How much is it really to graduate
For many New Zealand students, walking across the stage to collect their qualification is meant to be a milestone moment. But the rising cost of graduating is creating a growing gap between those who can afford the ceremony and those who cannot.
At the University of Waikato, full-time domestic students pay approximately $7,542–$8,787 per year for a Bachelor of Arts, with similar fees for other undergraduate degrees. This fits within the national range for domestic undergraduate tuition, which can reach up to $12,000 per year, depending on course load and subject area.
But for many students, expenses don’t end there. In their final year, they may face additional costs including specialist equipment, portfolio printing, final-assessment fees, internship-related travel, uniforms, and reduced ability to work because of unpaid placements.
Beyond course fees, students must also manage living essentials: rent, food, transport, utilities, and other day-to-day expenses. Shared accommodation, groceries, and bills often add substantially to monthly outgoings.
Financial support from the government helps, but it is shrinking. The number of tertiary students receiving a weekly allowance under StudyLink has dropped nearly 38 percent between 2013 and 2023, according to national data.
Graduation itself also comes with costs. Across many tertiary institutions in New Zealand, students typically pay:
- NZ $60–$120 for gown hire
- NZ $20–$40 for a cap
- NZ $20–$40 for a hood
Return travel and accommodation (if students have moved during study) and the expectation to buy formal clothing for the ceremony add further financial pressure.
AUT student Zoe Douglas said, “I spent $114 hiring graduation gear and $125 on a dress.”
When tuition, living costs, final-year expenses, and graduation fees are combined, the total cost of finishing a degree can easily climb well beyond $30,000–$50,000 for domestic students.
For many, tuition alone doesn’t reflect the full cost of study. Living costs and shrinking student allowances mean ongoing financial pressure is common, while graduation-day expenses, though relatively small, can become yet another barrier for students.
The result is that what should be a celebration of academic achievement is becoming a difficult financial decision for some.
