Universities in USA without Application Fee (2025 Admissions)

Looking for universities in USA without application fees? Many students are surprised to learn that some US universities waive application fees, making it easier and more affordable to apply. These universities aim to reduce financial barriers to encourage more applicants. Applying to these no application fee universities in USA for international students saves you money, allows you to apply to more schools, and increases your chances of acceptance. Ready to learn more? Here is all you need to know about universities in USA without application fees for international students.

What is the University Application Fee?

A college application fee is a charge that students usually pay when applying to a school. It’s mostly used to cover the expenses of reviewing student applications. The admissions committee conducts interviews, responds to queries, and screens students during these periods. Colleges also charge the cost to evaluate the sincerity of student applying, because if an applicant rejects after being accepted, the school would waste important time and money.

Why do Application Fee Waivers Matter?

Application fees for U.S. universities can range from USD 50 to USD 150 per institution. When applying to multiple universities, these fees can quickly add up to a significant amount. Fee waivers help make the application process more accessible and allow students to apply to more institutions, increasing their chances of admission.

List of Universities in the USA Without Application Fee

Here in this table we have listed universities in the United States where you may apply without paying an application fee:

Universities in the USA Without Application Fee	Location	Application Fee
Yale University	New Haven, Connecticut	A charge of USD 80 is required, although it can be waived.
Wellesley College	Wellesley, Massachusetts	–
Carleton College	Northfield, Minnesota	–
Milwaukee School of Engineering	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	–
Smith College	Northampton, Massachusetts	–
Case Western Reserve University	Cleveland, Ohio	A charge of USD 70 is required, although it can be waived through Common App
Mount Holyoke College	South Hadley, Massachusetts	–
Bryn Mawr College	Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania	Free online application, paper application costs a USD 50 fee.
Grinnell College	Grinnell, Iowa	–
Tulane University	New Orleans, Louisiana	Application is free, through the Common App.
Colby College	Waterville, Maine	–
Macalester College	Saint Paul, Minnesota	Application is free, through the Common App.
Reed College	Portland, Oregon	–
Kenyon College	Gambier, Ohio	–
Colorado College	Colorado Springs, Colorado	There is a general obligation fee of USD 1,000.
DePaul University	Greencastle, Indiana	Application is free, through the Common App.
Trinity University	San Antonio, Texas	Application is free, through the Common App.
Denison University	Granville, Ohio	–
SLU – Saint Louis University	St. Louis, Missouri	Application is free, through the Common App.
Rhodes College	Memphis, Tennessee	–
Union College	Schenectady, New York	A charge of USD 60 is required, although it can be waived.
Illinois Wesleyan University	Bloomington, Illinois	–
Drake University	Des Moines, Iowa	Online application is free.
Sewanee – The University of the South	Sewanee, Tennessee	–
St. Olaf College	Northfield, Minnesota	Application is free, through the Common App.
The College of Wooster	Wooster, Ohio	Free online application, pape-application incurs a USD 45 fee.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges	Geneva, New York	Free online application, pape-application incurs a USD 45 fee.
Lawrence University	Appleton, Wisconsin	–
Baylor University	Waco, Texas	Free online application, pape-application incurs a USD 50 fee.
Ursinus College	Collegeville, Pennsylvania	–
Gustavus Adolphus College	Saint Peter, Minnesota	–
Ohio Wesleyan University	Delaware, Ohio	Application is free, through the Common App.
Juniata College	Huntingdon, Pennsylvania	–
Michigan Technological University	Houghton, Michigan	–
Southwestern University	Georgetown, Texas	–
Earlham College	Richmond, Indiana	Application is free, through the Common App.
Beloit College	Beloit, Wisconsin	–
Centre College	Danville, Kentucky	–
University of Dayton	Dayton, Ohio	–
Hendrix College	Conway, Arkansas	Application is free, through the Common App.
Hampshire College	Amherst, Massachusetts	Application is free, through the Common App.
Hampden Sydney College	Hampden Sydney, Virginia	Application is free, through the Common App.
University of St. Thomas – Minnesota	Saint Paul, Minnesota	–
Transylvania University	Lexington, Kentucky	Application is free, through the Common App.
Creighton University	Omaha, Nebraska	–
Hillsdale College	Hillsdale, Michigan	Free online application and paper-application incur a USD 35 fee.
Lewis and Clark College	Portland, Oregon	–
New Mexico Military Institute	Roswell, New Mexico	–
Presbyterian College	Clinton, South Carolina	–
St. John’s College	Annapolis, Maryland	–
United States Merchant Marine Academy	Kings Point, New York	–
United States Military Academy at West Point	West Point, New York	–

How to Apply to Universities in USA Without Application Fee?

To begin the admissions process, you must follow a certain step-by-step approach to ensure that you do not miss anything while completing your application. The following tips go over the most important things to remember while preparing to study in colleges that do not require charge application fees:

Step 1: Research the certificate and degree programmes available in your subject of interest, as well as the colleges that provide them. Almost all of the universities listed above offer courses in a variety of specialisations, including Science, Technology, Humanities, and Business. As a result, the first step is to choose your preferred field of study.

Step 2: Applying to universities in the USA may be a time-consuming process, so get started on your application as soon as possible. Transcripts and mark sheets for your academic records, language proficiency scores (IELTS Score for the USA), letters of motivation, letters of reference (LOR), and a Statement of Profit (SOP) are just a few of the fundamental application requirements. 

Step 3: Check the university’s official website for entrance criteria once you’ve chosen the preferred subject. Academic-related specifications, requirements related to work experience, information about the intake, and so on are some of the most important things to ensure.

Step 4: Now is the time to start creating accounts on university websites in order to submit your application.

Step 5: You may begin preparing your visa application after your application has been accepted by the institution. It usually takes approximately 60 days and requires a large number of documents, so you should start your visa application as soon as possible.

How Much Do Application Fees Cost?

According to US News among 936 ranked colleges, the average cost of an application fee is USD 44. The 62 institutions with the highest tuition charges, on the other hand, charge an average of USD 78 per student. With a USD 105 charge, the University of California, San Diego ranks first, followed by Arkansas Baptist College with a USD 100 cost.

How to Obtain Application Fee Waivers for US Universities?

There are certain steps you can follow for your application fee to be waived for US universities.

1. For students who have received College Board Fee Waivers for ACT or SAT may also be eligible to obtain fee waivers on their applications. The eligibility can be checked on the college board website.
2. Students can also directly contact the admissions office of the university to enquire about the certain application fee waiver programs that they might be eligible for.
3. For universities that do not charge an application fee, to begin with, students can simply obtain a direct application fee waiver.
4. Applying to colleges that accept the Common Application can be requested a fee waiver in the application itself. This is provided on the basis of financial need of the student.

Please Note: The application fee waiver for the universities that might charge an application fee ultimately depends on its particular set of criteria. You can check in with Leverage Edu counsellors or directly reach out to the university for better clarity.

Why Attend a College That Doesn’t Charge an Application Fee?

When you are already spending thousands of dollars on education, you might believe it’s foolish to be concerned about a regular cost of less than USD 100. But bear with us. When looking for safe schools, applying to a few colleges with free applications might be a realistic option. If your potential universities charge application fees, having an inexpensive backup plan might help you save money if things don’t go as planned.

Why Apply to US Universities Without Application Fee?

The expense of studying in a US university can be an expensive affair and even applying to the universities may be costly. The cost of standardized exams, the application fee, and travel expenses for college visits are all factors that might pinch your pocket. Before you even get to the university, you might have paid around USD 100 or more. Obtaining an application fee waiver is one method to ease this financial burden.

What You Must Know Before Applying to a University Without Application Fee?

While application fees should be closely examined, they should not be the determining factor in your college choice. Consider information such as school accreditation and non-refundable enrollment deposit costs to obtain an accurate view.

Don’t be afraid to seek elsewhere if a free education doesn’t fit your requirements or doesn’t offer any programs or opportunities you’re interested in. To help with the expense of tuition, several institutions provide generous grants and scholarships. You might also want to look into applying for federal financial help.

Other Options for Saving Money on College Application Fees

If an online application fails to yield results, you can request a cost waiver. This is usually provided to students who require financial support. It does, however, come with a set of prerequisites, which include:

• Having a cost waiver for the SAT or ACT
• Being a part of a federal, state, or local programme that assists low-income students
• Living in a foster home or any other government-funded housing

Incoming college students can successfully curate a list of potential colleges using this information. Consider inexpensive universities, free community colleges, institutions that accept fee waivers, or schools that don’t charge application fees from the start.

FAQs

This blog was all about universities in the USA without an application fee, helping you save money while applying to top institutions. While skipping the application fee is a great advantage, the admission process can still be challenging. That’s where Leverage Edu comes in! As a trusted study abroad expert, we provide end-to-end assistance, from university shortlisting to applications, visa support, and scholarships. Let our experts help you make the right choices and secure admission to your dream university in the USA. Book a free consultation today!