Key Takeaways
Over 500 U.S. colleges and universities don't charge application fees, saving you between $50-$80 per application.
Even at schools that charge application fees, students with a demonstrated financial need can often qualify for fee waivers.
Fifty-six of the schools on our list are essay-optional, and 14 don't consider them in your application at all.
College application fees usually run around $50 per school, with Ivy League schools reaching around $75-$80 per application. If you're applying to multiple schools, this cost can add up and become a barrier to college.
While these fees are the norm, hundreds of colleges don't charge an application fee. You could also qualify for an application fee waiver if you demonstrate financial need for schools that do require them.
Check out our guide to see 100 schools that don't require application fees across the country and how you may qualify for a waiver.
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Colleges With No Application Fee by State
We gathered 100 colleges with no application fees and noted if they:
Require an essay
Do not require but still considered essays
Do not consider essays at all
This list is not exhaustive, you can find more colleges that don't require application fees through the Common App's explore feature.
100 Colleges With No Application Fee by State
107 rows
| Alabama | Alabama State University, Montgomery | Required |
| Alaska | University of Alaska Fairbanks | Open Admissions, No Data in NCES |
| Arizona | Prescott College, Prescott | Not Required, But Considered |
| Arkansas | Concordia University Irvine, Irvine | Not Required, But Considered |
| California | San Francisco Bay University, Fremont | Not Required, But Considered |
| California | Woodbury University, Burbank | Not Required, But Considered |
| Colorado | Air Force Academy, USAF Academy | Required |
| Colorado | Regis University, Denver | Not Required, But Considered |
| Colorado | MSU Denver | Not Considered |
| Connecticut | University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford | Not Required, But Considered |
Request An Application Fee Waiver To Avoid Required Application Fees
For schools that require an application fee, you may qualify for a fee waiver if you have financial need. You can find the qualifications for the waiver on a school's website or apply for a waiver through the Common App, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NCAC), or the Coalition for College. Colleges participating in these college application sites will honor waivers through them.
One of the most impactful waivers you can request is via the Common App, which could waive your application fees for all 1,000+ colleges you gain access to through the app. Bear in mind you can only apply to up to 20 colleges per admission cycle.
Generally, you'll qualify for a fee waiver if:
You qualify for free or reduced lunch
You're eligible for ACT or SAT testing fee waiver
You are receiving or are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant
Keep in mind, even if you meet these requirements, it's not guaranteed you'll receive a waiver.
Colleges With No Application Fee and No Essay
The college essay, or personal statement, is typically made of a few prompts you must answer to show your character, social and leadership skills, and problem-solving. If you prefer not to write an essay or aren't able to, there are some schools on our list that don't require them.
Fifty-six of the schools on our list are essay-optional, meaning you can choose to submit an essay, and if you do, they will consider it in your admissions — but you're not obligated. Fourteen of the no-application fee schools on our list don't even consider an essay in the admissions process:
MSU Denver
Augusta University
Eastern Illinois University
Kentucky State University
Morehead State University
University of New Orleans
University of Michigan-Dearborn
University of Michigan-Flint
Southeast Missouri State University
Campbell University
Benedict College
Coker University
West Virginia University
and the University of Wisconsin-Stout
Writing an essay might be worth considering even if you're applying to a school that doesn't require one. These essays are often one of the most important parts of your application, since they're a chance for you to stand out from others and give colleges an idea of the type of student you are and why they should admit you instead of someone else.
Also, avoid using any generative AIs to write your essay, as application reviewers can use AI writing detectors and may consider your essay invalid.
Frequently Asked Questions About College Application Fees
Yes, some online colleges don't charge fees to apply. Some of the most popular online colleges that don't charge fees include:
Some online colleges that do charge application fees may also have fee waivers for students with financial need.
