You probably already know that law school is a rather expensive investment.
It provides a lot of possibilities and opportunities, so you should be well informed about the associated costs before deciding in which direction to go.
Most law school programs require a four-year degree.
Many students attend subjects such as English, history, philosophy, government, and others.
The American Bar Association (ABA) states that “a wide range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is an excellent preparation for legal education.”
Some undergraduate programs offer pre-law advising.
This can give you a better picture of what your career might look like.
To apply to law school, you must pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
Reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning are graded on the exam.
The Juris Doctorate (J.D.) is already a traditional three-year study that students most often attend.
In order to gain the right to take the bar exam and the status of a lawyer, this is required.
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Average Costs
Tuition fees for law schools depend on the type of institution and the place where you study.
Of course, all programs have their advantages, but as far as tuition is concerned, you will pay a higher price in private colleges than in public ones.
Also, the price varies for residents and non-residents.
According to the U.S. News, the average tuition and fees at private law schools in the 2020/21 academic year are $51,268.
Columbia University (NY) has the highest tuition of $74,995.
The University of Tulsa (OK) has the lowest tuition of $26,698 for the full-time program in 2020/21.
The average tuition and fees at public law school in 2020/21, for state residents, are $29,074.
The University of Virginia has the highest tuition of $65,500.
University of the District of Columbia (Clarke) has the lowest tuition of $13,438.
Out-of-state students will pay in average $42,143.
The highest tuition for the out-of-state students applies University of Virginia, $68,500.
At the Northern Illinois University is the lowest tuition for the out-of-state residents and it costs $22,082.
To sum up, over three years, a law student can expect to pay anywhere from $84,792 (in-state, public school) to $148,644 (private school) and up.
According to the BLS, the median salary of the layer is $126,930 per year or $61.03 per hour, in 2020.
Additional Costs
Cost of law school attendance includes more than tuition and fees.
According to the Education Data, you will pay on average $22,737 per year for living expenses.
You may pay between $1,000 and $2,500 per year for books and supplies.
For example, in addition to the tuition of $30,160 (Virginia residents) and $44,600 (non-residents), William&Mary Law School charges $600 for law school fees, $5,848 for university fees (non-residents $6,420), $19,800 for living allowance, and $1,750 for books, in 2021/22.
The health insurance also depends on the school and it can cost between $500 and $2,000.
The average cost of a bar exam ranges from $200 to $1,500.
To keep up with your classes, you will likely need a good laptop.
If you don’t live on campus, you’ll need to get to school and pay for parking in a garage per academic year or semester..
Alternatively, you could take public transportation if it’s available.
Simply, your transportation expenses will be higher the further you are from your school.
Discounts
One form of financial aid for law students is conditional scholarships.
They are awarded to students based on a good grade point average and success.
There are a lot of Law school scholarships that you can look for at SCHOLARSHIPS.COM.
Also, as a Law Student Division member, you are eligible to apply for a many of law student awards and scholarships sponsored by various ABA specialty entities.
Law School Admission Council lists a large number of law scholarships for eligible students.
