Understanding Creighton Law School Tuition and Costs

Choosing a law school is a significant investment, and understanding the cost of attendance is crucial for prospective students. Creighton University School of Law offers a variety of programs and resources, and this article provides a detailed look at the tuition, fees, and financial aid options available.

Academic Programs at Creighton Law

Creighton Law School provides several pathways to earn a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, catering to different student needs and schedules.

Traditional Full-Time JD Program

The traditional full-time JD program spans three years, beginning each fall. Students complete 90 credit hours for graduation, averaging 15 credit hours per semester after the first-year curriculum. This program allows students to pursue experiential learning opportunities like externships and internships during the summer.

The first-year curriculum includes foundational courses:

Semester 1: Introduction to Law (0 credits), 1L Seminar (0 credits), Civil Procedure I (3 credits), Contracts I (3 credits), Legal Research and Writing I (2 credits), Property Law (4 credits), Torts (4 credits).
Semester 2: Civil Procedure II (3 credits), Constitutional Law (4 credits), Contracts II (3 credits), Criminal Law (3 credits), Legal Research and Writing II (3 credits).

After the first year, students need 58 additional credit hours to graduate, typically achieved by taking an average of 15 hours in each of the remaining four semesters. Summer courses can help reduce this load.

Read also: A Guide to Creighton Academics

Required second-year courses include: Legal Research and Writing III (3 credits), Professional Responsibility (3), Business Associations (4), Criminal Procedure (3), Evidence (3), Trusts and Estates (3/4), and Commercial Law (3).

Accelerated JD Program

The Accelerated JD Program is designed for busy adult learners and recent college graduates seeking to enter the legal profession quickly. This two-year program delivers the same education as the traditional track, with courses beginning during the first summer. Completing the degree faster allows students to launch their legal careers sooner.

The program is open to any student accepted to Creighton University School of Law, following the same admissions process as the standard Juris Doctorate program. The program starts in May with summer term courses, before the traditional JD program begins in August. The programs have similar credit hour requirements, courses, and professors. Students have access to law journals, legal clinics, externships, and judicial clerkships. However, working during the first year is not recommended due to the intense study schedule.

Students earn 90 total credit hours to obtain their JD. A sample schedule includes:

Summer Term 1 (13 hours): Contracts 1 (3), Contracts 2 (3), Criminal Law (3), Torts (4).
Fall Semester 1 (15-16 hours): Civil Procedure 1 (3), Legal Research & Writing I (2), Property (4), Electives (6-7).
Spring Semester 1 (16-17 hours): Civil Procedure II (3), Constitutional Law (4), Legal Research & Writing II (3), Electives (6-7).
Summer Term 2 (12-14 hours): Required Courses and Electives.
Fall Semester 2 (16-17 hours): Legal Research & Writing II (3), Remaining required courses and Electives.
Spring Semester 2 (16-17 hours): Electives (16-17).

Summer courses in the second year may include Advanced Legal Writing and Drafting, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Business Associations, Client Interviewing and Legal Counseling, Commercial Contract Drafting, Evidence, Externships, First Amendment Freedom of Speech, From Nuremberg to the Hague, International Criminal Law, Negotiations, and Professional Responsibility.

Read also: Creighton Prep Affordability

Combined Degree Programs

Creighton Law offers combined degree programs, including a 3 + 3 program with Creighton’s Heider College of Business, allowing students to tackle legal and business issues across various careers. Another option is a Juris Doctor and a Master of Science in Government and Leadership, completed in three years, including a D.C.

Tuition and Fees

Understanding the costs associated with attending Creighton University School of Law is essential for financial planning.

Full Cost of Attendance for Entering Freshmen (2026-2027)

The following figures represent direct costs and do not include indirect costs like books, personal expenses, and transportation.

Arts and Sciences:
- Tuition: \$50,580
- Fees (University and Technology Fee): \$2,322
- Housing and Meals: \$14,930
- Total: \$67,832
Heider College of Business:
- Tuition: \$50,580
- Fees (University and Technology Fee): \$2,322
- Program Fee: \$340
- Food and Housing: \$14,930
- Total: \$68,172
Traditional Nursing BSN:
- Tuition: \$50,580
- Fees (University and Technology Fee): \$2,322
- Program Fee: \$1,524
- Food and Housing: \$14,930
- Total: \$69,356

Other Fees

Additional fees may apply, including:

Tuition Remission Administrative Fee: \$1,250 per semester (mandatory for certain tuition remission programs)
Per Credit Hour: \$88
Student Health Insurance: \$4,424 (12-month plan) or up to \$2,275 (semester plans)
International Student Health Insurance: \$4,424 (12-month plan)
Parking Permit Fee: \$218-\$655 (prorated rates available)
Processing Fee for Nontraditional or Visiting Programs: \$30 per course
Late Payment Fee: 2% of the outstanding balance, assessed monthly (up to 3 months each semester)
Orientation Fee: \$318
Arts and Sciences Lab Fee: \$70 per lab course (capped at \$140 per semester/\$280 per year)
Career Portfolio Fee (Heider College of Business): \$340/\$170
Heider College of Business Technology Fee: \$20 per course (capped at \$60 per semester/\$120 per year)
Accelerated Nursing Academic Program Fee: \$1,500 per semester (for Omaha and Phoenix)

Undergraduate Tuition (2025-2026)

Full-time tuition rate is for 12-18 credit hours per semester.

Arts and Sciences: \$48,700
Heider College of Business: \$48,700
Nursing: \$48,700
Accelerated, Classes Entering Aug. 2023/Jan. 2024 (Continuing): \$55,425
Accelerated, Classes Entering Aug. 2024/Jan. 2025 (Continuing): \$55,425

Housing and Meal Plans

Housing is not guaranteed for upperclassman. Apartment rates for upperclassman at Opus are \$5,335/semester or \$12,700/full-year.

Traditional Meal Plans:

All Access + \$150 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: \$3,235/semester, \$6,470/full-year
14 Meals + \$540 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: \$3,235/semester, \$6,470/full-year
10 Meals + \$900 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: \$3,235/semester, \$6,470/full-year
7 Meals + \$630 Dining Dollars + 5 Guest Passes: \$2,220/semester, \$4,440/full-year

Flex Plans:

Flex 85 + \$405 Dining Dollars: \$1,555/semester, \$3,110/full-year
Flex 65 + \$360 Dining Dollars: \$1,230/semester, \$2,460/full-year

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Creighton University is committed to making education accessible. They work with students and families to understand their unique financial needs and offer personalized assistance.

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and apply to Creighton. The FAFSA can be filed starting in October for the next school year, and Creighton's school code is 002542.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Creighton Law offers merit-based scholarships and federal government loans. All first-year scholarships have merit requirements, including LSAT score and undergraduate grade-point average. Admitted applicants with an LSAT score and GPA above Creighton’s medians will receive strong consideration for scholarship assistance.

Accelerated JD Program Scholarships

Scholarships are fully applicable to students in the accelerated program. Annual scholarships are adjusted to include the summer term, increased by 50% to cover three semesters instead of two. Renewable scholarships can be renewed for the second summer based on class standing in summer and fall, and for the final two semesters based on class rank in summer, fall, and spring.

Additional Resources

Creighton provides resources such as an Undergraduate Net Price Calculator to estimate the net cost of attending.

Academic Resources and Environment

Faculty and Learning Environment

Creighton Law boasts a dynamic and diverse faculty of respected professionals with expertise from various fields. Faculty offices are located around the law school common area, encouraging students to drop in and discuss cases, current events, or other topics.

Library Resources

The Klutznick Law Library, inside the Ahmanson Law Center, serves as the primary source of legal information for Creighton Law students, faculty, and the legal community. It offers a quiet space for study, research, and collaboration. The Law Library staff provides access to a wide range of resources, including a rare book collection, British legal texts, and the Tokyo Papers.

Student Support and Organizations

Creighton Law fosters a welcoming, accepting, and collaborative environment. Students are assigned a faculty mentor to advise on career choices and class selection, as well as a second-year student mentor. The Student Bar Association (SBA) serves as the student government, promoting professional responsibility and providing a forum for student activities.

Experiential Learning

Creighton Law offers various experiential learning opportunities, including externships and clinics. Externships allow students to earn credit for unpaid work in the public sector, with opportunities available in county attorney offices, city attorney offices, public defenders, and more. The Juvenile Justice Clinic and the Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinic provide students with hands-on experience representing clients in real cases.

Study Abroad Programs

Creighton Law offers study-abroad programs, such as the Nuremberg to the Hague Germany summer program and a semester in Madrid at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. These programs allow students to broaden their worldview and engage in serious study of the law in international contexts.

Outcomes and Rankings

Creighton Law has a long history of successful graduates and a network that spans generations. In 2020, 86.5% of graduates were employed, enrolled in a full-time degree program, or not seeking employment ten months after graduation.

Creighton Law ranks #146 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (72.6%). It underperforms the state of Nebraska's overall bar passage rate of 82.7% by -10.1%.

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