170 Colleges With No Application Fee

Find U.S. colleges with no application fee and learn more about how to save during the college application process.
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Jordan Stewart-Rozema, Ph.D.
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Editor & Writer

Jordan Stewart-Rozema writes data-driven education content focusing on higher education trends, student finances, and alternative education pathways such as coding bootcamps. She previously worked to promote online learning and media literacy educati...
Updated on December 18, 2023
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Lyss Welding
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Lyss Welding is a higher education analyst and senior editor for BestColleges who specializes in translating massive data sets and finding statistics that matter to students. Lyss has worked in academic research, curriculum design, and program evalua...
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www.bestcolleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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Data Summary

  • Check
    At roughly $50 per school, college application fees can rack up quickly.
  • Check
    Many four-year schools in the U.S. do not charge application fees.
  • Check
    Some of these schools also don't require an application essay.
  • Check
    Students with financial need may qualify for a fee waiver at schools that do charge application fees.

College application fees usually run around $50 per school. Let's say you have a few top picks and a couple of safeties — you could be out hundreds of dollars before getting accepted. Nonrefundable fees are the norm for most colleges, but some schools buck the trend by offering a free application process.

We've rounded up colleges across the U.S. that have no application fee. Keep reading to find out more details about these schools as well as other ways to save during the college application process.

Colleges With No Application Fee by State

We've found over 170 schools across the U.S. that don't charge application fees. You can find more information about these schools in the table below, including their 2022 acceptance rates and whether they ask prospective students to submit a college application essay.

170 Colleges With No Application Fee by State

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170 Colleges With No Application Fee by State
School Name Type State Admissions Rate Essay Required?
Miles College Private, 4-Year Alabama N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Spring Hill College Private, 4-Year Alabama 73% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Auburn University at Montgomery Public, 4-Year Alabama 92% Essay Not Considered
University of Alaska, Anchorage Public, 4-Year Alaska 65% Essay Not Considered
Williams Baptist University Private, 4-Year Arizona 59% Essay Not Considered
Hendrix College Private, 4-Year Arkansas 60% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Arkansas Tech University Public, 4-Year Arkansas 94% Essay Not Considered
Henderson State University Public, 4-Year Arkansas 71% Essay Not Considered
Southern Arkansas University Public, 4-Year Arkansas 64% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Dominican University of California Private, 4-Year California 93% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Holy Names University Private, 4-Year California 100% Essay Required
La Sierra University Private, 4-Year California 92% Essay Not Considered
Pacific Union College Private, 4-Year California 48% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Colorado College Private, 4-Year Colorado 16% Essay Required
United States Air Force Academy Private, 4-Year Colorado 16% Essay Required
Colorado Mountain College Public, 4-Year Colorado N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
University of Saint Joseph Private, 4-Year Connecticut 75% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Ave Maria University Private, 4-Year Florida 44% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Saint Leo University Private, 4-Year Florida 80% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Florida Gateway College Public, 4-Year Florida N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Indian River State College Public, 4-Year Florida N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Polk State College Public, 4-Year Florida N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Santa Fe College Public, 4-Year Florida N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Agnes Scott College Private, 4-Year Georgia 67% Essay Required
Berry College Private, 4-Year Georgia 66% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Brenau University Private, 4-Year Georgia 87% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Piedmont University Private, 4-Year Georgia 64% Essay Not Considered
Savannah State University Public, 4-Year Georgia N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
College of Southern Idaho Public, 4-Year Idaho N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Augustana College Private, 4-Year Illinois 61% Essay Required
Illinois Wesleyan University Private, 4-Year Illinois 42% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Lake Forest College Private, 4-Year Illinois 60% Essay Required
McKendree University Private, 4-Year Illinois 68% Essay Not Considered
Millikin University Private, 4-Year Illinois 75% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Rockford University Private, 4-Year Illinois 55% Essay Not Required, But Considered
University of St. Francis Private, 4-Year Illinois 58% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Anderson University Private, 4-Year Indiana 52% Essay Not Required, But Considered
DePauw University Private, 4-Year Indiana 66% Essay Required
Franklin College Private, 4-Year Indiana 93% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Grace College & Seminary Private, 4-Year Indiana 85% Essay Required
Hanover College Private, 4-Year Indiana 74% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Indiana Wesleyan University Private, 4-Year Indiana 87% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Manchester University Private, 4-Year Indiana 66% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Saint Mary's College Private, 4-Year Indiana 84% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Trine University Private, 4-Year Indiana 92% Essay Not Required, But Considered
University of Evansville Private, 4-Year Indiana 76% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Valparaiso University Private, 4-Year Indiana 94% Essay Required
Purdue University Northwest Public, 4-Year Indiana 73% Essay Not Considered
Buena Vista University Private, 4-Year Iowa 77% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Central College Private, 4-Year Iowa 79% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Coe College Private, 4-Year Iowa N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Cornell College Private, 4-Year Iowa 79% Essay Required
Drake University Private, 4-Year Iowa 67% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Graceland University Private, 4-Year Iowa 74% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Grand View University Private, 4-Year Iowa 98% Essay Not Considered
Grinnell College Private, 4-Year Iowa 11% Essay Required
Loras College Private, 4-Year Iowa 90% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Luther College Private, 4-Year Iowa 75% Essay Required
Morningside University Private, 4-Year Iowa 71% Essay Not Considered
Mount Mercy University Private, 4-Year Iowa 75% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Northwestern College Private, 4-Year Iowa 87% Essay Not Considered
Simpson College Private, 4-Year Iowa 89% Essay Not Required, But Considered
St. Ambrose University Private, 4-Year Iowa 74% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Upper Iowa University Private, 4-Year Iowa 54% Essay Not Considered
Wartburg College Private, 4-Year Iowa 97% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Baker University Private, 4-Year Kansas 92% Essay Not Required, But Considered
MidAmerica Nazarene University Private, 4-Year Kansas 67% Essay Not Considered
Asbury University Private, 4-Year Kentucky 79% Essay Required
Berea College Private, 4-Year Kentucky 25% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Centre College Private, 4-Year Kentucky 63% Essay Required
Lindsey Wilson College Private, 4-Year Kentucky N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
University of Pikeville Private, 4-Year Kentucky N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Thomas More University Private, 4-Year Kentucky 94% Essay Not Considered
Loyola University New Orleans Private, 4-Year Louisiana 78% Essay Required
Colby College Private, 4-Year Maine 8% Essay Required
Saint Joseph's College of Maine Private, 4-Year Maine 81% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Unity College Private, 4-Year Maine 94% Essay Not Considered
University of Maine Public, 4-Year Maine 94% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Hood College Private, 4-Year Maryland 78% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Stevenson University Private, 4-Year Maryland 84% Essay Required
United States Naval Academy Private, 4-Year Maryland 11% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Washington Adventist University Private, 4-Year Maryland 51% Essay Required
Bay Path University Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 76% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Emmanuel College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 80% Essay Required
Fisher College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 74% Essay Not Considered
Hampshire College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 69% Essay Required
Lasell University Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 73% Essay Required
Mount Holyoke College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 40% Essay Required
Nichols College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 85% Essay Required
Smith College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 23% Essay Required
Wellesley College Private, 4-Year Massachusetts 14% Essay Required
Adrian College Private, 4-Year Michigan 69% Essay Not Considered
Albion College Private, 4-Year Michigan 67% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Alma College Private, 4-Year Michigan 65% Essay Not Considered
Aquinas College Private, 4-Year Michigan 91% Essay Required
Calvin University Private, 4-Year Michigan 74% Essay Required
Concordia University Ann Arbor Private, 4-Year Michigan 70% Essay Not Required, But Considered
University of Detroit Mercy Private, 4-Year Michigan 91% Essay Required
Hillsdale College Private, 4-Year Michigan 21% Essay Required
Kalamazoo College Private, 4-Year Michigan 79% Essay Required
Kettering University Private, 4-Year Michigan 81% Essay Required
Madonna University Private, 4-Year Michigan 65% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Northwood University Private, 4-Year Michigan 80% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Siena Heights University Private, 4-Year Michigan 65% Essay Required
Rochester University Private, 4-Year Michigan 71% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Ferris State University Public, 4-Year Michigan 88% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Michigan Technological University Public, 4-Year Michigan 94% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Oakland University Public, 4-Year Michigan 90% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Augsburg University Private, 4-Year Minnesota 77% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Bethel University Private, 4-Year Minnesota 72% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Carleton College Private, 4-Year Minnesota 17% Essay Required
Concordia College Private, 4-Year Minnesota 66% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Hamline University Private, 4-Year Minnesota 81% Essay Required
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Private, 4-Year Minnesota 97% Essay Not Required, But Considered
St. Catherine University Private, 4-Year Minnesota 93% Essay Required
St. Olaf College Private, 4-Year Minnesota 56% Essay Required
The College of St. Scholastica Private, 4-Year Minnesota 97% Essay Not Considered
Macalester College Private, 4-Year Minnesota 28% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Metropolitan State University Public, 4-Year Minnesota 82% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Alcorn State University Public, 4-Year Mississippi 30% Essay Not Considered
Jackson State University Public, 4-Year Mississippi 89% Essay Not Considered
Mississippi University for Women Public, 4-Year Mississippi 99% Essay Not Considered
Mississippi Valley State University Public, 4-Year Mississippi 65% Essay Not Considered
Avila University Private, 4-Year Missouri 68% Essay Not Considered
College of the Ozarks Private, 4-Year Missouri 21% Essay Not Considered
Drury University Private, 4-Year Missouri 63% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Fontbonne University Private, 4-Year Missouri 94% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Rockhurst University Private, 4-Year Missouri 66% Essay Not Required, But Considered
William Woods University Private, 4-Year Missouri 61% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Northwest Missouri State University Public, 4-Year Missouri 86% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Truman State University Public, 4-Year Missouri 45% Essay Required
Carroll College Private, 4-Year Montana 78% Essay Required
Hastings College Private, 4-Year Nebraska 71% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Midland University Private, 4-Year Nebraska 65% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Nebraska Wesleyan University Private, 4-Year Nebraska 81% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Chadron State College Public, 4-Year Nebraska N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Peru State College Public, 4-Year Nebraska N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Wayne State College Public, 4-Year Nebraska N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Saint Peter's University Private, 4-Year New Jersey 89% Essay Required
Hobart William Smith Colleges Private, 4-Year New York 68% Essay Required
St. John Fisher University Private, 4-Year New York 73% Essay Not Required, But Considered
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Public, 4-Year North Carolina 80% Essay Required
Kenyon College Private, 4-Year Ohio 34% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Private, 4-Year Oklahoma 52% Essay Not Considered
Southern Nazarene University Private, 4-Year Oklahoma N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Lewis & Clark College Private, 4-Year Oregon 69% Essay Required
Reed College Private, 4-Year Oregon 31% Essay Required
Bryn Mawr College Private, 4-Year Pennsylvania 31% Essay Required
Albright College Private, 4-Year Pennsylvania 85% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Johnson & Wales University, Providence Private, 4-Year Rhode Island 83% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Coker University Private, 4-Year South Carolina 94% Essay Not Considered
Columbia College Private, 4-Year South Carolina 98% Essay Required
Dakota Wesleyan University Private, 4-Year South Dakota 75% Essay Not Considered
Maryville College Private, 4-Year Tennessee 70% Essay Not Considered
The University of the South Private, 4-Year Tennessee 52% Essay Required
Baylor University Private, 4-Year Texas 46% Essay Required
St. Mary's University Private, 4-Year Texas 86% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Texas Wesleyan University Private, 4-Year Texas 61% Essay Not Considered
Southern Utah University Public, 4-Year, primarily associate Utah 84% Essay Not Considered
Champlain College Private, 4-Year Vermont 56% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Sweet Briar College Private, 4-Year Virginia 76% Essay Not Required, But Considered
University of Lynchburg Private, 4-Year Virginia 96% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Pacific Lutheran University Private, 4-Year Washington 89% Essay Required
Whitworth University Private, 4-Year Washington 91% Essay Not Required, But Considered
West Virginia Wesleyan College Private, 4-Year West Virigina 96% Essay Not Required, But Considered
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public, 4-Year Wisconsin 86% Essay Required
Carroll University Private, 4-Year Wisconsin 72% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Private, 4-Year Wisconsin 64% Essay Not Required, But Considered
Central Wyoming College Public, 4-Year, primarily associate Wyoming N/A - Open Admissions Open Admissions, No Data in NCES
Sources: National Center for Education Statistics and various college websites

Did You Know...

You may be able to apply for free even at schools that charge a fee.

Most schools offer an application fee waiver to qualified students. If you can demonstrate financial need, the school may waive their normal fee.

Schools might each set slightly different criteria for who qualifies for a fee waiver, but, generally, students who receive an SAT or ACT waiver will qualify. You can also apply for an application fee waiver through the Common App.

Popular Online Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Colleges With No Application Fee and No Essay

Thought it couldn't get better than "free"? How about free and fast — you can save time by skipping the essay portion of college apps if you apply to one of the 120+ schools on the list above that don't require a college essay.

If you find yourself getting hung up on the essay, you're not alone. But don't let it prevent you from applying. In 2023, researchers at Brown University found that 68% of students who left the essay portion of the Common App unfinished ended up not applying to college. If you're thinking "that's me," try applying to no-essay schools instead.

College application essays may get a little more attention in the wake of the Supreme Court's affirmative action ban, but they're not the only way to demonstrate your character and values to the schools you’re interested in. Letters of recommendation, chats with admissions officers or alumni, and even your resume can all help tell your story.

Do Free College Applications Help?

The college application process is rife with significant barriers, especially for students of color and low-income students. Learners must contend with varying submission requirements, deadlines, and online submission systems on top of filling out the FAFSA and sending SAT/ACT scores to schools. Even before factoring in cost, it's a lot.

Another recent Brown University study found that a free application process plus guaranteed admission for students who met certain criteria boosted applications from historically excluded learners. However, applications didn't necessarily equal enrollment — students still faced economic barriers to paying for college that may have prevented them from sealing the deal.

If you're also unsure how you're going to pay for school after the free application, check out our guide to scholarships and grants and our list of financial aid opportunities for online students.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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