Guide to Grad School Application Fees

Q: How much do Ivy League applications cost?

Ivy League applications typically cost somewhere around $75 to $85. Check with your specific program of interest to find out its application fee.

Q: How do I get a fee waiver for graduate applications?

Speak with your school’s financial aid office to see if it offers a fee waiver for graduate applications. If it does, a financial aid administrator can tell you what requirements you’ll need to meet to get one.

Q: Why do grad schools charge application fees?

Graduate schools charge application fees to cover the costs of reviewing the applications. Schools may receive hundreds or thousands of applications and only accept a small percentage of students. Charging application fees might also help ensure that only students who are serious about attending apply.

Rebecca SafierUpdated January 6, 2025

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The average cost of a Master’s degree is $63,000, but the costs of attending graduate school start adding up even before tuition is due. Most schools charge a fee to apply for graduate programs, and that fee ranges from around $50 to $170. Besides application fees, you might also have to pay for exams, such as the GRE or LSAT, travel expenses to visit campuses, and a deposit to hold your place in the class. Read on to learn more about grad school application fees plus tips for affording the cost.

How Much Are Grad School Applications?

The cost of applying to graduate school varies depending on the school and program you’re interested in. You can expect to pay somewhere between $50 and $170 per application. It’s typically recommended to apply to four to six graduate programs. So, assuming you apply to five programs, you’re looking at application costs ranging from around $250 to $850.

Getting a Grad School Application Fee Waiver

If the graduate application fee presents a barrier for you, you might be able to get a fee waiver. Some schools will waive fees for students with financial need. Reach out to the school’s financial aid office to learn about your options. You may be required to submit documentation of financial hardship in order to qualify. If you receive a waiver, you’ll be able to apply to the program without having to pay the typical application fee. The financial aid office might also be able to provide a waiver for testing fees if you have to take the GRE or another graduate school exam. Grad school application fees are just the beginning, since the program itself will likely cost significantly more in tuition. Coming up with a financial plan for paying for graduate school at the outset may keep you from scrambling to cover costs. For instance, FAFSA for grad school may be a resource for federal student aid options.

Ways to Pay for Grad School Applications

Between graduate applications, exams, and campus visits, and moving expenses, the costs of applying to graduate school can be significant. Apart from pursuing fee waivers, here are some potential ways to cover these expenses.

Savings

Considering you might need to think about refinancing graduate school student loans at some point, you probably don’t want to incur debt to pay for applying to grad school. If possible, cover the costs of applications, exams, and campus visits from your savings.

Part-time Job

If you don’t have enough money on hand to cover the costs, consider online jobs for college students or a side hustle to earn extra income. Driving for a ride-sharing service, tutoring online, or pet sitting could be potential ways to make extra cash to cover the expenses of applying to grad school.

The Takeaway

Graduate school applications typically cost between $50 and $170, depending on the programs and schools you’re applying to. Along with applications, you may also need to pay for exams, travel expenses, and other costs along the way. Some schools offer fee waivers that will cover part or all of your application and exam fees. Reach out to the school’s financial aid office to find out about your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Ivy League applications cost?

How do I get a fee waiver for graduate applications?

Why do grad schools charge application fees?

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About the Author

Rebecca Safier

Rebecca Safier has nearly a decade of experience writing about personal finance. Formerly a senior writer with LendingTree and Student Loan Hero, she specializes in student loans, financial aid, and personal loans. She is certified as a student loan counselor with the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors (NACCC).

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