Columbia University maintains a formal and tradition-rich commencement ceremony in which all graduates are required to wear academic regalia. Regalia ordering is managed through the Columbia University Bookstore, and the university publishes a detailed regalia guide on its Commencement site.

For bachelor’s and master’s degree recipients, Columbia’s regalia includes a slate‑blue gown (not typical black), with black mortarboard caps and black tassels. There is no academic hood for these degree levels under Columbia’s rules. In contrast, doctoral students at Columbia wear a black-velvet–faced gown with three black velvet chevrons on the sleeves, an eight‑cornered velvet tam, and a gold tassel.

Columbia’s academic hood (for doctoral candidates) features lining in the university’s colors and velvet trim that represents the graduate’s discipline. The interior lining of the hood is Columbia’s traditional blue and white, and the facing/backing colors are based on a standard set of discipline-specific colors (for example, orange for engineering, dark blue for philosophy, golden yellow for science, etc.).

Regarding honor cords and stoles, Columbia’s public Commencement guidance does not prescribe specific colors for cords or stoles for academic honors. Students or groups that wish to create stoles must follow guidelines: the left side should include a consistent school name, and the right side can reflect the group’s identity.

Faculty regalia at Columbia University aligns with traditional academic costume: faculty wear gowns and hoods based on their highest earned degrees. Those who earned their degree from Columbia may wear a Columbia blue gown and hood, while those from other institutions wear regalia consistent with their alma mater.

In short, Columbia University’s commencement attire system features distinctive slate-blue gowns, classic mortarboards, discipline‑specific doctoral hoods, and a flexible yet formal policy on stoles and cords, reflecting both its Ivy League heritage and academic tradition.

Columbia University Academic Regalia Set – Cap, Gown & Tassel

Official Columbia University graduation regalia. Perfect for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral ceremonies.

Key Features

• Graduation Gown: Columbia blue (B/M), black with velvet facings (doctoral).
• Cap: Mortarboard for B/M, velvet tam for doctoral.
• Tassel: Black for B/M, gold for doctoral graduates.
• Hood: Lined Columbia blue & white, velvet trim by discipline.
• Honor Cords & Stoles: Optional, designed per Columbia guidelines.
• Faculty Regalia: Based on highest degree; alumni wear Columbia blue.

Highlights

• Authentic Ivy League regalia
• Doctoral and graduate-specific design
• Customizable stoles for student groups
• Durable, high-quality materials

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at Columbia University, you can reach out directly to the college's administration or the office responsible for commencement and student services. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding academic regalia.