College Application Fees - How Much Should I Expect to Spend?

I'm planning to apply to multiple colleges this year, and I'm trying to budget for application fees. On average, how much do colleges usually charge for application fees?

The cost of college application fees can vary greatly based on the institution. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to $95 per application. For instance, top-tier institutions like Stanford University and Duke University charge $90-$95, whereas other institutions might charge less.

However, it's important to note that many colleges offer fee waivers for applicants who demonstrate financial need. These are primarily available to low-income and financially disadvantaged students. Some schools may also not charge an application fee at all. For example, Loyola University Chicago is a school that does not have an application fee.

To ensure you're correctly budgeting, I recommend creating a detailed list of all the colleges you wish to apply to and looking up each one's application fee on their website. This way, you can get an accurate calculation of how much you'd potentially spend in total. Also, keep in mind that if you decide to use the Common App or the Coalition App to apply to multiple schools, these platforms might charge additional processing fees alongside the college's application fee. In conclusion, while the average fee ranges between $30 and $95, the actual total cost will highly depend on the specific schools you choose and whether or not you qualify for fee waivers. So, do your research on each school and see if they offer waivers or ways to reduce the cost!