If you’re dreaming of becoming a lawyer, you’ve probably asked yourself this big, looming question at least once: How much does law school cost?
The short answer? It’s not cheap. But the real answer is a little more complicated—and of course, we need to throw in an “It depends,” in there too. Let’s break it down so you can start planning smarter and stressing less.
The Average Cost of Law School in the U.S.
Let’s start with the big picture: the average cost of law school. The price of a law degree isn’t a single, fixed number. It varies dramatically based on whether you attend a public or private institution and whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student.
- Average total cost of law school: $217,480 (according to the Education Data Initiative)
- Average yearly tuition for private law schools: $57,927 (according to LawHub)
- Average yearly tuition for public law schools (in-state): $31,542 (according to LawHub)
Private law schools are generally more expensive than public law schools, but in-state residents often pay less tuition at their public schools than out-of-state students.
Further Reading
💰 The Cheapest Law Schools in the United States (2025 Guide)
Hidden (and Not-So-Hidden) Costs Beyond Tuition
Tuition is just the tip of the iceberg. When you’re budgeting for law school, you need to think about the total cost of attendance (COA). This is a comprehensive estimate provided by the school that includes tuition, fees, and living expenses. These expenses can add tens of thousands of dollars to your budget per year. Here are some other major expenses you should plan for when budgeting for and thinking about the cost of law school.
1. Fees
These aren’t always included in your tuition estimate, but they can add up quickly, and many are mandatory:
- Technology fees
- Student activity fees
- Library or research fees
- Health insurance
💰 Estimated costs: $1,500+ per year
2. Books and Supplies
Law school textbooks are no joke. A single casebook can run you $200+ and you’ll need multiple per semester. And if your professor wrote a book, then you better believe you’ll need to get that too!
💡 Estimated cost: $1,200+ per year
3. Living Expenses
Whether you live on campus, off-campus, or at home, you’ll need to account for:
- Rent or housing
- Utilities
- Groceries
- Transportation
- Entertainment (because contrary to popular belief, you won’t [and shouldn’t] be studying 24/7)
💰 Estimated costs: $15,000+ per year (varies a lot based on location and living situation)
4. Bar Exam Preparation and Fees
Even though it comes after law school, you’ll want to prepare financially for:
- Bar prep courses
- Bar exam fees
- Living expenses while studying (some students still don’t work full-time while studying for the bar)
💰 Estimated costs: $5,000+
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How To Pay for Law School
Good news: very few students pay the full sticker price. The vast majority of law students receive some form of financial assistance—be it scholarships, grants, or loans.
1. Law School Scholarships and Grants
Many law schools offer scholarships and/or grants based on different factors, including academic performance and/or financial need. Merit-based scholarships focus on an applicant’s LSAT score, GPA, or other achievements. Law school scholarships can cover partial or full tuition or even the full cost of attendance.
💡 Pro tip: A higher LSAT score can translate directly into thousands of dollars in savings.
Further Reading
💰 7 Law School Scholarships You Need to Apply For
2. Outside Scholarships
Look beyond the law schools themselves. Professional organizations, state and county bar associations, and private foundations offer scholarships specifically for law students. You’ll have to do some research and apply for these on your own but they could shave off a significant amount from your COA.
💡 Pro tip: Blueprint LSAT gives away one $20,000 law school scholarship every year!
3. Student Loans
For most students, student loans will be a significant part of their financial plan. The key is to borrow smartly and strategically. Students can take out federal loans (with fixed interest rates) or private loans (terms and interest rates will vary). Each type of loan has its pros and cons and its own repayment options.
Further Reading
💰 The Types of Law School Loans
💰 We Read The Big Beautiful Bill So You Don’t Have To: Top Takeaways For Future Law Students
4. Work-study Jobs
First-year law students are often discouraged from working since they’re still getting acclimated. However, law schools do offer work-study jobs to help offset expenses. These jobs are typically on-campus and can provide valuable work experience as well as some extra income.
Tips to Save on Law School Costs
Here are a few ways you can make the law school price tag a bit more manageable:
1. Consider the Full Cost of Attendance
When comparing law schools, consider the Cost of Attendance (COA), which includes tuition and estimated living expenses. Some schools might have higher tuition but offer more affordable housing or better financial aid.
2. Crush Your LSAT
Law schools take their rankings seriously. They want to attract the best talent and brightest minds. So, they’re more likely to offer a better financial aid package (i.e. scholarships) to students with competitive stats. While your GPA might be fixed, you can still focus on getting a high LSAT score. Just a few points can push you into a higher scoring percentile and earn you thousands of dollars in scholarship money.
3. Negotiate Your Aid Package
Yes, you can do this! If one school offers you a scholarship, another might match it if you ask. We give you some tips on how to do so successfully in this blog.
4. Consider a Part-time or In-state Program
Some law schools offer part-time programs, which allow you to break up the tuition payments into more manageable chunks. Alternatively, you might prefer a more affordable full-time in-state law school.
Final Thoughts
There’s no getting around the high cost of law school. However, with careful planning, strategic borrowing, and a strong LSAT score, you can make this investment a bit more manageable without it becoming a massive burden. In fact, with the right strategy, you can make law school work for you.
If you want to maximize your chances of admission and scholarships, it’s worth investing in solid LSAT prep and applying strategically. Blueprint LSAT students increase their LSAT scores by 15 points on average. Whether you want the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, prefer to navigate the LSAT with instructors in a Live Course or 170+ Course, or even private LSAT tutoring, we have the study method that fits your learning style.
