Alumni vs. Graduate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
Alumni are former students who have graduated or attended an institution, while a graduate is specifically someone who has completed a degree program.
Difference Between Alumni and Graduate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An alumnus (alumni for plural) refers to someone who has attended or graduated from a particular institution. This term encompasses a broad group of people, not limited to those who have earned degrees, but also including those who have been part of the institution in some capacity. On the other hand, a graduate is a person who has successfully completed a course of study, typically at a college or university, and has been awarded a degree. This term is more specific, focusing solely on the academic achievement and the completion of a degree program.
Alumni associations are common in institutions, aimed at fostering a sense of community and continuity among former students. These associations often organize reunions, publish newsletters, and support the institution through various means. Whereas, graduates may join professional networks or groups related to their field of study, focusing on career development and networking within their professional sphere.
Alumni status can sometimes be achieved without having graduated, as long as the individual has attended the institution for a certain period. This includes exchange students or those who completed part of their studies at the institution before transferring. On the other hand, graduate status is unequivocally tied to the completion of degree requirements and the formal conferment of a degree.
The term "alumni" carries with it a sense of belonging and identity with an institution, often associated with a sense of pride and nostalgia. It signifies a lasting relationship with the institution, beyond academic achievements. Meanwhile, being a graduate highlights a specific academic milestone, a point of transition from student life to the next phases of career and personal development.
Engagement with the institution can vary between alumni and graduates. Alumni, due to their broader inclusion, might engage with the institution in diverse ways, including mentorship, donations, or participation in alumni events. Graduates, particularly recent ones, might focus more on leveraging their academic achievements for career opportunities, seeking guidance from career services, or engaging in post-graduate education.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Former students who have graduated or attended.
Individuals who have completed a degree program.
Scope
Broad, including attendees who didn’t graduate.
Specific to those who have earned a degree.
Associations
Often part of alumni associations.
May join professional networks.
Relationship
Implies a lasting connection to the institution.
Focuses on the completion of academic milestones.
Engagement
Engage through mentorship, donations, events.
Seek career opportunities, further education.
Compare with Definitions
Alumni
Former members of a group, organization, or company.
The company organizes annual gatherings for its alumni to reconnect and share their professional journeys.
Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college/university).
She became a graduate last spring, earning her degree in environmental science.
Alumni
Individuals who maintain a connection with their alma mater through various means.
As an alumnus, he frequently visits the campus to mentor current students.
Graduate
Someone who has completed the requirements of a degree program.
After years of hard work, he is now a proud graduate of the university's engineering program.
Alumni
A person who has attended or graduated from a particular school, college, or university.
The alumni network of our college spans across several countries, offering a vast community for support and networking.
Graduate
Individuals entering the workforce or further studies after completing their degree.
The graduate is now applying to master's programs to further his education.
Alumni
Recipients of benefits or services from an institution who maintain a relationship with it.
The library access for alumni allows them to continue their research even after graduation.
Graduate
A term used to denote the completion of a significant academic milestone.
As a new graduate, she's exploring various career opportunities in her field.
Alumni
Participants in alumni associations or groups formed to support the interests of former students.
She actively participates in the alumni association to help organize community service events.
Graduate
A qualifier for degrees and diplomas earned after completing a course of study.
He received his graduate diploma in data analysis, marking the beginning of a new career path.
Alumni
A male graduate or former student of a school, college, or university.
Graduate
A person who has successfully completed a course of study or training, especially a person who has been awarded an undergraduate or first academic degree.
Alumni
An individual alumnus or alumna.
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or measuring glass, used especially by chemists and pharmacists.
Graduate
Successfully complete an academic degree, course of training, or (in North America) high school
He graduated from Glasgow University in 1990
He graduated in the summer with a 2:2 degree
Graduate
Arrange in a series or according to a scale
The stones were graduated in height from the lowest near the entrance to the tallest opposite
Graduate
Change (something, typically colour or shade) gradually or step by step
The colour is graduated from the middle of the frame to the top
Graduate
To be granted an academic degree or diploma
Most of the entering freshmen stayed to graduate.
Graduate
To change gradually or by degrees
"The most weighty of all the arguments against treating the races of man as distinct species, is that they graduate into each other" (Charles Darwin).
Graduate
To advance to a new level of skill, achievement, or activity
After a month of diving instruction, they all graduated to back flips.
Graduate
To grant an academic degree or diploma to
The school has graduated many gifted chemists.
Graduate
Usage Problem To receive an academic degree from
How many chemists graduated the Institute last year?.
Graduate
To arrange or divide into categories, steps, or grades
Graduate an income tax.
Graduate
To divide into marked intervals, especially for use in measurement
Graduate a thermometer.
Graduate
One who has received an academic degree or diploma.
Graduate
A graduated container, such as a cylinder or beaker.
Graduate
Possessing an academic degree or diploma.
Graduate
Of, intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree
Graduate courses.
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
If the government wants graduates to stay in the country they should offer more incentives.
Graduate
A person who is recognized by a high school as having completed the requirements of a course of study at the school.
Graduate
(Philippines) A person who is recognized as having completed any level of education.
Graduate
A graduated (marked) cup or other container, thus fit for measuring.
Graduate
Graduated, arranged by degrees
Graduate
Holding an academic degree
Graduate
Relating to an academic degree
Graduate
To be recognized by a school or university as having completed the requirements of a degree studied at the institution.
The man graduated in 1967.
Trisha graduated from college.
Graduate
To be certified as having earned a degree from; to graduate from (an institution).
Trisha graduated college.
Graduate
(transitive) To certify (a student) as having earned a degree
Indiana University graduated the student.
The college graduated him as soon as he was no longer eligible to play under NCAA rules.
Graduate
(transitive) To mark (something) with degrees; to divide into regular steps or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Graduate
(intransitive) To change gradually.
Sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of.
To graduate the heat of an oven
Graduate
(chemistry) To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Graduate
To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
Graduate
(Japanese entertainment) Of an idol: to exit a group; or of a virtual YouTuber, to leave a management agency; usually accompanied with "graduation ceremony" send-offs, increased focus on the leaving member, and the like.
Graduate
To mark with degrees; to divide into regular steps, grades, or intervals, as the scale of a thermometer, a scheme of punishment or rewards, etc.
Graduate
To admit or elevate to a certain grade or degree; esp., in a college or university, to admit, at the close of the course, to an honorable standing defined by a diploma; as, he was graduated at Yale College.
Graduate
To prepare gradually; to arrange, temper, or modify by degrees or to a certain degree; to determine the degrees of; as, to graduate the heat of an oven.
Dyers advance and graduate their colors with salts.
Graduate
To bring to a certain degree of consistency, by evaporation, as a fluid.
Graduate
To pass by degrees; to change gradually; to shade off; as, sandstone which graduates into gneiss; carnelian sometimes graduates into quartz.
Graduate
To taper, as the tail of certain birds.
Graduate
To take a degree in a college or university; to become a graduate; to receive a diploma.
He graduated at Oxford.
He was brought to their bar and asked where he had graduated.
Graduate
One who has received an academical or professional degree; one who has completed the prescribed course of study in any school or institution of learning.
Graduate
A graduated cup, tube, flask, or cylinder; a glass measuring container used by apothecaries and chemists. See under Graduated.
Graduate
Arranged by successive steps or degrees; graduated.
Beginning with the genus, passing through all the graduateand subordinate stages.
Graduate
A person who has received a degree from a school (high school or college or university)
Graduate
A measuring instrument for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts
Graduate
Receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies;
She graduated in 1990
Graduate
Confer an academic degree upon;
This school graduates 2,000 students each year
Graduate
Make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring;
Calibrate an instrument
Graduate a cylinder
Graduate
Of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree;
Graduate courses
Common Curiosities
Can someone be an alumni without graduating?
Yes, attending the institution for a period qualifies one as an alumni.
What defines a graduate?
A graduate has completed a degree program and received a diploma.
Do alumni associations only include graduates?
No, alumni associations can include anyone who has attended the institution.
What benefits do alumni have?
Benefits can include networking opportunities, access to campus facilities, and invitations to events.
Is a graduate automatically an alumni?
Yes, a graduate is considered an alumni upon completion of their degree.
How do graduates typically engage with their alma mater?
By participating in networking events, further education, or alumni associations.
What is the purpose of alumni associations?
To foster a sense of community and support for the institution and its former students.
Is it common for alumni to donate to their alma mater?
Yes, many alumni choose to give back to support scholarships, facilities, and programs.
Who qualifies as an alumni?
Anyone who has attended or graduated from an institution.
Are there benefits specific to graduates?
Graduates may have access to career services and further educational opportunities.
Can alumni status change over time?
No, once an alumni, always an alumni, though engagement levels may vary.
How do institutions support their alumni?
Through alumni associations, newsletters, and special events.
How does one become a member of an alumni association?
Membership can be automatic upon graduation or through registration and sometimes payment of dues.
What distinguishes an alumni event from a graduate event?
Alumni events cater to a broader group, including all who have attended, while graduate events might target recent graduates or specific degree recipients.
Can alumni participate in educational programs at their alma mater?
Yes, many institutions offer continuing education opportunities for alumni.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
