Adrianne is a Senior Admissions Counselor and TV/film director, producer, writer, and actress currently based in LA. She uses her experience in multiple disciplines to help students achieve their personal and academic goals.
Everyone knows that higher education nowadays is not cheap, and those costs can start as early as the application process. So, how much does it cost to apply to college? We’ll break it all down.
Table of Contents
Introduction – The Hidden Costs of Applying to College
It’s common knowledge that college tuition is expensive, and most people have heard how students are currently drowning in debt. According to NPR: “Over the last 30 years — average tuition for both public and private four-year colleges has essentially doubled after adjusting for inflation.”
However, the cost of college starts adding up as soon as students start formulating a list of schools to which they want to apply. This is because pretty much every school has an application fee associated with submission, ranging from $30-90 each (and sometimes more). And now that it’s not uncommon for students to apply to 10-20 schools, it’s clear to see how those application fees can add up. There are fee waivers available for students facing final hardships, but many students are either unaware of these waiver applications or do not qualify.
This is not even to mention the costs associated with standardized testing, sending those test scores to schools, essay review, college counseling, and more. So, what are the hidden costs of applying to college, and how can students and their families budget for these expenses in a manageable way?
Average Cost of Applying to College
As mentioned above, the range of application fees varies pretty widely, and the amount that students will spend on applying to college depends on their educational goals. But every year, more students apply to more colleges as acceptance rates decline at the most selective schools. And some of these selective schools, such as Ivy League universities, have the highest application fees that students will incur.
However, the Common App reported that, in 2024-2025, students who used the Common App applied to an average of 6.14 colleges and universities each, and data from a U.S. News & World Report survey indicates that the average application fee is about $45. This means the average student’s cost was nearly $295, and that’s before ever putting down a deposit or paying tuition. For students applying to 15-25 schools (which is not uncommon), application fees can reach into the thousands of dollars.
Here are the top 10 most expensive college application fees according to the same survey:
| School Name | Application Fees |
| Arkansas Baptist College | $100 |
| Stanford University | $90 |
| Columbia University | $85 |
| Duke University | $85 |
| North Carolina State University | $85 |
| Syracuse University | $85 |
| University of Massachusetts—Amherst | $85 |
| University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | $85 |
| University of Southern California | $85 |
| Woodbury University | $85 |
Standardized Test Costs (SAT & ACT)
Even before college admissions season begins, students take standardized tests like the ACT, SAT, and AP exams that have registration fees. While many colleges and universities have become test-optional, it’s still likely that at some point, each high schooler will probably have to take a standardized test, meaning that students incur costs even before their senior year.
To register for the ACT, it costs $68 (plus $25 if students take the writing section, raising the cost to $93), and to register for the SAT, it costs $68. If students need to cancel or register late, that also means more fees, usually around $40. Many students take standardized tests several times in an effort to raise their scores, so that means standardized test costs can reach well into the hundreds of dollars. The prices are generally higher for international students as well.
This does not even mention the additional standardized tests that many students take, such as AP exams, which cost $99 per exam (and students often take up to 10-15 exams over the course of high school). While there are fee waivers available for many of these exams, most students will be expected to pay full price.
Sending Test Scores to Colleges
For the SAT, your first 4 score reports are free if you order them within 9 days after the test date. If you miss this window or need additional scores sent, it usually costs $15 per report. Rush shipping typically costs about $31 per order. For AP exams, you get one free score sent every year you take AP Exams. If you want to send additional score reports or send a score report after the free score send deadline, you can do so online anytime for a $15 fee.
The ACT provides an automatically calculated ACT Superscore to all students who have taken the ACT more than once from September 2016 to the current day for no additional charge. Your scores will automatically be sent to the schools that you indicate whenever you register. However, if you need to send scores to different colleges and/or scholarship competitions, there is a fee of $20 ($30 if the test was more than three years prior.
Additional Costs in the College Application Process
On top of college application fees and standardized test fees, students can still encounter more costs in the college application process. For instance, some high schools may charge transcript fees, or a cost associated with sending a student’s transcript to their desired colleges. If you participated in a dual-enrollment program, it’s also likely that the college offering the class will charge a transcript fee as well.
Other costs include campus visits, study material and/or tutoring resources for standardized tests, and college counseling. These are optional and can be reduced by utilizing free resources, like virtual campus visits and essay writing guides, as opposed to personalized essay review.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply to Multiple Colleges
As described above, the average student applying via the Common App is paying $295 to apply to about 6 colleges. Each college often requires a separate application fee, which can range from $25 to $90 per application. The average fee tends to be around $50, but private colleges do tend to have higher application fees.
While the average student is applying to about 6 colleges, many are applying to up to 20, even 30 schools. It’s not uncommon for students to add schools at the last minute, especially if they don’t have supplemental essays. That usually means there is no time for these students to apply for fee waivers, so they just eat the application fees without a second thought.
How to Reduce College Application Costs
There are ways to significantly reduce your college application costs. Of course, if you qualify, make sure you apply for fee waivers — this is an easy way to lessen the financial strain and still allow you to apply to as many schools as you’d like. If schools don’t offer an official waiver program, you can contact the admissions office to see if they’d be open to considering your circumstances for a possible fee waiver.
However, if that’s not an option, then it’s a good idea to think about your college list more efficiently. Spend some time building your college list based on how your statistics line up with those of accepted students at your top schools. Create a balanced list of reach, target, and likely schools that increase your chances of acceptance.
There are also a handful of great schools that have no application fee whatsoever, such as Wellesley College and Tulane University. Check out this list of schools with no application fees on Niche.
What Is a College Application Fee Waiver?
As mentioned above, a college application fee waiver is a program that allows eligible students to waive the application fees for applying to college. This can make the application process more accessible to students from lower-income families, removing a significant financial barrier. The fee waiver is usually reserved for students who demonstrate financial need, typically measured by eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch, participation in federal or state programs that aid low-income families, or meeting certain income guidelines.
Several organizations and institutions provide fee waivers, including:
- College Board Fee Waiver Program: The College Board offers fee waivers for students applying to college using the SAT. Eligible students can receive up to four college application fee waivers. To qualify, a student must be a U.S. citizen or reside in the U.S., its territories, or commonwealths and meet specific financial eligibility criteria.
- National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC): The NACAC fee waiver is another option for students who need financial assistance. This program allows students to apply to up to four colleges for free. Students generally complete a fee waiver form, which their high school counselor then completes and includes with their college applications.
- Common App Fee Waivers: The Common Application, widely used by many colleges, includes a section where students can request a fee waiver directly within the application. When completing the Common App, students will encounter a question asking whether they believe they qualify for a fee waiver due to financial hardship.
To request a waiver, students usually need to affirm that they meet one or more of the following guidelines:
- Participation in a free or reduced-price lunch program
- Enrollment in a federal or state program aiding students from low-income families
- A family income falling below the USDA Food and Nutrition Service’s eligibility limits
- Receiving public assistance
- Residing in foster care or a ward of the state
- Experiencing homelessness or living in a shelter
- Qualifying for an SAT or ACT fee waiver
Once the student indicates they are eligible for a fee waiver, their high school counselor or another designated school official must verify their qualifications. This process ensures that students who genuinely need financial assistance can bypass application fees, making it less prohibitive to apply to multiple colleges.
Conclusion — Why Strategic Planning Matters
College admissions season can be stressful and busy, and the hidden costs of applying to college can make the process even more taxing. However, by planning ahead of time and making sure you’re prepared to meet application deadlines, you can minimize the costs and put your best foot forward in the admissions process.
Looking for help with your college applications? Set up a free consultation with one of our experienced college admissions counselors.
