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.

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.

Higher Education Research Analyst

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.

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.

Higher Education Research Analyst

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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Data Summary

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

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.