Average Cost of Attending Law School

The average cost of attending law school ranges from $15,433 to $49,312 per year, depending on the institution, financial aid and scholarships, according to data from Law School Transparency. Public law schools have a net tuition of approximately $15,433, whereas private law schools average $29,672 after deductions. Notably, 78% of students receive financial aid or scholarship discounts, so the upfront "sticker price" might not reflect the true financial commitment for the majority.

Two key concepts are at the forefront of tuition consideration: nominal and net costs. Both offer distinct insights into the financial demands of pursuing a legal education for any prospective law student. Here is what what each term means when paying for college:

Nominal vs. Net Tuition:

• Nominal Tuition: The official, front-facing cost of attending school for one academic year, not accounting for any financial aid or scholarships.
• Net Tuition: Net tuition deducts scholarships, grants and other aid from the nominal tuition, providing a better estimate of what students will actually pay.

Public and private law schools showed an upward trend in nominal tuition between 2012 and 2020. However, net tuition has fluctuated. This difference indicates that although law schools raised their starting tuition, they also increased opportunities for financial relief.

Understanding the financial landscape of public law schools requires a deep dive into both nominal and net tuition trends over recent years.

Nominal Tuition Trends for Public Law School

Between 2012–13 and 2019–20, nominal tuition for public law schools rose consistently, starting at $22,933 and increasing to $28,186. This represents a 23% increase over the eight-year period. Such a consistent upward trajectory suggests that the officially listed prices of attending public law schools have been rising steadily, perhaps due to factors such as inflation, increased operational costs or strategic institutional decisions.

Net Tuition Trends for Public Law School

Net tuition shows a divergent pattern. Starting at $17,736 in 2012–13, it gradually decreased to its lowest in 2018–19 at $15,203, representing a 13% decline. However, there was a slight rebound to $15,433 in 2019–20. This widening gap between nominal and net tuitions highlights that institutions are offering more financial concessions despite increasing official fees. Such a trend might indicate a commitment from public law schools to maintain accessibility and attract diverse candidates, especially those who might be dissuaded by the higher sticker price.

Considering both nominal and net tuition dynamics over recent years is also helpful in understanding the true cost of attending a private law school.

Nominal Tuition Trends for Private Law School

From 2012–13 to 2019–20, private law schools saw a clear upward trajectory in nominal tuition, with costs rising from $40,634 to $49,312. This 21% increase over the eight-year period signals the growing financial demands or strategic pricing decisions associated with private legal education. This rise can potentially be attributed to factors like enhanced academic offerings and infrastructural developments.

Net Tuition Trends for Private Law School

Although nominal tuition consistently rose, net tuition saw a more varied trend. Beginning at $31,272 in 2012–13, it dipped to a low of $28,755 in the 2016–17 year before reaching $29,672 in 2019–20. The widening gap between these two tuition metrics accentuates that private institutions are increasing financial concessions amidst rising prices, perhaps an effort by private law schools to maintain competitiveness and appeal.

For the 2019–20 academic year, only 22% of students paid the total tuition costs for law school. In contrast, 78% benefitted from tuition concessions. According to Law School Transparency, these reductions primarily hinged on merit factors, such as LSAT scores and GPA. Need-based discounts, though increasingly uncommon, also played a role. It is worth noting that some of these tuition discounts come with conditions, making them subject to annual re-evaluation and not assured for the entirety of a student's pursuit of their law degree.

MoneyGeek addresses the most pressing questions about law school costs to help you better understand the financial landscape of legal education.

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