Tassel Trends 2026
What's changing in commencement—and what it means for your institution.
New data from across the graduation industry reveals emerging trends, surprising benchmarks, and opportunities to rethink how ceremonies are planned and experienced.
Find out what your peers are doing, where the industry is headed, and what you can do to make your next commencement even better in the only research report for graduation professionals.
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The Graduation Landscape Is Changing. Here's a First Look.
What does a better commencement experience look like today? And how does your institution compare?
The 2026 Tassel Trends report explores the data behind the industry's biggest shifts—with findings that challenge assumptions and reveal new opportunities for improvement.
ceremony records analyzed
coordinator survey responses
comprehensive look at the state of commencement
A few findings worth a closer look
A major shift in how institutions deliver ceremonies
One ceremony format is gaining ground faster than others. What does that mean for your graduates and their families?
A growing focus on the graduate experience
More institutions are rethinking how they recognize graduates, with implications for confidence, inclusion, and participation.
The challenge that technology hasn't solved
Even as ceremony operations evolve, coordinators continue to grapple with one of commencement's most persistent pain points.
Get the full report to explore the data, compare benchmarks, and discover what these trends mean for your institution.
Inside the 2026 Tassel Trends Report
Get the insights you need to make more informed decisions about your next commencement.
Participation & communication
Explore the approaches institutions use to encourage graduate participation—and where small changes may make a difference.
Ceremony formats & operations
Understand how ceremony experiences are evolving and discover opportunities to make events more efficient.
Graduate recognition & guest experience
Learn how institutions are approaching name announcements, guest ticketing, and the details that make graduation meaningful.
Budgets & strategic priorities
See how institutions are navigating budget pressures, student costs, and competing demands on their resources.
How Does Your Institution Compare?
The best decisions start with knowing where you stand.
Download the free 2026 Tassel Trends report to explore industry benchmarks, uncover new ideas, and identify opportunities to improve your next graduation ceremony.
Know the trends. Benchmark your approach. Plan your next ceremony with a clearer perspective.
See Our Other Commencement Reports
More research from Tassel on the costs, formats, and experiences shaping graduation.
Tassel Trends 2025
Benchmarks and strategies from more than 600 institutions, including what the top-performing schools do differently on participation and communication.
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