Law School Cost: Tuition, Fees & Total Price

Law school is priced in two ways that are easy to mix up: a yearly figure and a three-year total. Add the difference between public and private schools, and between state residents and nonresidents, and a single number can mislead. This guide separates those pieces so you can see what you would pay.

The data comes from 7Sage's analysis of the American Bar Association's Standard 509 disclosures, which every accredited law school must publish, plus a cost-of-attendance range from Stetson Law. Figures were checked Oct 12, 2026. Tuition changes each year, and schools publish their own current numbers.

The average for a three-year J.D. at an ABA-accredited school is $215,105, according to 7Sage. That total includes tuition, fees, and living expenses over three years. It does not include interest on loans, and it is an average across public and private schools, so your total may be well above or below it.

Tuition and fees are the bill the school sends. Living costs come on top.

Public schools charge state residents less than nonresidents. The resident figure above is for in-state students at public schools, and it sits well under the all-school average. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency, and they pull the overall average up. Sources that look only at private schools report higher yearly figures.

The cost of attendance is the number financial aid offices use to set borrowing limits. It includes tuition, housing, food, books, transportation, and health insurance.

Living expenses depend on the city. A school in a large coastal metro generally has a higher housing budget than one in a smaller market. If you plan to live with family or share housing, your actual spending may be lower than the school's estimate. Multiply the yearly cost of attendance by three for a rough total, and then adjust for any scholarships.

Prices between schools vary widely. Here are the lowest and highest three-year totals in the 7Sage data.

These two schools mark the ends of the range, not what most students pay. The gap shows why comparing schools one by one matters more than relying on an average.

Different sources report different tuition numbers because they measure different groups of schools.

One source averages private schools only, while another uses all ABA schools. Years also differ, and a one-year gap can change the figure. Check what each number covers before you compare.

• Public or private. Public in-state tuition is usually lower.
• Residency. Nonresidents at public schools pay more.
• Scholarships. Many schools offer merit awards that reduce the sticker price, and the awarded amount can differ from student to student.
• Location. Housing is the biggest part of living costs.
• Length of study. Part-time and evening programs may spread out costs differently.
• Interest. Borrowed money grows with interest over the life of the loan.

Start with each school's ABA 509 disclosure, which lists tuition, fees, and the school's own cost of attendance. Look at the scholarship data in the same report to see how many students receive awards and how large they tend to be. Use the net price, not the sticker price, when you compare. Federal student aid information is available from the U.S. Department of Education at studentaid.gov. For decisions about borrowing, talk to a financial aid officer or a licensed financial adviser.

The gap between the resident public figure of $33,208 and the all-school average of $52,801 per year is large enough to change which schools are realistic. Over three years, it adds up to a difference of tens of thousands of dollars before living costs. That does not make a public school the better pick on its own. Scholarship offers can narrow the gap, so compare the net price each school offers you rather than the posted rate.

The cost of attendance for a year runs $70,000 – $85,000, according to Stetson Law. Tuition is only part of that. Bar exam preparation and application fees come after graduation and fall outside the three-year total, so add them to your own plan. Check what your target schools estimate for books, fees, and health insurance, and ask whether they offer a lower-cost housing option.