Understanding the Cost of Tuition at KU Law School

For prospective law students considering the University of Kansas (KU) School of Law, understanding the financial aspects of legal education is crucial. KU Law strives to provide a world-class legal education at a reasonable rate, and this article aims to break down the tuition costs, fees, financial aid options, and other related expenses.

Tuition and Fees: An Overview

The cost of attending KU Law School comprises tuition, fees, and living expenses. For the Fall and Spring semester of the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition is $857 per credit hour for Kansas residents and $1,094 per credit hour for entering class nonresidents. All law students pay required health, infrastructure and student fees of $1,155 per year. These fees entitle the student to course instruction, dispensary care for ordinary illnesses and special medical care at nominal rates, the use of the Ambler and Robinson Recreation Centers, free access to the Lawrence and KU transportation bus networks and admission at reduced prices to most campus events, such as concerts, plays, films, lectures and athletic events. For students starting in the Fall 2025 semester, total fees and tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year are $26,865 for a first-year Kansas resident and $33,975 for a first-year nonresident. Summer starters can take a variable number of credits in the first year and tuition will vary accordingly.

It is important to note that University tuition is determined by the Kansas Board of Regents each summer and is subject to change each year.

Estimated Annual Expenses (2025-2026)

To provide a clearer picture of the overall cost, here's a breakdown of estimated annual expenses for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Expense Category	Kansas Resident	Nonresident
Tuition (30 credits)	$25,710	$32,820
Health & Wellness Fee	$491	$491
Student Fee	$574	$574
Infrastructure Fee	$90	$90
Total Tuition/Fees	$26,865	$33,975
Housing/Meals	$11,900	$11,900
Personal Expenses	$3,324	$3,324
Transportation	$3,474	$3,474
Books	$1,540	$1,540
Cost of Attendance	$47,103	$54,213

Costs for room and board, personal expenses, transportation and books are estimates determined by the KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Financial Aid Options

Most students use federal and private loans, grants and scholarships to pay for law school. KU Law offers a comprehensive range of financial aid options to help students manage the cost of their legal education. These options include scholarships, grants, and loans. To be considered for need-based scholarships, applicants must complete the FAFSA.

Scholarships

KU Law offers a robust scholarship program for J.D. students. In the most recent reporting year, more than 80% of KU Law students received scholarships. Admitted students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Once enrolled, students may apply for scholarships with specific eligibility criteria. Throughout the year, several scholarship opportunities are presented from private organizations.

Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid is available to law students based on the cost of attendance. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for up to $50,000 in federal direct loans per year or $200,000 in total. Last year 97% of KU Law students borrowed less than the annual loan limit.

How to Apply for Federal Aid

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is available online at fafsa.gov. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will begin accepting FAFSA applications on October 1. The KU FAFSA code is 001948.

J-HELPS Loan Program

The Jayhawk Endowment Loan Program for Students (J-HELPS) offered by the KU Endowment Association provides low interest rate (5%) loans for up to $12,000 per year ($24,000 aggregate maximum). Best of all, there are no co-signer requirements for this loan. Every KU Law student is eligible for the program, but only a very few will actually need to use it. To be eligible to apply for a J-HELPS loan, students must first borrow the maximum amount of federal loans. Last year, 97% of KU Law students were covered completely by the federal loan program. For the remaining students whose borrowing will exceed the $50,000 cap, information about the application process is provided.

Read also: Tuition at UARK Law

Private Loans

While federal and J-HELPS loans are often the most favorable options, some students may consider private loans to cover remaining expenses. However, it's crucial to carefully evaluate the terms and conditions of private loans, as interest rates can be significantly higher.

Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Law School Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 3-year in-school period, and a 9-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 14.14% fixed APR, 42 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $229.75 and one payment of $125.61, for a total loan cost of $28,515.86.

Residency Requirements

The state of Kansas sets a high bar for non-residents to qualify for residency for tuition purposes. Extensive information about the standards is available from the Kansas Board of Regents. Essentially, if you have not been a Kansas resident prior to law school, you will be considered to have moved here for education purposes and thus not able to enjoy residency status. There are a few notable exceptions under which you may qualify:

If you have been a resident of Kansas for 12 of the preceding 60 months.
If you or your spouse has been recruited or transferred to Kansas by a Kansas employer.
If you are a member of or a veteran of the military. Visit the KU Military-Affiliated Student Center for help with all military related matters.
If you have attended Haskell Indian Nations University.
If you are not eligible for Kansas resident tuition rates, you may become eligible by proving your intent to stay in Kansas indefinitely by purchasing property in Kansas, marrying a Kansan, accepting a permanent offer of employment, etc. Note that these are not automatic qualifiers and are simply examples of circumstances that have led to a grant of residency status.

If you are unsure about your status, you may apply for a residency determination through the KU Office of the University Registrar. This can be done prior to enrollment. Contact the KU Office of the University Registrar for residency information at 785-864-4423 or registrar.ku.edu/residency/.

Additional Financial Aid Considerations

Childcare Expenses

The EOF Childcare Grant is available to students who are the custodial parents of children in daycare ages 5 and under. Students wishing to be considered for the grant must submit a FAFSA and a Childcare Grant and Budget Adjustment Request form. The form is typically available at the beginning of September each year and is due within a few weeks of its release. After funding is exhausted, students who have submitted the form will have their Cost of Attendance adjusted in order to reflect their childcare expenses. More information is available from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at 785-864-4700.

Financial Aid for International Students

International students who have completed a full academic year at KU and are enrolled in at least 6 credit hours may submit the International Student Needs Analysis Worksheet available at financialaid.ku.edu/forms by the March 1 priority date in order to be considered.

Special Circumstances

Re-evaluations for special circumstances, such as medical or transportation costs, are available.

Affordability and Value

KU Law takes pride in its ability to offer a world-class legal education at a reasonable rate of tuition. Our tuition rates for Kansans and out-of-state students are among the lowest in the region. KU Law students graduate with a practice-ready legal education, not overwhelming debt. Affordability gives you choices, making careers in public service and serving small communities just as viable as those with private firms in bigger cities. It also means you can afford to accept a prestigious judicial clerkship or explore a career at the nexus of law and entrepreneurship.

Academic Excellence and Career Opportunities

KU Law is an integral part of the University of Kansas, the stateâs flagship research institution and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). That setting supports 11 joint degree programs, which allow students to simultaneously pursue a Juris Doctor and an additional graduate degree.

The KU Law program starts with a five-day introduction to Lawyering Skills. Students take a core first-year curriculum that includes Contracts, Constitutional Law and other key subjects. The first-year Lawyering Skills Program covers writing and training in negotiation, mediation and other skills. Professors at KU Law are scholars and lawyers recognized nationally and abroad as leaders in their fields. Faculty offices surround and open into the heart of Green Hall, the Wheat Law Library. An open-door policy defines our culture and how we connect with our students. The KU Law faculty ranks among the top public law schools in the country for scholarly impact, according to a 2021 study. Faculty members enrich their teaching by researching and writing about the areas of law they teach.

Small classes are a hallmark of KU Law and central to the close-knit and supportive environment found in Green Hall. In the first year, students are assigned to small sections, averaging about 20 students. These small working groups foster an information learning environment that encourages critical analysis. The trend continues for second- and third-year classes, with a median class size of approximately 15.

KU Lawâs experiential learning program includes a mix of live-client clinics, field placements and skills simulations. Students participate in real cases with real clients, creating real opportunities to make a difference for individuals and communities. Live-client clinics â where students gain practical experience under the supervision of clinical faculty â include the Paul E. Wilson Project for Innocence and the Legal Aid Clinic. Skills simulation courses provide training in advanced litigation, contract drafting, First Amendment advocacy and more. Taught in the same way top firms train new associates, these courses offer hands-on experience developing litigation and business law skills. Through the Sixth Semester in Washington, D.C. Program, students have the option to spend their final spring semester of law school living, learning, working and connecting in our nationâs capital. Students work nearly full-time in field placements and take courses from KU Law faculty. Supported by a Midwest-friendly network of KU Law alumni in the D.C. Participating students may earn up to 12 credit hours through courses and field placements at approved organizations.

The KU Law Career Services Office takes an intensive one-to-one approach, developing a career strategy unique to each student. Staff begin meeting with students during their first year to identify their interests and goals. Career Services staff connect students with the powerful network of KU Law graduates practicing throughout the region, across the country and around the world. KU Law is a dominant player in the Kansas and Kansas City legal markets. Importantly, KU Law also takes a major role in underwriting your job search, no matter where you are looking or what career you seek. Students pursuing jobs out-of-state have access to a travel stipend program, which supports travel to interviews and job fairs across the country. KU Law also sends students to the Equal Justice Works Conference in Washington, D.C., where they have the chance to interview with hundreds of public interest employers from across the nation. Overall employment for the Class of 2021 was 96.9%, with 95% of graduates landing positions in the best jobs category â defined as full-time, long-term positions that require passing a bar exam or where a law degree offers an advantage.

Bar Exam Preparation

Provided in partnership with Themis Bar Review, the program is designed to enhance studentsâ ability to succeed in law school and on the bar examination. The law school also offers a series of programs prior to graduation, again at no cost to students. Since the Free Bar Prep Program launched in 2018, KU Law graduates have regularly passed the bar exam at rates above the state average in Kansas and Missouri.

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