Application costs and how many unis should you apply to

[Hafsa]

Is there an estimate for how much a single application to a US/European university will cost? Also, are waivers commonly offered? If so, where exactly?
And lastly, given that the application process can be expensive and time consuming, how many unis should one apply to ideally?

[ihsanqazi]

In the US, application fees typically range from $50 to $100 per application. In Europe, many universities, particularly in Germany and the Nordic countries (e.g., Sweden, Norway), have low or no application fees. When fees exist, they range from €50 to €100.

Fee waivers are more commonly offered by US universities, particularly for applicants who demonstrate financial need. In contrast, fee waivers are less common in European universities. One should check directly with universities for availability of such waivers.

The ideal number of universities to apply to varies based on individual circumstances, but in my experience, targeting 8-12 universities is usually sufficient.