List of U.S. Universities with No Application Fee | Cost-Saving Tips

A university application fee is a non-refundable charge that schools collect to process and review student applications. This fee helps cover the cost of evaluating your documents and reviewing your profile.

In the United States, the average application fee usually ranges from $50 to $150. Some top universities, like Harvard, Stanford, or MIT, may charge even more—up to $180 per application.

It’s important to remember that acceptance rates at these top universities are low, often 4–15%, meaning a student’s chance of getting accepted is roughly 10%. Because of this, most students apply to multiple universities—typically 5 to 10 schools—to increase their chances of admission.

Applying to several universities can quickly become expensive. Here’s an estimate of how much it might cost:

• 5 to 6 universities: $300 – $720
• 10 to 12 universities: $600 – $1,200

Admission in U.S. universities depends on more than just grades, GPA, or test scores. Universities also look for candidates who are a good overall fit, making it difficult to predict admission chances. For students from low-income families or international students, application fees alone can be a significant expense, especially when combined with costs for exams, visa processing, and travel.

To help students, many universities offer application fee waivers for those facing financial difficulties or meeting certain eligibility criteria. Some universities even do not charge any application fees, allowing students to apply without any upfront cost.

Why Some U.S. Universities Waive Application Fees

Many universities waive application fees to make education more accessible and attract talented students from around the world. Well-known schools, including Harvard, Yale, Carnegie Mellon, and MIT, offer fee waivers based on financial need or specific eligibility.

Here’s why universities waive application fees:

• To attract international students: Waiving fees encourages students from different countries to apply.
• To promote equal opportunities: Students from low-income families may not afford multiple application fees. Fee waivers help ensure fair access.
• To support first-generation college students: If you are the first in your family to attend college, some universities will waive your fee.
• To encourage early applications: Colleges sometimes offer fee waivers for students who apply by early decision or priority deadlines.

Here are some of the top universities in the USA without any application fee:

College Name	State	Acceptance Rate
Auburn University at Montgomery	Alabama	93%
Spring Hill College	Alabama	59%
University of Alaska, Anchorage	Alaska	67%
University of Phoenix	Arizona	100%
Grand Canyon University	Arizona	60%
Williams Baptist University	Arizona	59%
Carrington College	Arizona	16%
Arkansas Tech University	Arkansas	96%
Henderson State University	Arkansas	82%
Southern Arkansas University	Arkansas	67%
Hendrix College	Arkansas	53%
Dominican University of California	California	96%
La Sierra University	California	93%
Pacific Union College	California	42%
Standbridge University	California	20%
Minerva University	California	4%
Colorado Technical University	Colorado	100%
Colorado College	Colorado	20%
United States Air Force Academy	Colorado	14%
Colorado Mountain College	Colorado
University of Saint Joseph	Connecticut	80%
Full Sail Univeristy	Florida	100%
Saint Leo University	Florida	72%
Ave Maria University	Florida	45%
Piedmont University	Georgia	93%
Brenau University	Georgia	87%
Agnes Scott College	Georgia	67%
Berry College	Georgia	62%
College of Southern Idaho	Idaho
University of St. Francis	Illinois	98%
Augustana College	Illinois	68%
McKendree University	Illinois	64%
Lake Forest College	Illinois	59%
Rockford University	Illinois	57%
Millikin University	Illinois	54%
Illinois Wesleyan University	Illinois	45%
Valparaiso University	Indiana	92%
Manchester University	Indiana	91%
Trine University	Indiana	85%
Hanover College	Indiana	84%
Indiana Wesleyan University – Marion	Indiana	82%
Grace College & Seminary	Indiana	81%
Saint Mary’s College	Indiana	81%
University of Evansville	Indiana	78%
Franklin College	Indiana	71%
DePauw University	Indiana	54%
Anderson University	Indiana	53%
Wartburg College	Iowa	99%
Grand View University	Iowa	98%
Upper Iowa University	Iowa	93%
Loras College	Iowa	92%
Simpson College	Iowa	89%
Northwestern College	Iowa	87%
Graceland University	Iowa	83%
Cornell College	Iowa	81%
Mount Mercy University	Iowa	79%
Luther College	Iowa	73%
St. Ambrose University	Iowa	73%
Buena Vista University	Iowa	72%
Morningside University	Iowa	71%
Drake University	Iowa	64%
Grinnell College	Iowa	13%
Baker University	Kansas	92%
MidAmerica Nazarene University	Kansas	73%
Thomas More University	Kentucky	97%
Asbury University	Kentucky	64%
Centre College	Kentucky	54%
Berea College	Kentucky	33%
Loyola University New Orleans	Louisiana	88%
Tulane University	Louisiana	15%
University of Maine	Maine	96%
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine	Maine	82%
Bates College	Maine	13%
Colby College	Maine	7%
Stevenson University	Maryland	83%
Hood College	Maryland	78%
Washington Adventist University	Maryland	45%
United States Naval Academy	Maryland	9%
Nichols College	Massachusetts	88%
Lasell University	Massachusetts	82%
Emmanuel College	Massachusetts	81%
Fisher College	Massachusetts	71%
Hampshire College	Massachusetts	70%
Mount Holyoke College	Massachusetts	38%
Smith College	Massachusetts	20%
Wellesley College	Massachusetts	14%
Grand Valley University	Michigan	95%
Madonna University	Michigan	93%
Michigan Technological University	Michigan	88%
Albion College	Michigan	83%
Ferris State University	Michigan	81%
University of Detroit Mercy	Michigan	80%
Kettering University	Michigan	79%
Kalamazoo College	Michigan	76%
Concordia University Ann Arbor	Michigan	72%
Aquinas College	Michigan	71%
Oakland University	Michigan	70%
Adrian College	Michigan	68%
Siena Heights University	Michigan	67%
Alma College	Michigan	66%
Rochester University	Michigan	65%
Hillsdale College	Michigan	21%
Metropolitan State University	Minnesota	96%
St. Catherine University	Minnesota	94%
The College of St. Scholastica	Minnesota	94%
Bethel University	Minnesota	91%
Hamline University	Minnesota	90%
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota	Minnesota	89%
Augsburg University	Minnesota	77%
Concordia College at Moorhead	Minnesota	63%
St. Olaf College	Minnesota	52%
Macalester College	Minnesota	28%
Carleton College	Minnesota	22%
Mississippi University for Women	Mississippi	100%
Mississippi Valley State University	Mississippi	51%
Alcorn State University	Mississippi	25%
Fontbonne University	Missouri	95%
Northwest Missouri State University	Missouri	86%
Truman State University	Missouri	80%
William Woods University	Missouri	74%
Rockhurst University	Missouri	69%
Avila University	Missouri	60%
Drury University	Missouri	59%
College of the Ozarks	Missouri	15%
Carroll College	Montana	73%
Nebraska Wesleyan University	Nebraska	84%
Hastings College	Nebraska	70%
Midland University	Nebraska	67%
Chadron State College	Nebraska
Southern New Hampshire University	New Hampshire	96%
Saint Peter’s University	New Jersey	91%
St. John Fisher University	New York	68%
Hobart William Smith Colleges	New York	57%
Skidmore College	New York	23%
Ohio Northern University	Ohio	73%
University of Dayton	Ohio	62%
College of Wooster	Ohio	54%
Kenyon College	Ohio	31%
Denison University	Ohio	17%
Oklahoma Wesleyan University	Oklahoma	77%
Lewis & Clark College	Oregon	75%
Reed College	Oregon	27%
Albright College	Pennsylvania	86%
Williamson College of the Trades	Pennsylvania	30%
Central Penn College	Pennsylvania	29%
Johnson & Wales University, Providence	Rhode Island	84%
Coker University	South Carolina	97%
Columbia College	South Carolina	96%
Newberry College	South Carolina	75%
Dakota Wesleyan University	South Dakota	73%
Maryville College	Tennessee	66%
The University of the South	Tennessee	51%
St. Mary’s University	Texas	89%
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	Texas	85%
Texas Wesleyan University	Texas	62%
Baylor University	Texas	51%
Trinity University	Texas	28%
Southern Utah University	Utah	80%
Champlain College	Vermont	67%
University of Lynchburg	Virginia	82%
Sweet Briar College	Virginia	72%
Whitworth University	Washington	87%
Pacific Lutheran University	Washington	81%
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee	Wisconsin	88%
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design	Wisconsin	63%
Carroll University	Wisconsin	58%
Central Wyoming College	Wyoming

Tips to Avoid or Reduce University Application Fees

Applying to multiple U.S. universities can quickly become expensive. However, with the right approach, you can significantly lower your costs without limiting your options. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Check University Fee Waiver Policies Before Applying
   • Most universities clearly list fee waiver eligibility on their admissions websites. The list is provided here, choose a university or college from this list. If your target institution is not listed here, then follow the given process, as those not listed here also provide fee waiver but not to all students.
   • Look for criteria such as financial need, first-generation college status, or participation in certain programs.
2. Request a Fee Waiver if You Qualify
   • If fee waiver is not an option at your target university, you can often request one by emailing the admissions office. Craft your request properly.
   • Provide details about financial difficulties or special circumstances. Universities are usually flexible for genuine cases.
3. Use Fee Waiver Programs
   • Organizations like the College Board (SAT/College Board fee waivers) and the Common App offer official fee waiver forms accepted by many universities.
   • This is especially useful for students applying to multiple schools, as it reduces paperwork and cost simultaneously.
4. Apply Strategically
   • Focus your applications on universities where you meet eligibility for a fee waiver or no-fee option.
   • Avoid applying randomly to schools with high fees unless you are certain of eligibility or strong chances of admission.
5. Leverage Early Applications
   • Some universities waive fees for students applying through early decision or early action programs. Admissions deadlines are normally in November and January. Early action starts in August/September. Look for list of colleges offering early action.
   • Applying early can save you money and may even improve your chances of acceptance as you will have more time to prepare. The key is to start early, in May/June.
6. Combine Application Planning With Budgeting
   • Consider your total budget for standardized tests, visa fees, travel, and living expenses.
   • By saving on application fees, you can allocate more resources to crucial parts of your admissions process, such as test preparation or visa documentation.
7. Consult School Counselors or Education Platforms

High school counselors or online education guidance platforms often have updated lists of universities offering fee waivers. Here at College Portal, we have provided you the list of major universities and colleges. Look for more options. Talk to your school counselor. School counselors can provide practical advice on which schools are most accessible financially and academically.

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Key Takeaway:

Application fees are just one part of the cost of studying in the U.S., but with careful planning and awareness of fee waivers, students—especially international and low-income applicants—can save hundreds of dollars. Start your applications early, research eligibility criteria, and use official waiver programs to maximize your opportunities without overspending.