Understanding UCLA Law School Tuition and Fees
Navigating the financial aspects of law school can be daunting. This article provides a detailed overview of tuition, fees, and financial aid opportunities at UCLA School of Law, helping prospective and current students understand the costs associated with their legal education.
Estimated Tuition and Fees for the J.D. Program
UCLA School of Law offers a comprehensive legal education within the vibrant environment of the UCLA campus. The estimated J.D. tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year is a crucial piece of information for prospective students. It is important to note that the tuition, fees, and charges posted to the student billing statement are estimates based on existing amounts and these figures may not be final. Actual tuition, fees, health insurance and other charges are subject to change by the Regents of the University of California and could be affected by state funding reductions. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction, and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Understanding these potential changes is vital for financial planning.
As of the latest available data, UCLA Law ranks #77 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($71,329).
Understanding the BruinBill
All UCLA students are assigned a BruinBill account, which is used for all financial transactions with the university. You should receive the BruinBill notification between the 1st and the 3rd working day of each month. BruinBill also contain a link to the monthly BruinBill messages on Student Accounts.
Payment Options
Students can pay their BruinBill account electronically on MyUCLA with American Express, MasterCard, VISA or Discover Card. In addition, students can use the eCheck option or BruinPay Plan (BPP). Students may sign up for the "autopay" feature of BruinBill; however, please be aware that once you are assessed your tuition and fees (and you've enrolled in autopay), the entire amount due will be paid out (whether or not you have sufficient funds in your bank account to cover the bill). If you do not have sufficient funds, your payment will be returned and you will be charged a "returned check fee" from the University, as well as an insufficient funds fee from your own bank. Students may also make cash, check and debit card payments in person at the Payment Solutions and Compliance Office located at 1125 Murphy Hall (310-794-5333).
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Important Deadlines and Fees
Students must pay all charges in full by the 20th of each month or the preceding workday if the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday. If a student misses the registration fee deadline, a late registration fee is assessed and the student is dropped from classes. The delinquent fee for unpaid balances that aren’t registration fees is $50. Failure to settle financial obligations with the University may result in a hold being placed on the student’s record.
Health Insurance: UC SHIP
Insurance is a condition of registration at the University of California. As such, the cost of the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) is billed along with other UCLA fees each academic term. The UC SHIP fee may be waived by submitting a waiver form by the fee payment deadline for each term. UC SHIP fulfills all of the requirements mandated for adequate medical/health insurance as defined by the University. The Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center is the primary health care provider for UC SHIP and is where all non-emergency medical care must be initiated for UC SHIP claim payment consideration. Students may waive out of UC SHIP if they (1) maintain active enrollment in an adequate medical/health insurance plan that meets all established requirements; (2) apply for a UC SHIP waiver within established deadlines; and, (3) correctly complete the online UC SHIP waiver form. Students must apply for a UC SHIP waiver online.
Financial Aid Opportunities
UCLA Law is committed to helping students finance their legal education. Financial aid awarded and the refund received by the student is strictly to be used for direct educational expenses as outlined in the above chart. Understanding what financial aid may be used for and how much you may reasonably spend is essential.
Federal Student Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a government form which enables the school to determine students' eligibility for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan. Completing the FAFSA online reduces errors and improves turnaround time. You can do this by going to studentaid.gov. Even though your Social Security Number is not required on the admission application, the school will not receive your FAFSA and thus will be unable to determine your need eligibility unless you provide us with your SSN.
Starting July 1, 2026, it is expected that a full-time incoming MLS students will be eligible to borrow Direct Unsubsidized Loans up to $20,500 annually, with a maximum aggregate eligibility of $100,000. The $100,000 limit is only applicable to graduate programs that start on July 1, 2026 or later. For the 2025-26 academic year, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan had an interest rate of 7.94 percent, and a loan origination fee of 1.057 percent. The student is responsible for the interest, which accrues immediately upon disbursement. Important! All first-time federal loan borrowers at UCLA need to be informed about borrowers’ rights and responsibilities. Law students will satisfy this requirement by completing an online Entrance Counseling Session. This can be accomplished by reviewing the counseling session materials and taking an online quiz.
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Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)
UCLA Law maintains a competitive Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP) for graduates working in the public interest. Under the School’s LRAP, administered by the Office of Financial Aid, graduates can apply to have a portion - and in some cases all - of the debt service on loans they incurred while at UCLA Law subject to a forgivable loan from the school.
Budget Increases for Additional Expenses
The University of California, Los Angeles, will allow professional students to increase the standardized budget intended to cover expenses above and beyond tuition/fees. This increase will grant access to additional federal Direct Graduate PLUS loans or Direct Unsubsidized loans. Higher Education statute permits colleges and universities to allow students to use federal financial aid to purchase a computer. At UCLA, law students who wish to take advantage of this provision must obtain a Budget Increase Request Form. Students must complete the form and provide a computer purchase receipt.
Students who provide for dependent children or elderly relatives while attending the UCLA School of Law may request a budget increase through our office by completing a Budget Increase Request Form and providing proof of payment. This proof can be in the form of receipts for childcare/eldercare, an original contract agreement with a licensed daycare/eldercare provider or preschool, or copies of canceled checks made payable to the childcare/eldercare provider (school tuition not covered). Our office will accept proof of payment that occurs during the enrollment period, only. Students who rely upon family members or close friends must pay with a check in order to receive the budget increase. Additionally, student budget increases do not cover child support payments.
Included in the standard budget is an allowance for minor medical and dental costs for the student only. Budgets may be increased for your expenses not covered by personal health insurance. Receipts must be obtained from the physician and submitted with the petition. Estimates will not be accepted. Only expenses incurred and paid during the enrollment period will be considered. The standard budget expense for rent is $1,742/month. However, UCLA will allow up to an additional $400/month for rent expenses that exceed the standard allowance. Students with dependent children are eligible to apply for a total increase of up to $600/month. Students must submit a current rental or lease agreement that includes their name. Cancelled checks may be requested for audit purposes. Additional expenses for special course projects, thesis preparation, research projects, and internship program expenses may be considered.
Scholarships
UCLA Law offers a number of full tuition scholarships. In determining scholarship amounts, both merit and financial need can be considered. In order for financial need to be considered, students must complete the UCLA Law Need Application. The law school Need Application is made available to students upon admission.
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Residency for Tuition Purposes
Non-resident students must meet eligibility requirements to be considered for resident classification. Most non-resident law students achieve residency status during the second year of law school.
LL.M. Program Fees
Fees for attendance in the 2025-2026 LL.M. U.C. Fees are divided in half and charged to students in two equal installments (except for the Document Fee, which is charged only in the fall semester). Payment for the Fall Tuition Installment is due in mid-August and the Spring Tuition Installment is due in mid-December. LL.M. students may pursue financial aid resources to help supplement the cost of attendance. Tuition costs are identical for both international and domestic students. *Students who have health insurance which will provide coverage for the duration of the LL.M. Program may apply for a waiver of the UCSHIP fee. ***The Document Fee is a one-time mandatory fee assessed all UCLA students during their first matriculation term in a degree program. ****Students can choose to pay the UC Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) Fee for the purpose of funding the University of California Graduate and Professional Council. It is a nonmandatory, university-wide fee from which a student may elect to opt out for the duration of their degree program.
UCLA Law Rankings and Outcomes
UCLA Law consistently achieves high rankings and boasts impressive graduate outcomes. UCLA Law ranks #14 in GPA composite (3.89), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.73 · 3.95 · 4.00). UCLA Law ranks #18 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (94.2%), and it outperforms by +15.4% the state of California's overall bar passage rate of 78.9%. UCLA Law ranks #18 in LSAT composite (169.7), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (166 · 171 · 172).
- 7 percent of the Class of 2024 attained fulltime, long-term, bar passage required or J.D. advantage jobs by 10 months after graduation. 93.6% of UCLA Law graduates who took the July 2024 California Bar Exam for the first time passed the examination. The statewide average bar passage rate for first-time test takers who graduated from ABA-approved law schools in California was 81%. For UCLA Law graduates taking the July 2024 New York Bar Exam, the passage rate was 97.9% for first-time test takers.
Experiential Learning and Career Opportunities
UCLA Law is a national leader in experiential education. Over the past 50 years, our robust Experiential Education Program has expanded and evolved to introduce students to law practice through an awe-inspiring range of law clinic and practicum courses, intensive simulation courses and externship and field placement opportunities. UCLA Law offers students the skills, training and support to get great jobs and to succeed at them. Want to work in Los Angeles? As the top-ranked law school in one of the world’s most exciting cities, UCLA Law presents outstanding opportunities for students who want to build their careers here. Many employers in Los Angeles, including large law firms, look to UCLA Law as a primary feeder school from which they recruit talent for their summer associate and associate programs.
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