Best Colleges With No Application Fee + Complete List (2024)

One of the most important investments parents/students will make in their lifetime is a college education. The cost of attending a four-year college can range from $50,000-100,000/to attend a smaller school versus $200,000+ for a private institution. That’s indeed a major expenditure. Considering those numbers, it might seem surprising how stressful application fees can be for some families as they prepare for their student’s future. In fact, some are starting to take a more intense look at trade schools and community colleges due to continued increases in college tuition. That’s another article for another time (scroll down for the best colleges with no application fee and a full list of no application fee colleges).

*Please Note: It should be said that, sadly, not everyone in the United States has the opportunity to pursue a college degree. Finances are sometimes a significant hindrance. However, there are many colleges/universities that offer generous scholarships. These scholarships open doors for some potential students that would otherwise be closed. They can be found here.

How Much Are College Application Fees Anyway?

So, what’s the fuss about when talking about college application fees? I mean, it’s an application fee, how much money do they really cost? As it turns out, college application fees can add up quickly. The average college application fee can range anywhere from $50-$75 per application. Students typically apply to 8-12 colleges. While $400-$900 might not seem like much in comparison to four years’ worth of tuition— that’s a lot of money. Why not try to save as much money as possible? College application fees saved could pay for a semester’s book or two.

Who Qualifies For A College Application Fee Waiver?

Before we get to our list of colleges with no application fees, (Woohoo!) let’s address instances that might allow students to receive a waiver. Many schools, even ones that have very high application fees, offer waivers to students with established financial need. Below are some of the circumstances that make a student eligible to have their college application fee waived:

• If the student received a fee waiver to take the SAT or ACT
• If the student is enrolled in a Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program
• If the student’s family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
• If homelessness is a factor, or they are living in federally subsidized housing or a foster home

Finally, here’s a list of the 10 top colleges with no application fees. In addition, we’ve included a comprehensive list of colleges with no application fee that can be found at the end of the article!

Best Colleges with no Application Fee

1) Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA

Highlights: Wellesley College ranks at the top of the list of colleges with no application fee— #1. Wellesley, the all-women’s college, is also well-ranked in academics and diversity. Wellesley’s mission is to educate women who will make a difference in the world. The institution’s goal is to make Wellesley financially possible for a broader base of future female leaders.

2) Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Highlights: Tulane University comes in at almost the top of the list of top colleges with no application fees in 2024. The university is ranked as having an “A+” in vitally important areas such as academic, diversity, and athletics. Among other things, Tulane University is a standout institution for both education and research. With 5 undergraduate schools specializing in Architecture, Business, Liberal Arts, Public Health, and Science & Engineering, the college pushes boundaries in interdisciplinary academic pursuits. The locale doesn’t hurt either.

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3) Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN

Highlights: Macalester College earns an “A+” in both academics and diversity. This institution boasts solid liberal arts and science programs. In addition, “Macalester’s core values of internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society” empower students to create positive change in the world around them.

4) Trinity University, San Antonio, TX

Highlights: Trinity boasts more than 100 majors and minors. In addition, the university prioritizes undergraduate research, internship opportunities, and study abroad programs. TU is sought after for their pre-law, pre-med/health professions, economics, and management systems programs.Trinity ranks high in academics, diversity, and in faculty performance.

5) Colby College, Waterville, ME

Highlights: Colby College makes the top ten in colleges with no application fee. In addition to high marks in academics and diversity, Colby is a well-established liberal arts college that offers 57 majors, and 36 minors. Most exciting might be that Colby offers newly developed programs that include the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

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6) Carleton College, Northfield, MN

Highlights: Carleton College ranks among the highest in academics and diversity. CC approaches learning with an out-of-the-box “distinctly Carleton brand of playfulness.” The community is collaborative with professors and students working together. CC focuses on the exploration of interests and the development of new ones.

7) Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA

Highlights: Grinnell College ranks well in areas of academics and diversity. In addition, students are in charge of their studies. At Grinnell, their curriculum is an “individually advised curriculum.” This offers a unique educational experience. Grinnell has no distribution requirements, with only two required courses for all students being components of the “First-Year Experience.” The remainder of each student’s four-year class schedule is up to the student and their academic adviser based on individual interests and aspirations.

8) Smith College, Northampton, MA

Highlights: In addition to being on the list of colleges with no application fee, Smith College is among the top-ranked women’s colleges in the United States. Smith scores exceedingly well in most areas including academics, diversity, and faculty making it a solid choice to add to the list. If those credits weren’t enough, Smith offers generous financial aid. The college meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students, with no loans in their aid packages.

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9) Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO

Highlights: Colorado College, another small private college with no application fee. CC is well-ranked in academics and diversity. Admissions are extremely competitive. Their most prominent majors include Economics, Liberal Arts/Humanities, and Political Science/Government. Colorado College is also ranked number one on the “Best Colleges of Colorado” list.

For your convenience, here is a comprehensive list of colleges that don’t have application fees:

Colleges with no Application Fees – Comprehensive List

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Colleges with no Application Fees (Continued)

Colleges with no Application Fees – Additional Resources

• How to Find College Scholarships
• 50 Colleges With Full Ride Scholarships
• Scholarships for Students in California 
• Florida Bright Futures Requirements 
• FAFSA Income Limits
• How to Write a Scholarship Essay