USA attracts over 1 million international students every year which is why it is regarded as one of the top studying abroad destinations. Universities in USA charge an average application fee of 50-100 USD which is INR 3,956-7,912 for Indian students. With outstanding education comes high cost which is why it is important to save every penny you can from the beginning. One way to do so is to apply for a few no application fee universities in USA if you are targeting several institutions at once.
If you are worried about the expenses of studying in USA, we have a list of US universities with free application fee or colleges with no application fee. Colleges in USA with no application fee, application process, and other costs involved in the application process for US schools with no application fee are discussed in the blog. Let’s go through them!
List of Universities with No Application Fees in USA
USA has always been the top preference when considering studying any course abroad. International students have worked hard to enroll at the top universities here. Most students have to pay an application fee to apply to any university, causing a hindrance to adjust with their expenses.
Did you know that there are multiple USA universities that accept no application fees?
This benefit helps you as a student to apply to the best universities here without additional expenses. But with the tough competition, getting seen at your dream university is a challenge. You need to be the best to get that offer letter. Here is how Yocket's Kickstarter initiative plan can help you.
By investing INR 499, an international student can benefit from the following:
1. Attend a workshop where you get to learn how to create an impressive SOP
2. Free assistance for loan and visa queries
3. Submit applications up to 5 US partner universities without paying an application fee
4. Access to a simple platform upon which applying a fee waiver filter will show you the results of courses and universities under the partner universities associated with Yocket, etc
To help you get started, here is a list of US universities with no application fee:
- Yale University
- University of California, San Diego
- Carnegie Mellon University, Adelaide
- Texas A & M University, Kingsville
- Case Western Reserve University
- Arizona State University
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- University of Arizona
- Saint Louis University
- Michigan Technological University
- Tufts University
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- University of Connecticut
- The University of Kansas
- Northeastern University, Boston
- Colorado State University
- University at Buffalo SUNY
- University of Colorado, Denver
- Illinois Insitute of Technology
- University of California, Riverside
Moving on, let us know about each of these universities:
| University | QS World University Rankings 2023 | Popular Courses Offered |
| Yale University | 18 | Economics, History, Political Science, etc |
| University of California, San Diego | 27 | Economics, Computer Science, Molecular Biology, etc |
| Carnegie Mellon University, Adelaide | 52 | Public policy, Data Analytics, Business studies, etc |
| 164 | Arts, Humanities, Agricultural Business, etc | |
| 176 | Arts, Science, Engineering, etc | |
| 219 | Engineering, Business, Education, etc | |
| 253 | Business, Computer Science, Healthcare, etc | |
| 262 | Business, Engineering, Psychology, etc | |
| 312 | Data, Education, Nutrition, etc | |
| 317 | Social Science, Marketing, Engineering, etc | |
| 350 | Economics, Finance, Mechanical Engineering, etc | |
| 369 | Business, Marketing, Social Science, etc | |
| 388 | Engineering, Journalism, Communication, etc | |
| 408 | Family, Consumer, Social Sciences, etc | |
| 425 | Information Sciences, Support Services, Psychology, etc | |
| 428 | Psychology, Engineering, Marketing, etc | |
| 443 | Architecture, Design, Business, etc | |
| 453 | Marketing, Psychology, English language, etc | |
| 601-650 | Fitness, Management, Engineering, etc | |
| 751-800 | Engineering, Natural Resources, Support services, etc |
Now you know the list of universities with no application fee in USA. Further, we shall discuss colleges with no application fee for international students in USA:
Colleges in USA without Application Fees
Take a look at the colleges in the USA that are free to apply to with no application fee and acceptance rate:
|
College |
The Rankings 2022 |
Acceptance Rate (Fall 2020) |
|
31 |
20% |
|
|
35 |
21% |
|
|
39 |
37% |
|
|
Reed College |
92 |
42% |
|
89 |
39% |
|
|
Centre College |
=223 |
72% |
|
108 |
51% |
|
|
Colorado College |
=115 |
14% |
|
The College of Wooster |
=150 |
65% |
|
Union College |
134 |
41% |
Now that you know the list of colleges with free application fee for international students in US, you can choose among them and reduce your application expenses. Further, let’s check…
Why Look for Colleges in the USA without Application Fees?
Studying in the USA requires a huge financial commitment, and though a 100 USD application fee might seem to be a small expense compared to the investment you are making, it is a good way to keep your finances in check. Especially if you are looking forward to applying to many institutions, you must shortlist some US universities with no application fee for international students.
Say you wish to apply for 3-5 universities in the USA, and each of them has an application fee ranging from 50-100 USD. In this way, you end up spending 200-500 USD i.e. around 15,000-38,000 INR, on your application fees alone. Including 1-2 safe backup options of free application fee universities in USA will help you save money that can be used for compensating other pre-arrival expenses. Therefore, select universities with free application fee for international students in US without a doubt.
|
Why do universities charge application fees? Universities charge an application fee to avoid receiving piles of applications every year. The application fee is charged as a measure to ensure that only interested students are applying for admission. Another reason for charging an application fee is to cover the expenses incurred by the university during the application screening process. But you always have the liberty to choose universities with no application fee for international students in USA. |
How to Apply to a University Abroad?
Let us now take a look at the application process for no application fee universities in USA:
Application Process for Universities in USA without Application Fees
Application for admission to free application fee universities in USA is accepted either through the university’s application portal or the common application. The application process for US universities with free application fee is quite similar to those that charge an application fee.
There is no difference in the available intakes for universities in US without an application fee. Fall, spring, and summer are the common intakes for all universities, including US universities without application fee for international students. Take a look at the general steps of the application process for universities in USA without application fee discussed below:
- Shortlist the universities that offer your desired program. Make sure some of your options include US universities with no application fee for international students.
- Visit the official website of all universities you wish to apply to, including free application fee universities in USA and check the eligibility criteria.
- Check the available intakes and application deadline for your chosen program.
- Complete the online application and submit the application fee wherever applicable, and request for an application fee waiver if required at universities in America without application fee.
- Upload all supporting documents for admission along with your application.
- Apply for scholarships for international students if you wish to avail of financial aid.
- Track the status of your application and wait for the admission decision.
- If accepted, you will receive the offer for admission via email.
- Make sure you confirm your acceptance within the deadline specified on the offer and submit the tuition deposit.
|
Confused which university to choose in the US? Check out our Yocket College Finder Tool! |
Before concluding the discussion about US universities without application fee for international students, let us understand what are the other costs involved in the application process for universities in US without application fee.
Other Costs Involved in the Application Process
While estimating the cost of studying in USA, you cannot miss out on the pre-arrival expenses as these are strictly out of pocket, and no financial aid can help you cover these expenses. These expenses can be related to visa processing, entrance tests, health insurance, travel etc. and are incurred even before you get admission to any university in USA.
Take a look at the table below to learn about others costs involved in the application process for admission to universities in America without application fee:
|
Expense |
Average Cost for Indian Students |
|
TOEFL fees |
14,197 INR (180 USD) |
|
IELTS fees |
16,250-18,895 INR (215-250 USD) |
|
GRE fees |
16,098 INR (213 USD) |
|
GMAT fees |
18,895 INR (250 USD) |
|
SAT fees |
7,860 INR (104 USD) |
|
ACT fees |
11,714 INR (155 USD) |
|
Visa processing fees |
12,092 INR (160 USD) |
|
SEVIS fees |
26,459 INR (350 USD) |
|
Health insurance |
52,905-83,135 INR (700-1100 USD) |
|
Airfare |
51,016 INR (675 USD) |
Now you know the other costs involved in a study abroad journey; therefore, save each penny by selecting a university in USA without application fee.
It is recommended that you look for universities in America with no application fee but at the same time make sure you are not compromising your choices just to save some money while applying. After all, universities in the USA provide several financial aid and scholarships that will eventually reduce your costs significantly. To know more about how to apply to a university in USA without application fee, connect with Yocket Counsellors now!
Frequently Asked Questions on Universities in USA Without Application Fee
Ques. How can I avoid university application fees in USA?
Ans. To avoid application fees an international student can showcase proof of financial hardship, share if any alumni are their friends, apply online, find university in USA without application fee, negotiate, etc.
Ques. How much is the US colleges/university's application fee?
Ans. On average, the application fee in the US is $43-50 for maximum universities. However, for colleges like Stanford, the fee is as high as $90, and for the Ivy League colleges, it is $75.
Ques. Do all universities in the USA require application fees?
Ans. No. Many US universities provide free application fees, and many colleges offer application fee waivers if a student fills the application online.
Ques. Which are the cheapest colleges in USA?
Ans. The list of cheapest colleges in the USA includes Indian River State College, South Texas College, Sitting Bull College, Palm Beach College, etc.
Ques. Why do universities in USA charge high application fees?
Ans. Universities and colleges in the USA want only interested and sincere students to apply for a particular course. Higher fees act as a barrier for non-serious students.
