How Much Does It Cost to Apply to College?
Contributing Writer
Higher Education Research Analyst
Contributing Writer
Higher Education Research Analyst
Data Summary
-
For U.S. students, the average undergraduate application fee is $48.Note Reference [1] -
Roughly 62% of colleges report waiving application fees for students with financial need.Note Reference [1] -
College application fees depend on your school and school type. -
The average Ivy League college application is $80. -
In 2023-2024, students who used the Common App applied to an average of 5.7 colleges and universities each — translating to an average cost of nearly $275.Note Reference [2] -
Students pay $68-$111 per test for the SAT or ACT, but costs can add up with additional fees and test prep.Note Reference [3], Note Reference [4]
Going to college is a massive investment — so large, in fact, that 62% of people we surveyed believe the financial challenges associated with earning a degree make college inaccessible. What's more, these high costs can start before you've even been accepted into your dream school.
The money students spend on college applications, standardized tests and test prep, college advisors, and more varies greatly. But one thing is for certain: Applying to college can become very expensive very quickly.
So, how much does it really cost to apply to college?
Application Fees for Colleges
Before pressing submit on your college applications, you could be prompted to pay an application fee. Application fees vary depending on the university, program, and school type.
We analyzed 2022-2023 application fee information collected by Peterson's Data from over 1,100 colleges. According to Peterson's:Note Reference [1]
- The average application fee at a four-year public college or university was $48.
- The average college application fee at private four-year schools was $54-$57.
- The average application fee at two-year colleges was less expensive, ranging from $39-$52.
At face value, the application fee for just one college might not seem too daunting to pay. However, according to the Common App, applicants applied to 5.7 different colleges each on average during the 2023-2024 application process, so the fees can add up quickly.Note Reference [2]
For example, let's say a student applied to four public universities and two private nonprofit universities. That student would pay over $300 in application fees alone.
In addition, prestigious universities, like those in the Ivy League, often charge higher-than-average application fees. The average fee for a first-year undergraduate applying to an Ivy-Plus university is $80.
However, many Ivy League universities waive application fees for students who demonstrate financial need.
| School | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Brown University | $75 |
| Columbia University | $85 |
| Cornell University | $80 |
| Dartmouth College | $85 |
| Duke University | $85 |
| Harvard University | $85 |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $75 |
| Princeton University | $75 |
| Stanford University | $90 |
| University of Chicago | $75 |
| University of Pennsylvania | $75 |
| Yale University | $80 |
Online Program Application Fees
Online programs tend to charge lower application fees than in-person programs. In fact, many online schools do not charge students any application fee.
We collected current application fees from our list of best online colleges. The average school charges $40 for an undergraduate application.
| School | Undergraduate Application Fee | Graduate Application Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Maryville University of Saint Louis | $0 | $0 |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs | $0 | $75-$100 |
| University of Missouri | $0-$75 | $0-$75 |
| Florida International University | $30 | $30 |
| University of Florida | $30 | $30 |
| Parker University | $50 | $50 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | $50 | $50 |
| Drexel University | $65 | $65 |
| Oregon State University | $65 | $75 |
| George Mason University | $70 | $75 |
How to Save Money on College Application Fees
There are several ways to save when going through the college application process. To start, many colleges — over 170 of them — opt out of charging applicants altogether.
Many colleges also offer college application fee waivers for low-income students and students who are also applying for the FAFSA or the university's financial aid. In fact, 62% of colleges in Peterson's dataset report waiving application fees for students with financial need.
Be sure to also look out for "fee-free" periods in your state when application fees are waived for students applying to public colleges and universities.
For students interested in applying to several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a more affordable option is the Common Black College Application, which costs a one-time fee of $20 and is accepted by 67 HBCUs.
2024 Standardized Testing Fees
In 2023, over 1.9 million high schoolers took the SAT, and roughly 1.4 million took the ACT. All those testing fees add up. It costs a minimum of $68 to take a single standardized test. Students should also factor in additional fees, including fees for the test center and for additional score reports.
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full SAT | $68 |
| SAT International Student Testing Fee | $111 |
| Additional Score Reports | $14/report |
| Additional Fees (extra services, late fees, score verification, etc.) | $16-55 |
| Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full ACT | $68 |
| Full ACT With Writing | $93 |
| Additional Score Reports | $18.50/report |
| Additional Fees (extra services, late fees, score verification, etc.) | $18.50-$116 |
Luckily, the SAT and ACT offer testing fee waivers for some 11th and 12th graders, including those who:
- Are enrolled in or eligible for federal free or reduced-price lunch programs at school.
- Are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families.
- Reside in foster homes, are wards of the state, or are experiencing homelessness.
- Receive public assistance or live in federally subsidized public housing.Note Reference [6], Note Reference [7]
Additionally, over 1,700 U.S. four-year colleges and universities have switched over to test-optional, test-flexible, or even test-free admissions policies.
Additional Costs for Applying to College
Nearly all post-secondary institutions require a high school transcript during the application process.Note Reference [8] Depending on the high school you attended, you might be charged a small fee per transcript either from the school or a third-party site.
Beyond application and testing fees, future college students might opt into spending supplemental funds to increase their chances of getting into their dream school, including:
- College essay tutoring
- College entrance coaching and advising
- Traveling to and from in-person college tours or interviews
References
- Peterson's Data. 2022-2023 Undergraduate Database. Accessed May 2024.
- Deadline updates 2023-2024: first-year application trends through March 1 (PDF). Common App. March 2024.
- SAT Test Fees. CollegeBoard. Accessed May 2024.
- Current ACT Fees and Services. ACT. Accessed May 2024.
- International Fees. CollegeBoard. Accessed May 2024.
- SAT Fee Waiver Eligibility. College Board. Accessed July 2023.
- ACT Fee Waiver Program. ACT. Accessed July 2023.
- What's a High School Transcript? College Board. February 2023.
