MBA Application Fees - Top 25 schools

Question

For those preparing for the MBA apps coming up soon, thought the application fees for the Top 50 schools would be useful in the planning process, especially for us who are applying to a lot of schools.

Rank School Application Fee
1 Harvard 250
2 Stanford 265
3 U Penn 265
4 MIT 250
5 Northwestern 250
6 U Chicago 200
7 Berkeley 200
8 Columbia 250
9 Dartmouth 225
10 Yale 225
11 NYU 225
12 Duke 225
13 U Michigan 200
14 UVA 215
15 UCLA 200
16 Cornell 200
17 UT Austin 175
18 Carnegie Mellon 100
19 Emory 150
20 UNC 145
21 USC 150
22 Wash U Free
23 Indiana 75
24 Georgetown 175
25 Ohio St 60

For those looking beyond the US News top 25, I have the top 50 posted here for reference: https://sleeplessinmba.weebly.com/blog.html

kingfalcon · Answer

If only I could apply through the Consortium. *sigh*

RoyHalladay · Answer

Some of the top schools generate millions just from app fees, not to mention the insane tuition costs.

The application process is expensive as it is for those of us here in the US...I can only imagine how tough it is for international students. For some applicants a few thousand spent on apps, prep material, exams, essay fees, travel, etc isn't a big deal. But I imagine for some, especially international applicants, this is a HUGE investment.

Out of curiosity, my question for international applicants, especially from India, how are you able to afford the entire process--including financing your education? US $2,000 is over INR 100,000. From what I know, this is a significant amount of money for the average person in India.

asimov · Answer

Note: Duke - Fuqua offers  application fee reduction  if you go to an admission event, which takes place across the world. The cost is only  $125 .

tcepicnightwithgmat · Answer

Thanks asimov for the note on Duke. FYI - Georgetown does the same thing (well at least last year) - if you go to Experience Georgetown (one day class, info session, and tour) you get a fee reduction to $100. I went last year and would say it is worth it to go if you are local to DC area.

arunpanda22 · Answer

The answer to your question for international applicants is 3 words- save and plan. this is one big reason why lots of Indians inspite of scoring high on GMAT do not apply to international school but limit themselves to Indian schools accepting GMAT. people who do venture keep aside atleast 2-300000 INR to just give GMAT and apply. this is also one reason 99% of Indian applicants cant afford consultants.

manavecplan · Answer

It's like another poster said: you save, save and save. Also, INR 100, 000 is really not that big a deal. Now, it's not everyone's monthly salary but you're not exactly selling the family jewels either. It's hard for most students based out of India, sure, but the way I figure it: if you can't pony up for USD 2K, the average tuition of USD 100K will break your back! Like you correctly said, we view it as an investment. You put in some(or a lot, depending on perspective) now, you get a lot later. Risk-adjusted, of course... :-D

MBACHANGE · Answer

America MBAs is too costly for Indians // look at Europe and Singapore .. Copenhagen has No application fee and also ESMT

executionist · Answer

For an Indian MBA candidate, with no tuition waiver (and no loan), total expense would be around INR 8 Million. 
We have to save big-time while working. Plus, a lot of us also take financial help from parents (like chunk of their savings, or selling a real estate asset)

niksworth · Answer

It depends on the answer to the classic question - "Why MBA and why this school?" And the truth, not the fancy mask that we wear to serenade the adcom.

What are my goals, how do I prioritize them and how do I plan to achieve them? How does a B-school fit in the picture? Do I really wants to change the world as I say I want to or I really just need to escape the dreariness of my daily life? Is business my passion or just the means to buy the hottest car that has caught my fancy? Am I or do I want to be more than the proper nouns on my resume?

If one has a clear understanding and has answers to these questions, then the MBA decision, and the gargantuan investment that it entails, is a no-brainer really. Unfortunately, it easier said than done. Especially for a majority of us Indians, who are at a different level in the development cycle than much of the world.

executionist · Answer

So true. But then if you want to get laid, after paying 250$ in application fees, you'll have to serenade the lady And at our level in the economic development cycle, not everyone is into 'financial services', 'consulting' or ohh.. whats that term.. yes.. 'adding value to clients' processes' :wink:

niksworth · Answer

Agreed. But the thing is you aren't paying $250, more like investing $150,000. So you better be sure that the lady is indeed the love of your life, not just the hottest babe of the day. If its the latter, well you know how such things turn out

executionist · Answer

Revisited this post after a really long time !! niksworth, Heartiest congratulations on your Tuck admit :-D

Doing any R2 apps ? or Matriculating at Tuck ?

aerien · Answer

If you happen to be really lucky, this year Yale and NYU did drawings at information sessions for fee reimbursements. If your name gets drawn, then your application fee is ultimately $0 (generally, you have to pay first and then get reimbursed...but still, that's a FREE application!)

worthyiiv · Answer

my notre dame(#25) application fee was waived as a "prefered candidate" and Vanderbilt is not requiring an application fee this year fyi

executionist · Answer

worthyiiv & aerian

Thanks for that sharing that info!
Future applicants will be able to plan their application expenses better with that knowledge

mrecon · Answer

Hey guys is there an updated version? also any app fee waivers?

pikolo2510 · Answer

hello Guys,

Is there an updated version of this list?

MBA Application Fees - Top 25 schools

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