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What Americans spend on graduation gifts

Most graduation gifts land around $120, and cash still wins. Here is what the NRF data shows about how much Americans give new graduates.

U.S. data onlyPrimary sources onlyLast reviewed May 29, 2026

The numbers

Every figure, with the source named.

  1. $7.2B

    2026 graduation gift spending

    NRF projected U.S. consumers would spend a record $7.2 billion on graduation gifts in 2026.

    Source: National Retail Federation (Trade body), 2026 graduation season. View source

  2. $119.54

    Average graduation gift spend

    NRF's 2025 graduation survey put average spending at $119.54 per person buying graduation gifts.

    Source: National Retail Federation (Trade body), 2025 graduation season. View source

  3. 51%

    Graduation givers choosing cash

    NRF's 2025 graduation survey found cash was the top graduation gift, given by 51% of gift-givers.

    Source: National Retail Federation (Trade body), 2025 graduation season. View source

  4. 34%

    Graduation givers choosing gift cards

    NRF's 2025 graduation survey found 34% of graduation gift-givers planned to give gift cards.

    Source: National Retail Federation (Trade body), 2025 graduation season. View source