Understanding Tuition and Fees at Mitchell Hamline School of Law

For prospective and current students of Mitchell Hamline School of Law, understanding the structure of tuition, fees, and payment options is crucial for financial planning. This article provides a detailed overview of the costs associated with attending Mitchell Hamline, including tuition rates for various programs, mandatory fees, payment plans, refund policies, and considerations for students with military service.

Tuition Costs for J.D. Students

Tuition at Mitchell Hamline School of Law is set annually by the Board of Trustees. It is important to note that tuition for J.D. students has been increasing at an annual rate of 3.5% for several years. While this rate could change, current projections assume a similar increase in the coming years.

The tuition is the same regardless of how the course content is delivered (e.g., online, blended, or in person).

2025-26 Academic Year Tuition

The following tuition rates are in effect for the 2025-26 academic year:

Full-Time (12-15 Credits): \$27,650 per semester
Part-Time (8-11 Credits): \$19,965 per semester
Per Credit (1-7 credits/Fall or Spring): \$2,485
J-Term 2026/credit: \$2,015
Summer 2026/credit: \$1,945
Alumni Audit/credit: \$150
Non Alumni Audit/credit: \$700
Student Audit: Please refer to section 1.07.E of the law school catalog

Students taking seven or fewer credits in a Fall or Spring term, as well as all J-Term and Summer class credits, are charged at the per-credit rates.

Read also: An In-Depth Look at Mitchell Pumar

Scholarships and Tuition Increases

Most scholarships at Mitchell Hamline are based on a fixed percentage of tuition. Therefore, if a student remains in good standing, the scholarship will also apply to any tuition increases in subsequent years. For example, a scholarship that covers 20% of tuition in Year 1 will cover 20% of the cost of tuition in Years 2, 3, and 4 (if applicable), regardless of tuition increases.

Mandatory Fees

In addition to tuition, students are required to pay certain mandatory fees each Fall and Spring semester:

Student Bar Association (SBA) Fee: \$50 per semester
Technology Fee: \$200 per semester
Integrated Bar Readiness Fee: \$250 per semester (up to 6 semesters total)

The Integrated Bar Readiness Program Fee supports a bar readiness program integrated throughout the curriculum, delivered throughout the student’s law school career. This fee is billed for a maximum of six semesters.

It is important to note that the fees listed above are not assessed during the J-Term and Summer sessions.

Other Fees

Additional fees may apply for specific services:

Official Transcript: Fees vary; see the instructions on How To Order A Transcript.
Late Fees: Assessed for late payments (See Section E.1 below).
Auditing fees: vary. Alumni should contact the Office of Alumni Affairs, while Students and non-Alumni holding a J.D. should contact the Office of the Registrar to determine availability of courses and cost.

LL.M. Program Tuition and Fees

LL.M. students are charged a flat rate per semester, regardless of the number of courses taken. They are not subject to different full- and part-time rates. Detailed information about LL.M. tuition and fees can be found on the LL.M. Tuition and Living Expenses Webpage. LL.M. students who take more than one year to complete the program will be charged the Semester Tuition published for the academic year for fall or spring, if they are taking 8 or more credits. Seven or fewer credits in a Fall or Spring term, after the first year are charged at the rates shown below.

Payment Options, Payment Plans, and Refunds

Payment Obligations and Late Fees

The payment of tuition and any mandatory and/or elected fees becomes the obligation of the student at the time of registration. Mitchell Hamline School of Law bills students at the beginning of each term. Payment is due following the review and processing of federal loans, scholarships, and other financial aid as published under Payment Information on the Student Accounts webpage. If the amount due is not paid by the 15th day after the due date, a late fee may be assessed and the student’s account will fall into past due status.

Past due accounts may face the following actions:

A hold will be placed on the account
Registration will be denied
Transcript requests may not be processed
Grades will be withheld
Students will be Administratively Withdrawn from classes
Certification of Graduation sent to the State Board of Law Examiners will be withheld
Past Due accounts assigned to a collection agency will be assessed interest and any other additional collections costs.

A late fee charge of .67% (annual percentage rate of 8%) of the overdue amount may be assessed by the school if any part of a payment due is not paid on or before the fifteenth day following its due date. Tuition payments can be made via ACH (eCheck) or debit/credit card through online payments via Transact, in addition to cash or checks. A 2.95% fee applies to all credit and debit card transactions, while ACH payments are free.

Payment Plans

Mitchell Hamline offers two primary payment plan options:

Read also: Navigating Student Records

Full Payment Plan: Requires that all tuition and any fees are paid following the review and processing of federal loans, scholarships, and other financial aid as published online under Payment Information.
- Fall 2025 Tuition is due for all students by August 29, 2025. If you have an approved payment plan the first payment for Fall is due August 20, 2025.
- J-term and Spring Tuition 2026 for all students due by January 31, 2026. If you have an approved payment plan, the first payment for both J-Term and Spring is due January 20, 2026.
- Summer Tuition is due on or before the class start date.
Installment Payment Plan: Allows students to spread the cost of tuition over four installments. Students on payment plans must be current on their payments to register for an upcoming term.

Employer/Outside Agency Tuition Reimbursement

Students expecting to receive employer tuition reimbursement or any other outside tuition reimbursement should consult with the Finance Office at the beginning of the semester when the reimbursement is to occur. Documentation from the employer or outside agency is required. Once documentation is on file in the Finance Office, tuition payments may be deferred accordingly.

Student Refund Checks

First refund checks in each semester will generally be available at the end of the semester add/drop deadline and every Friday afterwards. Credit balances from fully paid student accounts will be distributed either electronically via Transact eRefunds (enrollment required) or via check in accordance with any applicable Federal Regulations.

Withdrawal from a Course - Add/Drop-Affecting Tuition

Tuition Refund Schedules are posted in advance of each upcoming academic term for full withdrawals, dismissals or students taking a leave of absence. Students who decrease tiers during a semester (Full-Time to Part-Time, Part-Time to Other, etc.) will be subject to the refund scale percentage on the date of the change. To calculate this, the Finance team will take the difference between the tiers and match that difference to the refund scale, this will be the pro-rated amount shown on top of the new tier charge. Add/drop activities, once an academic term has begun, that result in a net increase in tuition will be billed accordingly. Credit balances from fully paid student accounts will be distributed by eRefund (enrollment required) or by check in accordance with any applicable Federal Regulations. For additional questions regarding add/drop of classes, please see Academic Rule 1.07. Registration; Add/Drop; Withdraw: Extensions in this Catalog.

Withdrawal from Law School - Tuition Refunds

Students who fully withdraw from an academic term, once the term has started, will have a tuition liability calculation completed by the Finance Office. Students who receive federal financial aid will have a calculation done for Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4). Mitchell Hamline School of Law will process withdrawal calculations within 10 days after the withdrawal form is received in the Finance Office. If, at the time of withdrawal, a student’s tuition payments exceed the amount of tuition liability, the Finance Office uses the overpaid amount to reduce any federal and then non-federal student aid awarded before returning any funds to the student. Any remaining balance on a student account after these calculations are performed is due immediately.

Return of Federal Aid (Title IV) Funds

The percentage of federal (Title IV) aid returned is determined from a calculation using the effective withdrawal or leave date on record and number of days in the period of enrollment. The tuition refund is distributed to federal programs as mandated by federal regulation in the order listed below:

Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan
Subsidized Federal Direct Loan
Graduate Plus Direct Loan
Other Federal Sources
Institutional Aid
Private Aid (private loans, outside scholarships, etc.)
MN SELF Loans (or other state aid)
Student Payments

Non-Title IV Program Refund

The percentage of state aid returned is determined from a calculation using the effective withdrawal or leave date along with other considerations such as percentage of award funded by state funds, payment on accounts, and amount refunded to federal programs

Institutional Aid - reduced by the same percent as the student’s tuition is reduced.
Minnesota State Aid including SELF loan, Minnesota GI, and MN Indian Scholarship Program.

Policy on Tuition for Students Returning from Active Duty in the Military

Tuition for students who enter active duty in the military will be charged as follows:

In times of war: Tuition will be charged at the level that would have been charged during the period the student was serving in the military if the student is called into or voluntarily enters active duty.
In non-war times: This section applies in non-war times when the student is called into service involuntarily. The section does not apply when a student voluntarily enters active duty during non-war times.

There is a three-year look-back limit. For example, if a student returns after a five-year absence, the tuition would be at the level from three years prior to the date of return.

Additional Information

Mitchell Hamline has a robust scholarship program designed for students from all walks of life. Most scholarships are based on a fixed percentage of tuition, therefore, assuming a student remains in good standing, the scholarship will also apply to any tuition increases in subsequent years.

It is never too early to start thinking about your options for Loan Repayment Assistance and Federal Loan Forgiveness. In Minnesota, the loan repayment assistance program is administered by LRAP-MN for all of the Minnesota law school graduates.

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