Key Takeaways:
- A law degree costs $217,480 on average in 2024, and the price increases every year.
- Affordable law schools include Southern University, University of South Dakota, and CUNY School of Law.
- Complete the FAFSA, score well on the LSAT, and apply for scholarships to further lower the cost.
Going to college is expensive, and law school is no exception. On average, students spend $217,480 to earn their Juris Doctor (JD) in three years – or $72,493 a year. However, there are plenty of institutions that fall below these averages, making them highly affordable options for future law students. We’ve put together a list of 10 affordable law schools and highlighted some tips to help you keep expenses even lower.
How Much Does Law School Cost?
On average, the total cost of law school in 2024 was $217,480, which includes living expenses, such as room and board. That’s about $72,493 per year. The mean tuition was $138,088, or $46,029 per year.
The cost of law school has increased steadily over the past 30 years. If the current trend conditions, tuition will be $49,297 on average for the 2025-26 academic year. It might reach $51,016 in 2026-27.
Rising prices could be due to higher faculty salaries, expanded clinics, decreased funding, an increase in provided services, high demand with limited seats, and lower student-to-faculty ratios.
Can I Receive Financial Aid for Law School?
Yes, you can receive financial aid for law school.
First, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which makes you eligible for state grants, institutional aid, and federal student loans, including the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS, which requires a credit check.
Law schools may offer need-based financial aid, but they could be loans rather than grants. Many institutional aid packages are based on merit. The better your application, the more likely you’ll receive one of these grants or scholarships. You might have to maintain a certain GPA to continue receiving the award. In some cases, you can even negotiate for higher merit scholarships.
There are also many independent scholarships through organizations, businesses, and individuals designed to help future law and graduate students afford their education. Use a scholarship database to uncover awards you qualify for.
In addition, you can apply for private loans through financial institutions, such as banks or credit unions. However, these loans require a credit check and tend to have higher interest rates than federal student loans. Private loans also have fewer repayment and protection policies should you struggle to pay the money back.
Most Affordable Law Schools
Below, we’ve put together a list of just some of the most affordable law schools in the United States. Each has a listed annual tuition and fees range for full-time students or the school’s costs per credit. These totals don’t include books, supplies, transportation, room and board, and other related expenses.
We’ve also included schools’ 2024 acceptance rates, along with the average accepted unweighted GPA and LSAT score, listed on the institutions’ American Bar Association (ABA) Standard 509 Information Reports.
1. SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Law school acceptance rate: 62.9%
- Average GPA: 3.15
- Average LSAT: 146
- Tuition & fees: $17,834 – $32,974
For the 2025-26 academic year, in-state tuition and fees at the Southern University Law Center are $17,834 for full-time students taking 12 credits each semester. You’ll pay slightly more for additional credits.
Out-of-state students pay a flat rate of $15,000 above in-state resident prices. So, if you took 12 credits, it’s at least $32,974.
First years also need to pay $798 in additional fees for live text, Bar prep, and Modern Law Certification.
2. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH DAKOTA
- Location: Vermillion, SD
- Law school acceptance rate: 65.6%
- Average GPA: 3.55
- Average LSAT: 152
- Tuition & fees: $17,113 – $26,170
The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law breaks down their payment schedule in three different ways.
Full-time students (12 credits or more) who are South Dakota residents pay $17,113 for tuition and fees per year. If you receive a 150 or higher on the LSAT, you also pay the in-state rate.
Nonresidents’ tuition is $37,221. However, you might qualify for the SD Advantage Rate – $26,170 – if you reside in and earned your bachelor’s degree in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.
3. UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
- Location: Washington, DC
- Law school acceptance rate: 37.1%
- Average GPA: 3.18
- Average LSAT: 150
- Tuition & fees: $13,438 – $25,874
For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time D.C. residents pay approximately $13,438 in tuition and fees to attend the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.
Metropolitan area residents’ tuition and fees are $19,656, and non-residents pay $25,874. You only have to live in the area for 90 consecutive days to be considered a resident.
4. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
- Location: Houston, TX
- Law school acceptance rate: 35.6%
- Average GPA: 3.21
- Average LSAT: 150
- Tuition & fees: $21,038 – $28,168
The Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University is $21,038 in tuition and fees for in-state residents during the 2025-26 academic year. The total cost of attendance (COA), with room and board, books, transportation, and more, is $49,822.
Out-of-state students pay $28,167.71 for tuition and fees – or a $56,951.71 total COA.
5. NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
- Location: Durham, NC
- Law school acceptance rate: 32%
- Average GPA: 3.41
- Average LSAT: 150
- Tuition & fees: $18,808 – $41,480
The North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law annual tuition and fees cost $18,808 for in-state residents and $41,480 for out-of-state students. The total 2025-26 COA ranges from $45,563 to $68,208.
6. CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW
- Location: Long Island City, New York
- Law school acceptance rate: 40.3%
- Average GPA: 3.44
- Average LSAT: 154
- Tuition & fees: $16,012.90 – $26,202.90
Full-time (12 to 16 credits) in-state students at the City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law pay $16,012.90 in tuition and fees. Non-residents spend $26,202.90 per academic year.
7. BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
- Location: Provo, UT
- Law school acceptance rate: 27.8%
- Average GPA: 3.92
- Average LSAT: 168
- Tuition & fees: $15,528 – $31,056
The Brigham Young University (BYU) J. Reuben Clark Law School (JRCB) breaks up tuition rates based on religion. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent $15,528 on tuition for the 2024-25 academic year. Non-members paid $31,056.
8. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
- Location: Grand Forks, ND
- Law school acceptance rate: 52.2%
- Average GPA: 3.46
- Average LSAT: 150
- Tuition & fees: $667.80 – $1,258.32 per credit
The University of North Dakota (UND) School of Law displays its costs per credit. For the 2025-26 academic year, North Dakota residents pay $667.80 per credit, which covers tuition and fees. Non-residents spend $1,258.32 per credit.
Additional costs include books, supplies, personal expenses, and room and board, which UND estimates at $18,482.
9. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
- Location: Fayetteville, AR
- Law school acceptance rate: 28%
- Average GPA: 3.63
- Average LSAT: 156
- Tuition & fees: $18,636 – $41,506
For the 2024-25 academic year, in-state law students at the University of Arkansas paid $18,636 in tuition and fees. Non-residents spent $41,506.80. These prices are based on 15 credit hours per semester, so your total would be different if you took 12 or 18 credits.
10. UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE – KNOXVILLE
- Location: Knoxville, TN
- Law school acceptance rate: 26.3%
- Average GPA: 3.82
- Average LSAT: 163
- Tuition & fees: $20,508 – $39,252
For the 2025-25 academic year, in-state students attending the Winston College of Law at the University of Tennessee spent $20,508 on fees. Out-of-state law students paid $39,252.
The total COA for in-state students was $45,524 – or $64,268 for non-residents.
How To Make Law School More Affordable
Even going to an affordable law school can be out of financial range for students. Here are some tips to lower the cost further:
- Apply for financial aid. Complete the FAFSA and state financial applications. Apply for scholarships and grants.
- Score well on the LSAT. It’s not just about your acceptance chances. A high LSAT score can net you scholarships or an in-state rate as an out-of-state student.
- Go to a school in your home state. Law school costs can be tens of thousands more for out-of-state students.
- Look for state reciprocity programs. Some universities offer lower rates to students from select nearby states.
- Ask about tuition reimbursement. Some employers will pay for you to go to law school. Others help cover your loans if you’re hired after you graduate.
- Negotiate your offers. If you received a much better financial aid offer from one law school, you can ask another institution to match it. Ask politely, but remember that there’s no guarantee they will give you more aid.
With a proactive approach, you can make law school more affordable. These 10 examples are a great starting point, but you might find a better deal at another institution depending on your financial aid offers and state residency.
Ready to start exploring law schools that fit your budget and goals? Use College Match today for free.
