151 Graduation Instagram 'Cap'-tion Ideas to Celebrate Getting Out of School for Good

Ashley Broadwater

April 15, 2024 at 7:05 PM·15 min read

Woman taking a photo at her school graduation to put on Instagram

Whether you’ve been ready to graduate for years, are scared to leave your routine and your friends, or are somewhere in between, graduation is a major (and often emotional) time. You may be getting lots of pictures taken, hosting graduation parties, attending senior year celebrations, and more—all of which are photo-ops that require the perfect graduation Instagram caption to match, amirite?

The caption part is easier said than done a lot of times, however. You’re not alone if you’ve stared at your post, trying to think of the perfect words to match your cute pic or photo dump of such a big memory. I mean, we’ve all Googled cute caption ideas before, right? It’s hard to think of one that’s not cliché and the struggle can take away from the fun and meaningfulness of the moment.

To make the task easier and quicker for you, we’ve compiled some tips on what to say in a school graduation post, how you can end a graduation caption, and 151 graduation caption ideas that are funny, cute, and/or inspired by quotes or song lyrics. You should be able to find at least one that fits your photo’s vibe!

Related: Hats Off to the Class of 2024! 150 Graduation Quotes to Celebrate This Year’s Graduates

What Do You Say in a Graduation Post?

For better or worse, one solid graduation caption can look vastly different from another solid one. After all, with so many feelings and memories wrapped up, where do you start? Here are some topics you can reference in your graduation post:

Jokes about the struggle (of that 8 a.m. class, your major or the required courses, for starters)
Shout-outs to favorite teachers, friends or memories
Puns with words like “cap” or “grad”
Words that rhyme with “cap,” “gown,” “graduation” or “tassel”
Inspirational quotes
An encouraging Bible verse
Fitting song lyrics
Something that encouraged you or got you to this point
What you’re looking forward to, or what’s ahead on your journey

Ultimately, go with whatever fits the picture and feels most genuine to you!

How Do You End a Graduation Caption?

Once you’ve got your caption topic down, you still might wonder how to end the caption itself. And again, consider what feels right to you and your style. This might be:

Punctuation or no punctuation
One emoji or a few (examples: hearts the color of your school, a graduation cap, a party emoji, a light or star emoji, your school’s mascot emoji, a calendar, a clock, the numbers of the year you’re graduating, etc.)
A hashtag or a few (examples: #classof2024, #graduated, #graduation, #wedidit, #classof2028, or, let’s be real, #helpme)
Or something else entirely!

With that said, let’s get into some specific examples of caption ideas you’re free to steal (yup, seriously!).

Related: #AllTheLikes: 300 Instagram Captions That Will Get Those Followers Liking Your Feed

Best Graduation Captions

1. “Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good.” — Minor Myers Jr.

2. I would like to thank Google and Quizlet for this degree.

3. Things I learned: The mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell.

4. “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” — Corrie ten Boom

5. “You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” — Dr. Seuss

6. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

7. “Started from the bottom, now we’re here.” — “Started From the Bottom” by Drake

8. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” — 1 Timothy 4:12

9. I guess we’re about to find out if we *really* needed to learn the quadratic formula!

Inspirational Graduation Captions

10. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead waiting for us!

11. We did it, class of 2024! Now go out into the world and be who you were meant to be.

12. “She believed she could, so she did.” — R.S. Grey

13. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau

14. God got me to it and brought me through it.

15. Today was a dream come true.

16. This feels like the end, but remember: It’s also the beginning.

17. “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” — Neale Donald Walsch

18. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 1:6

19. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” — Norman Vincent Peale

20. Here’s to hard work paying off and a bright light ahead.

21. “There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” — Amanda Gorman

22. Thankful to my family and friends for helping me get here.

23. We’ve made it this far—now we just have to keep going! Baby steps!

24. Class of 2024, I'm feeling great about what you were made for!

25. “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave or forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:6

26. “Nevertheless, she persisted.” — said by Mitch McConnell in reference to Elizabeth Warren, and reclaimed by feminists

27. Here’s to a class full of doctors, teachers, parents and so much more.

28. “Keep your head up high / In yourself, believe in you, believe in me.” — Mary J. Blige in “Just Fine”

29. Finally graduating after the dumpster fire of the pandemic just hits different. Proud of myself and my classmates!

30. “You have to believe in yourself when no one else does.” — Serena Williams

31. “I see stars / You shine as bright as day.” — “I See Stars” in the Mean Girls musical

Related: ‘The Only Impossible Journey Is the One You Never Begin’— 75 Inspiring and Fun Senior Yearbook Quotes

Funny Graduation Captions

32. “What? Like it’s hard?” — Elle Woods in Legally Blonde

33. “Your families are extremely proud of you. You can’t imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing. This would be a most opportune time to ask for money.” — Gary Bolding

34. I've waited 13 years for this cap-tivating day!

35. “It’s about damn time.” — “About Damn Time” by Lizzo

36. TBH, my younger self would lowkey be shocked right now!

37. If Davis Library wasn’t open 24 hours, would I still be here today? The world may never know.

38. A moment of silence for all the all-nighters I had to pull to get here.

39. She finally graduated!

40. If you heard someone scream “Praise the Lord” when my name was called during the ceremony, that was my mom.

41. Time for a snooze.

42. “It’s been real. It’s been fun. But it ain’t been real fun.” — Michael Beasley

43. “I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser.” — “Anti-Hero” by Taylor Swift

44. Looks like all those late nights on TikTok weren’t that big of a deal after all, Mom!

45. Well, thank goodness that’s over!

46. You mean I did all that for a lousy piece of paper?

47. [High School’s Name], it’s not you, it’s me.

48. This was nothing like High School Musical or Euphoria.

49. The delulu got me through.

50. As Dr. Taylor Swift said, “‘Tis the damn season.”

51. Today on the runway, I’m serving you cap and gown realness.

52. No more chaotic group projects on Google Docs!

53. Still think we needed an adulting class!

54. Wait, does this mean I have to figure out how to do taxes now?

55. “And sometimes, after the hardest flop comes the biggest slay.” — Keara Sullivan

56. All blues, no clues.

57. “It’s okay to fall down. Get up, look sickening, and make them eat it!” — Latrice Royale

58. Here’s your proof that Cs get degrees!

59. Hire me, please!

60. “I’m heading home to have myself a juice, snuggle with my blankie, and go nap-nap.” — Chuckie in Rugrats

61. Still wondering about the right way to wear this cap so it looks cute.

62. My diploma was a paid actor in this.

63. This one’s for you, SparkNotes!

64. I guess my teachers thought I passed the vibe check!

65. So uh, any tips for handling the real world?

66. “When I die, I want the people I did group projects with to lower me into the ground so they can let me down. One last time.” — Jenna Allen

67. Thank goodness I'm a Virgo!

68. So, is senioritis going to end anytime soon?

69. I hope I never hear the phrase “write a paper” again.

70. It’s graduation day! Or more importantly, the first day of summer.

71. Time to adult I guess!

72. “Never memorize something that you can look up.” — Albert Einstein

72. The Magic School Bus taught me everything I needed to know.

Cute Graduation Captions

73. The tassel was worth the hassle!

74. Elle Woods put it best: “We did it!”

75. Here’s to no more 8 a.m. classes!

76. School’s out!

77. Until next time!

78. Just got one degree hotter.

79. Graduation mode: unlocked.

80. Couldn’t have done it without my besties (and my Keurig)!

81. It’s graduation szn, besties!

82. We understood the assignment!

83. Feeling that main character energy!

84. Turned my tassel, so now it’s time to build my castle.

85. Not me actually being sad about leaving this town!

86. Shout-out to Dunkin’ for getting me through the past 13 years!

87. [College Name], here I come!

88. ICYMI, I am a graduate!

89. ConGRADulations to all my classmates!

90. 13 years of school down, too many more to go!

91. This one is dedicated to [Favorite Teacher’s Name].

92. See y’all in 10 years!

93. Graduation tings!

94. In my cap and gown era.

95. Still jealous we didn’t get Taylor Swift as our commencement speaker.

96. Tried to think of a cap-tion and all I could come up with was this.

97. BRB crying for the next 3 to 5 business days!

98. The senioritis was real.

99. Time to take the longest nap of my life.

100. It’s giving “happily ever after” vibes.

101. Now accepting all the college tips!

102. Please excuse the humblebrag!

103. Got the cap, now to nap.

104. [The date of your graduation, spelled out] [a few emojis, like the ideas listed above]

105. Tassel: turned. Future: ready.

106. We ate and left no crumbs! Congrats, class of 2024!

107. So this happened!

108. Breaking news: I finally graduated!

109. On to bigger and better things!

110. My OOTD: a cap and gown.

111. Things I won’t miss: finals week, chemistry quizzes, waiting to get grades uploaded into Canvas. Things I will miss: late-night pizza orders with roomies-turned-friends, club meetings for [Club Name], and Dr. Smith’s dad jokes.

112. Time to get down in a cap and gown.

Graduation Captions Inspired by Quotes

113. “You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Winnie the Pooh

114. “So be sure when you step, step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!” — Dr. Seuss

115. "Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end." — Michelle Obama in "Becoming"

116. “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis

117. “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” — Winnie the Pooh

118. “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss

119. “You can’t bring me down! I'm on a high right now! I’m living my best life and y’all can’t take that from me!” — Gypsy Rose Blanchard

120. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela

121. “Life can be heavy if you carry it all at once. Know what to keep and what to release. Decide what is yours to hold, and let all the other things go.” — Taylor Swift

122. “[Margaret Cho] was my hero, not only because she was funny, but because she showed me that it’s okay to be yourself, that it’s okay to be a brash yellow girl and be a strong and brave woman.” — Awkwafina

123. “It’s your turn to choose and define what success means to you. Now, others will try to define it for you, but yours is the only voice that matters.” — Octavia Spencer

124. “Nothing is absolute. Everything changes, everything moves, everything revolves, everything flies and goes away.” — Frida Kahlo

125. “Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” — Madam C.J. Walker

126. “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!” — Dr. Seuss

127. “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” — Nora Ephron

128. “Now go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for you being here.” — Neil Gaiman

129. “There is no passion to be found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” — Nelson Mandela

130. “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” — Babe Ruth

131. “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

Graduation Captions Inspired by Song Lyrics

132. “You’re on your own, kid / You can face this.” — “You’re On Your Own, Kid” by Taylor Swift

133. “I’d like to think that I was created / For a special purpose.” — “Ego” by Beyoncé

134. “I’ve found time can heal most anything / And you just might find who you’re supposed to be.” — “Fifteen” by Taylor Swift

135. “Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” — “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

136. “Oh I’m just a girl, trying to find a place in this world.” — “A Place in This World” by Taylor Swift

137. “It’s a celebration every time we link up / We done did everything they can think of / Greatness is what we on the brink of.” — “Moment 4 Life” by Nicki Minaj

138. “I dream hard, I work hard, I grind ‘til I own it.” — “Formation” by Beyoncé

139. “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you.” — “Long Live” by Taylor Swift

140. “And friends are friends forever / If the Lord’s the Lord of them / And a friend will not say never / ‘Cause the welcome will not end.” — “Friends” by Michael W. Smith

141. “All my life, been hustling / And tonight is my appraisal … Hey look ma, I made it.” — “Hey Look Ma, I Made It” by Panic! At The Disco

142. “Ain’t about how fast I get there / Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side / It’s the climb.” — “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus

143. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you / We stick together and can see it through / ‘Cause you’ve got a friend in me.” — “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman

144. “And I can be all the things you told me not to be / When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing.” — “God Is a Woman” by Ariana Grande

145. “I only see daylight, daylight, daylight, daylight.” — “Daylight” by Taylor Swift

146. “I was here. I lived, I loved. I was here.” — “I Was Here” by Beyoncé

147. “It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right / I hope you had the time of your life.” — “Good Riddance” by Green Day

148. “As we go on / We remember / All the times we / Had together / And as our lives change / Come whatever / We will still be / Friends forever.” — “Graduation (Friends Forever)” by Vitamin C

149. “They said I wouldn’t be nothing / Now they always say, ‘Congratulations.’” — “Congratulations” by Post Malone

150. “Today is where your book begins / The rest is still unwritten.” — “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

151. “We’re soarin’, flyin’ / There’s not a star in heaven that we can’t reach / If we’re trying / So, we’re breaking free.” — “Breaking Free” in High School Musical

Next: Cap’s Off to You, Grads! 60 Graduation Picture Ideas to Document Your Big Day

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