Analyzing trends in financial aid amounts, tuition coverage, and aid recipient percentages across institutions
Law school financial aid has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting changes in institutional funding priorities, student demand, and market conditions.
From 2021 to 2026, the average grant aid amount for full-time students has increased by $2,698 (+2.5%). The percentage of students receiving grants and scholarships has increased by 2.50%. for that period.
In 2021, the average grant aid was approximately $21,213, with 6.36% of students receiving full tuition coverage and 39.29% receiving half tuition coverage. By 2026, total grant aid increased to $23,911, with 4.42% full tuition coverage and 40.39% half tuition coverage.
Over the analyzed period, grant aid increased by $2,698 (+2.5%), full tuition coverage decreased by 1.94% (-30.5%), and half tuition coverage increased by 1.10% (+2.8%). The following summary provides a detailed breakdown:
The table below summarizes the average financial aid amounts, percentage of students receiving aid, and tuition coverage rates for full-time law students across different years. It provides insights into how financial aid has evolved over time in relation to tuition costs.
| Year | Total FT Students | Avg Tuition | Avg Aid Amount | Aid Recipients % | Half Tuition % | More than Half % | Full Tuition % | More than Full % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101,435 | $44,998 | $21,213 | 77.32% | 39.29% | 29.05% | 6.36% | 2.54% |
| 2022 | 105,161 (+3,726) | $46,865 (+$1,867) | $21,012 (-201) | 80.09% (+2.77%) | 40.72% (+1.43%) | 30.17% (+1.12%) | 6.46% (+0.10%) | 2.71% (+0.17%) |
| 2023 | 106,479 (+1,318) | $48,788 (+$1,923) | $22,335 (+1,323) | 80.53% (+0.44%) | 39.69% (-1.03%) | 31.98% (+1.81%) | 5.93% (-0.53%) | 2.70% (-0.01%) |
| 2024 | 106,684 (+205) | $50,222 (+$1,434) | $22,971 (+636) | 80.65% (+0.12%) | 40.03% (+0.34%) | 32.93% (+0.95%) | 5.57% (-0.36%) | 2.65% (-0.05%) |
| 2025 | 106,920 (+236) | $51,778 (+$1,556) | $23,706 (+735) | 79.39% (-1.26%) | 39.91% (-0.12%) | 32.99% (+0.06%) | 4.62% (-0.95%) | 3.30% (+0.65%) |
| 2026 | 105,119 (-1,801) | $53,761 (+$1,983) | $23,911 (+205) | 79.82% (+0.43%) | 40.39% (+0.48%) | 32.30% (-0.69%) | 4.42% (-0.20%) | 2.90% (-0.40%) |
Data Source: Data sourced from ABA Required Disclosures and official law school financial aid reports.
