Attending law school is no easy feat, and it isn’t cheap either. According to the US News World Report, the average annual tuition and fees at private law schools in the 2019-2020 academic year was $49,548, or $21,300 more than for public schools. With that kind of investment, it’s vital to pick the best school possible. When reviewing law schools to attend, of course, reputation, percentage of graduates passing the bar exam, and location are crucial factors; however, affordability might also be a major consideration. If you choose the right university, it is possible to earn your Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree without breaking the bank. Our list of cheapest law schools below will keep your student loans low and your law school ambitions high. Keep reading for the list of the top 20 cheapest law schools of 2020.
Cheapest Law Schools That Won’t Break the Bank
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln University | $10,100 | Not indicated | 57% |
| American Public University | $7,396 | Not indicated | 48% |
| Arizona State University | $10,710 | $28,800 | 56% |
| Florida State University | $23,790 | $38,036 | 80% |
| George Washington University | $62,110 | Not indicated | 81% |
| Liberty University | $23,800 | Not indicated | 54% |
| Texas A&M University |
$16,912.56 | $18,674.84 | 57% |
| University of Central Florida | $17,452 | $35,177 | 70% |
| Wake Forest University | $38,650 Fees differ for courses |
Not indicated | 85% |
What Is the Cheapest Law School?
Abraham Lincoln University
Abraham Lincoln University (ALU) is one of the most affordable law schools online. However, its $8,228 tuition fee doesn’t include additional fees such as books or additional academic and technology costs. ALU takes pride in its online law degree because it’s designed for working professionals, and its flexibility helps students earn a quality education on their own time.
American Public University
American Public University is one of the cheapest law schools online. Prospective students attending this online law degree program will not have to pay application fees. Law professionals or those who want to increase their legal insight can enroll in this course since they’ll better understand legal doctrine and concepts. Subjects included are legal and ethical issues in management and education law, ethics, and political science.
Arizona State University
This law school indicates that the average program costs include technology fees and student-initiated fees. Incoming online law students need to prepare financially for additional expenses if they enroll as online students. This online law degree program covers academic writing, US Law and legal analysis, civil procedure, administrative law, data privacy and protection, and other elective courses.
Florida State University
The FSU legal studies program will equip you for future work in law firms. The main feature of this course is that students can choose from five concentrations, including cyber security, employment law, financial regulation, health care regulation, and legal risk management. The students watch pre-recorded lectures but still receive feedback for assignments.
George Washington University
In addition to tuition rates, students pay for registration, application fees, and textbooks. There’s also a one-time matriculation fee. GWU’s online law degree program is endorsed by the American Bar Association and is known as one of the best law schools online. This excellent curriculum comprises American jurisprudence, legal research and writing, litigation, and advanced legal writing.
Liberty University
This online law school offers a Juris Master’s Degree in Law and other related online courses essential for earning a legal education to start a legal career. Books and other miscellaneous expenses are not included in their tuition fee. The curriculum covers legal writing and analysis, constitutional law, jurisprudence and legal history, and an introduction to legal systems.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Univesity was founded in 1876 and had 55,568 enrollees for the Fall of 2020. There are several subjects that students can choose from if they decide to pursue studies in the legal field as an online student. Subjects include civil procedure, constitutional law, criminal law, tax, tax risk management, copyright, and properties.
University of Central Florida
The total credit hours for this course are 120. This school takes pride in its online programs that give students a deep understanding of the legal system, legal research, and writing. There are also courses on family law and international law. The course also equips you with business-related law by examining the interconnection between law and business.
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest is an online school that provides three sector-related professional courses. They are Business Law and Compliance, Health Law and Policy, and Human Resources. The core curriculum includes business law and literacy, private law, public law, and legal foundations.
How Much Do the Cheapest Law Schools Cost?
Public law schools are cheaper than traditional law schools. One of the most affordable law schools is Queens College in Flushing, New York, with in-state fees of around $13,800. In-state fees are always cheaper and international students may find they have to pay almost double the in-state fee.
Whether you choose part-time or full-time study, online learning platforms will steer towards legal practice at an affordable price. Read up to find out which field of law would suit you best.
Law Schools Costs Breakdown
- Tuition Fee. This is the institution’s initial payment for students to enroll in subjects and courses.
- Technology Fee. This fee helps maintain the school’s current technology and improve other academic, instructional, and administrative technologies.
- Textbooks. Books are needed resources to help students understand concepts and theories.
Can You Attend Law Schools for Free?
No, you can’t attend law schools for free. Although, there are law scholarships and financial aid to help students pay for tuition to meet their career goals. Students complete forms to apply for scholarships as there are specific criteria they need to qualify in terms of scholarship requirements. Schools will also ask for letters of recommendation to consider you as a candidate for a scholarship.
Tips for Saving Money While Attending Law Schools
- Share a room. Accommodation can be quite expensive, so find a place where you rent a room instead of the whole apartment.
- Decrease phone bills. Phone bills pile up if you don’t have limits. So choose an affordable plan.
- Cook food at home. There are fewer expenses when you cook your own food. Dining out or eating take-out is not only unhealthy but very expensive.
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