The 30 Most Expensive Law Schools in the U.S.

Law school tuition varies widely across the United States, and the published price at the most expensive schools now runs well past $70,000 a year before rent, food or books.

This list ranks law schools by full-time tuition plus required fees for the 2025-26 school year, as each school reported to the American Bar Association in its 2025 Standard 509 disclosure. The most expensive school is number one. For public schools, the out-of-state rate is used, and each of those entries also gives the lower in-state price.

Living costs and scholarships are reported separately by each school and are not part of the ranking, but each entry lists them along with other figures from the same report: admissions, enrollment, grants and first-time bar passage. Schools that only report a price per credit, rather than an annual full-time figure, are not ranked.

1. Columbia Law School ($88,390 a Year)

Columbia Law School is a private law school in New York City. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $85,368, with an additional $3,022 in fees, bringing the total to $88,390, the highest on this list. The figures are in the school’s own 2025 Standard 509 report.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $31,554 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 9,463 applications and extended 1,120 offers, an acceptance rate of 11.84%. A total of 444 first-year students enrolled.

The incoming class had a median LSAT score of 173 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.92. Total JD enrollment across all years stood at 1,377 students.

In the 2024-25 year, 728 of 1,353 students, or 54%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $32,000. Sixty-nine students received an amount covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 95.85%, compared with an average of 84.98% across the same jurisdictions, based on 506 first-time takers.

2. NYU School of Law ($87,214 a Year)

NYU School of Law is a private law school in New York City. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $83,952, with an additional $3,262 in fees, bringing the total to $87,214. The school posts its disclosures on its ABA Standard 509 page.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus are listed at $36,094 for the same year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 10,546 applications and extended 1,412 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 13.39%. A total of 452 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 172, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.92. Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 1,405 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 870 of 1,327 students, or 66%, received a grant. The median full-time grant amount was $20,000, and 148 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 96.72% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, compared to an average of 85.02% across the same jurisdictions, based on 519 first-time takers.

3. USC Gould School of Law ($85,948 a Year)

USC Gould School of Law is a private law school in Los Angeles. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $84,034, with an additional $1,914 in fees, bringing the total to $85,948.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $32,298 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 7,204 applications and extended 805 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 11.17%. A total of 228 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score was 169, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.91. Total JD enrollment stands at 650 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 601 of 632 students, or 95%, received a grant. The median full-time grant amount was $40,092, and 8 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 94.01%, based on 217 first-time takers, compared to an average of 78.74% across the same jurisdictions.

4. Cornell Law School ($85,412 a Year)

Cornell Law School is a private law school in Ithaca, New York. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $84,722, with an additional $690 in fees, bringing the total to $85,412. That makes Cornell’s tuition alone the second highest on this list, even though its fees are among the lowest.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $32,952 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 4,608 applications and extended 838 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 18.19%. A total of 217 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 173, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.92. Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 611 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 544 of 600 students, or 91%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $30,000, and 9 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 96.41%, based on 195 first-time takers, compared with an average of 84.73% in the same jurisdictions.

5. University of Chicago Law School ($84,906 a Year)

The University of Chicago Law School is a private law school in Chicago. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $83,316, with an additional $1,590 in fees, bringing the total to $84,906.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during 2025-26 are $35,418.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 6,581 applications and extended 641 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 9.74%. Of those admitted, 203 first-year students enrolled. The entering class had a median LSAT score of 174 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.97. Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 615 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 485 of 620 students, or 78%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $15,000, the lowest median on this list, and 58 students received grants covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 194 took the bar exam for the first time, and 97.42% passed. This compares to an average first-time passage rate of 81.49% in the same jurisdictions.

6. Penn Carey Law, University of Pennsylvania ($84,492 a Year)

Penn Carey Law is the private law school of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $78,348, with additional fees of $6,144, bringing the total to $84,492. Those fees are the highest on this list.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus are $31,640 for the same year.

The school’s fall 2025 entering class drew 8,074 applications. From this pool, 650 offers were extended, an 8.05% acceptance rate, and 265 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 173, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.95. Total JD enrollment reached 764 students.

In 2024-25, 450 of 759 students, or 59%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $42,246, and 105 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 96.7% among 303 takers, compared to an 82.93% average across the same jurisdictions.

7. Georgetown University Law Center ($83,576 a Year)

Georgetown University Law Center is a private law school in Washington, D.C. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $83,576, and the school reported no separate fees, so tuition is the full figure.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $33,905 for the same year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 13,924 applications, the most of any school on this list, and extended 2,193 offers, an acceptance rate of 15.75%. A total of 672 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 171, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.93. Total JD enrollment stands at 2,266 students, also the largest on this list.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 1,348 of 2,228 students, or 61%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $35,000, and 59 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 633 took the bar exam for the first time, with a passage rate of 93.05%. This compares to an average first-time passage rate of 83.29% in the same jurisdictions.

8. Harvard Law School ($82,352 a Year)

Harvard Law School is a private law school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $80,760, with an additional $1,592 in fees, bringing the total to $82,352.

Living expenses for students living off campus are estimated at $38,690 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 8,872 applications and extended 816 offers, an acceptance rate of 9.2%. A total of 579 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 174, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.96. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 1,784 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 670 of 1,769 students, or 38%, received a grant, the lowest share on this list. The median full-time grant was $27,510, and 15 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 97.86% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, the highest rate on this list, compared with an average of 83.44% across the same jurisdictions, based on 608 first-time takers.

9. Duke University School of Law ($81,829 a Year)

Duke University School of Law is a private law school in Durham, North Carolina. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $80,100, with fees of $1,729, bringing the total to $81,829.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $26,116 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 6,240 applications and extended 804 offers, an acceptance rate of 12.88%. Of those admitted, 227 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 171, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.91. Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 723 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 685 of 726 students, or 94%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $35,000, and two students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 97.48%, compared to an average of 82.94% in the same jurisdictions, based on 278 first-time takers.

10. University of Virginia School of Law ($80,900 a Year)

The University of Virginia School of Law is a public law school in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the most expensive public law school on this list. For the 2025-26 academic year, out-of-state full-time tuition is $76,396, with fees of $4,504, bringing the total to $80,900. In-state students pay a combined $77,900 for tuition and fees, only $3,000 less.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during the 2025-26 year are $28,770.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 6,734 applications and extended 685 offers, an acceptance rate of 10.17%. A total of 309 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 173, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.99. Total JD enrollment stands at 919 students.

For 2024-25, 607 of 915 students, or 66%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $35,000, and 61 students received grants covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 94.98% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, compared to an average of 82.83% across the same jurisdictions, based on 299 first-time takers.

11. Northwestern Pritzker School of Law ($80,633 a Year)

Northwestern Pritzker School of Law is a private law school in Chicago. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $79,772, with fees of $861, bringing the total to $80,633.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $28,220 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 7,976 applications and extended 981 offers, an acceptance rate of 12.3%. Of those admitted, 250 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 173, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.96. Total JD enrollment across all years stood at 776 students.

In 2024-25, 581 of 760 students, or 76%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $40,000. Eighteen students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among the school’s 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 91.8%, compared with an average of 81% across the same jurisdictions, based on 256 first-time takers.

12. UC Berkeley School of Law ($79,991 a Year)

UC Berkeley School of Law is a public law school in Berkeley, California. For the 2025-26 year, out-of-state full-time students pay $76,149 in tuition plus $3,842 in fees, a total of $79,991. In-state students pay a combined tuition and fee total of $66,374 for the same year.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus in 2025-26 are $45,866, the second highest on this list.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 6,562 applications and extended 974 offers, an acceptance rate of 14.84%. A total of 374 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 170, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.92. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 1,128 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 869 of 1,012 students, or 86%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $31,158, and 95 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 396 took the bar exam for the first time, with 91.16% passing, compared to a 79.91% average across the same jurisdictions.

13. Stanford Law School ($79,707 a Year)

Stanford Law School is a private law school in Stanford, California. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $77,454, with an additional $2,253 in fees, bringing the total to $79,707.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during the same year are $51,102, the highest on this list. Added to tuition and fees, that is more than $130,000 for one year.

The school received 5,526 applications for its fall 2025 entering class. Of these, 337 applicants were offered admission, a 6.1% acceptance rate, and 193 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 173, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.96. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 570.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 285 of 565 students, or 50%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $52,797, and 66 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 200 took the bar exam for the first time, with a 96.5% passage rate, compared to an average of 81.4% across the same jurisdictions.

14. University of Michigan Law School ($79,680 a Year)

The University of Michigan Law School is a public law school in Ann Arbor, Michigan. For the 2025-26 academic year, out-of-state students pay full-time tuition of $79,108 plus $572 in fees, a total of $79,680. In-state students pay a combined tuition and fee total of $76,680 for the same year.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus in 2025-26 are $26,886.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 8,982 applications and extended 770 offers, an acceptance rate of 8.57%. A total of 343 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 171, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.88. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 991 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 902 of 990 students, or 91%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $32,000, and 31 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 95.57% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, based on 316 first-time takers, compared to an average first-time passage rate of 80.44% in the same jurisdictions.

15. Fordham University School of Law ($79,248 a Year)

Fordham University School of Law is a private law school in New York City. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $78,078, with an additional $1,170 in fees, bringing the total to $79,248.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $37,354 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, Fordham received 8,811 applications and extended 1,429 offers, an acceptance rate of 16.22%. From these offers, 444 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 168, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.79.

Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 1,352 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 1,161 of 1,335 students, or 87%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $35,000. The school reported no students receiving grants of full tuition or more that year.

Among Fordham’s 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 92.98%, compared to an average of 85.77% across the same jurisdictions, based on 456 first-time takers.

16. Yale Law School ($78,961 a Year)

Yale Law School is a private law school in New Haven, Connecticut. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $76,636, with an additional $2,325 in fees, bringing the total to $78,961. Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $28,202 for the year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, 5,562 applications were submitted, resulting in 226 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 4.06%, the lowest on this list. Of those admitted, 204 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 174, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.96. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 626 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 388 of 615 students, or 63%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $34,747. Eighty-seven students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 96.5% among 200 takers, compared to an average of 83.57% in the same jurisdictions.

17. Vanderbilt Law School ($78,799 a Year)

Vanderbilt Law School is a private law school in Nashville, Tennessee. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $76,440, with fees of $2,359, bringing the total to $78,799.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during 2025-26 are $34,934.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 6,124 applications and extended 812 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 13.26%. From these offers, 172 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 170, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.91. Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 525 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 453 of 505 students, or 90%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $32,792, and 23 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 94.51%, based on 164 first-time takers. This compares to an average passage rate of 81.05% across the same jurisdictions.

18. Brooklyn Law School ($76,946 a Year)

Brooklyn Law School is a private law school in Brooklyn, New York. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $75,496, with an additional $1,450 in fees, bringing the total to $76,946. Estimated living expenses for students living off campus are $36,528 for the same year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 4,600 applications and extended 2,024 offers, a 44% acceptance rate, the highest on this list. From these offers, 414 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 161, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.59. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 1,126 students.

In 2024-25, 1,017 of 1,114 students, or 91%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $34,000. Forty-eight students received awards covering full tuition or more. The school also offers conditional scholarships: of 360 students who entered with one that year, 69 had their awards reduced or eliminated.

For 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 84.48%, compared to an average of 85.73% in the same jurisdictions, based on 393 first-time takers.

19. St. John’s University School of Law ($76,742 a Year)

St. John’s University School of Law is a private law school in Queens, New York. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $75,170, with fees of $1,572, bringing the total to $76,742.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $32,728 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 4,417 applications and extended 1,018 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 23.05%. A total of 241 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 164, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.81.

Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 758 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 643 of 765 students, or 84%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $60,000, the highest median on this list and close to the full tuition of $75,170.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 87.74%, based on 261 first-time takers. This compares to an average first-time passage rate of 86.11% in the same jurisdictions.

20. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University ($76,458 a Year)

Cardozo School of Law is a private law school in New York City and part of Yeshiva University. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $74,438, with an additional $2,020 in fees, bringing the total to $76,458.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $34,114 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 3,833 applications and extended 1,133 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 29.56%. Of those admitted, 326 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 165, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.78. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 946 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 917 of 933 students, or 98%, received a grant, the highest share on this list. The median full-time grant was $40,000, and 24 students received grants covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 88.47%, based on 321 first-time takers, compared with an average of 85.16% in the same jurisdictions.

21. George Washington University Law School ($75,420 a Year)

George Washington University Law School is a private law school in Washington, D.C. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $75,420, and the school reported no separate fees.

Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $25,240 for 2025-26.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 9,718 applications and extended 2,644 offers, an acceptance rate of 27.21%. A total of 612 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 168, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.86. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 1,728 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 1,296 of 1,679 students, or 77%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $28,000, and 28 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 511 took the bar exam for the first time, with 90.22% passing. This compares to an average first-time passage rate of 82.71% across the same jurisdictions.

22. Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law ($74,860 a Year)

Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law is a private law school in Hempstead, New York. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $73,344, with fees of $1,516, bringing the total to $74,860. Estimated living expenses for students living off campus are $36,009 for the same year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 2,448 applications and extended 993 offers, an acceptance rate of 40.56%. A total of 263 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 157, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.65. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 800 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 681 of 812 students, or 84%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $35,793, and 184 students received awards covering full tuition or more, the most on this list. Of 231 students who entered that year with a conditional scholarship, 123 had their award reduced or eliminated.

For 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 78.91%, based on 275 first-time takers, compared to an average of 85.69% in the same jurisdictions.

23. Tulane University Law School ($74,756 a Year)

Tulane University Law School is a private law school in New Orleans. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $69,578, with additional fees of $5,178, bringing the total to $74,756. Students living off campus can expect estimated living expenses of $29,670 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 2,069 applications and extended 827 offers, an acceptance rate of 39.97%. A total of 241 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 161, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.67. Total JD enrollment stands at 628 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 532 of 614 students, or 87%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $37,500, and three students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 77.73%, compared to an average of 79.22% across the same jurisdictions, based on 211 first-time takers.

24. UCLA School of Law ($74,107 a Year)

UCLA School of Law is a public law school in Los Angeles. For the 2025-26 academic year, out-of-state students pay full-time tuition of $71,329 plus fees of $2,778, a total of $74,107. In-state students pay a combined $61,862 for tuition and fees.

Students living off campus are expected to spend $40,046 on living expenses for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 8,623 applications and made 1,039 offers, an acceptance rate of 12.05%. A total of 328 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score was 171, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.95. Total JD enrollment stood at 1,020 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 825 of 994 students, or 83%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $24,456, and 87 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 94.23% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, compared to an average of 78.85% across the same jurisdictions, based on 364 first-time takers.

25. Notre Dame Law School ($73,950 a Year)

Notre Dame Law School is a private law school in Notre Dame, Indiana. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $73,430, with an additional $520 in fees, bringing the total to $73,950. Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during the same year are $25,990.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 3,579 applications and extended 575 offers, an acceptance rate of 16.07%. Of those admitted, 185 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 170, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.89. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 572 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 507 of 553 students, or 92%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $30,000, and 35 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 191 took the bar exam for the first time, with a passage rate of 92.15%, compared to an average of 79.83% in the same jurisdictions.

26. Washington University in St. Louis School of Law ($73,684 a Year)

Washington University in St. Louis School of Law is a private law school in St. Louis. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $72,792, with an additional $892 in fees, bringing the total to $73,684.

Living expenses for students living off campus are estimated at $28,603 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 5,616 applications and extended 1,065 offers, an acceptance rate of 18.96%. A total of 261 first-year students enrolled, and their median undergraduate GPA was 3.96. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 787 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 738 of 781 students, or 94%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $48,000, and 163 students received an award covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, 93.57% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, out of 280 first-time takers. This compares to an average first-time passage rate of 81.37% in the same jurisdictions.

27. Pepperdine Caruso School of Law ($73,550 a Year)

Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is a private law school in Malibu, California. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $72,920, with an additional $630 in fees, bringing the total to $73,550. Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during the same year are $33,700.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 4,272 applications and extended 998 offers, an acceptance rate of 23.36%. A total of 227 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 164, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.85. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 553 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 410 of 532 students, or 77%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $30,000. Twenty-five students received awards covering full tuition or more. Of 117 students who entered with conditional scholarships that year, 27 had theirs reduced or eliminated.

Among 2024 graduates, 86.77% passed the bar exam on their first attempt, compared to an average of 78.03% across the same jurisdictions, based on 189 first-time takers.

28. UC Irvine School of Law ($73,533 a Year)

UC Irvine School of Law is a public law school in Irvine, California. For the 2025-26 academic year, out-of-state full-time students pay tuition of $71,325 plus fees of $2,208, a total of $73,533. In-state students pay a combined $61,288 for tuition and fees.

The school estimates living expenses for students living off campus at $37,293 for the 2025-26 year.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 3,720 applications and extended 555 offers, an acceptance rate of 14.92%. A total of 189 first-year students enrolled, with a median LSAT score of 169 and a median undergraduate GPA of 3.80. Total JD enrollment across all years stood at 493 students, the smallest on this list.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 451 of 474 students, or 95%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $25,000.

Among 2024 graduates, 159 took the bar exam for the first time, and 85.53% passed, compared to an average first-time pass rate of 77.98% across the same jurisdictions.

29. New York Law School ($73,524 a Year)

New York Law School is a private law school in New York City. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $71,052, with fees of $2,472, bringing the total to $73,524. Estimated living expenses for students living off campus for the same year are $23,759, the lowest on this list.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 4,114 applications and extended 1,632 offers, an acceptance rate of 39.67%. A total of 409 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this class was 157, with a median undergraduate GPA of 3.63. Total JD enrollment at the school stands at 1,107 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 900 of 1,057 students, or 85%, received a grant, with a median full-time grant of $40,000. Two students received grants covering full tuition or more. Of 126 students who entered that year with a conditional scholarship, 68 had it reduced or eliminated.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 81.9%, compared with an average of 84.68% across the same jurisdictions, based on 337 first-time takers.

30. Boston College Law School ($72,755 a Year)

Boston College Law School is a private law school in Newton, Massachusetts. For the 2025-26 academic year, full-time tuition is $72,380, with an additional $375 in fees, bringing the total to $72,755.

Estimated living expenses for students living off campus during 2025-26 are $25,726.

For the fall 2025 entering class, the school received 7,668 applications and extended 650 offers of admission, an acceptance rate of 8.48%. A total of 219 first-year students enrolled. The median LSAT score for this group was 168, and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.83. Total JD enrollment across all years stands at 634 students.

In the 2024-25 academic year, 566 of 635 students, or 89%, received a grant. The median full-time grant was $24,000, and 8 students received awards covering full tuition or more.

Among 2024 graduates, the first-time bar passage rate was 93.82%, compared with an average of 83.55% across the same jurisdictions, based on 340 first-time takers.

What the Sticker Price Leaves Out

The tuition figures in this list come from the 2025 Standard 509 disclosures filed by each school and apply to full-time students for the 2025-26 academic year.

For the public schools on this list (Virginia, Berkeley, Michigan, UCLA and UC Irvine), the figure shown is the out-of-state rate. In-state rates are lower. At UC Berkeley, for example, in-state tuition and fees total $66,374, compared with $79,991 for out-of-state students.

Living costs are reported separately and vary widely. Estimated off-campus living expenses on this list range from $23,759 at New York Law School to $51,102 at Stanford.

Grants are common at these schools. In 2024-25, the share of students receiving a grant ranged from 38% at Harvard to 98% at Cardozo, and median grants ranged from $15,000 at the University of Chicago to $60,000 at St. John’s.

Because scholarships, loans and living arrangements differ for each student, the figures in this list are the published prices, not what every student actually pays. Each school’s full report is available on its own website and through the ABA’s disclosure site.

For more on individual schools and admissions, see our guide to the best law schools in New York, home to nine schools on this list, and our look at the requirements to get into law school.

This article is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Tuition, fees and aid change every year, so check each school’s current figures before making any decisions.