Online Colleges With No Application Fees

Application fees for colleges serve several purposes. These fees cover the expense of evaluating applications and additional documents for student admission. However, not every college charges an application fee. Even when they do, candidates may qualify for waivers.

Stanford University charges one of the most expensive application fees, asking $90 per candidate as of the 2023 school year. Columbia University requires $85 per application. On average, college admissions counselors often recommend that students apply to at least 4-10 colleges, which can add up.

This page outlines what you need to know about online colleges with no application fee, along with details on fee waivers.

16 Online Colleges With No Application Fees

Most colleges and universities charge a nonrefundable application fee of $50-$80, even if the applicant does not receive admission, which can add up. Luckily, several online colleges allow applicants to submit their applications free of charge.

If you plan to attend college online, you'll have a greater number of schools and programs to choose from. You can enroll in an online program at any school nationwide without needing to relocate.

Explore online colleges with no application fees below.

Bay Path University

Private nonprofit institution in Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Tuition: $560 per credit for full-time undergraduates

Bay Path University's American Women's College offers more than 40 online associate and bachelor's degrees, plus certificates. Career-focused majors include business, communication, cybersecurity, and education. The university's WELL program prepares women for leadership roles through courses covering boundary setting and team dynamics.

Brenau University

Private nonprofit institution in Gainesville, Georgia

Tuition: $754 per credit for online undergraduate tuition

Brenau University, which launched its online programming in 1998, features 31 self-paced associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees and programs. Enrollees can start four-year or two-year degrees six times a year. Brenau charges no application fee, and students pay a flat fee for textbooks through the Barnes and Noble rental program.

Drury University

Private nonprofit institution in Springfield, Missouri

Tuition: $325 per credit for Drury GO rate

Drury Global Online (Drury Go) offers a diverse selection of 30 online degrees. Online undergraduates can specialize in areas like business, leadership and communication, education, and public service, along with general studies. Drury Go also offers certificates in computer security, front-end web development, and network technology, among other credentials.

Florida Institute of Technology

Private nonprofit institution in Melbourne, Florida

Tuition: $510 per credit for online students

Florida Institute of Technology offers over 200 online programs for distance learners in convenient eight-week terms. Online learners can choose from various STEM-related bachelor's and graduate programs, such as aeronautical science, information technology, oceanography, and software engineering.

Grand View University

Private nonprofit institution in Des Moines, Iowa

Tuition: $491 per credit for online and evening courses

Grand View University's online and evening programs start every eight weeks. Each online learner can declare an undecided major or choose from 14 other subject areas. Bachelor's degree-seekers can pursue online programs in accounting, business, criminal justice, paralegal studies, social work, and more. The social work degree offers evening and online courses.

Madonna University

Private nonprofit institution in Livonia, Michigan

Tuition: $525 per credit for online learners

An online learner at Madonna University can earn a bachelor's in general studies or pursue degrees in business, criminal justice and law, education, social work and sociology, and more. This affordable university awards merit scholarships to qualifying students at admission and offers work-study opportunities to all learners.

McKendree University

Private nonprofit institution in Lebanon, Illinois

Tuition: $410 per credit for all undergraduate degrees; $330 per credit for elementary education for paraprofessionals degree

McKendree University, offering distance learning since 1970, partners with corporations and organizations to offer a 10% community tuition discount. Online learners at McKendree can pursue associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees without traveling to its Lebanon, Illinois campus.

Metropolitan State University

Public institution in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Tuition: $286 per credit for undergraduate tuition

Metro State University boasts 25 online undergraduate, graduate, and graduate certificate programs. The virtual bachelor's degrees include completion programs in dental hygiene and a nursing RN-to-BSN program. Students in states participating in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement can take online courses at Metro State University.

Mount Mercy University

Private nonprofit institution in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Tuition: $13,600 per year (average net cost)

Online learners at Mount Mercy University can complete undergraduate and graduate degrees through live or on-demand coursework. Students can also opt for accelerated online degrees, including in management, business, healthcare administration, and management marketing.

Nichols College

Private nonprofit institution in Dudley, Massachusetts

Tuition: $400 per credit for undergraduate online tuition

Nichols College's online division provides three online programs and two hybrid degrees with courses that begin every seven weeks. By applying up to 45 prior learning credits from volunteer, work, or military experience, online learners can graduate faster and save money. Additionally, the university grants a maximum of 90 transfer credits.

Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Private nonprofit institution in Standish, Maine

Tuition: $390 online undergraduate tuition

SJC Online's five undergraduate degrees incorporate academic guidance and feedback to support online learners. SJC Online provides a discounted tuition of 15% to students enrolled in partnerships with roughly 600 employers. Enrollees can start most programs every 10 weeks. The nursing and graduate-level theology programs begin every 12 weeks, four times a year.

Saint Leo University

Private nonprofit institution in Saint Leo, Florida

Tuition: $410 per credit for undergraduate tuition

Saint Leo University has offered distance learning for more than 20 years. This private Catholic college offers 75 online associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Candidates pay no application fee and receive free access to the college's scholarships and grants guide, which provides more than 60 award links.

Saint Louis University

Private nonprofit institution in St. Louis, Missouri

Tuition: $650 per credit for undergraduate tuition

Saint Louis University awards 14 online bachelor's, 19 master's, and four doctoral degrees. This Catholic research university's undergraduate degrees include computer information systems, cybersecurity, emergency management, and project management.

Siena Heights University

Private nonprofit institution in Adrian, Michigan

Tuition: $550 per credit for online tuition

SHU Global's 11 undergraduate degrees offer online coursework and/or a blended format. Only the bachelor's in applied science, RN-to-BSN degree, and professional communication degree are fully online. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students pay locked-in tuition for two years through the Siena Tuition Advantage program.

Southern New Hampshire University

Private nonprofit institution in Manchester, New Hampshire

Tuition: $330 per credit for undergraduate tuition

Southern New Hampshire University offers more than 200 online degrees. SNHU's popular undergraduate programs include business, education, engineering, psychology and counseling, and technology. Associate degree-holders can transfer up to 90 credits toward an online bachelor's degree at SNHU. Applications and transfer credit evaluations are free.

Southern Utah University

Public institution in Cedar City, Utah

Tuition: $300 per credit for online undergraduate tuition

SUU's online degrees come in a convenient format and include 25 options, such as associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees, along with certificates. Online students who apply for the Finish Line scholarship can receive $750-$1,500 per semester, making tuition more affordable.

College Application Fee Waivers

Even if a college charges to file an application, candidates can find ways to not pay that fee. Application fee waivers — offered by private and public institutions — allow candidates to apply without paying a fee.

How To Get A Fee Waiver

Students can obtain fee waivers directly from their schools in two primary ways.

Common App asks students if they believe they are eligible for fee waivers and the basis for the request. The student can choose from many reasons to automatically qualify for a fee waiver, such as receiving public assistance.

Other reasons include eligibility for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program and living in federally subsidized housing. Learners who can show a supporting statement from a school counselor, financial aid officer, or other similar official may also qualify.

If the student is not using Common App, they should check with each school to determine their fee waiver request processes. They may need to ask for a specific form or submit a letter explaining the basis for the fee waiver request.

Other than financial need, other ways that a student can receive application fee waivers include:

• Applying online
• Holding legacy applicant status with a parent or grandparent who has already graduated from the school
• Making an official college visit
• Maintaining membership in a special group, such as the U.S. Armed Forces
• Playing a sport and being recruited by an athletic team