Top 13 Cheapest Law Schools in the U.S.
Posted by Frank Gogol in Education | Updated on June 19, 2023
Studying in the U.S. can be expensive, especially for international students who want to study at a law school. Fortunately, there are a few law schools in the U.S. who focus on providing good value whilst maintaining relatively low fees.
Top 13 Cheapest Law Schools at a Glance
| 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 |
| 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 |
Top 13 Cheapest Law Schools
If you want to save money while studying law take a look below at the 13 cheapest law schools in the U.S. and some of their program highlights.
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
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Conclusion
Even though studying in the U.S. as an international student can be financially challenging, you are not without options. Your dream to become a lawyer might just be a little more attainable and your worries about a looming student loan a bit more eased if you study at one of the cheapest law schools in the U.S.
