College can be expensive, especially when you factor in application fees. These are among the first costs you face as a college applicant, and they can add up if you’re applying to multiple schools.
While common, application fees aren’t part of every college’s application process. Some schools allow you to apply for free – and they can be just as competitive.
What Are College Application Fees?
Many colleges and universities charge an application fee. You have to submit this fee when you submit your application, and these institutions use the funds to manage the costs of processing applications, reviewing your credentials, and maintaining their admission administrative costs.
How Much Are College Application Fees?
College application fees can vary by school, but most schools charge between $50 and $90 for each application. However, more prestigious universities and colleges may charge $100 or more per application, such as Stanford University and Johns Hopkins University (depending on the program).
As you can see, these fees can add up quickly, so applying to a few fee-free schools can be a smart financial choice.
What Colleges Have No Application Fees?
Though application fees are used to cover administrative costs, many colleges in the US waive application fees to make higher education more accessible. Here are some of the US colleges that offer waivers or omit fees altogether:
1. Tulane University (LA)
2. Trinity University (TX)
3. Colby College (ME)
4. Carleton College (MN)
5. Colorado College (CO)
6. Bryn Mawr College (PA)
7. Michigan Technological University (MI)
8. University of Dayton (OH)
9. College of Saint Mary (NE)
10. Denison University (OH)
11. College of the Ozarks (MO)
12. Hampden-Sydney College (VA)
13. National University (CA)
14. William Carey University (MS)
15. University of St. Thomas-Minnesota (MN)
16. Baylor University (TX)
17. Creighton University (NE)
18. Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)
19. Panola College (TX)
20. Hendrix College (AR)
21. Texas A&M International University (TX)
22. Stanbridge University-Orange County (CA)
23. Saint Louis University (MO)
24. Florida Institute of Technology (FL)
25. Wellesley College (MA)
26. Smith College (MA)
27. Grinnell College (IA)
28. Kenyon College (OH)
29. Furman University (SC)
30. Elmhurst University (IL)
31. Grand Canyon University (AZ)
32. St. Bonaventure University (NY)
33. Southern Arkansas University (AR)
34. Whitworth University (WA)
35. LeTourneau University (TX)
36. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
37. Rhodes College (TN)
38. Loyola University Chicago (IL)
39. Marshall University (WV)
40. New College of Florida (FL)
41. Lewis & Clark College (OR)
42. Lincoln Memorial University (TN)
43. Centre College (KY)
44. American Public University System
45. Loras College (IA)
46. Lawrence University (WI)
47. Butler University (IN)
48. Oberlin College (OH)
49. Montana Technological University (MT)
50. Concordia University (MN)
51. Southwestern Oklahoma State University (OK)
52. Manchester University (IN)
53. University of the Cumberlands (KY)
54. Earlham College (IN)
55. DePaul University (IL)
56. Augustana University (SD)
57. Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
58. Heritage University (WA)
59. Northeastern Illinois University (IL)
60. Maryville University (MO)
61. Baldwin Wallace University (OH)
62. Marquette University (WI)
63. Connecticut College (CT)
64. Lake Forest College (IL)
65. Indiana University Southeast (IN)
66. Stetson University (FL)
67. Drury University (MO)
68. Lubbock Christian University (TX)
69. Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
70. University of Central Missouri (MO)
71. Illinois Institute of Technology (IL)
72. West Texas A&M University (TX)
73. Marian University Indianapolis (IN)
74. Ohio Northern University (OH)
75. Oakland University (MI)
76. Thomas University (GA)
77. Northwestern College (IA)
78. Johnson University (TN)
79. Eastern Illinois University (IL)
80. University of Saint Joseph (CT)
81. Elms College (MA)
82. University of North Alabama (AL)
83. Westminster University (UT)
84. Spalding University (KY)
85. Regis University (CO)
86. Hanover College (IN)
87. Duquesne University (PA)
88. Spring Arbor University (MI)
89. University of Lynchburg (VA)
90. Missouri State University (MO)
91. Berry College (GA)
92. Fresno Pacific University (CA)
93. St. John Fisher University (NY)
94. St. Norbert College (WI)
95. Huntington University (IN)
96. Spring Hill College (AL)
97. Baker University (KS)
98. Niagara University (NY)
99. Pittsburg State University (KS)
100. Bay Path University (MA)
101. Misericordia University (PA)
102. Washburn University (KS)
103. Roosevelt University (IL)
104. Smith Chason College (CA)
105. Beloit College (WI)
106. Newman University (KS)
107. Austin College (TX)
108. Doane University (NE)
109. Webster University (MO)
110. Saginaw Valley State University (MI)
111. Willamette University (OR)
112. North Dakota State University (ND)
113. University of Michigan (MI)
114. Truman State University (MO)
115. Macalester College (MN)
These colleges charge no application fee at the time of writing, but policies may change in the future. Be sure to evaluate the application policies for any college you’re interested in.
What Are Application Fee Waivers?
Some schools – even ones with high application fees – offer application fee waivers if you can demonstrate financial need. The criteria for a fee waiver may include:
- Family income that falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
- Enrollment in a Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program
- Enrollment in a federal, state, or local program for students from low-income families
- Family on public assistance
- Living in federally subsidized housing, a foster home, or unhoused
- Being an orphan or ward of the state
- Eligibility for the Pell Grant
- Supporting statement from a college access counselor, financial aid officer, community leader, or school official
- Students who attend college visits, fairs, or even virtual college admissions are also commonly given fee waivers.
If you’re eligible for a fee waiver, you can fill out a form to submit a request. This must be filled out, signed by your guidance counselor, and sent to the college admissions office of your preferred school.
Weighing Your Options
Application fees are just one expense for your college education. If your dream schools have high application fees, consider the upfront costs vs. the long-term benefits of attending. Though the fees add up, they’re a relatively small expense compared to your full tuition.
You wouldn’t want to sacrifice an opportunity to attend a school that’s a good fit for you – and a good shot at getting in – just because of a $100+ fee. Consider application costs, but don’t let them be the only determining factor in what schools you apply to.
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