Affordable Law Schools: Summary
While the allure of becoming an attorney is strong, the financial burden that often accompanies legal education can be an unnecessary roadblock. For many, attending law school can lead to a lifetime of crippling debt. This trend has resulted in the importance of discovering cost-effective legal education options. Paying more than is necessary for a degree is simply not prudent financial management. For example, if the average tuition for Texas law schools is $20,000 and a graduate pays $40 , 000 (the average tuition for non-Texas schools), then the extra $20,000 results in approximately $164.41 being added to the monthly loan payment over 10 years at a 6.8 percent interest rate. This is only one of the many benefits of exploring lower tuition options.
One of the great things about Texas is its affordability. When it comes to educational opportunities, this is especially true. Of the 9 law schools in Texas, 6 offer budget savvy options. Below are the top 3 schools that offer affordable legal education in Texas.
Best Affordable Law Schools in Texas
Of the ten law schools in Texas, nine are public, which presents students with an opportunity to attend quality institutions at competitive rates. Here is a quick breakdown of the most affordable options:
Best Prices (in-state):
- Texas A&M University School of Law. $20,026 tuition, $4,312 fees. Highly rated, especially for Tax and Contracts. Located in Fort Worth.
- University of Houston Law Center. $22,006 tuition, $4,510 fees. Highly rated, especially for Environmental Law and Health Law. Located in Houston.
- Texas Tech University School of Law. $25,035 tuition, $2,772 fees. Located in Lubbock.
- South Texas College of Law Houston. $25,894 tuition, $2,874 fees. Located in Houston.
- Thurgood Marshall School of Law. $27,487 tuition, $5,052 fees. Located in Houston.
Other Affordable Options
- Texas A&M University School of Law. $35,111 tuition, $4,312 fees. Located in Fort Worth.
- University of Texas School of Law. $38,926 tuition, $11,408 fees. Located in Austin.
- Baylor Law School $41,699 tuition, $5,891 fees. Highly rated, especially for Advocacy. Located in Waco.
- Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. $51,500 tuition, $10,712 fees. Located in Dallas.
Comparing Tuition Costs
Tuition fees play a crucial role in selecting the right law school. Here’s a comparison of tuition and fees, along with estimated total cost:
A&M School of Law: $22,507 in-state; $32,617 out-of-state
Baylor Law: $66,368 total
SMU Dedman School of Law: $64,346 total
South Texas College of Law: $43,012 total
Texas A&M University School of Law: $44,257 total
Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law: $45,650 in-state; $73,100 out-of-state
Texas Tech University School of Law: $36,420 total
Thurgood Marshall School of Law (Texas Southern University): $45,650 in-state; $73,100 out-of-state
University of Houston Law Center: $41,070 in-state; $52,530 out-of-state
University of North Texas Dallas College of Law: $51,645 total
University of Texas School of Law: $64,552 in-state; $64,964 out-of-state
The most affordable alternatives are Texas A&M University School of Law and Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law.
Financial Assistance and Scholarships
Fortunately for students of budget-friendly Texas law schools, financial aid and scholarship options are widely available at these institutions. The Texas Tech School of Law offers a book stipend to every entering first-year student, as well as various other merit scholarships. The University of Houston Law Center provides both merit-based and need-based scholarships to students with full-time coursework plans, and the South Texas College of Law Houston School of Law awards more than seven million dollars in scholarships each year. Furthermore, the Texas A&M University School of Law provides certain academic scholarships to students reflecting a variety of undergraduate grade point averages and Law School Admission Test scores.
While most public law schools can only offer limited need-based assistance to eligible students based on federal financial aid application information, they may be able to connect students with outside scholarship resources upon request or with appropriate notice.
Cost of Attendance
If you are considering moving to Texas for law school, you will, of course, want to evaluate the cost of living in your chosen city. Just because the tuition is lower does not mean that all expenses will be less expensive! Factors to consider when "cost of living" is a primary concern include housing, transportation and "other" living expenses.
Housing in Dallas, Austin and Houston is generally less expensive than in many other major cities across the nation. You can find a three-bedroom home in many neighborhoods in these cities for around $900 per month, with maybe a little more or less depending on your preferred amenities.
For apartment rentals, One Bedroom Furnished apartments in Dallas can be found starting at $700.; however, you will likely want two bedrooms if hope to have a roommate or children. The prices are comparable in Austin, but a Houston legal student can find one bedroom unfurnished at about $800. However, Houston is one of the larger cities in the state and has a variety of options to meet your budget .
Transportation is fairly convenient in most cities, and typically you can afford to live within commuting distance of your school. Houston has the largest public transportation system in the state, and students can use a Student Semester Pass to ride public buses and trains for as low as $30.98. Austin has an extensive bus and commuter rail system, and a pass costs about $30 per month for students. Dallas’s public transit system, DART, provides service to 13 college campuses and has over 130 operating rail and bus routes. The monthly pass for DART Bus and Rail is $96 for students.
When considering a good value for both school tuition and cost of living, the affordability allows for a little more flexibility in comfortable living and some of the luxuries that come along with spending six months on an exchange. That means you won’t have to sacrifice the quality of your experience abroad for the financial considerations intricately linked to quality of your education.
Tips on Selecting the Right Law School
When choosing the right law school, there are many factors to consider beyond whether it has the most affordable tuition.
Accreditation: Will the school’s accreditation be recognized by the Supreme Court of Texas? If you’re not attending an ABA-accredited law school, you need to check to make sure that your law degree will qualify you to take the Texas Bar Exam and be licensed to practice law in Texas. There are non-accredited and non-ABA accredited law schools in other jurisdictions that do not allow their graduates to take the Texas Bar Exam.
Bar passage rates: Does the school have a high first-time bar passage rate? Higher bar passage rates generally indicate that the school has more effective programs in place to help their students succeed on the bar exam.
Employment outcomes: Does the school’s employment rate for their graduates meet your expectations? Does the school publish bar passage and employment statistics so that you can decide if the return on investment is acceptable? If it doesn’t, then you might want to look elsewhere.
Are there any geographical restrictions: Although you might be planning to practice in Texas for your entire career, you might want to do a little research before selecting a law school. Some law schools use the word "state" in their names. Should you attend those particular law schools, you may not be able to take the bar exam or secure essential jobs when you are ready to start practicing.
Advice on Applying to Low-Cost Law Schools
When applying to affordable law schools in Texas, there are several strategic tips that can enhance the chances of acceptance. First and foremost, it is essential to visit the prospective law school before submitting your application. This provides you with a well-rounded view of the campus and the opportunity to not only meet professors and other law students, but to get a general feel as to whether it is the right school for you and your career aspirations. You should also stay organized throughout the process. It is never too early to get started on all requirements for the application folder, personal statement, and any other items that may be needed such as writing samples and letters of recommendation. One of the best ways to ensure you have provided all necessary documentation for your application is to check off of a list as you submit items. In addition to staying organized , it is equally important to stay confident throughout the application process. The most competitive law schools in Texas will have rigorous requirements, so you need to have faith in yourself. Going into the process with a good attitude will make it much easier to cope with multi-step procedures such as an admissions interview and additional paperwork filing requirements. Remember also to be respectful and courteous to everyone you speak with at the school. Students, faculty members, and administrative staff all play a role in the decision to accept you or not. If you are rude or arrogant, this will work against you. Put your best foot forward at all times.