Vassar College’s Commencement Ceremony is a traditional academic event held outdoors in the campus amphitheater, celebrating graduates from all disciplines. All candidates are required to wear official academic regalia — including the graduation gown, graduation cap (mortarboard), and tassel — in accordance with the American Council on Education (ACE) academic dress standards.

The bachelor’s gown is black with pointed sleeves, while the master’s gown features oblong sleeves, and the doctoral robe includes velvet panels and sleeve bars. Hood linings and tassel colors represent the graduate’s field of study, following national discipline codes such as white for Arts and Humanities and golden yellow for Science. These details ensure visual consistency and honor academic tradition during the Vassar procession.

In addition to standard attire, Vassar celebrates inclusion through optional regalia enhancements. Students may wear honor cords, kente cloths, sarape stoles, or cords such as lavender for LGBTQ graduates and red, white, and blue for veterans. These are bestowed through campus centers and cultural organizations. All regalia — including caps, gowns, tassels, and hoods — are available through the Vassar College Store, with advance pickup coordinated by the Registrar’s Office.

Graduates and families can purchase a Vassar cap and gown set with matching tassel color and optional hood for advanced degrees. Each element of the attire symbolizes academic achievement and institutional pride, making the commencement ceremony a visually unified and memorable tradition.

Vassar College Academic Regalia & Graduation Gown Colors

The Vassar College Commencement Ceremony celebrates tradition and scholarship. Graduates from the Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology wear official academic regalia—including the gown, cap, tassel, hood, and honor cords—that reflect degree level and field of study. All regalia adhere to the American Council on Education (ACE) academic costume code.

Bachelor’s Degree Regalia

• Gown: Black, lightweight with pointed sleeves.
• Cap: Traditional mortarboard with adjustable fit.
• Tassel: Discipline-based colors (white – Arts, golden yellow – Science, light blue – Education, brown – Fine Arts).
• Honor Cord: Gold or organization-specific color for academic honors.
• Stole: Optional, representing cultural or service recognition.

Master’s Degree Regalia

• Gown: Black robe with oblong sleeves.
• Tassel: Discipline color or gold for excellence.
• Hood: Lined with Vassar colors and trim according to discipline.
• Honor Cord & Stole: Optional for recognition and distinction.

Doctoral & Faculty Regalia

• Doctoral Gown: Black robe with velvet facings and sleeve bars.
• Tassel: Metallic gold or field color.
• Hood: Velvet trim per discipline, lined with Vassar’s official colors.
• Faculty: Academic regalia includes tam or mortarboard and hood reflecting institution and degree field.

Quick Specs

• Includes: Cap, gown, and tassel set (Bachelor, Master, Doctoral).
• Optional Add-Ons: Honor cords, stoles, and hoods.
• Faculty regalia available separately in official Vassar colors.
• Designed for comfort, tradition, and institutional pride at Vassar College ceremonies.

Note: To confirm the exact colors of the graduation gown, cap, tassel, honor cords, and stoles for your specific program at vassar college , 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.