In the broadest sense, you pay your tuition and fees to attend the college/university. Upon successful completion of the course work, you have “earned” your degree. So, I guess you can say you “paid” for it.

Each school has different policies and procedures. For graduation, additional fees are paid for some of the ceremonial regalia (caps and gowns usually are rented, though some opt to buy them), graduation announcements are purchased (similar to a wedding invitation) so you can mail them to family and friends, and some schools might charge a fee for a fancier cover for the diploma…but the actual diploma itself….I don’t recall having to pay a fee for the two degrees I have….I assumed that was all covered in all the tuition I paid.

So, since each college/university has its own policies and procedures, why not check at the school and ask for a detailed list of expenses associated with the final graduation process and ceremony.

Hope this helps.