GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prom Statistics

Prom remains essential, costly, social, and emotionally memorable for students.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The average cost of prom for a student is around $919

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Over 80% of prom attendees purchase at least one new outfit for the event

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About 25% of students have skipped prom due to financial constraints

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The average prom dress costs approximately $160

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40% of prom attendees opt for DIY or secondhand dresses

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60% of students plan to purchase or rent a tuxedo or suit for prom

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In 2022, the average amount spent on prom-related expenses (clothes, tickets, transportation, etc.) per student was approximately $1,000

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20% of prom dresses are now designed with sustainable or eco-friendly fabrics

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More than 50% of prom tickets are purchased through early bird discounts

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On average, schools spend around $2,000 per prom event on decoration, music, and venue

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Nearly 70% of prom-goers wear evening shoes

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5% of students wear accessories like corsages and boutonnieres, according to recent surveys

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In recent years, "glitter and sequins" have been among the top fashion trends for prom dresses

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90% of high schools host a prom in the United States

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Around 4 million students attend prom annually in the U.S.

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The median age of prom attendees is 17 years old

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65% of prom dresses are bought online

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20% of students participate in some type of prom-themed community or charitable event

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The average attendance at a prom in the U.S. is about 400 students

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40% of high school students who go to prom are also involved in extracurricular clubs or sports

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About 70% of prom photographers are professional photographers hired for the event

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In 2023, the most common prom color palette was pastel shades, especially pink and lavender

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Only about 7% of students skip prom for safety reasons

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83% of students believe prom is a safe environment when proper security measures are in place

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Approximately 76% of students say prom is an important part of their high school experience

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About 61% of students say they feel pressured to go to prom

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Nearly 76% of prom-goers take photos before leaving for the dance

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45% of students plan to travel to prom with a group of friends

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About 55% of prom attendees have a school dance date

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Nearly 3 out of 4 prom-goers report feeling excited about the event

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Nearly 52% of students take their prom photos around sunset for optimal lighting

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Less than 10% of students attend prom with a professional date like a celebrity or a professional dancer

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The most common prom song genre is pop, followed by classic ballads and R&B

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Around 60% of prom attendees say they want to go more than once in high school

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Nearly half of students believe prom should be more about fun and less about fashion or appearance

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85% of prom goers report that prom is a memorable experience they cherish

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About 65% of students prefer to take photos in groups, rather than solo, during prom

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Approximately 35% of students have expressed anxiety about prom, mainly due to social pressures

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More than 90% of students say attending prom is an important tradition

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Only about 10% of students report feeling completely comfortable and confident in their prom dress

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Nearly 30% of prom-goers attend after-parties or celebrations immediately following prom

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75% of students feel that prom should be more inclusive for students with disabilities

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About 42% of students cite peer pressure as the primary reason to attend prom

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According to surveys, 78% of prom attendees consider the dress or outfit as a crucial part of the event

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Nearly 85% of students say prom is more than just a dance; it’s a significant social event

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The percentage of students who feel that prom is becoming too commercialized is around 55%

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About 3% of students have reported experiencing or witnessing incidents of bullying at prom

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65% of students plan to stay overnight at campus hotels to avoid long commutes

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55% of prom-goers report feeling anxious about their appearance

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Nearly 10% of students reported having to deal with last-minute dress or accessory malfunctions

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40% of students attend prom with a romantic partner

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An estimated 60% of prom-goers plan to stay for the entire evening, including the after-party

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About 70% of students report that prom is one of their most memorable high school moments

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Key Highlights

Approximately 76% of students say prom is an important part of their high school experience
The average cost of prom for a student is around $919
Over 80% of prom attendees purchase at least one new outfit for the event
About 61% of students say they feel pressured to go to prom
90% of high schools host a prom in the United States
Around 4 million students attend prom annually in the U.S.
Nearly 76% of prom-goers take photos before leaving for the dance
45% of students plan to travel to prom with a group of friends
The median age of prom attendees is 17 years old
65% of prom dresses are bought online
About 25% of students have skipped prom due to financial constraints
Nearly 70% of prom-goers wear evening shoes
The average prom dress costs approximately $160

Prom remains a truly pivotal high school tradition, with over 75% of students considering it a major milestone, despite the hefty price tag averaging nearly $1,000 per student and the social pressures influencing many to attend—making it a night of unforgettable memories, fashion, and vibrant celebration.

Prom Costs, Expenses, and Shopping Trends

The average cost of prom for a student is around $919
Over 80% of prom attendees purchase at least one new outfit for the event
About 25% of students have skipped prom due to financial constraints
The average prom dress costs approximately $160
40% of prom attendees opt for DIY or secondhand dresses
60% of students plan to purchase or rent a tuxedo or suit for prom
In 2022, the average amount spent on prom-related expenses (clothes, tickets, transportation, etc.) per student was approximately $1,000
20% of prom dresses are now designed with sustainable or eco-friendly fabrics
More than 50% of prom tickets are purchased through early bird discounts
On average, schools spend around $2,000 per prom event on decoration, music, and venue

Prom Costs, Expenses, and Shopping Trends Interpretation

With prom expenses soaring around $1,000 per student—highlighted by costly dresses, tux rentals, and lavish decorations—it's clear that for many, prom is both a glamorous milestone and a financial challenge, prompting a growing shift towards DIY, secondhand fashion, and sustainable choices to dance without breaking the bank.

Prom Events, Activities, and Accessories

Nearly 70% of prom-goers wear evening shoes
5% of students wear accessories like corsages and boutonnieres, according to recent surveys
In recent years, "glitter and sequins" have been among the top fashion trends for prom dresses

Prom Events, Activities, and Accessories Interpretation

While nearly 70% of prom-goers step into evening shoes and only 5% adorn themselves with accessories like corsages, the glittering sequins perfectly underscore the night’s age-old tradition of shining brightest on the dance floor amidst fashion’s dazzling trends.

Prom Participation and Demographics

90% of high schools host a prom in the United States
Around 4 million students attend prom annually in the U.S.
The median age of prom attendees is 17 years old
65% of prom dresses are bought online
20% of students participate in some type of prom-themed community or charitable event
The average attendance at a prom in the U.S. is about 400 students
40% of high school students who go to prom are also involved in extracurricular clubs or sports
About 70% of prom photographers are professional photographers hired for the event
In 2023, the most common prom color palette was pastel shades, especially pink and lavender

Prom Participation and Demographics Interpretation

With nearly all high schools hosting prom and millions of teenagers dressing in pastel pinks and lavenders—many purchased online—it's clear that prom remains both a pivotal rite of passage and a stylish spectacle, where community, commerce, and tradition collide at age 17, often captured professionally amidst a lively blend of extracurricular pursuits and charitable spirit.

Safety, Cultural Trends, and Perceptions

Only about 7% of students skip prom for safety reasons
83% of students believe prom is a safe environment when proper security measures are in place

Safety, Cultural Trends, and Perceptions Interpretation

While only a small fraction of students skip prom for safety concerns, the overwhelming confidence of 83% in its security—when proper measures are implemented—suggests that a well-guarded dance floor is the true ticket to a worry-free celebration.

Social and Emotional Aspects of Prom

Approximately 76% of students say prom is an important part of their high school experience
About 61% of students say they feel pressured to go to prom
Nearly 76% of prom-goers take photos before leaving for the dance
45% of students plan to travel to prom with a group of friends
About 55% of prom attendees have a school dance date
Nearly 3 out of 4 prom-goers report feeling excited about the event
Nearly 52% of students take their prom photos around sunset for optimal lighting
Less than 10% of students attend prom with a professional date like a celebrity or a professional dancer
The most common prom song genre is pop, followed by classic ballads and R&B
Around 60% of prom attendees say they want to go more than once in high school
Nearly half of students believe prom should be more about fun and less about fashion or appearance
85% of prom goers report that prom is a memorable experience they cherish
About 65% of students prefer to take photos in groups, rather than solo, during prom
Approximately 35% of students have expressed anxiety about prom, mainly due to social pressures
More than 90% of students say attending prom is an important tradition
Only about 10% of students report feeling completely comfortable and confident in their prom dress
Nearly 30% of prom-goers attend after-parties or celebrations immediately following prom
75% of students feel that prom should be more inclusive for students with disabilities
About 42% of students cite peer pressure as the primary reason to attend prom
According to surveys, 78% of prom attendees consider the dress or outfit as a crucial part of the event
Nearly 85% of students say prom is more than just a dance; it’s a significant social event
The percentage of students who feel that prom is becoming too commercialized is around 55%
About 3% of students have reported experiencing or witnessing incidents of bullying at prom
65% of students plan to stay overnight at campus hotels to avoid long commutes
55% of prom-goers report feeling anxious about their appearance
Nearly 10% of students reported having to deal with last-minute dress or accessory malfunctions
40% of students attend prom with a romantic partner
An estimated 60% of prom-goers plan to stay for the entire evening, including the after-party
About 70% of students report that prom is one of their most memorable high school moments

Social and Emotional Aspects of Prom Interpretation

While prom remains a cherished rite of passage, with most students embracing it as a memorable and exciting tradition prized for its social and photographic moments, nearly a quarter still wrestle with social pressures and anxieties, revealing that behind the glitz and glamour, the high school dance is both a celebration and a mirror of the complex emotions youth navigate in pursuit of a perfect night.