Analyzing trends in law school costs, financial burden, and affordability at William H. Bowen 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 William H. Bowen School of Law is $13,693 for in-state and $26,448 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2025-2026.
Over the past decade, tuition costs have decreased from $37,816 to $26,448, 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 $13,101, while off-campus living averages $14,396 and living at home costs approximately $7,997 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Living expenses have decreased significantly, with on-campus housing rising from $21,303 to $13,101 over the past decade.
Tuition and fees have increased significantly over time. Year-over-year, William H. Bowen School of Law saw a 0% increase, while over the past decade the increase has been 42.98%.
| Academic Year | In-State | Out-of-State | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13,693 | $26,448 | - |
| 2022 | $13,693 | $26,448 | - |
| 2023 | $13,693 | $26,448 | - |
| 2024 | $16,728 | $32,671 | 23.53% |
| 2025 | $17,254 | $37,816 | 15.75% |
| 2026 | $17,474 | $37,816 | - |
Tuition per credit hour provides insight into the cost efficiency of legal education. In-state students at William H. Bowen School of Law pay $4,163 per credit hour, while out-of-state students pay $4,710 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
| Academic Year | In-State Per Credit | Out-of-State Per Credit | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $3,812 | $4,344 | - |
| 2022 | $3,812 | $4,344 | - |
| 2023 | $3,812 | $4,344 | - |
| 2024 | $3,812 | $4,344 | - |
| 2025 | $4,163 | $4,710 | 8.43% |
| 2026 | $4,163 | $4,710 | - |
The total cost of attendance, including tuition and living expenses, has increased over time. Year-over-year, William H. Bowen School of Law saw a 37.09% increase, while over the past decade the increase has been 49.48%.
| 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 | $26,794 | $28,089 | $21,690 | $39,549 | $40,844 | $34,445 |
| 2022 | $30,370 | $34,266 | $24,315 | $43,125 | $47,021 | $37,070 |
| 2023 | $30,561 | $32,723 | $22,754 | $43,316 | $45,478 | $35,509 |
| 2024 | $34,326 | $37,090 | $26,425 | $50,269 | $53,033 | $42,368 |
| 2025 | $35,424 | $39,704 | $28,166 | $55,986 | $60,266 | $48,728 |
| 2026 | $38,777 | $42,933 | $32,556 | $59,119 | $63,275 | $52,898 |
Living expenses significantly impact the total cost of attendance for law students. Over the past decade, William H. Bowen School of Law's living costs have increased from $13,101 to $21,303 for on-campus students. Off-campus living costs have similarly increased from $14,396 to $25,459.
| Academic Year | On-Campus | Off-Campus | At Home | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13,101 | $14,396 | $7,997 | - |
| 2022 | $16,677 | $20,573 | $10,622 | 27.3% |
| 2023 | $16,868 | $19,030 | $9,061 | 1.15% |
| 2024 | $17,598 | $20,362 | $9,697 | 4.33% |
| 2025 | $18,170 | $22,450 | $10,912 | 3.25% |
| 2026 | $21,303 | $25,459 | $15,082 | 17.24% |
