Mar 31, 2026

Question of the Day: What is the average cost of a prom when all costs are included?

I wish this was an April Fools' Day joke...

Answer: 

$950-$1,100 including tickets, promposal, clothes, salon and flowers

Questions:

  • Do you think spending that much money on prom is worth it?
  • Do you think social media has made prom more expensive, and if so, is there anything students can do to push back on that pressure?
  • If your school set a spending cap on prom (for example, $200 per person), would that be a good idea or would it take the fun out of it?

Here are the ready-to-go slides for this Question of the Day that you can use in your classroom.

 

Behind the numbers (Amarra): 

"Most people spend around $950 to $1,100 on prom night when all costs are included. The key is deciding early what matters most to you and building your budget around those priorities. Maybe the dress is your splurge and you go DIY on beauty. Maybe you keep the dress simple and go all-in on the experience. There's no wrong answer — just your answer."

 

About the Author

Dave Martin

Dave joins NGPF with 15 years of teaching experience in math and computer science. After joining the New York City Teaching Fellows program and earning a Master's degree in Education from Pace University, his teaching career has taken him to New York, New Jersey and a summer in the north of Ghana. Dave firmly believes that financial literacy is vital to creating well-rounded students that are prepared for a complex and highly competitive world. During what free time two young daughters will allow, Dave enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, gardening, and taking naps.

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