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Brooklyn Law School recently announced a 15% percent cut to tuition. Although Brooklyn will maintain tuition at its current level of $53,850 a year for the class entering this coming fall, next year’s tuition will decrease to $45,850. That’s not all Brooklyn is doing, however: they are also increasing need-based aid, decreasing merit aid, and they claim that LSAT scores will no longer factor in their decision to award merit aid.
Brooklyn Law’s professed goal is to break the cycle of heavy spending, which law schools do largely to chase after high rankings in the US News and World Report “Best Law Schools” list. Seeking a higher ranking has been the main driver of soaring tuition prices over the last couple of decades. A huge part of that has been spent on “scholarships,” merit aid to attract students with high numbers.
While the New York Times is lauding these changes as a “bold bid to combat a crisis in legal education,” the moves are unlikely to result in a seismic shift in law school practices. It’s unclear even if students at Brooklyn will be paying less overall, though I suspect they will be because Brooklyn took some cost-cutting measures, selling real-estate assets and cutting staff salaries. These difficult and possibly painful moves illustrate the problems that inhere in adjusting tuition cost, as much of law schools’ operating expenses come from paying professors and staff. Brooklyn likely had no choice but to reduce merit aid somewhat to make the change.
Above the Law notes that Brooklyn is now the cheapest private law school in NYC, quipping, “of course, by ‘cheapest,’ what we really mean is ‘still prohibitively expensive.’”
Here’s a quick look at tuition for New York City law schools:
For more information on the cheapest law schools in the USA for international students, the cheapest law schools in the world for international students, the cheapest law schools in Illinois, and the cheapest law schools in Illinois visit our site at collegelearners.org.
cheapest law schools in Florida
As someone who is interested in studying law, you may be wondering: how do I find the cheapest law schools in Florida?
The answer to that question depends on a lot of factors. The first thing you’ll want to consider is what kind of student you are and what your career goals are. Think about whether or not you want to go into academia or private practice, and whether or not you want to work in Florida once you graduate.
If you’re looking for the cheapest law schools in Florida, here’s a list of our top three picks:
- Florida State University College of Law (Tallahassee)
- Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law (Miami)
- Stetson University College of Law (Deltona)
Top 13 Cheapest Law Schools in the U.S.
The cost of a college degree is a heavy burden for many students. The costs of living on campus, paying for books and materials, and even food can be overwhelming.
Luckily, not all law schools are equal when it comes to price. There are some affordable options out there that won’t break the bank. We’ve compiled a list of the 13 cheapest law schools in the U.S., which should help you find a school that works within your budget.
| School | In-State Fees | Out-of-State Fees |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Central University, Durham | $11,387 | $23,222 |
| CUNY – Queens College | $21,802 | $13,802 |
| Southern University Law Center | $10,990 | $18,590 |
| University of Alabama School of Law | $15,760 | $28,070 |
| University of Arkansas, Fayetteville | $6,835 | $14,060 |
| University of Kansas School of Law | $15,561 | $27,038 |
| The University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law | $15,760 | $30,300 |
| University of Mississippi | $13,488 | $29,288 |
| University of Montana | $11,283 | $28,602 |
| University of North Dakota | $10,417 | $22,394 |
| University of South Dakota | $13,904 | $28,430 |
| University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law | $10,620 | $21,240 |
| University of Wyoming | $13,428 | $26,628 |
CUNY – Queens College
In-State Tuition Fees: $13,802
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $21,802
CUNY (City University of New York) – Queens College is located in Flushing, New York. CUNY’s law school was named the premier public interest law school in the country. Their mission is “to train lawyers to serve the underprivileged and disempowered”.
Some of CUNY’s program highlights:
- All third-year students get the opportunity to work at Main Street Legal Services, Inc. under the supervision of attorneys
- Emphasis is on public service and public-interest law
- Received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in 2013
- Requires LSAT
- Applications close in May each year
North Carolina Central University, Durham
In-State Tuition Fees: $11,387
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $23,222
North Carolina Central University boasts great diversity in gender, age, and ethnicity. The university’s school of law was originally founded as a separate-but-equal option for African American people who wanted to study towards becoming a lawyer.
Some of North Carolina Central University’s program highlights:
- Ranked as one of the top four law schools for clinical opportunities
- More than 18 scholarships are available to students with varying qualification criteria
- They have two institutes namely Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Law & Dispute Resolution
- Fourteen clinical programs are available including Veterans Law, Street Law, Small Business, Low Income Taxpayer, Juvenile Law, Family Law, Domestic Violence, Criminal Defense, Civil Litigation, Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Two four-year joint degree programs are available namely Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (J.D./M.B.A.) program & Juris Doctor/Master of Library Science (J.D./M.L.S.) program
Southern University Law Center
In-State Tuition Fees: $10,990
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $18,590
The Southern University Law Center was established in 1947 as a state law school. This school was originally established to prepare African Americans for the legal profession. Its mission is to provide access to high-quality legal education to a diverse group of students, including underrepresented racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
Some of Southern University Law Center’s program highlights:
- Voted number one in providing the most financial value upon graduation
- Offers clinical programs in Administrative/Civil Law, Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Elder Law, Juvenile Law, Low-income Taxpayer, and Mediation
- Offers opportunities in Externships and Simulated Trial Competition
- Summer Abroad program available to spend 6-weeks in University College London
University of Alabama School of Law
In-State Tuition Fees: $15,760
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $28,070
The University of Alabama School of Law is the only public law school in the state of Alabama.
Some of University of Alabama School of Law’s program highlights:
- Guaranteed an opportunity to participate in one of seven law clinics
- Listed #35 best law school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report (2011)
- Ranks under the top 20 best-value law schools
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
In-State Tuition Fees: $6,835
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $14,060
The University of Arkansas is one of the cheapest law schools around.
Some of the University of Arkansas’ program highlights:
- Ranks under the top 20 best-value law schools
- Opportunity to participate in two study abroad programs (either in Russia or England)
- A wide variety of legal education programs available including foreign study and dual degree
University of Kansas School of Law
In-State Tuition Fees: $15,561
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $27,038
The University of Kansas School of Law was recently ranked as the 79th best law school in the U.S.
Some of the University of Kansas School of Law’s program highlights:
- Ranks under the top 20 best-value law schools
- Many curriculum guides available
- Offers 8 certificate programs including Advocacy Skills and International Trade and Finance
University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law
In-State Tuition Fees: $15,760
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $30,300
The University of Louisville’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law has a strong focus on practical legal education. It is the fifth oldest continually operated law school in the country.
Some of the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law’s program highlights:
- Ranks under the top 20 best-value law schools
- Strong focus on practical legal education
- Recently ranked #100 best law school nationally
University of Mississippi
In-State Tuition Fees: $13,488
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $29,288
The University of Mississippi (also known as Ole Miss) offers various merit-based scholarships to assist students in need.
Some of the University of Mississippi’s program highlights:
- It offers a unique dedicated aerospace law curriculum
- Certificate programs in Criminal Law and Business Law available
- Offers two concurrent degree programs namely Juris Doctor/Master of Taxation (J.D./M.Tax.) and Juris Doctor/Master of Accountancy (J.D./M.Accy)
- Ranks under the top 20 best-value law schools
University of Montana
In-State Tuition Fees: $11,283
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $28,602
The University of Montana’s law school is over a hundred years old. With fewer than 250 students, it describes itself as an intimate hands-on college. It was accredited by the National Bar Association in 1923 already.
Some of the University of Montana’s program highlights:
- You may undertake advanced work in environmental and natural resources law, trial advocacy, business law, Indian law, and dispute resolution.
- Offers a recognized Environmental and Natural Resources Law program, as well as joint law and graduate degrees in Environmental Studies, Public Administration, and Business Administration.
- Students get the opportunity to participate in the Public Land and Resources Law Review.
University of North Dakota
In-State Tuition Fees: $10,417
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $22,394
The University of North Dakota focuses on hands-on teaching, which means first-year classes are about 90 students give or take. The total students enrolled in its law school is about 250 students.
Some of the University of North Dakota’s program highlights:
- Various financial aid options and scholarships available, as well as partial tuition waivers
- Offers two certificate programs being U.S. Air Transportation Policy and Indian Law
- Offers two joint-degree programs being Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) along with J.D.
- Offers a summer foreign program in Norway
University of South Dakota
In-State Tuition Fees: $13,904
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $28,430
There are various admission options available at the University of South Dakota law school. These include:
- PLSI – a free two-month program aimed at preparing Native-American students for their first law school year)
- Law Screening Program – a six-week performance-based program available to all ethnicities
- Accelerated admissions program – students are allowed to start law school before completing their undergraduate
Some of the University of South Dakota’s program highlights:
- Offers a flex-time program. This program allows students to complete the J.D. curriculum in 5 years
- Various joint law degree programs available
- Various admission options available
- Over 80% of students receive financial aid
- Rated 5th best value law school around in 2013 by the National Jurist.
University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law
In-State Tuition Fees: $10,620
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $21,240
The University of the District of Columbia, David A. Clarke School of Law aims to recruit and train students from groups which are currently underrepresented in law-related fields. This school boasts its status as the most diverse law school in the nation.
Some of the David A. Clarke School of Law’s program highlights:
- Required to do 40 hours of community service in your first year
- Up to 20 full three-year Advocate for Justice scholarships available annually
- One of the top 10 law-school clinical programs according to U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools 2014
University of Wyoming
In-State Tuition Fees: $13,428
Out-of-State Tuition Fees: $26,628
The College of Law at the University of Wyoming was founded in 1920 and currently has fewer than 230 students. Their focus is to give experiential legal education offering various programs to achieve this.
Some of the University of Wyoming’s College of Law program highlights:
- Offers four clinical programs including Defender Aid, Legal Services, Domestic Violence, and Prosecution Assistance
- Offers three practicum: International Human Rights, Estate Planning, Natural Resources
- Externships in Legal, Judicial, Government Agency, and Non-profit/Public Interest available
- Offers four clinical programs including Defender Aid, Legal Services, Domestic Violence, and Prosecution Assistance
- Offers three practicum: International Human Rights, Estate Planning, Natural Resources
- Externships in Legal, Judicial, Government Agency, and Non-profit/Public Interest available
10 Top Affordable Recognized Law Schools in the U.S.
When evaluating law schools, reputation, location, and the percent of graduates passing the bar exam are very important factors. However, due to high tuition fees and a harsh economy, nowadays affordability is also a vital consideration.
If that is your case, then you probably ought to consider in-state schools. Typically, their tuition is lower in price. Nevertheless, some of the law schools on our list have relatively low out-of-state tuition fees.
Here’s our list of 10 of the most affordable recognized law schools in the United States, in alphabetical order:
CUNY School of Law
(Flushing, NY)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $11,952
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $18,732
City University of New York (CUNY) School of Law is the only publicly-funded law school located in the New York City metropolitan area.
CUNY School of Law places an emphasis on public service and public-interest law. More of its graduates enter public-interest law than those of any other school in the country. The law school’s academic model and dedication to public service have received praise from the Carnegie Foundation and Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
According to the CUNY School of Law, it consistently ranks among the top 10 law schools in the nation in clinical training. CUNY School of Law is ranked the #1 public-interest law school in the nation (PreLaw Magazine, January 2011). It is also ranked the #121 best law school overall (U.S. News and World Report, 2011).
In 2010, 84.9 percent of the graduates passed the New York bar exam.
North Carolina Central University School of Law
(Durham, NC)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $9,961
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $23,222
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is a historically black institution. The law school has a commitment to public service and produces a significant number of lawyers providing legal services to underserved people and communities.
NCCU School of Law has one of the most diverse student populations in the nation and is ranked among the top four law schools for clinical opportunities (National Jurist, 2011). In 2010, NCCU School of Law was the #9 most popular law school (U.S. News and World Report).
In 2009, 81.9 percent of graduates passed the North Carolina bar exam — higher than the state average of 74 percent.
Southern University Law Center
(Baton Rouge, LA)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $9,238
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees are $14,838.
Southern University Law Centre is one of the nation’s most diverse law schools. The school’s mission is to provide opportunity and access to high-quality legal education to a diverse group of students from underrepresented ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups.
Southern University Law Centre was ranked # 1 for the most financial value upon graduation out of 190 law schools surveyed (U.S. News and World Report, 2011). It is also ranked among the top 10 most popular law schools (ibid.).
In 2009, 58.3 percent of graduates passed the Louisiana bar exam, 11 points lower than the state average.
University of Alabama School of Law
(Tuscaloosa, AL)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $15,760
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $28,070
The University of Alabama School of Law is the state’s only public law school. The law school has a diverse student body. It’s one of the nation’s few law schools that guarantees students an opportunity to participate in at least one of seven law clinics.
University of Alabama School of Law ranked the #35 best law school in the nation (U.S. News and World Report, 2011), and among the top 20 best-value law schools (National Jurist, 2010).
In 2010, graduates had a national and Alabama bar-exam passing rate of 95 percent.
University of Kansas School of Law
(Lawrence, KS)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $15,561
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $27,038
U.S. News and World Report, 2011). It has also been ranked among the top 20 best-value law schools (National Jurist, 2010).
In 2011, 90.1 percent of graduates passed the Kansas bar exam.
University of Louisville, Brandeis School of Law
(Louisville, KY)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $15,760
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $30,300
The University of Louisville’s Louis D. Brandeis School of Law is the fifth oldest continually operated law school in the nation. It has a strong focus on practical legal education.
The Brandeis School of Law is ranked the #100 best law school in the country (U.S. News and World Report, 2011), and has recently been ranked among the top 20 best-value law schools (National Jurist, 2010).
Recently, 89 percent of the graduates passed the Kentucky bar exam.
University of Mississippi School of Law
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $10,275
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $22,470
University of Mississippi School of Law is the fourth-oldest state-supported law school in the nation. It’s the only ABA-accredited law school in the nation providing a dedicated aerospace law curriculum.
Ole Miss’s law school is ranked the #107 best law school in the nation (U.S. News and World Report, 2011), and is also among the top 20 best-value law schools (National Jurist, 2010).
In 2011, 85.2 percent of graduates passed the Mississippi bar exam.
University of Montana School of Law
(Missoula, MT)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $11,062
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $26,186
University of Montana School of Law is the only law school in the state of Montana. It provides a popular Environmental and Natural Resources Law program. Students also have an opportunity to participate in the Public Land and Resources Law Review.
The law school is ranked the #132 best law school in the country (U.S. News and World Report, 2011).
In 2010, 94 percent of graduates passed the Montana bar exam.
University of North Dakota School of Law
(Grand Forks, ND)
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $10,163
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $22,323
The University of North Dakota School of Law is the only ABA-accredited law school in North Dakota. The law school has one of the smallest student bodies among ABA-accredited law schools.
In 2010, the University of North Dakota School of Law ranked among the top 20 best-value law schools (National Jurist).
In 2008, 91.5 percent of graduates passed the North Dakota bar exam.
University of the District of Columbia, Clarke School of Law
Full-time in-state tuition fees: $8,850
Full-time out-of-state tuition fees: $17,700
The University of the District of Columbia’s David A. Clarke School of Law is proud of producing many lawyers dedicated to helping the needy. Its mission is to recruit and enroll students from groups underrepresented at the bar. Fifty-one percent of the student body are minority students and 60 percent are women.
The Clarke School of Law is among the top 10 law school clinical programs in the country (U.S. News and World Report, 2010). It’s also ranked the 10th best environment for minority students (Princeton Review, 2010).
In 2009, 88 percent of graduates passed the District of Columbia bar exam.
When researching law schools, find out what types of financial aid a school offers, and look into the cost of renting in the area. Often the rent for an apartment in rural areas is substantially lower than that in medium-to-large cities.
Law School Rankings by Tuition
Law School Rankings by Tuition
How much does your law degree cost? When you’re trying to find the best school for your money, it’s important to consider tuition. The top-ranked law schools in the country are expensive, but they have a reputation for being worth it.
The cheapest law schools in the U.S. tend to be in smaller cities with lower costs of living, so they may not be able to offer the same kind of opportunities as their high-ranking peers. However, these low-cost options may still be worth looking into if money is tight and you need to keep your debt load low.
Here are some of our favorite affordable law schools:
| No. | Law School | State | Tuition | Room & Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia University | NY | $69,916 | $19,190 |
| 2 | New York University | NY | $66,422 | $24,400 |
| 3 | U. of Pennsylvania | PA | $65,804 | $16,830 |
| 4 | Cornell University | NY | $65,541 | $16,766 |
| 5 | Harvard University | MA | $64,978 | $24,508 |
| 6 | U. of Southern California | CA | $64,908 | $17,802 |
| 7 | Duke University | NC | $64,722 | $12,916 |
| 8 | Northwestern University | IL | $64,402 | $16,236 |
| 9 | Yale University | CT | $64,267 | $17,595 |
| 10 | U. of Chicago | IL | $64,089 | $17,100 |
| 11 | U. of Virginia out-of-state | VA | $63,700 | $13,474 |
| 12 | U. of Michigan-Ann Arbor out-of-state | MI | $62,762 | $15,250 |
| 13 | Baylor University | TX | $62,432 | $13,719 |
| 14 | Stanford University | CA | $62,373 | $25,998 |
| 15 | Georgetown University | DC | $62,244 | $21,986 |
| 16 | U. of Connecticut out-of-state | CT | $61,080 | $12,676 |
| 17 | George Washington U. | DC | $60,790 | $21,000 |
| 18 | U. of Virginia in-state | VA | $60,700 | $13,474 |
| 19 | Cardozo-Yeshiva University | NY | $60,610 | $19,700 |
| 20 | Fordham University | NY | $60,406 | $20,010 |
| 21 | U. of Michigan-Ann Arbor in-state | MI | $59,762 | $15,250 |
| 22 | St. John’s University | NY | $59,480 | $20,810 |
| 23 | Hofstra University | NY | $59,214 | $18,722 |
| 24 | U. of Notre Dame | IN | $58,358 | $10,100 |
| 25 | Vanderbilt University | TN | $57,558 | $15,710 |
| 26 | Washington U. in St Louis | MO | $57,445 | $14,400 |
| 27 | Emory University | GA | $57,348 | $18,918 |
| 28 | Loyola Law School | CA | $57,230 | $18,090 |
| 29 | U. of California-Davis out-of-state | CA | $56,974 | $14,809 |
| 30 | American University | DC | $56,724 | $18,360 |
| 31 | Tulane University | LA | $56,572 | $14,550 |
| 32 | Pepperdine University | CA | $55,890 | $17,500 |
| 33 | Indiana U.-Bloomington out-of-state | IN | $55,338 | $12,972 |
| 34 | Boston University | MA | $55,076 | $13,775 |
| 35 | Brooklyn Law School | NY | $55,038 | $18,650 |
| 36 | Boston College | MA | $54,750 | $14,000 |
| 37 | U. of San Diego out-of-state | CA | $54,641 | $14,694 |
| 38 | U. of South Carolina out-of-state | SC | $54,502 | $13,666 |
| 39 | Southern Methodist Univ. | TX | $54,094 | $19,800 |
| 40 | Seton Hall University | NJ | $54,090 | $14,076 |
| 41 | Southwestern Univ. | CA | $53,966 | $20,520 |
| 42 | U. of Minnesota-Twin Cities out-of-state | MN | $53,607 | $13,778 |
| 43 | U. of California-Berkeley out-of-state | CA | $53,276 | $24,160 |
| 44 | Chapman University | CA | $53,124 | $20,700 |
| 45 | U. of Texas-Austin out-of-state | TX | $53,035 | $12,930 |
| 46 | California Western | CA | $52,470 | $16,320 |
| 47 | U. of Miami | FL | $52,390 | $19,508 |
| 48 | U. of California-Los Angeles out-of-state | CA | $52,094 | $18,612 |
| 49 | Case Western Reserve U. | OH | $52,070 | $20,704 |
| 50 | New York Law School | NY | $51,732 | $23,759 |
Conclusion
New York is home to many of the most prestigious law schools in the country. The Top Tier schools are located in New York City and include Columbia, NYU, Fordham, and Cornell.
However, if you’re interested in attending a less expensive school or one that has lower tuition than these four schools, it can be difficult to determine where to look.
Our research team has come up with a list of some of the cheapest law schools in New York State. These schools each offer different programs and have various price tags associated with them.
We hope this list helps you find an affordable law school that will meet your needs without breaking the bank!
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