, and organizations require the cords in large quantities with custom colors and designs, so for them, custom manufacturers are the best option to buy cords. There are many benefits to buying from them, like low prices, customization options, and being good for clubs, honor societies, or academic programs.
Conclusion
The prices of graduation cords vary because of the quality, material, and design of the cords, but most of the cords come in an affordable range. Standard cords cost between $5 and $10 USD, and multi-color options range from $8 to $15 USD, but custom graduation cords range from $12 to $25 USD and depend on the material and design. In the end, the best cord is the one that shows your achievement, fits your budget, and follows the graduation ceremony guidelines of the institute.
FAQs
Can you just buy cords for graduation?
Yes, you can buy graduation cords because many online stores, school bookstores, and graduation suppliers sell cords directly to students. Before purchasing, you should check your school’s graduation guidelines for cords.
What cord do you get for a 4.0 GPA?
Most schools award a gold honor cord for a 4.0 GPA that represents high academic achievement or summa cum laude distinction. Some institutions use different color systems, like gold and silver combined, or specific colors for Latin honors.
What cords should I get for graduation?
You should get cords that match your official achievements and school guidelines and are according to your grades, like honor cords for GPA, club or organization cords, and leadership or service cords. So, always check the policy of your department, and then you get the right information about what cords you should get.
What are the different honor cords for graduation?
Honor cords represent academic achievement, membership, or service, and colors vary by institution, but common examples include:
- Gold: High academic honors or summa cum laude
- Silver: Academic excellence or second-tier honors
- Red: Membership in honor societies
- Blue: Leadership or academic programs
- Green: Service or community involvement
- Purple: Academic honors or advanced degrees
