All candidates who participate in the university commencement exercise must wear the appropriate academic attire.

Where to Buy Attire

To order your official Ball State commencement cap and gown package visit Ball State's online bookstore. Cap and gown orders for the 2019 Fall commencement ceremony must be placed by November 30 and will be available for pick beginning Tuesday, December 3 at the Ball State Bookstore. They will continue to be available for pick up throughout business hours leading up to the ceremony.

Order Cap and Gown

Shipping Options

When ordering your cap and gown package, you will be given two shipping options to choose from:

  • ship to bookstore — free shipping
  • ship to home — there is a minimum shipping and handling fee of $15.95.

Associate's Degree Students

If you are a student graduating with an associate's degree, please contact the Ball State Bookstore for your regalia needs.

Purchasing Other Graduation Items

Thank you cards, diploma frames, and many other graduation items are also available at the Ball State Bookstore in the Art and Journalism Building. Class rings and announcements can be purchased through Balfour. Custom announcements require 15 business days to produce and to be received by the customer.

Please contact the Ball State Bookstore with any additional questions at 765-285-8080.

Cap and Gown Prices
Degree Pre-tax Price
Associate Degree Cap, Gown, and Tassel $49.98
Baccalaureate Degree Cap, Gown, and Tassel $49.98
Master’s Degree Cap, Gown, Hood, and Tassel $97.98
Doctorate and Specialist Degree Cap, Gown, Hood, and Tassel $99.98

Caps and Gowns

All Associate Degrees

  • black gown
  • black cap and flat mortar board with cardinal tassel

All Baccalaureate (Bachelors) Degrees

  • black baccalaureate gown (long, rounded sleeves)
  • black cap and flat mortar board with cardinal and white tassel

All Masters Degrees

  • black masters gown (long, oblong sleeves)
  • black cap and flat mortar board with tassel and masters hood representing area of study
Degree Tassel and Hood
Degree Tassel and Hood Match
M.A. - Master of Art White
MAE - Master of Arts in Education Light Blue
MAR - Master of Architecture Light Purple
MBA - Master of Business Administration Royal Blue
MLA - Master of Landscape Architecture Light Purple
M.S. - Master of Science Golden Yellow
MUR - Master of Urban and Regional Architecture Light Purple
MPA - Master of Public Administration Teal Green
M.M. - Master of Music Pink

All Doctoral Degrees

  • black gown with three velvet bars on the sleeves
  • black cap, soft or hard, with gold tassel, and doctoral hood representing area of study.
Degree tassel and hood
Degree Tassel and Hood
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy Gold Tassel and Royal Blue Hood
DA - Doctor of Arts Gold Tassel and Pink Hood
EdD - Doctor of Education Gold Tassel and Light Blue Hood
EdS - Specialist in Education Gold Tassel and Light Blue Hood
AUD - Doctor of Audiology Gold Tassel and Rhodes Blue Hood
DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice Gold Tassel and Apricot Hood

Accessories

Due to the formality and tradition of the ceremony, the only accessories to be worn at the main commencement ceremony with the traditional cap and gown are those issued by the university and listed below.  Candidates may wear other cords, sashes, and regalia to their college, school, or departmental ceremonies and receptions.

Approved University Regalia Accessories

  • cum laude—bronze medallion
  • magna cum laude—silver medallion
  • summa cum laude—gold medallion
  • R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning—stole approved by the college
  • Honors College—red and white cords
  • Military—black and gold cords; student veteran's stole
  • Mortar Board—gold and silver cords
  • Phi Kappa Phi—blue and gold cords
  • Golden Key—blue and gold cords
  • Phi Upsilon Omicron - yellow, purple, and white cords; purple stole