Ever paid for prestige—or at least thought you were?

For years, prospective lawyers have been coaxed into astronomical law school sticker prices—skyrocketing tuition fulfilling institutional self-interest more than students’ prospects. But now, as the academic marquee loses its shine, something unexpected is happening: the once unstoppable law school tuition bubble is slowing down. And for JDJournal readers, that shift ushers in a new era in legal education—one grounded in value, not vanity.

The Bubble That Was

In the last few decades, elite law schools upped tuition consistently, justifying their soaring costs with prestige, alumni networks, and hiring pipelines into BigLaw. Many students accepted the price tag—some approaching half a million dollars in debt—as a reasonable exchange for the perceived badge of excellence and access to top-tier opportunities.

But as the reality of crushing student loans collided with a shifting job market, the calculus began to change. No one—not even aspiring lawyers—wants to spiral into six-figure debt for what might amount to a digital pat on the back: a fancy credential destined to collect dust on LinkedIn. The realization is dawning: prestige alone doesn’t guarantee career return.

The Market Shifts

1. Admissions & Enrollment Adjustments

As applicants rethink their ROI, elite institutions are noticing softer demand. Beyond the sticker shock, prospective students are increasingly tuned into employment data and realistic paybacks—especially as the BigLaw pipeline narrows and remote/hybrid legal work gains ground.

2. Tuition Growth Deceleration

With fewer students willing to take on seven-figure debt, universities face pressure to temper tuition hikes. Even institutions that once prided themselves on price inflation as a badge of exclusivity are forced to reassess. Legal education’s “trust us, you’ll land the job” model is faltering.

3. Value Over Vanity

Legal graduates now prioritize education that’s cost-efficient, practically oriented, and connected to job-ready opportunities—adding pressure on schools to demonstrate tangible career outcomes instead of just prestige.

Why This Matters to Prospective Lawyers

• Reduced Financial Pressure
  If tuition growth slows—or financial aid improves—there’s real potential for you to graduate with more manageable debt. That means greater flexibility in choosing practice areas or even tackling public service roles without being chained to six-figure burdens.
• Greater Incentive for Career-Focused Education
  Law schools must now compete on substance—not just rankings. Expect expanded clinical programs, more externally vetted employment data, and innovations in instruction (e.g., virtual internships, specialized practicums) that align education with employment.
• Empowered Decision-Making
  You don’t have to let pedigree drive your choice. More schools are responding to student demand for transparency in cost-to-outcome comparisons. This shift levels the playing field and lets driven candidates who prioritize smart scholarship see real options.
• Market Accountability Finally Arriving
  The idea that students will borrow anything for a “name” is fading. Many institutions are starting to feel the market consequences—and that’s opening doors to reform, particularly in how programs position themselves to applicants.

Broader Context: Education Bubble Concerns

It’s not just law school. Across higher education, critics have warned of a “bubble” caused by soaring tuition, easy federal lending, and education commodified as a status symbol. Over time, several trends have converged:

• Diminishing Returns on Investment
  As tuition outpaces income, the correlation between degrees and job outcomes falters in some sectors—especially humanities or oversaturated fields.
• Demographic Declines & Increasing Closures
  With fewer college-age students in certain regions, institutions—particularly liberal arts colleges and rural universities—face shutdowns, mergers, or the need to remap academic models.
• Shift to Skills-Based Education
  Vocational programs and technical training are increasingly favored by students and employers, presenting compelling alternatives to traditional degrees.

In that light, the law school tuition bubble easing is just one dimension of a broader nationwide reevaluation: Are we borrowing too much for education that doesn’t guarantee payoff?

How JDJournal Readers Can Respond

1. Compare Total Cost vs. Career Outcomes
   Rather than being dazzled by school rankings, ask critical questions: What’s the average debt? What are your real odds of landing a job in your field? What support does the school provide in building employment pipelines?
2. Lean into Smart Financing
   Explore tiered tuition models, income-share agreements, scholarships tied to public interest, or work-study options that can offset costs. Some law schools are experimenting with these—and the easing bubble should encourage more flexibility.
3. Advocate for Transparency
   Demand that law schools publish clear, verifiable employment data and loan default rates. It’s not just your right—it’s your leverage.
4. Explore Non-Traditional Entry Paths
   Consider part-time, online, or hybrid law programs. Some schools now partner with legal employers for co-op or “earn-while-you-learn” models that reduce reliance on borrowing.

Final Thought: Value Will Outlast Vanity

The days of borrowing beyond reason for the allure of a branded credential are fading. Today’s aspiring lawyers want return on investment, not just recognition. As the tuition bubble softens, savvy graduates will identify law schools—and legal careers—that prioritize affordability, value, and long-term impact over prestige for prestige’s sake.

JDJournal is committed to helping you navigate this changing landscape. Whether you’re weighing law school options, managing funding strategies, or charting a focused career path, we’re here to guide your decisions—so you graduate with purpose, not just a debt load.

The post Why the Law School Tuition Bubble Is Finally Softening — And What It Means for You first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

The University of Arizona’s law school has forged a strategic partnership with Aspen Publishing, a renowned entity known for its legal textbooks and study materials. In a groundbreaking development announced on Friday, Aspen Publishing has secured an exclusive five-year license to oversee JD-Next, an innovative eight-week online legal education program culminating in a comprehensive examination. Both parties have expressed their anticipation that this collaboration will result in the expansion and more frequent offering of JD-Next.

A Vision for Inclusive Legal Education

JD-Next, developed by the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, is a pioneering initiative to enhance diversity among law students. The program was conceived to assess an applicant’s aptitude for law school without relying on standardized tests, which have historically produced significant racial score disparities. A 2019 study of the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) revealed an average score of 142 out of a possible 180 for Black test-takers, compared to 153 for white and Asian test-takers. Experts attribute these disparities to inequitable educational opportunities and racial bias in standardized tests, among other factors.

Get ahead of the competition by submitting your resume to LawCrossing – don’t wait any longer!

JD-Next Gains Momentum

JD-Next received a substantial boost in June when the American Bar Association granted law schools the authority to utilize the program for admissions, on par with the LSAT or GRE. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision to prohibit race-conscious admissions policies at colleges and universities has spurred law schools to seek alternative ways to create diverse student bodies while adhering to the new ruling.

A Comprehensive Online Learning Experience

JD-Next participants engage in eight weeks of online courses, devoting roughly half their time to legal case analysis and the other half to contract law studies. At the program’s conclusion, participants undergo a comprehensive examination to assess their grasp of the material. Law schools can employ these results to inform their admissions decisions or to provide admitted students with valuable preparation for the rigorous demands of law school. This partnership between Arizona Law and Aspen Publishing, which enables Arizona Law to transition from administering JD-Next, is anticipated to make the program more attractive to other law schools seeking to adopt it.

Busy schedule? No problem. Subscribe to JDJournal for bite-sized legal news updates that fit your on-the-go lifestyle.

Transition to a Sustainable Model

This transformative partnership between the University of Arizona’s law school and Aspen Publishing marks a significant step toward a more inclusive and equitable future for legal education in the United States.

Don’t be a silent ninja! Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

The post University of Arizona’s Law School Partners with Aspen Publishing to Expand JD-Next Program first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: Vermont Law School is trying to save costs by reducing the size of its workforce.

Vermont Law School announced that in an attempt to cut costs, they will be undergoing “faculty restructuring,” according to Valley News. The law school is still trying to figure out the details of how exactly they will be reducing their workforce.

President Thomas McHenry said, “Our target is maximum programmatic efficiency and value. Our major priorities are preserving our strong (juris doctorate) program, maintaining our strong environmental program, and keeping the immensely strong sense of community we have here.”

McHenry explained that the process to downsize began last October by reviewing all faculty positions to determine any possible efficiency gains. The school, like many other law schools, has struggled financially since the economic downturn took a hit to the number of law school applications and enrollment numbers.

The law school plans to finish the restructuring process by late June. Some of the changes include moving a few professors to professor emeritus status, asking some professors to take on more responsibilities, and reducing the teaching the programmatic loads of others. At this time, no cuts have been made to staff members.

McHenry said he is optimistic that the changes will help the school remain viable. “All institutions have to be worried about solvency. We have a small endowment and very limited state and federal funding. The restructuring we’re going through is designed to address those concerns,” McHenry added.

The last time the school underwent a major staff change was in 2013. There were a number of layoffs and the law school cut its operating budget by $4 million to now be around $23 million. The school had 135 faculty members and staff last year, not including their summer, adjunct, and online faculty, that taught 630 students, 140 of which are online students.

Last semester was a bumpy one for the law school with some students questioning the school’s finances. The U.S. Department of Agriculture loaned the school $17 million to help them get their budget back in order.

Vermont Law School received 75 percent of its annual budget from tuition revenues. The drop in enrollment numbers has been a big hit for the school. They have implemented a three percent tuition hike to begin this fall and enrollment numbers have started to pick back up. The fall class has 183 students enrolled, up from 161 students last fall and 148 the year before that.

The American Bar Association recently changed the standards regarding the number of credits that can be earned online for a juris doctorate, something which McHenry says they plan to take advantage of. He said, “Theoretically, you could do law school in one year of residence that includes summer, fall, spring, and then a year of online coursework, and then a semester in practice, which you might think of as an externship.”

Do you think students will learn enough through online courses? Do you prefer online or in-person courses? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

To learn more about Vermont Law, read these articles:

• Thomas McHenry Welcomed as Dean and President at Vermont Law School
• Vermont Law Hosts “Hazing in Sports” Panel
• Vermont Law School Expels Pesky Student

Photo: greenbillion.org

The post Vermont Law Undergoes Faculty Changes first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: A couple with ties to the law school donated $1 million to be used towards scholarships for students to reduce the loans they have to take out.

William & Mary Law School received a generous donation from an alumnus and his wife. Jim Penney, who graduated from the school in 1983, explained that he needed to take out loans in order to pay for school. Now 35 years later, he wants to provide a way for future students to reduce the loans they need to make it through school, according to an announcement from the school.

Penney and his wife LauraLeigh Young donated $1 million towards scholarships as part of the school’s For the Bold campaign. He said, “There was no other way I would have made it through law school – loans were a necessity. We decided to contribute to scholarships with the goal of either reducing or eliminating the amount that future law students might have to borrow for tuition.”

The donation will provide tuition support for law students to come as part of the newly created James A. Penney and LauraLeigh Young Scholarship in Law Endowment and the Class of 1983 William B. Spong Jr. Scholarship in Law Endowment. William & Mary Law School Dean Davison M. Douglas said, “Jim and LauraLeigh’s support of the law school is an extraordinary example of the impact private support plays in training the next generation of citizen lawyers. We are grateful for their continued support of the first law school in the United States.”

To honor their donation, the law school will rename the courtroom in the Hixon Center for Experiential Learning and Leadership to the James A. Penney and LauraLeigh Young Courtroom.

The couple live in Seattle but have remained involved with the law school. He is co-chair of his class’s 35-year law reunion and has been part of his class’s reunion leadership team for around 20 years. They both have participated in other programs like the Dean’s Council Dinner and events hosted in Seattle.

Penney added, “I’ve remained a big fan of the law school since graduating, so I wanted to convey my enthusiasm to my classmates with the hope they also would choose to contribute financially to support the law school’s mission and to enhance its presence in the academic community.”

He is currently the executive vice president and general counsel of Wave Broadband. From 2000 to 2006 he was a partner with Cairncross & Hempelmann, where he practiced corporate finance and technology transactions law, representing clients like the Microsoft Corporation, Starwood Corporation, and Sealaska Corporation.

Young was a corporate writer for 12 years before becoming a full-time parent to their three children. She spent time at a public middle school, providing the students with academic and social support. When their oldest daughter was diagnosed in 2014 with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS), Young became an advocate and educator of the disorder.

Do you think it would be possible for enough alumni to donate money that almost all of the cost of law school could be covered for students? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

To learn more about donations law school receive that go towards scholarships, read these articles:

• Alumnus Gives Money for Scholarship Fund to ONU
• NYU Law Receives $20 Million Donation
• John Marshall School of Law Adds Four New Scholarships

Photo: wm.edu

The post William & Mary Law Receives $1 Million Scholarship Gift first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: Law school is an expensive endeavor with the average yearly tuition being the same amount as a starting salary, but there are some less expensive options.

Paying for college is no easy or cheap task. Paying for higher education such as law school is even more difficult. Private and public colleges can carry steep price tags with public requiring out-of-state fees and private being able to charge more.

Columbia Law School carries the highest yearly tuition rate of the 99 private law schools that are ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The school has a cost of $62,700. Typically the higher the school is rated, the higher the tuition costs are.

Brigham Young University’s Clark Law School is on the opposite side of the spectrum as the lowest-costing school. They charge $23,940 for non-church members or $11,970 for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

For public law schools, the University of Virginia School of Law has an in-state tuition charge of $54,000.  They also hold a No. 8 spot on the rankings, tied with the University of California – Berkeley and the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. The University of Connecticut School of Law has the highest out-of-state tuition for students at $57,852.

The University of North Dakota School of Law is the public school with the lowest-cost for in-state tuition, being only $11,161. The lowest rate of out-of-state tuition at a public school is at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. They charge $22,402.

The average tuition of the 99 ranked private law schools is $45,467. The average tuition for students at the 80 ranked public law schools is $25,890 for in-state and $38,885 for out-of-state.

Source: http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/which_law_schools_charge_the_most_and_least/

Photo: money.usnews.com

The post Highest and Lowest Priced Law Schools first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: U.S. News and World Report has just released its 2017 ranking of Best Law Schools.

Last night, U.S. News and World Report released its highly anticipated 2017 Best Law Schools List, a ranking that weighs in a school’s reputation, LSAT scores, job placement success, acceptance rate, and more. (See their methodology methods here.) It was supposed to be published at midnight, but they eased the tension of some law school deans by releasing it almost an hour early at 10:45 pm.

The famous list is coveted by potential law students and law schools every year. According to Business Wire, a Kaplan poll showed that 73% of applicants use the list to factor in where to apply. With law school admission standards decreasing and less students applying, those that make U.S. News’ list still have the prestige of being competitive to get into and thus giving any of its students and graduates an elite status.

It’s noted that acceptance rates at these top schools have risen, which is good for potential applicants, but so have prices.

So what makes these schools so special? Let’s look at the top 25 and compare.

U.S. News and World Report’s 2017 Top 25 Law Schools

1. Yale

Yale kept the top spot from last year. Like the other schools on the list, Yale saw an increase in its acceptance rate–last year it was 8.9%, this year it’s 9.7%. The school, which has notable alumni like Bill and Hillary Clinton, Clarence Thomas, and Sonia Sotomayor, costs $58,050 a year for tuition and fees, and the 25th-75th percentile of its student body have LSAT scores that range from 171-176.

2. Harvard (tie)

Harvard enrolls 1,767 full-time students, according to U.S. News; and ten months after graduation 94.4% get jobs. JD Journal reported earlier that Mark Weber, assistant dean of career services at Harvard Law, said that the school produces a large amount of judicial clerks who later move into big law firms. The acceptance rate at Harvard Law eased from 15.4% to 17.9%.

2. Stanford (tie)

According to U.S. News, the 25th-75th percentile of Stanford students have LSAT scores that range from 169-173, and after graduation 93% of students get full-time jobs. Annual tuition and fees is $56,274, and notable alumni include Sandra Day O’Conner and William Rehnquist.

4. Columbia (tie)

Amongst the top ten schools, Columbia is the most expensive, costing $62,700 a year in fees and tuition. Leading legal recruiter Harrison Barnes of BCG Attorney Search said that Columbia students tend to gravitate towards law firm jobs, which makes sense because so many of the majors are located nearby. He added that Columbia students often choose the school over others such as Harvard because they desire to live in New York City.

Columbia Law has a 21.3% acceptance rate, and the 25th-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 168-173. It consistently ranks #1 on The National Law Journal’s Go-To Law School list.

4. University of Chicago (tie)

University of Chicago maintained its spot from last year. The school enrolls 617 students and has an acceptance rate of 21.9%, according to U.S. News. After ten months, 96.2% of its students find full-time employment.

6. New York University

Like Columbia, New York University has close proximity to major law firms, which is a draw for the 96.7% of students who find employment ten months after graduation. According to U.S. News, tuition and fees is $59,916 for a full time student, and the school has a 33% acceptance rate. The 25th-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 166-171.

7. University of Pennsylvania

LawCrossing wrote, “The University of Pennsylvania Law School has always focused on the employability of its students rather than focusing solely on theoretical jurisprudence.” This can be seen in its numbers–97.8% of its graduates find employment in ten months. The school costs $59,918 a year, according to U.S. News.

8. University of California–Berkeley (tie)

Keeping its spot from last year, UC Berkeley also increased its acceptance rate from 20.2% to 21.1%. The school costs $52,630 a year for out of state students, and in state students get a slightly reduced rate of $48,679. The 25th-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 162-168, according to U.S. News.

8. University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor rose three spots from last year, and it has an acceptance rate of 28%, 932 full time students, and an employment rate of 93.3% for graduates after ten months. Tuition and fees per year is $53,112 for in-state students and $56,112 for out-of-state students, according to U.S. News.

11. Duke

Last year, Duke ranked #8, but it dropped to #11. The school has 668 full-timers, and an acceptance rate of 23.3.%, according to U.S. News. Barnes of BCG Attorney Search said, “You will find graduates of Duke at most of the best law firms in the country. Here, they often do extremely well and fit in quite well. For the most part, there are a lot of good students coming out of Duke that can succeed at a high level in the practice of law.” The school’s annual tuition and fees is $57,717.

12. Northwestern

Staying at #12, Northwestern has an acceptance rate of 22.6% and the 25-75% percentile of students have LSAT scores of 163-169. According to LawCrossing, Northwestern is known for being the school for applicants with years of business experience. The legal website writes, “It’s considered a ”business oriented law school” with an emphasis on international dynamics… As the school’s Dean says, ”This ensures our students have the maturity, good judgment and other abilities that their future employers want.”

13. Cornell

Cornell stays at the #13 spot. According to U.S. News, its tuition and fees is $59,900 for full-time students, and the 25-75% percentile of students have LSAT scores of 164-168. The school has an acceptance rate of 30%.

14. Georgetown

Georgetown in Washington D.C. has 1,725 full-time enrolled law students on its beautiful campus, and it has an acceptance rate of 28.1%. After ten months, 87.2% of graduates found jobs, according to U.S. News. The school ranked #13 on National Law Journal’s Go-To list.

15. University of Texas–Austin

According to U.S. News, UT-Austin has 949 full-time enrolled students, and it offers a decent discount for in-state students ($33,162 for Texans and $49,244 for out-of-staters.) The 25-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 162-169, and the school has a 21.9% acceptance rate.

16. Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt climbed up one slot from last year. The Nashville, TN school has a 38.1% acceptance rate, and 87.1% of its graduates find work in ten months. The school costs $51,360 a year, according to U.S. News.

17. University of California–Los Angeles

UCLA dropped this year from #16 to #17. The Los Angeles school, which is located in the beautiful area of Westwood, costs Californians $45,284 a year and out-of-staters $51,778. The LSAT scores for the 25-75th percentile of its students is 162-169, U.S. News reports.

18. Washington University in St. Louis

According to LawCrossing, “Washington University School of Law distinguishes itself by its devotion to the total professional and personal development of its students.” Furthermore, “Beginning in fall 1994, Washington University School of Law discontinued ranking JD students.” The school costs $51,626 a year in tuition and fees, and it has an acceptance rate of 27.6%.

19. University of Southern California

USC jumped up one slot from last year. According to U.S. News, there are 598 full-time enrolled students, and it has an acceptance rate of 29.9%. The annual tuition is $58,022, and 85.7% of its graduates find work in ten months.

20. Boston University (tie)

Boston University has 672 full-time enrolled students, and the 25-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 160-164. The school has an acceptance rate of 37.9%, and 80.5% of graduates find work after ten months, according to U.S. News. The National Law Journal ranks the school #16 in its percentage of graduates who go on to BigLaw firms.

20. University of Iowa (tie)

The University of Iowa cracked the top 20 this year. Like UT-Austin, the school offers a benefit for in-state students. Tuition for Iowa residents is $24,177, and out-of-state students pay $42,021. Either prices are quite reasonable compared to the other schools in the top 20. Iowa has an acceptance rate of 43.5% and it has 387 full time enrolled students, according to U.S. News.

22. Emory

Emory, located in Atlanta, GA, dropped three slots from last year. The school, which has 836 full time students enrolled, costs $51,510 a year in tuition and fees, and the 25-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 155-165. The school has an acceptance rate of 32%, according to U.S. News.

22. University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota lost its spot in the top 20, dropping from 20 to 22. The school accepts 44.4% of its applicants, and it has 632 full-time enrolled students. The 25-75th percentile of students have LSAT scores of 158-166, according to U.S. News.

22. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame has 581 full-time students, and the 25-75th percentile of them have LSAT scores of 161-165. According to U.S. News, the school costs $53,372 per year, and it accepts 35% of its applicants. LawCrossing writes, “Established in 1869, the University of Notre Dame Law School is among the oldest law schools in the nation and the first law school established on the campus of a Catholic university. Notre Dame legal education focuses on issues of justice and values inspired by two traditions—the Catholic tradition and the Anglo-American legal tradition.”

25. Arizona State University

ASU in Tempe, AZ offers in-state students a reduced rate of $27,074. Out-of-staters can expect to pay $42,794. The school has 623 full-time enrolled students, and the 25-75th percentile of them have LSAT scores of 158-163. The school has an acceptance rate of 43.3%, according to U.S. News.

For the full list: U.S. News and World Report 

The post 2017 U.S. News Best Law Schools List Released first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: The LSAT is no longer required at the University of Arizona College of Law as the school opens up applications to students that have only taken the GRE.

Since 1948 there has been a form of the Law School Admission Test in place for law schools to use as a standardized form of assessing applicants beyond GPA. The current form of the exam has been in place since 1991.

Many law school applicants first take a LSAT prep course to help them achieve the best possible results on the exam. These prep classes use practice exams and lessons to pick apart and really understand the test so that they can perform better. The score students get on the LSAT determines what law schools they are able to apply for and have a serious chance of being admitted to.

Just as some colleges and universities are now eliminating the requirement for SAT and ACT test scores, the University of Arizona College of Law is removing the requirement for the LSAT. Removing the factor of LSAT scores will change the application process and who can apply. UA will also allow GRE test scores instead of LSAT scores. For the past few years, around 500,000 people take the GRE compared to only 100,000 that take the LSAT.

Increasing the number of people that can apply for law school will give law schools the application numbers they need to select more students from. There may be a number of students that take the GRE not considering law school but change their minds. Removing this requirement will allow these students to apply when they want instead of having to wait until the LSAT is given.

UA also removed this requirement so that they can make their school more diverse in terms of ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic backgrounds, and intellectual interests. UA has already taken several other steps to attract students such as lowering tuition rates for residents and non-residents. This move has greatly helped the law school keep their numbers up when other schools were struggling to keep application and enrollment numbers up.

There is a good chance that other law schools will follow UA’s example in order to keep their classes full.

Source: https://www.azpm.org/p/featured-news/2016/2/10/81764-take-the-lsat-before-law-school-at-ua-law-school-students-can-skip-it/

Photo: linkedin.com

The post UA Law First to Allow GRE Test Scores first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: Many law schools have begun offering significant discounts on tuition to counter the declining number of law school applicants.

The number of students pursuing a law degree has declined to its lowest point in roughly the past thirty years. To attempt to attract new students, many schools have begun offering significant grants to prospective applicants. Therefore, though tuition may be rising in some parts of the country, many students will pay under the advertised tuition price for a law degree.

Here is a directory of tuition and fees at the top 50 law schools in the United States.

According to Bloomberg, PreLaw magazine recently examined American Bar Association data on the number and amount of scholarships at law schools, and provided an estimate as to which private schools offer the biggest tuition discounts. For the 2013-2014 school year, the number of first year students who received the most money were examined, in addition to students that received grants.

Liberty University School of Law, which has an evangelical Christian curriculum, gave its students an average tuition discount of 57 percent. Most students, therefore, would have paid around $18,238 for their first year of study. The average annual tuition at private law schools is roughly $42,000.

Law school tuition has especially risen at the top schools.

The results demonstrated that Brooklyn Law School appears to pay the most money per enrolled student. In April, the school stated that it would provide substantial grants and an additional discount of 15 percent from the tuition price.

Over the past ten years, tuition at private law schools has jumped by nearly 60 percent. According to the New York Times, tuition has continued to rise although there are roughly two graduates for every law job available on the market.

Last year, it seemed that Philadelphia schools had the lowest tuition in the country.

Other private schools that offered significant discounts include Ohio Northern University (48.5 percent), Chapman Fowler School of Law (47.8 percent), and the University of St. Thomas (46.6 percent).

Source: Bloomberg

Photo credit: Bloomberg

The post Ever Wondered Which Law Schools Offer the Biggest Discounts? first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: Brooklyn Law School is offering to repay students who fail to secure a job.

With the legal market bottomed out and only slowly nosing up, ever since the market crash of 2008, which was felt in full by 2010 at law schools, law school education remains student-centered. Enrollment is at an all-time low while the number of law schools is at an all time high. Of course these schools, to avoid closing, are doing what they can to attract students.

While many schools are financing fellowships, Brooklyn Law School has gone a different route. They are offering a program called Bridge to Success which offers to repay 15 percent of tuition if students fail to secure a full-time job nine months after graduating.

“This builds on the overall approach that we’ve taken to be very student-centric, to listen to what students need,” said Nicholas W. Allard, dean of Brooklyn Law School.

This, combined with their recent lowering of tuition by 15 percent, down to $43,237, is intended, of course, to make the school more attractive to prospective students. The dean explains that it is to give students the freedom to be selective in the job they choose, so they don’t have to cling to the first offer they run across.

“It’s really recognition that the one size fits all of conventional legal education is no longer going to work or should be working.”

Be that as it may, it is a selling point, of sorts, and one on a different trajectory than school ranking.

News Source: NYTimes

The post Brooklyn Law School Repays Debt for Jobless Students first appeared on JDJournal Blog.

Summary: LawCrossing has created a list of the top 50 law schools in the United States and has listed their respective annual tuition rates.

For your convenience, LawCrossing has compiled a list of the top 50 law schools in the country and has noted their tuition rates. You can see the full list of the top schools and their tuitions here.

The most expensive of the top 50 schools is Columbia Law School. Its students must pay $60,274 per year for their law degrees. By the time they graduate, these students will have paid $180,822 for their Juris Doctor degrees.

Harvard Law School, another school near the top of the list, charges $55,842 as its annual tuition rate. Harvard takes the number 5 spot in the list.

Yale Law School, which has recently been ranked the best law school in the country, comes in at number 14 with an annual tuition of $56,200.

The University of Florida Levin College of Law is the cheapest of the top 50 schools. Its annual tuition rate is $22,231, just a little over a third of what Columbia Law School costs its students.

For more information, check out the list in its entirety on LawCrossing.com.

Source: LawCrossing

Photo credit: scusoma.edu

The post A Directory of the Tuition and Fees at the Top 50 U.S. Law Schools first appeared on JDJournal Blog.