That’s how expensive it is to graduate

Time to dress the flats, embroider the student caps, buy the prom dresses and write the invitations to the receptions. Graduating is an important step towards adulthood for many – but financially it can easily slip away.

Figures from Swedish Trade show that the cost of student celebrations this year is estimated at around SEK 5,500 per household. It covers everything related to trade, such as food and alcohol at the student reception, clothes and the student cap.

But the estimate includes far from everything – in addition to the student day itself, there are also costs for flatbeds, student parties and events, class shirts, drinks on the flatbed and the ball.

According to the Student Reception page, in previous years in Sweden, an average of SEK 13,000 to SEK 17,000 was spent on the festivities.

“Poor students”

Evelina Arnell, who is studying in Stockholm, believes that you have to be prepared for the costs to skyrocket.

Her class, like many, will ride a student van – a cost that will land at around SEK 50,000. Together, since the first year of high school, they have done everything from selling at flea markets and collecting trash to get the money together.

– In addition to what you collect for the class, there are also individual costs such as dresses, suits and so on which can be very high, says classmate Alfred Pettersson.

– It becomes like an atmosphere that it is very important to do these things. And then you often forget what it actually costs and that not everyone may have those opportunities either. It gets difficult and a bit of conflict in the class from time to time, says future student Hugo Lindstrand.

Here are the costs that stand out

The absolute biggest cost is the student reception, according to the site. Food, alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks as well as decorations and snacks are an expensive business for many. If you also rent a premises, it can stick out even more.

According to Viktor Schmidt, press manager at Svensk Handel, it can be seen that interest in secondary and circular fashion for students has increased.

– You can save money by buying a used suit or student dress, he says.