Costs
Understanding Your Costs
One of the most important steps in planning your education is understanding what it will actually cost, not just tuition, but the full picture. This section breaks down every cost-related component of attending The Colleges of Law, from what you will be billed directly to the everyday living expenses that factor into your financial aid eligibility. Take some time to explore each area below. The clearer your picture of costs, the more confidently you can plan, borrow wisely, and make the most of the aid available to you. If you have questions at any point, our financial aid team is here to help.
Cost of Attendance
Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is the federally defined estimate of what it costs to attend The Colleges of Law for one academic year. It includes both what you are billed by the college, and the living expenses you will manage on your own. Your COA is the number used to determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive. You cannot receive more aid than your total COA, which makes it one of the most important figures to understand as you plan your finances.
COA estimates are provided for each program and vary depending on your entry point, enrollment status, and whether you are a domestic or Canadian student. If your actual costs exceed the standard estimate due to documented circumstances, such as disability-related expenses or dependent care, you may be able to request a COA adjustment.
Tuition and Fees
The Colleges of Law reserves the right to change tuition and fees at any time; however, changes take effect at the beginning of the semester immediately following the announcement. Tuition and fee charges are posted to your student account on the Friday of the first week of each semester and must be paid in full at that time, unless an approved payment plan is in place.
Additional Fees to Anticipate
In addition to tuition and required college fees, students should be prepared for additional costs, which may include:
- Required textbooks and course materials
- Bar exam preparation materials and fees
- State Bar fees for the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSX), if applicable
- Add/Drop fees for schedule changes
- Payment plan administrative fees
- Late payment fees, if applicable
Direct vs. Indirect Costs
| Direct Costs | Charges billed directly by The Colleges of Law: tuition and required fees. These appear on your student account each term. |
| Indirect Costs | Everyday living expenses you manage on your own while enrolled: housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies. These are not billed by the college but are included in your COA because they affect your financial aid eligibility. |
Cost Calculators
The Colleges of Law provides tools to help you estimate and plan your educational costs, including a Net Price Calculator to estimate out-of-pocket costs and a Loan Simulator at studentaid.gov for modeling repayment scenarios.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are new to thinking through education costs, a good first step is reviewing your Cost of Attendance for your program, then looking at your Tuition & Fees schedule to understand what you will be billed each term. From there, the cost calculator can help you see how financial aid closes the gap. And if you have questions at any point, our financial aid team is always available to help you make sense of the numbers.