Gifts for College Students: The Ultimate Guide

Finding the perfect gift for a college student can feel overwhelming, so I consulted Lucy, our favorite college student and close family friend, to help curate this ultimate guide. (She also has impeccable taste.) There’s a wide range of options depending on your budget or relationship, so Lucy and I rounded up everything from fun-but-still-affordable options to splurge-worthy keepsakes. Whether you’re shopping for graduation, move-in day, or just a thoughtful surprise, here are unique and easy gifts to make any college student’s day (or semester) a whole lot better!

Gifts for College Students: The Ultimate Guide

Graduation Gifts Under $50

Finding the perfect gift for a college-bound teen or young adult doesn’t have to break the bank. These picks under $50 are perfect for making college life a little smoother or just more fun.

• Cityscape Can-Shaped Glasses – A fun, decorative way to celebrate their college town.
• Rifle Paper Co. Hydrangea Embroidered Guest Book – Perfect for dorm visitors and special memories.
• Block Print Jewelry Box – Stylish storage for their jewelry.
• Lap Desk – Essential for late-night studying in bed or on the couch.
• Bluetooth Speaker – The ideal size for limited space and so easy to throw in a backpack to take anywhere.
• Journal – What college student doesn’t need a notebook? They’ll put it to use quickly! I like to gift spiral notebooks for easier note-taking.
• Luggage Tag – Chic luggage tag that won’t get ripped off! A perfect small gift you can personalize.
• Stainless Steel Water Bottles – With so much walking, a water bottle that can fit in their backpack is a necessity.
• Microwave-Safe Bowl Set – A cute and affordable set of these microwave-safe bowls will make dining hall takeout and dorm meals feel more like home!
• Gift Cards (Amazon, Walmart, or Starbucks) – You can never go wrong with a gift card. Treat them to a meal (or two) on you!

Graduation Gifts Under $100

If you’ve got a little more room in your budget, these gifts under $100 are a little practical and a lot of fun.

• Mark & Graham Deluxe Packing Cube Set – Such a CUTE idea for organized travel and dorm storage.
• Weezie Towel Wrap – Great for getting ready in shared bathrooms! Use code TERILYN15 for 15% off through 5/6.
• THE SPA KIT from Primally Pure – The college transition can be stressful, so a nice skincare routine to start with will be a treat.
• PRINTWORKS Photo Album – A coffee table piece that serves as a photo book and a piece of decor.
• Durable Backpack with Multiple Pockets – Elevate any college student’s walk to class with a practical and sleek backpack.
• Instant Camera (Fujifilm Instax Mini) – A sweet and thoughtful idea for students to document their time in college.
• Mini Projector – This is easy to set up and can turn any dorm into a movie theater.
• Sunrise Alarm Clock – Helps your college kid wake up for those early classes!
• Durable Gym Bag – This is a great bag for quick trips to the gym or weekend travel. It can also store a laptop!
• Makeup Organizer with Storage Space – Keeps makeup and skincare essentials organized and accessible.

Graduation Gifts Under $250

If you want to go big without going overboard, any one of these gifts under $250 will be a hit.

• Picnic Basket from Williams Sonoma – A fun and SUPER cute idea for outdoor gatherings or picnics.
• Mark & Graham x Pencil & Paper Co. Ceramic Wine Chiller – This is a timeless gift that your college student could use throughout college and after; a monogram would make it even better.
• Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 2 – I absolutely love mine and can only imagine how practical this would be in college through long study hours.
• Modern Desk Set – A chic upgrade for any study space or dorm room desk.
• Air Fryer – A dorm or apartment essential for easy, healthier meals. This air fryer option is particularly great because of its space-saving design.
• Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – You seriously can’t go wrong with a speaker, and this is a great option for a nice one that will last a while AND make them the life of the party.
• Table Lamp for Dorm Room – This lamp is so unique and fun. The bubble detail is adorable and the orange color is SO cute – this will add a fun pop of color to any room. It comes in several colors.
• High-Durability Laptop Backpack – If you want to gift a backpack that is a little more of an investment, this is the one! The quality is amazing and it is so chic.

Splurge-Worthy Gifts

If you want to go all out, these splurge-worthy gifts are the ultimate finds college students will LOVE but wouldn’t buy for themselves. If you want to be the MVP of gift-giving, these picks will do the trick!

• Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine– Most college kids love (and live off) coffee. This would be the best gift…ever.
• Apple AirPods Over-Ear Headphones – These are super popular among the college demographic right now and would the perfect study or gym accessory.
• Kindle Scribe – I am a huge fan of my Kindle, but this one is even better because you can write, journal, and take notes.
• Jumbo Diamond Huggies – You can NEVER go wrong with diamond earrings. This is such a timeless and classy gift any college girl would love!
• Flower Subscription – Tommy got me a flower subscription for Mother’s Day last year and it has been one of my favorite gifts! How fun would it be to receive fresh flowers during your first few months of college?
• iPad – Lots of kids get iPads when they get to college to help with taking notes in all their classes, so you can beat them to the punch.
• Suitcase with Smart Features – This sleek suitcase has great storage and is super durable. Perfect for flying home or abroad.
• High-Quality Suitcase Set – This option comes with a weekender bag for shorter trips.
• Power Banks and Charging Stations – With so many devices that need to be charged, this is a practical gift someone might not buy for themselves but would love to have.
• Modern Desk Set – Even though my office is a wreck sometimes, I need an organized desk and really like the sleekness of this leather desk set. This would elevate any desk space.
• Roommate Gift Basket – Similar to the picnic basket mentioned above, this gift basket for two is an adorable idea. It’s a thoughtful gift that your college student and their roommate can enjoy together to start the year off on a fun note!

No matter your budget, there’s a perfect gift out there for the special college student in your life. Whether it’s a small but thoughtful pick or a big-ticket item, they’ll definitely appreciate the extra love.

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