Key Takeaways
- Over 160 U.S. colleges do not charge an application fee, helping students save an average of $50 per school during the admissions process.
- Even at schools that charge application fees, students with a demonstrated financial need can often qualify for fee waivers.
- Many of these schools also waive essay requirements, making them more accessible for applicants seeking faster submissions.
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.
Did You Know…
24% of current online students and graduates ranked application fees among their top five challenges to applying to an education program.
Colleges With No Application Fee by State
We've found over 160 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 2023 acceptance rates and whether they ask prospective students to submit a college application essay.
160 Colleges With No Application Fee by State
161 rows
| Miles College | Private, 4-Year | Alabama | N/A – Open Admissions | Open Admissions, No Data in NCES |
| Spring Hill College | Private, 4-Year | Alabama | 59% | Essay Not Required, But Considered |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Public, 4-Year | Alabama | 93% | Essay Not Considered |
| University of Alaska, Anchorage | Public, 4-Year | Alaska | 67% | Essay Not Considered |
| Williams Baptist University | Private, 4-Year | Arizona | 59% | Essay Not Considered |
| Hendrix College | Private, 4-Year | Arkansas | 53% | Essay Required |
| Arkansas Tech University | Public, 4-Year | Arkansas | 96% | Essay Not Considered |
| Henderson State University | Public, 4-Year | Arkansas | 82% | Essay Not Considered |
| Southern Arkansas University | Public, 4-Year | Arkansas | 67% | Essay Not Required, But Considered |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | Public, 2-Year | Arkansas | N/A – Open Admissions | Open Admissions, No Data in NCES |
| Dominican University of California | Private, 4-Year | California | 96% | Essay Not Required, But Considered |
| La Sierra University | Private, 4-Year | California | 93% | Essay Not Considered |
| Pacific Union College | Private, 4-Year | California | 42% | Essay Not Considered |
| Colorado College | Private, 4-Year | Colorado | 20% | Essay Required |
| United States Air Force Academy | Private, 4-Year | Colorado | 14% | Essay Required |
| Colorado Mountain College | Public, 4-year, primarily associate | Colorado | N/A – Open Admissions | Open Admissions, No Data in NCES |
| University of Saint Joseph | Private, 4-Year | Connecticut | 80% | Essay Not Required, But Considered |
| Ave Maria University | Private, 4-Year | Florida | 45% | Essay Not Required, But Considered |
| Saint Leo University | Private, 4-Year | Florida | 72% | Essay Not Required, But Considered |
| Florida Gateway College | Public, 4-year, primarily associate | Florida | 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.
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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.
A 2023 analysis of Common App data found that 68% of students who left the essay portion of the application unfinished ended up not applying to college. If you're thinking "that's me," try applying to no-essay schools instead.
68% of students who left their Common App essay blank, ended up not applying to college at all.
— Common App analysis available via the Social Science Research Network, 2023
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?
According to research by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and The Harris Poll, 79% of young adults say the college application process is at least somewhat challenging. But, 36% say the process could be made easier by eliminating or limiting fees.
36% of young adults agree the application process would be easier with no or limited fees.
— NACAC and The Harris Poll, 2023
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.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Illinois 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.
