Where to buy wgu cap and gown

If you’re wondering where to buy your WGU cap and gown, the best way to get your official regalia is directly through Balfour, WGU’s official vendor. They’ve got everything you need to look the part for your big day, whether you’re attending an in-person ceremony or just want some awesome photos at home.

Graduating from Western Governors University is a huge accomplishment, and getting your cap and gown is a super exciting step! While the official route through Balfour is generally the most straightforward, especially for ensuring you have the correct colors and specific regalia like hoods, there are a few other avenues you might explore, especially if you’re looking for different price points or need something last-minute. We’ll walk you through all the options, including what to expect regarding costs, colors, and even what to wear underneath. Let’s make sure you’re ready to celebrate your hard work!

Official WGU Cap and Gown: Your Go-To Source

Your absolute best bet for getting the correct WGU cap and gown is through Balfour, WGU’s official regalia vendor. They handle all the academic attire for graduations, including caps, gowns, tassels, and hoods. This ensures you get the exact style and colors WGU expects for commencement ceremonies.

What to expect when ordering from Balfour:

• Official Colors as of 2025: All gowns will be navy blue with green tassels. If you’re getting a master’s degree, you’ll also need a hood, which will be navy and silver.
• Bachelor’s Package: Typically includes a navy gown, cap, and a tassel with a charm and zipper pull.
• Master’s Package: This one will get you a navy gown, cap, tassel with a charm and zipper pull, and a master’s hood.
• Specific Hood Colors for Master’s Degrees: The color of your master’s hood signifies your field of study. For example, Education is blue, Business all MBAs is drab, Technology is gold, Nursing is apricot, and Integrated Healthcare Management is salmon. Master of Health Leadership uses sage green. It’s important to select the right one for your degree!
• Pricing: A Bachelor Package is usually around $32.00, and a Master Package is about $52.00, plus a shipping/handling fee, which is often around $12.95. Keep in mind these prices can change, so always check the Balfour website directly for the most current information.

To order, you’ll generally visit the Balfour regalia website specifically set up for WGU graduates. You’ll need your credit/debit card and its billing address ready. Once you complete your order, you should receive two emails: one from Balfour with payment info and another from Build-A-Grad with your regalia order details.

Other Official WGU Graduation Gear

Beyond just the cap and gown, Balfour is also where you can grab other official commencement goods like keepsake tassels, stoles, class rings, and diploma frames. WGU also has a “Shop WGU Merchandise” page if you’re looking for other WGU swag.

Picking Up In-Person Sometimes an Option!

Sometimes, if you’re attending an in-person commencement, WGU might offer options to pick up your cap and gown directly at an alumni event or at graduate check-in on the day of the ceremony. However, a big heads-up here: sizes are usually first-come, first-served in these situations, so you might not get your ideal fit. This route is typically for those who haven’t placed an order beforehand and need to get their regalia on the spot. If you plan to use this, make sure to bring your receipt!

Exploring Third-Party & Alternative Cap and Gown Options

While using Balfour is the official and recommended way to go, some graduates consider other options. Maybe you’re looking for a cheaper route, or you just want a cap and gown for photos and aren’t attending a formal ceremony.

• Amazon: You can find generic navy blue cap and gown sets on Amazon that might be more affordable and offer quicker shipping. However, be aware that these might not be the exact WGU official shade or quality, and they definitely won’t include the specific WGU tassel charm or official hood for master’s degrees. One Reddit user mentioned buying an official tassel and then getting a generic navy blue cap and gown from Amazon for pictures, and it worked out well!
• Other Graduation Retailers: Websites like GraduationSource, Gradshop, Cap and Gown Direct, or even large retailers that sell college graduation attire might have options. They often sell generic cap and gown sets in various colors, including navy. Just be sure to double-check the color against WGU’s official navy, and remember you’ll still need to source any WGU-specific accessories separately.
• Jostens or Herff Jones General: While Balfour is WGU’s specific vendor, companies like Jostens and Herff Jones are major players in the academic regalia market. Some universities partner with them, and they offer a wide range of graduation products. If you’re looking for a generic blue gown or accessories, you might find something through their general retail sites, but they won’t have the specific WGU branding. You can often find Jostens cap and gowns or Herff Jones cap and gowns on marketplaces like eBay too.
• Etsy: For more personalized items like stoles or cap decorations, Etsy can be a fun place to look. You might find custom stoles with WGU colors or even decorated graduation caps. Just be sure any custom additions comply with WGU’s Commencement Decorum Policy if you plan to wear them at an official ceremony.

A quick word of caution: If you’re attending a formal WGU commencement ceremony, it’s generally safest to stick with the official Balfour regalia to ensure you meet all the academic attire requirements. Some discussions online suggest that while an Amazon gown might look similar, some institutions can be strict about official vendor requirements. It’s always a good idea to confirm with the WGU Commencement Office if you’re considering an unofficial gown for an official ceremony.

How Much Does a WGU Cap and Gown Cost?

The cost of your WGU cap and gown can vary a bit depending on your degree level and if you buy any extras. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Through Balfour, you can expect to pay around $32.00 for the Bachelor Package gown, cap, tassel with charm and zipper pull, plus a shipping fee of about $12.95.
• Master’s Degree: The Master Package gown, cap, tassel with charm and zipper pull, and hood is typically around $52.00, plus that same shipping fee.
• Individual Items Balfour: If you already have a cap and tassel from a previous graduation, you might be able to order just a master’s gown or a master’s hood as individual items. For example, a Master Hood only might be around $26.00, a cap only around $13.00, and a tassel only around $16.90 for in-person purchases.
• Third-Party Options: Generic cap and gown sets from places like Amazon or other online retailers can sometimes be found for under $30 for a basic set. However, remember these might not match WGU’s specifications exactly, and you’d still need to get any specific WGU accessories like the official tassel or hood separately.

So, for the full, official WGU regalia, budget between $45 and $70, including shipping, depending on your degree.

How to Wear Your Cap and Gown

Wearing your cap and gown correctly helps you look sharp for your big moment! WGU generally provides resources on how to wear your academic attire. Here are the basics:

• The Gown: This goes on first, just like a robe. It should be comfortable and generally fall between your knee and calf.
• The Cap Mortarboard: The cap should sit flat on your head. The front point usually goes centered on your forehead.
• The Tassel: For a bachelor’s degree, you typically wear the tassel on the right side of your cap before the degree is conferred, and then move it to the left side after you receive your diploma. For master’s degrees, the tassel usually stays on the left.
• The Hood Master’s Degree Only: This is the most distinctive part for master’s graduates. The hood should be placed over your head with the velvet side up and the pointed end facing backward. The colors inside the hood represent your specific degree program. It often takes a little finessing to get it to lie correctly, sometimes even needing a pin to keep it in place. WGU often provides videos on how to wear your bachelor’s or master’s cap and gown, so be sure to check those out!

What to wear underneath:
WGU encourages you to wear comfortable, yet professional, dress attire under your gown. Think business casual—something that looks good but won’t make you too hot or uncomfortable.

Honor Cords, Sashes, and Stoles

If you’re part of an academic honor society or have other affiliations, you can absolutely wear honor cords, sashes, or stoles on your gown. These are a great way to show off your additional achievements!

• Honor Societies: If you’re affiliated with an honor society like Kappa Delta Pi KDP, you can typically order honor cords through their respective organizations.
• Military Service: WGU graduates who are veterans or active-duty military often receive a military honor cord. For in-person commencements, these are usually picked up at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in. Just make sure to mark your status on your RSVP form.
• WGU Philanthropy Cord: WGU also offers a philanthropy cord for graduates who make a donation of $25 or more to the WGU Fellow Night Owl Scholarship Fund. This not only supports current WGU students but also lets you wear a special blue and gold cord.
• Decorating Your Cap: WGU generally permits graduates to decorate their caps, as long as they align with the WGU Commencement Decorum Policy. This is a fun way to express yourself!

Remember, your graduation day is a monumental occasion, and your cap and gown are physical symbols of all your hard work and dedication. Choose the option that best suits your needs, and get ready to celebrate!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the official colors for WGU cap and gown?

As of 2025, the official colors for WGU academic regalia are navy blue gowns with green tassels. Master’s degree candidates will also wear a navy and silver hood, with the inner lining color specific to their degree program e.g., blue for Education, drab for Business.

How much does a WGU cap and gown cost?

A Bachelor Package from WGU’s official vendor, Balfour, typically costs around $32.00, and a Master Package costs about $52.00. This is in addition to a shipping/handling fee, usually around $12.95. Prices may vary, so always check the official Balfour website for the most current rates.

Can I buy a WGU cap and gown on Amazon?

While you can find generic navy blue cap and gown sets on Amazon, they are not the official WGU regalia. If you plan to attend an official WGU commencement ceremony, it’s highly recommended to purchase through WGU’s official vendor, Balfour, to ensure compliance with academic attire requirements and to receive the correct WGU-specific accessories like the tassel charm and hood. For photos or personal keepsakes, a generic set might be an option, but you’d need to confirm with the commencement office if you’re attending a ceremony.

Do I need a hood for my WGU graduation?

You only need an academic hood if you are graduating with a master’s degree. Bachelor’s degree candidates typically wear a cap, gown, and tassel only. The color of your master’s hood’s lining will signify your specific field of study. Where to buy vladimir kanevsky

What should I wear under my WGU graduation gown?

WGU suggests wearing comfortable, yet professional, dress attire under your gown. Think business casual clothing that will keep you comfortable throughout the ceremony.

Can I wear honor cords or decorate my cap for WGU graduation?

Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with honor societies or military service may wear appropriate honor cords, sashes, or pins to represent their achievements. Additionally, you are generally permitted to decorate your graduation cap as long as it aligns with WGU’s Commencement Decorum Policy. WGU also offers a philanthropy cord for donations to their scholarship fund.