The amount varies from place to place, and at some institutions the fee can be waived under certain circumstances. Check with the schools in which you are interested to determine the amount of the fee and inquire about waivers if needed. Applicants with non-US college work may pay an additional fee to cover the cost of evaluating their educational credentials. Check the instructions that come with the application form carefully . You may be asked to send different required items to different offices at different times.
Test scores are often important as well.
Professional or research experience in the field also carries weight. You should ask at the schools you are considering what their criteria are, and what weight each criterion carries in their evaluation. How soon you submit all required materials plays a big role in how long the process takes. In applying for graduate study, you take on a great deal of responsibility for getting the application and supporting materials where they need to go. You are also responsible for the supporting materials like letters of recommendation, writing samples, et cetera.