Understanding the Cost of Attending the University of Georgia School of Law

For prospective law students considering the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Law, understanding the financial implications is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the tuition costs, fees, and estimated cost of attendance, along with available financial assistance options. This information aims to help students plan and budget for their legal education at UGA.

Overview of UGA School of Law

The School of Law at the University of Georgia has an application deadline of June 1, with an application fee of $50. The student-faculty ratio is 6.1:1, facilitating a more personalized learning environment.

Tuition and Fees

The cost of tuition at UGA School of Law varies depending on residency status. As of recent data:

Georgia Residents (In-State): \$17,444
Non-Residents (Out-of-State): \$40,830
Out-of-Country Students: \$42,016

In addition to tuition, all students are required to pay fees, which currently amount to \$1,458, irrespective of their residency status.

Therefore, the total tuition and fees amount to:

In-State: \$18,902
Out-of-State: \$42,288
Out-of-Country: \$43,474

It's important to note that these figures represent the base tuition and fees. The total cost of attendance includes additional expenses such as room and board, transportation, books, and personal expenses.

Estimated Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the total educational expenses for an academic year. It includes both direct costs (paid to UGA) and indirect costs (incurred outside of UGA). According to the University of Georgia Office of Student Financial Aid, the estimated total cost of attendance is:

Georgia Resident: \$42,296
Non-Resident: \$65,682
Out of Country: \$66,868

The following table breaks down the estimated costs:

Expense	Amount
Room & Board	\$15,944
Transportation	\$2,080
Books & Supplies	\$1,016
Personal/Misc. Expenses	\$4,354
Total	\$23,394

Additional Costs for International Students:

International students holding student visas should also factor in the following costs:

International Student/Scholar Compliance Fee: \$142
Student Health Insurance Premiums: \$2,936

Tuition and Fee Waivers

Non-resident students who receive full or half out-of-state tuition waivers will have the equivalent monetary value reflected on their award as a resource.

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Tuition Rates for Undergraduate Programs

Here's a breakdown of undergraduate tuition rates based on credit hours and residency:

Standard and Online Courses (Based on 15-hour flat rate):

In-State (Resident):
- 6 hours or less: \$2,982
- More than 6 hours: \$5,017
Out-of-State (Non-Resident):
- 6 hours or less: \$9,163
- More than 6 hours: \$15,439
Out-of-Country:
- 6 hours or less: \$9,429
- More than 6 hours: \$15,887

Specific Undergraduate Rates:

Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources (BSFR):
- In-State: \$3,279 (6 hrs or less), \$5,517 (More than 6 hrs)
- Out-of-State: \$10,479 (6 hrs or less), \$17,658 (More than 6 hrs)
- Out-of-Country: \$10,784 (6 hrs or less), \$18,171 (More than 6 hrs)
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA):
- In-State: \$3,279 (6 hrs or less), \$5,541 (More than 6 hrs)
- Out-of-State: \$9,807 (6 hrs or less), \$16,742 (More than 6 hrs)
- Out-of-Country: \$10,092 (6 hrs or less), \$17,228 (More than 6 hrs)

Tuition Rates for Graduate Programs

Graduate tuition rates also vary based on residency and credit hours:

Standard Rate for Master & PhD Candidates:

In-State (Resident):
- 1-11 credit hours: \$418/hr
- 12 or more credit hours: \$5,017
Out-of-State (Non-Resident):
- 1-11 credit hours: \$1,287/hr
- 12 or more credit hours: \$15,439
Out-of-Country:
- 1-11 credit hours: \$1,324/hr
- 12 or more credit hours: \$15,887

Specific Graduate Rates:

Master of Social Work (MSW): Same as Standard Rate
Master of Public Administration (MPA):
- In-State: \$427/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$5,125 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-State: \$1,287/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,439 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-Country: \$1,324/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,887 (12 or more credit hrs)
Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA):
- In-State: \$447/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$5,361 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-State: \$1,287/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,439 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-Country: \$1,324/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,887 (12 or more credit hrs)
Master of Historic Preservation (MHP): Same as MLA
Master of Urban Planning and Design (M.U.P.D.): Same as MLA
Master of Public Health (MPH): Same as MSW
Doctor of Public Health (DRPH):
- In-State: \$439/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$5,256 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-State: \$1,287/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,439 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-Country: \$1,324/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,887 (12 or more credit hrs)
Master of Accountancy (MACC):
- In-State: \$542/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$6,497 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-State: \$1,287/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,439 (12 or more credit hrs)
- Out-of-Country: \$1,324/hr (1-11 credit hrs), \$15,887 (12 or more credit hrs)

LL.M. Program Tuition

For the School of Law's LL.M. program, the resident tuition is \$19,502, out-of-state tuition is \$40,402, and out-of-country tuition is \$41,534. All LL.M. students also pay fees of \$1,458.

Cost of Attendance Adjustments

The Cost of Attendance (COA) may be adjusted based on several factors:

Enrollment Status: If an undergraduate student enrolls in fewer than 7 hours, or a graduate student enrolls in fewer than 12 hours in the Fall or Spring Semester, the COA may be recalculated, potentially reducing need-based financial aid.
Enrollment Less Than Half-Time: The COA for students enrolled less than half-time includes only tuition, fees, books, and transportation. Housing and food costs may be included for a limited number of semesters.
Disability-Related Expenses: Students with disability-related expenses (e.g., personal assistance, equipment) may contact OSFA to have these expenses considered in the COA.
Professional Credentialing Costs: OSFA may include the one-time cost of obtaining the first professional credential required for licensure or certification.

Financial Aid and Assistance

UGA provides various forms of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. To be considered for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

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The financial aid application deadline is crucial for students seeking assistance. The amount of aid a student can receive is capped by the Cost of Attendance (COA). The COA is based on residency, program of study, and living arrangements (on-campus or off-campus).

Paying Tuition and Fees

After registration, students are required to pay their tuition and fees. Payment deadlines are strictly enforced; for instance, Fall 2026 tuition was due August 12, 2026. Financial aid overage funds will not be disbursed until tuition and fees are paid. Students can check Athena for billing information and manage their Student Account, which includes charges like tuition, fees, food service, and parking.

Factors to Consider

Bar Passage Rate: UGA Law has a strong bar passage rate, outperforming the state average.
Rankings: UGA Law holds a respectable position in law school rankings, reflecting its academic rigor and career prospects.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates from UGA Law have good employment outcomes, with many securing "bar-required" or "JD advantage" positions.

Rankings and Employment

UGA Law holds several notable rankings:

#23 in GPA composite (3.86)
#32 in LSAT composite (166.3)
#42 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (90.4%), outperforming Georgia's overall rate by +10.7%
#384 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students (\$38,944)

These rankings, based on the latest ABA 509 disclosures, reflect the Fall 2025 entering class, 2024 bar passage rates, and 2024 employment outcomes.

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