William and Mary Law School Tuition Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

William & Mary Law School, formally known as the Marshall-Wythe School of Law, is the law school of the College of William & Mary, a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1779 at the urging of Thomas Jefferson, an alumnus of the university, it holds the distinction of being the first law school in the United States after the transformation of the College of William & Mary into a university. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the tuition fees, associated costs, and financial aid opportunities available to prospective and current students at William and Mary Law School.

Historical Context and Notable Figures

The law school's establishment was influenced by Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson, leading to the appointment of George Wythe as the first chair of law. Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, also tutored notable figures such as Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. John Marshall, who later became Chief Justice of the United States in 1801, received his formal legal education through Wythe's lectures at William & Mary in 1780.

Tuition and Fees for On-Campus Programs

Understanding the costs associated with attending law school is crucial for prospective students. For the 2023-24 academic year, tuition at William & Mary Law School is $36,418 for Virginia residents and $58,604 for non-residents.

Tuition and fees for Fall 2023 were expected to be billed July 11, 2023, and were due August 1, 2023. Tuition and fees for Spring 2024 were expected to be billed December 11, 2023, and were due January 2, 2024.

For the 2024 JD application cycle, law school tuition at William and Mary Law School was $121k annually (calculated from semester costs). Prospective law students should budget approximately $36k for the total annual cost of attending (including tuition, fees, books, and living expenses).

Read also: W&M Affordability

Additional Program Fees

Graduate Education students will be charged a one-time LiveText fee of $150.00 for web based assessment system access.

Tuition Payment Schedule

Tuition and fees for Fall 2023 were expected to be billed July 11, 2023, and are due August 1, 2023. Tuition and fees for Spring 2024 were expected to be billed December 11, 2023, and are due January 2, 2024.

Cost of Attendance

Prospective law students should budget approximately $36,000 for the total annual cost of attending, which includes tuition, fees, books, and living expenses.

Living Allowance

The living allowance includes the cost of food, housing, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses (cell phone, clothing, entertainment, travel, books and supplies).

Tuition and Fees for Online Programs

William & Mary offers an Online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition rate is $1,288 per credit hour, bringing the total estimated tuition to $41,216.

Read also: Funding Your Education at WPU

Additional Online Program Fees

In addition to tuition, online MLS students should anticipate the following fees:

Registration Fee: $100 per semester
TimelyCare: $12 per semester
Graduation Fee: $150

Note that tuition rates are not inclusive of textbooks and fees.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Approximately 97% of students received financial aid (2022). William & Mary Law School offers various financial aid options to assist students in funding their education.

Scholarships for LL.M. Program

William & Mary Law School offers a small number of discretionary scholarships for the on-campus LL.M. Program in American Legal Studies. The probability of receiving aid through the Law School depends on the availability of funds and applicant qualifications. All scholarship decisions are based on merit without regard to financial need. Scholarships will not be adjusted at any time due to a student's change in financial circumstances. Upon matriculation, all scholarship awards are final and non-negotiable. All LL.M. applicants are considered for discretionary scholarships at time of application, unless fully funded through an external source. A separate LL.M.

External Scholarships for International Students

Although some scholarships are offered to LL.M. students, they are limited in number. Most of our students use individual or family savings and resources to fund their LL.M. Program expenses for themselves or their spouse as a means of financing their studies. Students may browse additional scholarship information here (pdf). In comparing scholarships at each school to which you have applied, it is important to compare the Net Cost of Attendance.

Federal Aid for Online MLS Students

Federal financial aid is available to eligible students enrolled in the online MLS program. To apply, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using William & Mary’s school code: 003705.

Federal Loan Options

Citizens and eligible non-citizens may qualify for federal loans by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required for federal loan eligibility and can be filed electronically at www.fafsa.gov. To ensure we receive your FAFSA submission details, please include our federal school code: 003705.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Available to eligible graduate students regardless of financial need. Interest begins accruing at the time of disbursement. Student must be enrolled for a certain period of time at participating schools for eligibility.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans: Credit-based loans that can be used to cover additional costs not met by Direct Unsubsidized Loans. These loans may require a credit check or endorser. Since this is not a subsidized loan interest accrues while you are enrolled.

Employer Tuition Assistance

Many employers offer tuition reimbursement or education assistance programs. Contact your HR department to learn more about available benefits.

Private Loans

A variety of private lenders offer education loans to graduate students.

Military Benefits

William & Mary proudly supports active-duty military personnel and veterans. You may be able to use benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon Program, or other VA-supported aid.

Payment Plans

William & Mary offers payment plans for some academic programs, but availability for students in the online MLS program may vary.

Eligibility for In-State Tuition

Eligibility for in-state tuition at William & Mary is determined by § 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia. The Code specifies that you must demonstrate your residency in Virginia for at least one year immediately preceding the first day of classes and an intent to remain in Virginia indefinitely. Applicants are required to submit the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges to the University Registrar, regardless of how long you have lived in Virginia, for assessment of your eligibility. William & Mary complies with state and federal regulations for veterans and military students and dependants.

Career Prospects and Salary Expectations

After completing their JD program at William and Mary Law School, graduates entering private law firms earn a median starting salary of $185,000. JD graduates pursuing public sector legal careers start at approximately $70,000. Additionally, 16.3% of graduates obtain prestigious judicial clerkships, and 6.9% pursue public interest law careers. of JD graduates were employed at jobs that required a JD within 10 months of graduation. For JD graduates from William and Mary Law School, the bar exam pass rate is 93.0% on the first attempt.

Notable Alumni

William & Mary Law School has produced numerous distinguished alumni, including:

John Marshall (Chief Justice of the United States)
Michele Bachmann (U.S. Representative)
John L. Brownlee (Partner, Holland & Knight)
William H. Cabell (Governor of Virginia)
Eric Cantor (U.S. Representative)
Matt Gaetz (U.S. Representative)
Jerry W. Kilgore (Attorney General of Virginia)
James Murray Mason (U.S. Senator)
Haldane Robert Mayer (Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit)
Jason Miyares (Attorney General of Virginia)
Lewis Burwell Puller, Jr. (Vietnam veteran and Pulitzer Prize winning author)
Steve Salbu (Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology)
Robert E. Scott (Professor, University of Virginia School of Law)
Henry St. George Tucker (U.S. Representative)
Jennifer Wexton (U.S. Representative)
Susan D. Wigenton (Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey)

Additional Resources and Programs

William & Mary Law School offers a variety of clinics and programs to enhance the educational experience:

Appellate and Supreme Court Clinic
Domestic Violence Clinic
Elder Law and Disability Clinic
Federal Tax Clinic
Immigration Clinic
Innocence Project Clinic
Lewis J. Puller Veterans' Benefits Clinic
Special Education Advocacy Clinic
Center for Legal and Court Technology
Election Law Program
Human Rights and National Security Law Program
Center for Comparative Legal Studies and Post-Conflict Peacebuilding
William & Mary Property Rights Project
Institute of Bill of Rights Law

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