Analyzing trends in law school costs, financial burden, and affordability at University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law
Tuition and fees are the largest component of the cost of attendance for law students. The average tuition and fees for full-time students at University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law is $19,987 for in-state and $37,945 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2025-2026.
Over the past decade, tuition costs have increased from $33,738 to $37,945, reflecting broader trends in higher education costs and institutional funding challenges.
In addition to tuition, living expenses significantly impact the total cost of attendance. On-campus housing costs $16,338, while off-campus living averages $15,978 and living at home costs approximately $7,304 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Living expenses have decreased significantly, with on-campus housing rising from $23,962 to $16,338 over the past decade.
Tuition and fees have increased significantly over time. Year-over-year, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law saw a 2.66% increase, while over the past decade the increase has been -11.09%.
| Academic Year | Full-time | Part-time | YoY Change | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | ||
| 2021 | $19,987 | $37,945 | - | - | - |
| 2022 | $20,484 | $38,889 | - | - | 2.49% |
| 2023 | $21,195 | $40,188 | - | - | 3.34% |
| 2024 | $23,359 | $29,359 | - | - | -26.95% |
| 2025 | $26,604 | $32,863 | $1,806 | $1,806 | 11.94% |
| 2026 | $27,756 | $33,738 | $1,888 | $1,888 | 2.66% |
Tuition per credit hour provides insight into the cost efficiency of legal education. In-state students at University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law pay $3,136 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $3,336 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
| Academic Year | In-State Per Credit | Out-of-State Per Credit | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $2,750 | $3,363 | - |
| 2022 | $2,648 | $3,281 | -2.44% |
| 2023 | $2,997 | $3,197 | -2.56% |
| 2024 | $2,894 | $3,094 | -3.22% |
| 2025 | $3,003 | $3,212 | 3.81% |
| 2026 | $3,136 | $3,336 | 3.86% |
The total cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses, has increased over time. Year-over-year, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law saw a 2.36% increase, while over the past decade the increase has been 6.29%.
| Academic Year | In-State On-Campus | In-State Off-Campus | In-State At Home | Out-of-State On-Campus | Out-of-State Off-Campus | Out-of-State At Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,325 | $35,965 | $27,291 | $54,283 | $53,923 | $45,249 |
| 2022 | $37,964 | $37,720 | $25,972 | $56,369 | $56,125 | $44,377 |
| 2023 | $41,472 | $39,235 | $26,965 | $60,465 | $58,228 | $45,958 |
| 2024 | $45,662 | $43,443 | $30,385 | $51,662 | $49,443 | $36,385 |
| 2025 | $48,748 | $48,448 | $40,323 | $55,007 | $54,707 | $46,582 |
| 2026 | $51,718 | $51,680 | $34,506 | $57,700 | $57,662 | $40,488 |
Living expenses significantly impact the total cost of attendance for law students. Over the past decade, University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law's living costs have increased from $16,338 to $23,962 for on-campus students. Off-campus living costs have similarly increased from $15,978 to $23,924.
| Academic Year | On-Campus | Off-Campus | At Home | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16,338 | $15,978 | $7,304 | - |
| 2022 | $17,480 | $17,236 | $5,488 | 6.99% |
| 2023 | $20,277 | $18,040 | $5,770 | 16% |
| 2024 | $22,303 | $20,084 | $7,026 | 9.99% |
| 2025 | $22,144 | $21,844 | $13,719 | -0.71% |
| 2026 | $23,962 | $23,924 | $6,750 | 8.21% |
