collageLaw school can be expensive, especially if you’re looking for a private institution that offers the kind of prestige you want. However, it doesn’t have to be. There are many affordable options available, including those located in Illinois. This guide explores the details of Cheap Law Schools In Illinois, cheapest law schools, online law school illinois, illinois law school ranking and university of illinois law school tuition.
There are many different law schools in the state of Illinois. The University of Illinois, Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale all have law schools that offer undergraduate degrees, as well as graduate programs for those who want to pursue a career in law. Each school has its own unique features and costs associated with attending classes. Read on to know more about Cheap Law Schools In Illinois, cheapest law schools, online law school illinois, illinois law school ranking and university of illinois law school tuition.
Illinois has a number of law schools that are ranked within the top 100 in the country, which means they offer an excellent education and experience for students. The average tuition for these schools is about $35,000 per year—which is significantly less than most other schools in the area.
The University of Illinois College of Law (UICL) is one of these institutions and has been ranked as high as #8 on the list of best law schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report (USNWR).
The university’s website also states that there are over 500 alumni who hold government positions at all levels throughout Illinois, including judgeships on local courts and even the Supreme Court of Illinois itself!
If you’re interested in attending law school or want more information about how to do so affordably, consider taking advantage of these programs today!
Cheap Law Schools In Illinois
We begin with Cheap Law Schools In Illinois, then cheapest law schools, online law school illinois, illinois law school ranking and university of illinois law school tuition.
9 Illinois Law Schools Statistics
The average tuition & fees of 9 Illinois law schools are $46,103 for state residents and $48,126 for out-of-state students for academic year 2021-2022. The average GPA of the schools is 3.49 and the average LSAT score is 158. The average acceptance rate is 43.29%.
- University of Chicago Law School has the highest tuition & fees of $67,899 and Northern Illinois University College of Law has the lowest tuition & fees of $24,528.
- University of Chicago Law School has the highest LSAT score of 170 and Southern Illinois University School of Law has the lowest score of 149.
- University of Chicago Law School has the highest GPA of 3.90 and The John Marshall Law School has the lowest GPA of 3.22.
- Northwestern University School of Law has the tightest (lowest) acceptance rate of 18.01% and The John Marshall Law School has the lowest rate of 61.57%.
- The John Marshall Law School has the most enrolled first-year students of 332 and Southern Illinois University School of Law has the least enrolled students of 85.
DePaul University College of Law
DePaul University College of Law is located in Chicago, IL, founded in 1897 and it has total 764 law school students. The 2022 law school tuition & fees at DePaul University College of Law is $49,006. The average GPA of the enrolled students is 3.39 and the average LSAT score is 155. The acceptance rate of DePaul University College of Law is 48.09% where 883 were admitted out of 1,836 applicants.
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Chicago-Kent College of Law (part of Illinois Institute of Technology) is located in Chicago, IL, founded in 1888 and it has total 847 law school students. The 2022 law school tuition & fees at Chicago-Kent College of Law is $48,650. The average GPA of the enrolled students is 3.49 and the average LSAT score is 158. The acceptance rate of Chicago-Kent College of Law is 50.24% where 854 were admitted out of 1,700 applicants.
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law is located in Chicago, IL, founded in 1909 and it has total 1,133 law school students. The 2022 law school tuition & fees at Loyola University Chicago School of Law is $50,700. The average GPA of the enrolled students is 3.4 and the average LSAT score is 159. The acceptance rate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law is 44.39% where 1,214 were admitted out of 2,735 applicants.
Northern Illinois University College of Law
Northern Illinois University College of Law is located in Dekalb, IL, founded in 1975 and it has total 279 law school students. The 2022 law school tuition & fees at Northern Illinois University College of Law is $24,528 for Illinois and $24,528 for out-of-state students. The average GPA of the enrolled students is 3.28 and the average LSAT score is 150. The acceptance rate of Northern Illinois University College of Law is 59.32% where 401 were admitted out of 676 applicants.
Northwestern University School of Law
Northwestern University School of Law is located in Evanston, IL, founded in 1859 and it has total 1,148 law school students. The 2022 law school tuition & fees at Northwestern University School of Law is $66,806. The average GPA of the enrolled students is 3.85 and the average LSAT score is 169. The acceptance rate of Northwestern University School of Law is 18.01% where 980 were admitted out of 5,441 applicants.
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Now we consider cheapest law schools, online law school illinois, illinois law school ranking and university of illinois law school tuition.
5. The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana
Points: 3 points
Students at the University of Montana will have the opportunity to complete a law degree from one of the most affordable schools in the country. This school was opened in 1911 and for the last century has been a pioneer in legal education with a focus on the practical training that students need in order to become professional lawyers. With specialty programs in Environmental Law and Natural Resources, Indian Law and Conflict Resolution, this affordable school has been at the forefront of facing and solving the legal issues that impact the state. Students will note that this school and its degree options, including joint degrees, require a substantial amount of experiential learning opportunities. Students must complete a minimum of 89 credit hours of coursework, simulation courses, Lawyering Seminars, internships, clinicals, externships, and comprehensive exams. Sample courses include Legal Writing, Constitutional Law, and Contracts.
Average Program Cost: $22,807
In-State: $13,177
Out-of-State: $32,436
U.S. News and World Report Ranking:
#119 (tie) in Best Law Schools
4. The University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
Featured Programs
Points: 4 points
The University of Georgia offers a School of Law that is perfect for students who are interested in being prepared for success by professionals who have turned to academia. UGA is known nationally for its commitment to excellence in the classroom as well as for experiential learning opportunities. With small class sizes and a comprehensive curriculum, it is no wonder that is one of the best and most affordable law schools in the country. Students will find that this degree offers a JD, a Master of Laws, and a Master of Legal Studies. There are over 20 different concentrations for this degree, including Health Law and Policy, Estate Planning, and Public Interest Law. Those who choose to complete the JD, the most popular program at the school, will need to complete a minimum of 88 semester credit hours, an internship, clinicals, and a set of comprehensive courses. Sample courses include Civil Procedure, Legal Research, and Criminal Law.
Average Program Cost: $26,649
In-State: $17,430
Out-of-State: $35,868
U.S. News and World Report Ranking:
#32 (tie) in Best Law Schools
3. The University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi
Points: 2 points
The University of Mississippi’s School of Law is one of the best low-cost law schools available. In 2015, the Law School went through a Strategic Planning Process meant to advance and enhance the School’s JD program. This public law school now provides students with a practice-focused degree that focuses on a variety of legal research courses, internships, externships, and other experiential learning programs. Students can choose between earning an affordable JD or completing a Master of Laws in Air and Space Law. The low-cost JD degree requires a minimum of 89 credit hours of coursework, clinicals, seminars, an internship, research projects, and a set of comprehensive exams. More information on this degree and course offerings, including concentrations, can be found by contacting the school directly.
Average Program Cost: $26,581
In-State: $16,550
Out-of-State: $36,612
U.S. News and World Report Ranking:
#133 (tie) in Best Law Schools
2. The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Points: 4 points
One of the most affordable law schools in the country can be found at the University of Alabama. This school is known for small class sizes, a high bar exam passage rate, great internship and externship placements in federal situations, and international programs. In fact, this school offers over 12 different programs, including JDs, joint degree programs, Master of Laws, and a Doctor of Juridical Sciences. Students can also study abroad in Australia, Israel, and India. Students who complete the JD will need to complete a minimum of 90 credit hours, one internship, one externship, at least three clinicals in accordance with their concentration, and a set of comprehensive exams. More information on these degrees and their requirements can be found by contacting the school’s admissions office.
Average Program Cost: $32,740
In-State: $23,610
Out-of-State: $41,870
U.S. News and World Report Ranking:
#27 (tie) in Best Law Schools
1. The University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Points: 4 points
Our top affordable pick, The University of Arkansas School of Law, has the distinction of being one of the top 50 best public law schools as ranked by U.S. News and World Report as well as being named one of the “Best Values in Legal Education” by National Jurist Magazine. This is a small public law school with a nationally-recognized faculty and interesting internship and externship opportunities. Students can take on a JD, MLL, or an accelerated JD program for foreign lawyers; certificate programs and dual degree options are also available for students who meet the requirements. Students in the JD program will find that concentrations are available and will be based on their stated area of interest. Graduation from the JD program requires a minimum of 90 credit hours of coursework, internships, an externship, seminars, and a set of qualifying exams. Sample courses include Civil Procedure, Contracts, and Criminal Law.
Average Program Cost: $13,109
In-State: $8,094
Out-of-State: $18,124.80
U.S. News and World Report Ranking:
#88 (tie) in Best Law Schools
online law school illinois
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JD DEGREE
The Juris Doctor (JD) is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law, and allows individuals to take the bar exam in all 50 states. The JD program at the University of Illinois is full-time for three years of study.
LLM DEGREE
The Master of Laws (LLM) is an intermediate professional degree designed for foreign educated lawyers or students holding an undergraduate degree in law or other field. The LLM program at the University of Illinois is full-time for two or three semesters or may be split into two one-semester years for employer-sponsored students.
MSL DEGREE
The Master of Studies in Law (MSL) program is for accomplished professionals and academics in other disciplines who want to learn about the law in order to strengthen their professional skills. It is a non-professional, terminal degree program designed for those who have had no legal training, do not desire a professional law degree, and do not wish to practice law. Students can enroll full-time and complete the degree in one year, or enroll part-time and complete the degree in two years.
JSD DEGREE
The Doctor of the Science of Law (JSD) is primarily for students who intend to pursue an academic career and provides an opportunity for extended study, research, and scholarly development. An LLM from an accredited U.S. law school is required.
WHICH DEGREE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
| I want to practice law… | I want to learn more about U.S. law, but I don’t want to practice law… | |
|---|---|---|
| I have a U.S. Bachelor degree… | JD | MSL |
| I have an international non-law degree… | JD or LLM | LLM or MSL |
| I have an international law degree… | JD or LLM | LLM or MSL |
illinois law school ranking
The University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign is ranked No. 35 (tie) in Best Law Schools. The University of Illinois is a public research university located in Urbana, Illinois. It was established in 1867 as an agricultural and mechanical school. The university has since expanded to include a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Education and Human Development, School of Social Work, Graduate College, Institute for Genomic Biology, Institute for Sustainability, Energy & Environment (iSEE), Center for Advanced Study (CAS), and Institute for Aviation.
The school offers more than 200 undergraduate majors and over 130 undergraduate minors across 17 colleges and schools. The law school at the University of Illinois–Urbana-Champaign is ranked No. 35 (tie) in Best Law Schools by U.S News & World Report. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence including peer assessment; academic reputation; LSAT scores; bar passage rate; employment outcome data; selectivity; cost; student–faculty ratio; financial resources; library resources; technology resources; diversity policy; curriculum breadth; and curriculum depth.
university of illinois law school tuition
Tuition & Aid
Law school is a significant investment in your professional future. As a public law school on a land-grant university campus, the College of Law is committed to educational accessibility, affordability, and strong return on investment.
The College offers an extensive number of scholarships – including full-tuition and half-tuition scholarships – for students who show particular promise for success in the study and practice of law. The College also offers a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) to graduates who choose careers within government and non-profit organizations.
THE ILLINOIS GUARANTEE
The costs of attending law school have risen considerably in recent years. To provide students with complete transparency with respect to educational costs, the College will guarantee JD students a frozen tuition rate over all three years of their legal studies. In addition, our scholarships are unconditional, as long as the recipient remains enrolled.
Listed below is the cost of attendance (including tuition, fees, and estimated living expenses) for the 2022-23 academic year for each of our degree programs:
JD Cost of Attendance
| Resident | Non-Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $36,500 | $46,500 |
| Fees** | $5,157 | $5,157 |
| Room and Board | $13,554 | $13,554 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Other Expenses | $2,750 | $3,090 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $59,761 | $70,101 |
*Stated tuition rates are for the Class entering Fall 2022.
**Fees include $1,832 student insurance fee, for which you can submit a waiver by providing proof of a comparable plan.
Living and other expenses are estimated for a student who will be living off-campus while attending the College of Law, and the budget is based on a nine-month estimate.
Residency is determined by the University’s Office of Admissions and Records (OAR) which bases its decision on whether the applicant has lived in Illinois for 12 months prior to matriculation in a program or whether one of the student’s parents resides in Illinois. Admitted students may petition for residency in the state of Illinois.
Tuition and fee refunds are managed by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Please reference the Refund Schedule on the Office of the Registrar website for more information.
LLM Cost of Attendance
| Tuition | $49,500 USD |
|---|---|
| Fees | $5,282 USD |
| Room and Board | $13,554 USD |
| Books and Supplies | $1,800 USD |
| Other Expenses | $3,090 USD |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $73,226 USD |
MSL Cost of Attendance
| Full-time | Part-time | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $49,500 | $33,000 |
| Fees** | $5,016 | $4,620 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,800 | $1,800 |
*Please note that MSL tuition and fees are subject to increase without notice.
**Some fees are refundable for MSL students upon request. Visit the Office of the Registrar for more information. The MSL is a reimbursable program for University of Illinois graduate students. Tuition reimbursement will be sought from any University of Illinois unit that appoints its students. Students are automatically charged a health insurance fee, but may apply for an exemption.
For more information, contact:
Margareth Etienne, Associate Dean for Graduate and International Programs
JSD Cost of Attendance
Tuition and fees for the JSD program for the 2022-2023 academic year are estimated to be $54,782 USD.
Dissertation fellowships are available to cover partial or full tuition for University of Illinois JSD students in good standing during the third year of the program. For students who do not have financial support from outside sources, a limited amount of additional partial support towards tuition may be available, based on need, scholarly merit, and the availability of resources. The estimated living expenses, which include room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses are $18,444. The amount applicants will be required to verify for purposes of obtaining a visa is $73,226. Please note that tuition, fees, and expenses are subject to increase without notice.
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