For seniors in high school, Prom costs can add up fast.
Jordan Weems, a senior at Charles R. Drew Charter School, estimates that she’ll be spending around $1,000 on Prom this year.
Prom is supposed to be the night of our lives, the final class celebration before finally walking the stage, full of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable memories. However, what happens when the perfect prom night becomes a financial burden?
As head of my school’s prom committee, I’ve spent months helping plan an event that will hopefully meet everyone’s expectations. But the more I looked into the cost of Prom — not merely the venue or decorations, but what students spend — the more I started wondering if the price of Prom has grown out of proportion.
I talked to current students and someone who attended Prom decades ago to see how much things have changed.
“My dress alone was over $500,” said Weems. “All the trendy dresses are really expensive, so there’s pressure to spend a lot.”
According to Weems, Drew Charter prom tickets cost $125 and are deducted from junior dues. She expects to spend $100 to $200 on shoes and accessories. Her dress, purchased from the PromGirl website, cost roughly $586 before shipping and processing expenses. She expects to spend $100 to $150 on her hair appointment with The Jor Dior, a local stylist.
Teenagers looking at social media seem pressured to have a perfect prom night. They are expected to show up not only looking nice but also luxurious.
“It’s not even about being yourself anymore — it’s about looking like money. If it is not giving ‘rich girl,’ people act like you didn’t put much effort in,” said Naava Gill from Maynard Jackson High School.
My mom, a current teacher and parent of three high schoolers who went to Prom in the late 1990s, says Prom has always been a big deal, but the spending culture was completely different.
“We didn’t have to plan for months or spend a ton of money,” she said. “It was just simple, classy, and fun.”
She also pointed out that social media has completely changed the game. Back then, students weren’t competing with influencers or viral trends. She was just trying to look appropriate for a night out.
“Nowadays, everyone looks the same because they’re following the same trends. There’s no originality anymore,” she added.
She isn’t wrong. A quick scroll through my TikTok or Instagram shows identical long, beaded gowns, sleek hairstyles, and perfectly posed prom pictures.
Many students still see Prom as a rite of passage — something they’ve looked forward to for years. However, even fully committed people acknowledge that justifying the costs can be challenging.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s worth it,” Weems said. “Half the time, the dress you buy is only going to be worn once.”
