Applying to colleges (fees per application) cost in 2026
Applying to colleges (fees per application) costs $30 to $90 per application in 2026, and most people pay about $45.
What moves the price
- Private and highly selective schools usually charge more.
- Public schools and two year colleges often charge less.
- The number of schools applied to drives the total.
- Some schools charge nothing, and many waive the fee for need.
- Test score reports and other extras add to the cost.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
The fee covers the school's review of the application. Sending SAT or ACT scores costs extra, about $12 per school on one page. Students often pay for several applications, which averaged about $295 for 6.14 schools in 2024 to 2025.
Average undergraduate application fee by school type (BestColleges, citing Peterson's 2022 to 2023)
| School type | Average fee |
|---|---|
| Four year public | $48 |
| Four year private | $54 to $57 |
| Two year | $39 to $52 |
| Ivy Plus | $80 on average ($75 to $90) |
| Online programs | $40 on average, many $0 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: BestColleges.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for a fee waiver, since about 3 in 10 colleges waive fees for students with financial need.
- Look for the 170 or more colleges that charge no application fee.
- Check for fee free application days offered by some public colleges and states.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- BestColleges: College application fees: how much does it cost (updated November 7, 2025)
- Saving for College: How much does it cost to apply to college (updated February 14, 2024)
- College Journey: College application fees (December 7, 2024)
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
Applying to colleges (fees per application) costs $30 to $90 per application in 2026, and most people pay about $45. Most people pay about $45 per application. The low end is $30 and the high end is $90.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: Private and highly selective schools usually charge more; Public schools and two year colleges often charge less; The number of schools applied to drives the total.
How can I pay less?
Ask for a fee waiver, since about 3 in 10 colleges waive fees for students with financial need. Look for the 170 or more colleges that charge no application fee. Check for fee free application days offered by some public colleges and states.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 3 named price guides: BestColleges, Saving for College, College Journey. Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
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