graduate from college

/ˈɡrædʒ.u.eɪt frəm ˈkɒl.ɪdʒ/

Meaning

To successfully complete an academic program and receive a degree or diploma from a higher education institution. In American English, 'college' is frequently used to mean university.

Examples

  • After I graduate from college, I want to take a gap year and travel.

    After I graduate from college, I want to take a gap year and travel.

  • She was the first person in her family to graduate from college.

    She was the first person in her family to graduate from college.

  • My brother is going to graduate from college next summer with a degree in biology.

    My brother is going to graduate from college next summer with a degree in biology.

  • It took him five years to graduate from college because he worked part-time.

    It took him five years to graduate from college because he worked part-time.

  • What are your plans after you graduate from college?

    What are your plans after you graduate from college?

Common Mistakes

  • ✗ I graduated college last year.

    ✓ I graduated from college last year.

    While omitting 'from' is common in casual spoken American English, standard English grammar requires the preposition 'from' after the verb 'graduate'.

  • ✗ She will finish from college in May.

    ✓ She will graduate from college in May.

    You can say 'finish college', but 'finish from college' is grammatically incorrect. The correct academic term is 'graduate from'.

Related Expressions

finish university get a degree complete one's studies

Practice

  • My parents were so proud when I finally managed to ___.

    💡 Finish higher education and receive a degree.

    Show answer

    graduate from college

  • What kind of job do you want to get after you ___?

    💡 Complete your university studies.

    Show answer

    graduate from college