Understanding Marquette University Law School Tuition
Marquette University Law School, a private Catholic institution in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, operated by the Jesuit order, offers a comprehensive legal education. Established in 1892, it is one of two law schools in Wisconsin and the only private one. Understanding the cost of tuition is a crucial aspect of planning for law school. This article provides a detailed overview of the tuition structure, additional costs, and financial aid opportunities at Marquette University Law School.
Marquette University Law School Overview
Marquette University Law School was born out of Marquette University's 1908 acquisition of the Milwaukee Law Class and the Milwaukee University Law School. First known as the Marquette University College of Law, the school added a day division to the two predecessors' evening programs. The first dean was James Graham Jenkins, a retired judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In 1916, the first edition of the Marquette Law Review was published, and in 1923, the college's name was changed to Marquette University Law School. A year later, the school moved into Sensenbrenner Hall. The law school became a member of the Association of American Law Schools in 1912 and received American Bar Association approval in 1925. In September 2010, the Law School opened $85 million Eckstein Hall in downtown Milwaukee.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition costs are a significant factor for prospective law students. For the academic year 2016-2017, the tuition for full-time J.D. students was $43,530. Part-time J.D. students paid $1,725 per credit. The Marquette University Law School at Marquette University has an application deadline of April 1. The full-time program application fee at the Marquette University Law School at Marquette University is $50. The part-time program application fee at the Marquette University Law School at Marquette University is $50. Its tuition is full-time: $50,950 and part-time: $30,225.
Based on the latest available data, law school tuition at Marquette University Law School is $103k annually (calculated from semester costs). According to the ABA 509 Report, Marquette Law ranks #254 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($51,970).
Additional Costs
Besides tuition, students should be aware of additional costs. For programs not explicitly listed, expenses for student services, wellness and recreation, and technology depend on traditional/online status and do not apply to students in GSM, HS Professional, Dental, or Law programs.
Read also: Marquette Academics and Rankings
Financial Aid and Funding
Financial planning for college begins with an estimate of what the total cost will be for one academic year. The Office of Student Financial Aid establishes standard expenses that represent typical costs for students during the academic year.
Academic Programs and Opportunities
Marquette University Law School offers two degrees: the Juris Doctor (J.D.) and the LL.M in Sports Law program (for foreign attorneys only). The school’s National Sports Law Institute, established in 1989, is affiliated with the LL.M. Marquette offers seven joint degree programs: J.D./M.B.A. and J.D./M.B.A. in Sports Business (with the College of Business Administration); J.D./M.A. in Political Science and J.D./M.A. in International Affairs (with the Department of Political Science); J.D./M.A. in Bioethics from the Medical College of Wisconsin; J.D./M.A. Social and Applied Philosophy and J.D./M.A.
The curriculum emphasizes the practical aspects of legal education, including clinical, internship, and supervised fieldwork programs. The Law School’s comprehensive trial practice courses provide an exceptional opportunity for students to develop trial skills. Distinctive clinics include the prosecutor and defender clinics and the Law and Entrepreneurship Clinic (LEC).
Admissions and Rankings
For the class entering in 2024, the school accepted 29.42% of applicants, with 41.63% of those accepted enrolling. For the fall 2023 entering J.D. class, there were 195 enrolled students (189 full-time and 6 part-time). Based on the 2025 ABA 509 Report, 2112 candidates submitted JD applications to Marquette University Law School and 467 received acceptance letters. This means that of the 467 applicants who received law school acceptance letters, 218 chose to enroll.
Marquette Law ranks #85 in GPA composite (3.68), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.50 · 3.70 · 3.83). Marquette Law ranks #101 in LSAT composite (158.0), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (156 · 158 · 160).
Read also: A Look Back at Marquette in the NCAA Tournament
Bar Passage and Employment
Marquette Law ranks #193 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (50.0%), and it underperforms by -20.9% the state of Wisconsin's overall bar passage rate of 70.9%. Because of Wisconsin's Diploma Privilege, since 1933, graduates of the Law School have been admitted to the practice of law in Wisconsin without having to take the Wisconsin bar examination.
The Career Planning Center (CPC) processes hundreds of listings of employment opportunities, coordinates campus interviews, and provides individual counseling assistance to students, helping them assess career options, tailor job-search strategies, and navigate the competitive job market. The Law School’s employment rate consistently exceeds the national average.
Student Life and Facilities
The Law School's facility, Eckstein Hall, is a state-of-the-art building-LEED certified and award winning-that features the latest technology and houses a full-service café, a conference center, a fitness center, two courtrooms, and underground parking. Nearly 40 student organizations contribute to the vibrant community at Marquette University Law School. Ample, affordable housing is available throughout Milwaukee and its suburbs.
Read also: Applying to Marquette Dental School
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