15 Cheap Online Colleges Without Application Fee In 2024

The rising expense of a college education is a topic of widespread concern. College applications, as well as tuition and additional expenses, contribute to the overall financial burden, accumulating once a student gains admission to a degree program.

Are you looking for a cheap online college without application fees? Look no further! In today’s digital age, online education has revolutionized the way we learn, making higher education more accessible and affordable than ever before. And here’s the cherry on top: we’ve scoured the web to bring you a curated list of cheap online colleges that waive application fees! Yes, you read that right.

In this article, we’ll delve into the world of online education and explore how you can kick-start your academic journey without draining your bank account. So, get ready to discover a treasure trove of affordable and accessible educational opportunities that can pave the way to your future success. Before we go on to list the online colleges with no application fee, let’s look at some reasons why you should choose online colleges.

What Does Application Fee Waiver Mean For Online Colleges?

A college application fee waiver enables students to submit applications without the need to pay the usual application fee. Typically, most college applications come with a fee, and while the specific amount varies among institutions, these fees generally fall within the range of $40 to $60. More prestigious or costly schools may have higher fees, reaching approximately $80 to $90. Upon payment of the application fee, schools proceed to review the applications and make admissions decisions.

Application fees can sometimes be waived in certain situations. For example, applicants who cannot afford the fee or meet special requirements, like being an in-state resident, do not need to pay it.

To reduce the rising cost of education, you can seek application fee waivers. Alternatively, researching and identifying online schools that do not impose an application fee can also be an effective strategy. Numerous colleges offer waivers for application fees when students apply online, while others with application fees may permit students to request a waiver. The specific process varies among schools and frequently hinges on the student’s financial circumstances and the availability of financial aid.

Why Choose A Cheap Online College

Online colleges allow you to acquire degrees without relocating or interrupting your career, avoiding the bother of commuting while saving yourself time and money.

Here are some of the key advantages of online colleges:

1. Flexibility

Online colleges offer greater flexibility in terms of scheduling and location. Students can access course materials and participate in classes from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing them to balance their studies with work, family responsibilities, or other commitments. This flexibility is especially beneficial for individuals who are working full-time or have other time constraints.

2. Convenience

Online learning eliminates the need for commuting to a physical campus, saving time and money on transportation. Students can study at their own pace and set their study hours, accommodating their personal preferences and learning styles. This convenience is particularly advantageous for those who live in remote areas or have limited access to educational institutions.

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3. Diverse Course Offerings

Online colleges often offer a wide range of courses and degree programs, allowing students to choose from a variety of subjects and disciplines. This extensive selection can be particularly advantageous for individuals seeking specialized or niche areas of study that may not be available locally.

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4. Cost-Effectiveness

Online education is more affordable compared to traditional on-campus programs. Students can save money on commuting, housing, and campus fees. Additionally, online colleges may offer financial aid options and scholarships specifically tailored to online learners.

5. Collaboration and Networking Opportunities

Online learning platforms facilitate interaction and collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations. Through virtual discussions, group projects, and online forums, students can connect, exchange ideas, and build valuable networks with peers and professionals from around the world.

6. Personalized Learning Experience

Online colleges often provide personalized learning experiences through adaptive learning technologies and individualized support. Students can progress at their own pace, revisit materials as needed, and receive targeted feedback from instructors, fostering a tailored educational journey.

7. Career Advancement

Online colleges frequently offer programs designed to meet the needs of working professionals seeking career advancement or a career change. These programs may include industry-relevant coursework and internships that allow students to apply their learning directly to their professional lives.

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Are There Online Colleges Without Application Fees?

There are various online colleges you can apply to with no application fees. These schools offer a seamless admission process just like other colleges. It is always a good idea to research different institutions and their application requirements to find online colleges that do not charge an application fee.

According to Usnews, the average college application fee is around $45. And at many prestigious private schools, fees can be between $75-$90. This might be manageable if you are only applying to one school. However many students apply to multiple colleges. For example, some students will apply to 3-4 target schools, 3-4 safety schools, and 3-4 dream schools. With online colleges without application fees, you can apply to 3-4 schools without spending a dime on application fees.

Can I Study In Online Colleges For Free?

While there are online colleges that offer free courses or open educational resources (OER) for self-study, earning a degree or completing a full program from an accredited online college typically involves tuition fees.

Most online colleges require tuition payments to cover the costs of faculty, resources, and administration. However, there are various financial aid options available, such as scholarships, grants, and loans, that can help reduce or cover the cost of online education. It’s important to research and explore these options to find ways to make online college more affordable.

Free online colleges offer a great opportunity to boost your career prospects: they add a little extra something to your CV and are a great talking point in interviews, as well as being a great way to spend your free time.   

15 Cheap Online Colleges Without Application Fees

Below is a list of no-application fee online colleges. Let’s get started!!!

• Chadron State College
• Norwich University
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Elmhurst University
• Dayton University
• Post University
• Liberty University
• Sewanee: The University of the South
• Franciscan University of Steubenville
• University of Texas El Paso
• William Woods University
• Lindsey Wilson College
• Indiana Wesleyan University
• Rhodes College
• Madonna University
• Baker University

1. Chadron State College

Tuition: Undergraduate -$299 (Per credit hour), Graduate – $380 (Per credit hour)

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Chadron State College is a four-year public university in Chadron, Nebraska. The institution is known for delivering high-quality education at a reasonable cost. This tiny, welcoming online institution serves around 2,200 students per year. It also offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs. There are around 60 programs in all. Many of them may be done online.

Chadron State College has various bachelor’s degree completion programs and complete master’s degrees available online, as well as several individual elective and general studies courses.

Among the online bachelor’s degree programs are:

• Applied Sciences in Technical Occupations
• Business
• Mathematics
• Family & Consumer Sciences
• Geoscience
• Education
• Psychological Sciences
• Interdisciplinary Studies

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2. Norwich University

Tuition: Undergraduate – $375/credit hour, Graduate – $825/credit hour

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education

Norwich University (The Military College of Vermont) is a private military institution located in Vermont. On-campus and online bachelor’s and master’s degrees are currently available at the institution. It is the country’s oldest private and senior military college.

The online college has no application cost. However, admittance to undergraduate and graduate programs remains hard. Norwich University accepts students on a rolling basis. It also happens to be one of our best online colleges and institutions. Applications sent after the deadline are only accepted if there is still room available. The Office of Admissions thoroughly reviews and evaluates all applications.

Without much ado, this is one of the most affordable online colleges you can think of.

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3. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Tuition: $9,538

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers various minors, certificates, undergraduate, and graduate programs online. Some of these programs are available entirely online, in accelerated mode, or part online.

Courses are administered through Blackboard, the school’s online learning management platform. Each course may use a combination of tech formats. These include academic advising, career coaching, and counseling. Students can also access the library, free online tutoring, and more. There are no college application fees for domestic students. However, international students will need to pay a fee.

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4. Elmhurst University

Tuition: Undergraduate – $39,400, Graduate – $32,500

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Elmhurst University is an online private liberal arts institution. It has a long history of service-oriented learning and is affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Elmhurst University’s application process is simple, and there is no application cost for the online institution. Admissions counselors are available to assist students along their journey.

Filling out the application form for the school’s online bachelor’s degree program is the first step for first-year, transfer, or adult students. The same is true for graduate school and ELSA applications. Students can return to their application at any time using the login credentials they receive through email. Applicants who apply or submit applications after November 2 are evaluated for rolling admissions.

The Higher Learning Commission has fully approved Elmhurst University to offer online and on-campus degrees.

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4. Dayton University

Tuition: $44,890

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Located in one of Ohio’s largest cities, Dayton, the University of Dayton is a Marianist university with a campus known for its Immaculate Conception Chapel and the University of Dayton Arena. This private Catholic university enrolls more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate, and law students and is proud to be a top-ranking for sponsored research and development.

As a top-tier Catholic research university, their spirit ignites a boundless curiosity that drives students to search for truth. They have accomplished scholars who inspire their students to think critically and create meaningful change. In addition to being the No. 1 Catholic university for engineering R&D, the University is ranked first 1 in the nation for materials R&D. Professors teaching online are supportive, accessible, communicative, and organized.

This is one of the online colleges with no application fee. All online courses are taught by highly qualified, enthusiastic instructors with professional competence in their subjects. By encouraging discussions and demonstrating real-world applications, UD academics make learning very interesting.

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5. Post University

Tuition: Undergraduate – $599 (per credit hour), Graduate – $766 (per credit hour)

Accreditation: Office of Higher Education

Post University is one of the online colleges with no application fees. They started offering online learning options in 1996 and have since continually grown from strength to strength. Whether you are just starting or making major career moves, Post offers befitting online bachelor’s degree, associate, or master’s programs.

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6. Liberty University

Tuition: Undergraduate – $390 (per credit hour), Graduate – $565 (per credit hour)

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell Sr. and has since grown to become one of the largest evangelical Christian universities in the world.

Liberty University is well-regarded for its extensive online education offerings. It offers a wide array of online undergraduate and graduate degree programs, making it a popular choice for distance learners. The online programs cover various disciplines, including business, education, nursing, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, and more.

The application is free; however, students are charged a $50 fee at financial check-in. Students who qualify as service members, veterans, or military spouses are exempt from the application cost.

At Liberty University, you’ll be equipped to do your job ethically and with excellence. Students gain the critical thinking, research, data analysis, and communication skills they need to become essential contributors in their field and the kind of leaders who inspire others.

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7. Sewanee: The University of the South

Comprehensive fee: $65,754

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

The University of the South is a private Episcopal liberal arts institution. It is also one of the top affordable online colleges. The main campus is designed in the Gothic style. It provides well-rounded academics as well as active student life initiatives on the inside.

It is held by the Episcopal Church’s 28 southern dioceses. If you wish to study at Sewanee, you can apply without bothering about the application cost. Admission counselors at Sewanee provide each student with special attention during the admissions process. All accepted first-year students who qualify for financial help are served by the institution.

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8. Franciscan University of Steubenville

Tuition: Undergraduate – $30,620, Graduate – $550 (Per credit)

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Franciscan Online offers a one-of-a-kind educational experience that will prepare you to: integrate faith and reason in your personal and professional life; live your vocation of service, evangelization, and leadership in your family, career, and the Church; and lead with excellence and virtue to advance to the next level in your career.

Their online courses are powered by Blackboard, the market leader in Online Learning Management Systems, which serves as a virtual classroom for each of our online courses and features a variety of interactive tools. You will collaborate with professors, other class members, and study partners.

Students can complete the free application for admission online. This process only takes about 15 minutes. No essay or letters of recommendation are required for acceptance to an online bachelor’s degree program.

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9. University of Texas El Paso

Tuition: Undergraduate Tuition: $30,180, Graduate Tuition: $12,600

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

The University of Texas at El Paso is a prominent public university in Texas with about 24,000 students. The university is well-known for being the nation’s leading Hispanic-serving institution. UTEP offers nearly 170 degree programs. Many of the programs are now available online. Most online courses need students to log in many times each week. They will also be required to finish their homework by certain dates. However, there are no predetermined class log-in timings in general. As a result, you can do your schoolwork whenever it is convenient for you.

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10. William Woods University

Tuition: Undergraduate: $300/credit hour, $450/credit hour

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges

Next on our list of cheap online colleges with no application fee is William Woods University. William Woods University is a learning community with over 3,500 students and faculty, including some 1,100 traditional undergraduates representing more than 35 US states and 24 countries on our 225-acre campus in Fulton, Missouri.

They combine more than 150 years of academic excellence with a student-centered, service-oriented educational environment, and their convenient, 8-week courses offer flexibility and affordable tuition.

Whether you’re looking to widen your horizons through an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, working toward career goals that require a graduate degree, or you’re interested in transferring college credit to complete your degree – Woods Global can help you reach your goals in an affordable, accredited, supportive online learning environment.

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11. Lindsey Wilson College

Tuition: Undergraduate – $447/credit hour, Graduate – $510/credit hour

Accreditation: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Lindsey Online College is a flexible, accredited adult education option that makes it easier to pursue a degree while balancing work and family obligations. Founded in 1903, the online college offers rolling admissions. This means aspiring students with official transcripts can apply throughout the year. They offer degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Lindsey Wilson College is one of the online colleges with no application fee.

Students who want to pursue an online bachelor’s degree should apply as soon as feasible. This will maximize funding chances and provide the best possible academic schedule. However, financial assistance packages that include scholarship money may only be granted after students apply to and are accepted by Lindsey Wilson.

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12. Indiana Wesleyan University

Tuition: $31,168

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to impacting the world through character, scholarship, and leadership development. They are a non-profit, regionally recognized online and onsite educational institution with locations in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Indiana Wesleyan University is one of the pioneers of distance learning, so they understand what works in an online learning environment. Classes at IWU are tailored to your needs. There’s no need to put your life on hold to get your degree. IWU’s online education is adaptable and designed to meet your busy schedule.

They have 160+ online degrees at IWU.

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13. Rhodes College

Tuition: $54,082 

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and School

Rhodes Institution is a private liberal arts institution known for its online degree offerings. It has long been associated with the Presbyterian Church. The institution is now also one of our best online colleges. Students interested in applying to Rhodes may do so at any time following the completion of their junior year of high school by utilizing the Common Application. Although admission to Rhodes is tough, there is no application fee for first-year or transfer students. The institution is a member of the Associated Schools of the South, as are many other online schools and universities in this ranking.

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14. Madonna University

Tuition: Undergraduate – $525/credit

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Whether you’re pursuing your education on a traditional campus or online, Madonna University is one of the cheapest online colleges you can think of. At Madonna, you’ll get a high-quality, affordable education as well as exceptional support. From the minute you enroll, the whole Madonna University community will be available to assist you reach your objectives, from academic and career counselors to professors to our network of successful alumni.

Madonna’s online degree programs are 100% online with an application fee waiver. They offer online courses in criminal justice and law, education, nursing and health sciences, arts and humanities, business, etc

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15. Baker University

Tuition: $420/credit hour

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

Baker University offers flexible, accelerated online degree and certificate programs, making online education more accessible. Their online degree programs meet not only the demands of the evolving workforce but also the needs of students who have limited time to earn a degree.

They offer online bachelor’s degrees, master’s degree, doctoral degree, and graduate business certificates. One amazing thing about this cheap online college is the fact that you don’t have to pay an application fee to apply.

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What Are The Admission Requirements For Online Colleges?

The admission requirements for online colleges may include submitting transcripts, standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. The absence of an application fee does not typically affect the standard admission criteria.

Here’s a rundown of the admission requirements for online colleges:

• High school transcript and/or diploma
• College transcript (for transfer, graduate, or postgraduate applicants)
• Admission exam reports stating SAT or ACT scores
• Personal essays or statements
• Letters of recommendation
• Lists of extracurricular activities and awards
• Portfolio of work (especially for art and design students)

Do Online Colleges Offer Scholarships?

Most online colleges without an application fee offer scholarships and financial aid options to help students cover their educational expenses. These can include merit-based scholarships, need-based grants, work-study programs, and loans. It’s recommended to explore the financial aid options available at each institution you are considering and to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid programs.

Is An Online College Application Different From A Traditional College Application?

Online college applications closely resemble those of traditional schools, with minimal distinctions between the admission processes for online and on-campus programs. While certain programs may require more comprehensive details than others, the variation in admission criteria is evident across different colleges. Some institutions maintain stringent criteria, while others adopt a more inclusive approach, admitting a broad range of applicants regardless of the mode of course delivery.

For high school graduates seeking admission to any college, there are standard requirements to fulfill. These typically involve submitting personal information and details related to the chosen program of study. Additionally, students may be required to submit official scores from standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT. Moreover, the submission of various supporting documents may be necessary, including but not limited to:

• An essay
• Letters of recommendation
• A transcript from high school
• Their most recent GPA, etc

Many colleges offer open admissions and waive application fees for their online programs, presenting a less rigorous admissions process that welcomes a wider spectrum of students. The application procedures, however, differ significantly from one institution and degree program to another. For instance, distinct applications may be required for online bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Online education is particularly appealing to nontraditional students who have commitments conflicting with the structure of traditional colleges. Online courses provide greater flexibility, allowing students more independence compared to traditional classes. Despite this flexibility, students must still invest considerable effort to excel, addressing and preparing for demanding coursework.

FAQs On Online Colleges Without Application Fee

Conclusion

Before applying to any of the online colleges, ensure you contact the institution’s admissions or enrollment advisors to guide you through the admissions process and point them to any financial aid programs available.

References

• pearsonaccelerated.com – Why Choose Online College?
• collegevaluesonline.com – 20 Accredited Online Colleges No Application Fee 2023

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