Understanding McGeorge School of Law Tuition and Costs

Choosing a law school is a significant investment. For prospective students considering the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific, understanding the tuition structure, fees, and available financial aid options is crucial. This article breaks down the costs associated with attending McGeorge School of Law, offering a comprehensive overview for prospective students.

Overview of McGeorge School of Law

Established in 1924 and located in Sacramento, California, McGeorge School of Law provides a comprehensive legal education. Being situated in the state’s capital provides opportunities for hands-on learning, internships, and networking within the legal system. A law degree from McGeorge can lead to various career paths, with numerous alumni becoming judges, legislators, or policymakers. Others enter private practice, specializing in corporate law, litigation, or public interest law.

Tuition and Fees for Different Programs

The University of the Pacific’s Board of Regents sets tuition each year, attempting to keep increases as low as possible. In recent years, these increases have averaged around 3 percent annually, which the university states is less than many peer institutions. It's important to note that the university reserves the right to change fees, modify services, or alter its programs at any time without prior notice. Tuition is contingent upon the number of units taken each semester.

Here's a breakdown of tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year for various programs:

Juris Doctor (JD) Program

Full-Time Division

Full-time students will only be allowed to enroll in less than 12 units during their final semester and can be charged at a per-unit rate of $2,131, subject to approval from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

Tuition (Block Rate - 12 to 17 units per semester): $62,678 annually ($31,339 per semester)
Student Government Fee: $100 annually ($50 per semester)
Health Insurance: $3,296 - $3,594 annually ($1,648 - $1,797 per semester). Health Insurance is a Mandatory Fee for all students enrolled in 6 or more units. Rates may be subject to change.
Well-being Fee: $540 annually ($270 per semester). The Well-being Fee is $270/semester for students taking nine 9+ units and $135/semester for students taking less than 8.5 units.

Hybrid Evening JD Program

Hybrid Evening JD Program students will only be allowed to enroll in less than 8 units during their final semester and can be charged at the per unit rate of $2,131 subject to approval from the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Any units in excess of 10 units will be charged at the per unit rate of $2,131. The Hybrid Evening JD Program requires you to enroll in 2 to 5 units each summer at an additional per-unit cost.

Tuition (Block Rate - 8 to 10 units): $41,628 annually ($20,814 per semester)
Student Government Fee: $100 annually ($50 per semester)
Health Insurance: $3,296 - $3,594 annually ($1,648 - $1,797 per semester). Health Insurance is a Mandatory Fee for all students enrolled in 6 or more units. Rates may be subject to change.
Well-being Fee: $540 annually ($270 per semester). The Well-being Fee is $270/semester for students taking nine 9+ units and $135/semester for students taking less than 8.5 units.
Summer School: Varies (additional per-unit cost for 2 to 5 units)

Master of Laws (LLM) & Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD) Programs

JSD Residency Tuition (First Year)

JSD Residency: $29,706 annually ($14,853 per semester)
Student Government Fee: $100 annually ($50 per semester)
Health Insurance: $3,296 - $3,594 annually ($1,648 - $1,797 per semester). Health Insurance Rates may be subject to change.
Well-being Fee: $270 annually ($135 per semester). The Well-being Fee is $270/semester for students taking 9+ units and $135/semester for students taking less than 8.5 units. A reduced Well-being Fee for Summer also applies; however those rates are not available at this time but can range from $55 to $90.

JSD Candidacy Tuition (Second, Third, and Fourth Years)

For Current JSD Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2023

JSD Candidacy: $6,324 annually ($3,162 per semester)
Well-being Fee: $270 annually ($135 per semester)
Academic Year Total: $6,594 annually ($3,297 per semester)

For New JSD Students Admitted After Fall 2023

JSD Candidacy: $6,366 annually ($3,183 per semester)
Well-being Fee: $270 annually ($135 per semester)
Academic Year Total: $6,636 annually ($3,318 per semester)

The Well-being Fee is $270/semester for students taking 9+ units and $135/semester for students taking less than 8.5 units. A reduced Well-being Fee for Summer also applies; however those rates are not available at this time but can range from $55 to $90. Well-being Fee will be waived for students not residing on campus.

Master of Science in Law (MSL) Program

Tuition: $1,591 per unit. A two-year program usually involves 6 units/semester and 2 units during the summer.
MSL Program (6 units/semester): $22,274 annually ($9,546 in Fall, $9,546 in Spring, $3,182 in Summer)
Student Government Fee: $100 annually ($50 per semester)
Health Insurance: $3,296 - $3,594 annually ($1,648 - $1,797 per semester). Health Insurance is waived for students enrolled in the online MSL program. Rates may be subject to change.
Well-being Fee: $360 annually ($135 in Fall, $135 in Spring, $90 in Summer). The Well-being Fee is $270/semester for students taking 9+ units and $135/semester for students taking less than 8.5 units. A reduced Well-being Fee for Summer also applies; however, those rates are not available at this time but can range from $55 to $90.

Master of Public Administration (MPA) & Master of Public Policy (MPP) Programs

Tuition: $1,500 per unit. A three-year program usually involves 6 units/semester. The total number of units required for the MPP is 39. The total number of units required for the MPA is 30.
MPA/MPP Program (6 units/semester and 3 units/summer): $22,500 annually ($9,000 in Fall, $9,000 in Spring, $4,500 in Summer)
Student Government Fee: $100 annually ($50 per semester)
Health Insurance: $3,296 - $3,594 annually ($1,648 - $1,797 per semester). Health Insurance Rates may be subject to change.
Well-being Fee: $360 annually ($135 in Fall, $135 in Spring, $90 in Summer). The Well-being Fee is $270/semester for students taking 9+ units and $135/semester for students taking less than 8.5 units. A reduced Well-being Fee for Summer also applies; however, those rates are not available at this time but can range from $55 to $90.

Students may automatically be enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) depending on their program. Please check with program coordinator for further details.

Additional Fees

Besides tuition, students should budget for additional expenses such as books, supplies, and living costs. These can vary significantly depending on individual lifestyles and preferences.

Understanding Law School Rankings

Rankings are a consideration when selecting a law school, offering insights into an institution’s reputation and quality. McGeorge Law ranks #123 in LSAT composite (156.3), which is an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (153, 156, 160). McGeorge Law ranks #139 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($62,678). McGeorge Law ranks #148 in GPA composite (3.47), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.17, 3.52, 3.73). McGeorge Law ranks #159 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (70.6%), and it underperforms by -7.1% the state of California's overall bar passage rate of 77.6%.

Read also: Job Skills for Students

These rankings, designated as the 2026 Law School Rankings, are designed for applicants planning to start law school in fall 2026 and rely on the ABA's most recent 509 disclosures (released December 2025).

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

McGeorge Law School tuition is a significant investment, but various financial aid programs are available. MSL students may be eligible for financial aid.

ABA/FJE Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund

The ABA/FJE Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund assists minority students in affording law school, providing USD 15,000 over three years, with McGeorge contributing USD 5,000 yearly. Acceptance to McGeorge and obtaining the scholarship are prerequisites for application, supporting diversity in the legal field.

Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP)

LRAP provides financial assistance to graduates in public interest law, repaying law school loans to clear student loan debt. Eligibility requires full-time employment in a qualifying public interest position and meeting income criteria.

Other Financial Aid Options

Prospective students should explore federal and private loan options and any school-specific scholarships or grants for which they may be eligible.

Read also: Tuition at UARK Law

Admission Requirements for McGeorge School of Law

Knowing law school requirements impacts your acceptance odds. Components like the Letter of Recommendation, Resume, and Personal Statement demonstrate you’re qualified for McGeorge Law School. For a competitive law school application to Pacific McGeorge School of Law, students should aim to meet or exceed the median statistics shown below. Based on the 2025 ABA 509 Report, 1248 candidates submitted JD applications to Pacific McGeorge School of Law and 679 received acceptance letters. This means that of the 679 applicants who received law school acceptance letters, 212 chose to enroll.

To fulfill the requirement, obtain strong law school letters of recommendation from schools, employers, or other legal experts discussing your academic skills, work ethic, or related experiences.
Create a law school resume that discusses your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and employment history, along with appropriate abilities or accreditation.
Create a powerful and articulate law school personal statement about your motives, experiences, and objectives for seeking a legal education. Make it your very own by customizing it to reflect who you are and exactly why McGeorge Law School may be the best choice for you.
For McGeorge Law School, you will want a median LSAT score of 155 plus a median college GPA of 3.47. To accomplish this, study for the LSAT exam and keep a great record in undergrad. Meeting these requirements bolsters your application and shows your academic aptitude and law school readiness.

LSAT Preparation

Law School admission success requires preparation for the LSAT for McGeorge School of Law. Proper LSAT prep steps can enhance your preparation and boost your LSAT score - a factor in admissions decisions. Odyssey Test Prep offers services to get you the LSAT and into McGeorge School of Law. Do not put off prep till the last minute. Invest in great LSAT preparation materials such as practice exams, study guides, and online resources. Get on an LSAT preparation course. These courses offer reviews, and techniques, along with practice questions specific to the LSAT. Elevate your LSAT score with our expert LSAT Prep Course, tailored to the unique challenges and requirements of admission to McGeorge School of Law. If you want personalized assistance or attention in certain areas, LSAT tutoring is usually extremely beneficial. Excel in your LSAT with personalized tutoring, tailored to McGeorge’s standards, and position yourself as a strong candidate for law school. Practice makes the best in the LSAT. Devote time each day to working on practice questions, timed sections, along full-length tests. Seek counsel from a law school admissions consultant. Secure your spot at McGeorge School of Law with our expert Law School Admissions Consulting services, ensuring your application stands out. For LSAT Prep, choose Odyssey Test Prep.

Preparing for law school entails crafting a balanced application and a good LSAT to differentiate yourself from applicants. Your way to McGeorge School of Law, one of the best law schools in California, and other top Law schools require preparation and resources.

Application Fee and Deadlines

The full-time and part-time program application fee at the McGeorge School of Law is $0. The McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific has an application deadline of June 1.

Career Prospects and Salaries After Law School

After finishing law school, graduates often wonder about career prospects and potential earnings. Lawyers earned an average of USD 126,930 in 2020, although this could differ by location, specialty, and experience. Working for a law firm following law school can yield between USD 75,000 and over USD 200,000 yearly, based on the firm’s reputation and size. Alternatively, becoming a public defender in the public sector may range from USD 50,000 to USD 100,000 annually. Business Law, especially in large corporations or specialist areas like acquisitions and mergers, often offers even higher salaries.

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