When a student graduates from college, one of the first questions families ask is:
Who should you send graduation announcements to?
Graduation announcements are meant to share the exciting news of a college graduate’s achievement with the people who supported them along the way. They are different from invitations — announcements simply celebrate the milestone.
Most families send 25 to 75 college graduation announcements, depending on the size of their extended family and social circle.
Below is a complete guide to who should receive college graduation announcements.
Immediate Family
Start with close family members. These are the people most connected to the graduate’s accomplishment.
Send announcements to:
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Grandparents
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Aunts and uncles
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Godparents
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Close cousins
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Immediate family friends
Even if they already know about the graduation, a formal announcement becomes a keepsake celebrating the milestone.
Extended Family
Extended family members often appreciate receiving graduation announcements even if they live far away.
Examples include:
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Great aunts and uncles
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Distant cousins
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Family members in other states
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Relatives who cannot attend the ceremony
Many families send announcements to relatives they may only see occasionally because graduation is a major life event worth sharing.
Family Friends
Parents’ friends are another common group that receives graduation announcements.
These may include:
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Longtime family friends
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Neighbors
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Parents’ coworkers
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Close friends of the family
Often these are people who watched the graduate grow up and enjoy celebrating the accomplishment.
Teachers, Professors, and Mentors
College graduates sometimes send announcements to mentors who had a meaningful impact during their academic journey.
This can include:
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Professors
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Academic advisors
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Coaches
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Internship mentors
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Research advisors
Sending an announcement is a thoughtful way to thank the people who helped guide the graduate’s success.
Close Friends
Friends who were part of the graduate’s college experience may also receive announcements.
This might include:
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College roommates
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Study partners
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Close childhood friends
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Fraternity or sorority friends
These announcements often serve as memories of a shared college journey.
Employers or Professional Contacts
For some graduates, it may also make sense to send announcements to professional connections.
Examples include:
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Internship supervisors
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Employers
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Professional mentors
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Networking contacts
This can be a great way to share career milestones and maintain professional relationships.
How Many Graduation Announcements Should You Send?
Most families send between 25 and 75 graduation announcements depending on their network of family and friends.
A simple way to estimate how many to order:
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Immediate family: 10–20
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Extended family: 10–30
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Family friends: 10–20
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Mentors and professors: 5–10
Ordering slightly extra ensures you have announcements available if you remember someone later.
When Should You Send Graduation Announcements?
Graduation announcements are typically mailed two to three weeks before the graduation ceremony.
If you send them afterward, they can still serve as a way to share the graduate’s accomplishment.
Celebrate Your Graduate with Custom University Announcements
If you're preparing your mailing list, the next step is choosing the perfect announcement.
Darlingtongrads offers custom university graduation announcements featuring iconic campus landmarks and personalized graduate details.
Our announcements are printed on premium cardstock and designed to celebrate one of life’s most important milestones.
Explore our collection of custom college graduation announcements and create a keepsake your graduate will treasure for years.
For a complete overview of graduation announcement etiquette, see our College Graduation Announcements Guide.