[morpheuskafka]

I don’t doubt that some offer and charge for rentals. (I think mine only charged $130 ish for purchase though.)

However, I am shocked to hear that there is not even an option to purchase them at OP’s university. Many people like to keep them, especially the cap at least, as a souvenir, or their parents will keep it. Besides, couldn’t they make more money selling them?

[xp84]

At my college you rented the gowns, or at least that was the default, but I think the cap was bought and yours to keep.

Also, as a souvenir, the tassel, which is decorated with a charm showing the year graduated, is also always (obviously) yours to keep.

It’s very common in America for young people to hang that tassel from their car’s center rear-view mirror.