How to pay for law school

Law school can be a great investment in your future, opening the door to the legal carer you've dreamed of. But paying for a Juris Doctor (J.D.) program is a major financial commitment—and how you do it can impact your options well beyond graduation. Tuition, living expenses, and bar exam costs can add up quickly.

Fortunately there's more than one way to make it work. Research from Sallie Mae's How America Pays for Graduate School shows students use a mix of their own savings, scholarships, financial aid, and graduate student loans to make school work financially.

This guide walks through how to pay for law school by understanding your total costs, getting the most in scholarships and financial aid, and borrowing strategically—so your funding plan supports the legal career you’re working toward.

Key steps to paying for law school

Paying for law school works best when you take a clear, step-by-step approach. Start with the big picture, prioritize free money, and borrow strategically to cover the rest.

• Understand costs and future earnings. Look beyond tuition to include fees, books, bar exam costs, and living expenses—and compare those costs to expected salaries for new lawyers.
• Maximize free money. Prioritize scholarships, grants, fellowships, and employer or service-based support before turning to student loans.
• Borrow smart. Compare federal and private law school loans. Cut costs where you can and only borrow what you need so you can manage payments after graduation.

1. Understand costs and future earnings

Before committing to a law program, it’s important to understand the full cost of attendance—not just tuition—and how those costs vary by school and career path.

Nearly 9 in 10 graduate students say they expect their degree to increase their earning potential — and most choose programs based on career impact, not just cost. Evaluating both sides of the equation helps you decide whether the investment makes sense for your goals.

Source: How America Pays for Graduate School

How much does law school cost?

Law school costs vary widely based on school type, location, and residency status.

Typical annual tuition (approximate):

• Public law schools (in-state): $20,000–$35,000
• Public law schools (out-of-state): $35,000–$50,000
• Private law schools: $45,000–$65,000+

Total cost of attendance per year
When you add housing, transportation, books, health insurance, fees, and bar-related costs, many law students face total annual costs of roughly $50,000–$90,000+.

Estimated total cost for a three-year JD program

• Lower-cost programs: Around $150,000
• Higher-cost programs: $270,000 or more

These totals explain why most law students need a mix of scholarships, federal aid, and private student loans to cover costs.

Why law school costs vary

Several factors influence how much you’ll pay for law school:

• Public vs. private institutions
Public law schools are often less expensive because they receive state funding, while private law schools typically charge higher tuition, but may offer more institutional scholarships.

• In-state vs. out-of-state tuition
Public law schools usually offer lower tuition to in-state residents, while out-of-state students often pay significantly more.

• Program format (full-time, part-time, or hybrid)
Full-time JD programs usually take three years, while part-time or hybrid programs take longer, which can increase total costs due to additional tuition and living expenses.

• Geographic location and cost of living
Law schools in high-cost cities or regions often come with higher housing and everyday living expenses, raising the overall cost of attendance even if tuition is similar.

• Length of the JD program
Programs that take longer to complete generally cost more overall because students pay tuition and living expenses for a longer period.

How to figure out your full cost of attendance (COA)

Tuition is only part of the picture. A law school’s cost of attendance (COA) includes estimated non-tuition expenses that students often underestimate, such as:

• Housing and transportation
• Books, supplies, and technology
• Health insurance
• Bar exam and licensing costs

Using Scout College Search, you can compare law schools side by side and see estimated total costs—not just tuition—before you commit.

How much do lawyers make?

Understanding potential earnings is just as important as understanding costs. Law school salaries vary widely based on employer type, practice area, and geographic location.

Typical entry-level salary ranges (approximate)

• Public interest and government roles: $55,000–$75,000
• Small and mid-sized law firms: $60,000–$90,000
• Large law firms (BigLaw): $200,000+ starting salary (highly competitive and limited positions)

Because outcomes vary so much, it’s important to think carefully about how your expected career path aligns with how much you plan to borrow. Debt that feels manageable for a high-paying private-sector role may be harder to sustain in public interest or government work.

2. Maximize free money

Free money should always be your first stop when figuring out how to pay for law school. Scholarships and grants can significantly reduce how much you need to borrow.

Federal aid and the FAFSA^®

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) isn’t just for undergraduates. Completing it each year is required to access federal student loans and may also be used by law schools to award certain grants or scholarships. For step-by-step help, check our FAFSA guide.

Law school grants and fellowships

Many law schools offer institutional grants or fellowships based on merit, financial need, or career focus. Fellowships may include tuition assistance, stipends, or research opportunities and are often tied to academic performance, leadership, or public interest commitments.

What scholarships are available for law students?

Scholarships are another form of aid that doesn't need to be repaid—and you can apply for as many as you want. Look for law school scholarships, graduate student scholarships, and public interest or practice-area–specific opportunities. Tools like Scholly Scholarships can help you find scholarships that match your field of study, background, or career interests.

For an easy start, enter Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships and our $5,000 Grad School No Essay Scholarship. No essays or long applications required, and you can apply to win every month.

3. Borrow smart

Even after scholarships and grants, many law students still rely on loans to cover remaining costs. The goal is to borrow thoughtfully so your loans support your future—instead of limiting it with payments you can't afford.

Compare federal vs. private student loans

Federal student loans are often a good starting point. They’re issued by the U.S. Department of Education and may offer benefits private loans don’t, such as income-driven repayment options. Private graduate student loans, offered by banks and other lenders, can help fill funding gaps once you’ve maximized free money and federal loans.

Federal student loan options for law students

Law students may qualify for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which don’t require a credit check or cosigner. Interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is disbursed—even while you’re in school—and you're responsible for all of it.

What are the new federal loan limits for law students?

Starting July 1, 2026, lower federal borrowing caps will apply to Direct Unsubsidized Loans 

Professional students (applies if you're getting a J.D. degree): Up to $50,000 per year ($200,000 lifetime)

Graduate students: Up to $20,500 per year ($100,000 lifetime)

Because total law school costs often exceed these limits—and the federal PLUS loan program has been eliminated—many law students may need to adjust their funding plan. Look for ways to maximize free money like scholarships and grants—and explore private student loans to cover remaining costs.

Using private student loans to fill the gap

Private law school loans can play a role when used responsibly. Many students explore Sallie Mae® Law School Loans alongside federal options to help cover law school expenses such as tuition, housing, books, and fees. For broader grad loan options, explore Sallie Mae^® Graduate Student Loans.

Before you borrow...

1. Review your federal aid offer: Look at the breakdown of grants and federal loans, then figure out what you'll still need to cover.

2.  Factor in upcoming changes to federal loans: Understand if you’re affected and if you need to adjust your funding plan. For details, check out Sallie Mae's guide to PLUS loan changes.

3. Think long term: Consider how your expected salary in the legal field and job prospects line up with how much you plan to borrow. Use a loan calculator to estimate your payments ahead of time.

Paying for bar exam and post-graduation costs

Law school expenses don’t end at graduation. Many new law graduates also face costs related to bar exam prep, exam fees, and living expenses while studying for the bar.

Some students use a specialized option like the Sallie Mae^® Bar Study Loan to help cover bar preparation courses, exam fees, and everyday expenses during the study period.

Borrowing smart isn’t just about choosing the lowest rate — it’s about creating a plan that fits your budget and career goals as a lawyer. For more tools and resources to help you borrow confidently, explore Sallie Mae's Student Loan Guide.

Other ways to pay for law school (beyond FAFSA and loans)

In addition to scholarships and loans, explore ways to reduce costs through:

• Employer tuition assistance or sponsorship
• Military education benefits
• Service-based or public interest funding programs

Think beyond law school—and plan for what comes next

Law school is a major investment, and how you pay for it can shape your financial flexibility after graduation. By understanding total costs, exploring scholarships and grants, and borrowing strategically—including planning for bar exam expenses—you can align your funding choices with the type of legal career you want to pursue.