These best and cheapest law schools in California with tuition fees and cost of living will be of the highest caliber due to the distinction that comes with studying in California. California’s attractiveness includes beautiful beaches, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and great metropolitan centers.
It is additionally considered as one of the most significant tourism, business, and academic hubs. The urge to study law and earn a diploma to that purpose in the twenty-first century was driven by the need to be knowledgeable about the law.
Among the qualifications for becoming a lawyer is enrollment in and graduating from a recognized law school. Because of this, California, a magnificent metropolis, hasn’t held back on offering its residents a wide variety of legal institutions. Finding the top 15 cheapest law schools in California is the aim of this study.
About California
Western states in the US include California. California has a coastline along the Pacific Ocean to the west, borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. It is the most populated and third-largest state in terms of area in the United States, home to roughly 39.2 million people over an overall area of around 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2).
It is also the 34th most populous subnational entity in the world and the most populous in North America. The Greater Los Angeles Area and the San Francisco Bay Area are the second and fifth most populated urban areas in the country, with more than 18.7 million and more than 9.6 million persons, respectively.
The capital of the state is Sacramento, and the two most populous cities in the nation are Los Angeles and Sacramento, respectively (after New York City). San Bernardino County is the largest county in terms of area, whereas Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation (Alaska has some larger subdivisions, but they are not called counties). San Francisco, which is both a city and a county, has the fifth-highest population density in the nation, behind four of New York Metropolis’s five boroughs, and is the second-most densely populated large city in the nation (after New York City).
How can we define a Law School?
A law school is a college that specializes in giving students legal knowledge. It often includes a number of legal education components that certify a student to practice law.
To advance their legal practice, aspiring attorneys must complete a number of steps, including obtaining an undergraduate degree, which is a requirement for admission to law school.
It’s critical to keep in mind that a law school diploma is required in order to practice law.
How Long Does it Take to Study Law?
The time required to complete a legal education varies by nation. In most countries, law can be studied within the same time frame.
The maximum time frame is 3-6 years, but this varies from nation to nation. For instance, in Nigeria, a candidate for the Nigerian bar must complete six years of legal education (law school inclusive).
Cost of Living in California
If you’re considering relocating to this big state, keep reading to find out how much it would cost you to live there. Remember to bring your sunglasses.
This amount, $46,636, is the average annual cost of living in California. You have to consider your monthly budget if you have California beaches on your mind.
According to MERIC data from 2021, California has the third-highest cost of living in the US. Hawaii and Washington, D.C. are the only American locations with higher prices. How much does it cost to live in California? The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that the average cost of living in California will be $46,636 per year in 2020.
Here is how that compares to the main categories of spending;
Category | Average Annual Per-Capita Cost in California |
Housing and Utilities | $9,542 |
Health Care | $7,638 |
Food and Beverages (non-restaurant) | $3,630 |
Gas and Energy Goods | $688 |
All Other Personal Expenditures | $25,138 |
How much is the cost of studying law in California?
A universal budget is not necessary for admission to law school. Different law schools in various nations have different tuition costs, some of which are rather pricey because of the extensive training and real-world experience required.
The cost of college in California ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 annually. To pay for their education, students may also rely on scholarship opportunities.
Are there Cheap Law Schools in California?
California is known for its high standards and is home to many respected and reasonably priced law schools.
There are reportedly 20 law schools in California, all of which are known for producing top-notch attorneys. These include the top and cheapest law schools in California.
10+ Cheapest Law Schools in California with Tuition Fee
Below are the listed 14 cheapest law schools in California with average annual tuition fee;
- Southwestern Law School ($27,858 per year)
- Stanford University( $ 20, 725 per year)
- University of La Verne College of Law.( $ 30, 280 per year)
- Western State University ($42, 860 per year)
- University of San Francisco ($ 50,770 per year)
- Golden State University ( $51,000 per year)
- Thomas Jefferson ( $51, 000 per year)
- Santa Clara University ($52, 000 per year)
- University of California Davis ($ 53,000 per year)
- University of California Los Angeles ($ 54, 052.30 per year)
- Chapman University ($ 54, 540 per year)
- Berkeley School of Law ($55,316 per year)
- Hastings College of the Law ( $55,538 per year)
- University of San Diego School of Law ($56,711 per year)
- Pepperdine University School of Law ($57,560 per year)
- Loyola Law School ($59,340 per year)
1. Southwestern Law School
The first of the cheapest law schools in California that we will review is this one. With 821 total students, Southwestern Law School is a 1911-founded law school in Los Angeles, California. The 2021 tuition and fees for Southwestern Law School was $27,858. The average LSAT score and GPA of the enrolled students are 153 and 3.3 respectively. Out of 1,900 applicants, Southwestern Law School accepted 910 students, a 47.89 percent acceptance rate.
2. Stanford University
The following California law school is on our list of the least expensive ones. In the Californian town of Stanford, there is a private university called Stanford Institution. It has a distinguished academic history, a thriving economy, and is close to Silicon Valley.
It frequently places high or first in various national college rankings and is one of the most affordable colleges in California.
It was formerly referred as as the “Harvard” of the twenty-first century, while Stanford University overtook Harvard as the nation’s top IT school in the same year, according to the “New York Times.”
3. University of La Verne College of Law.
Our ranking of the least expensive law schools in California also includes this institution. The University of La Verne College of Law is situated in Ontario, Canada. It’s been accredited since it was founded in 1970.
In conjunction with the University of La Verne College of Business and Public Management, it offers dual degree programs for the Juris Doctor and the Master of Business Administration.
4. Western State University
Western State University is the next school on our list of the cheapest law schools in California. In 1901, this university’s doors were first opened. There are more than 100 undergraduate majors available, in addition to graduate degrees like law.
Western State University was ranked as one of the top 100 universities in the world by Forbes, and Western was once again named the “best adventure school in the west” by elevation outdoors magazine.
5. University of San Francisco
The University of San Francisco, which is ranked fifth on the list of the cheapest law schools in California, is also included. The University of San Francisco is located between Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge. It is a nationally renowned university.
Overall, US News & World Report ranked it 97th. Additionally, in 2020, it was ranked 67th in the National Category for “Best Value.”
6. Golden State University
Golden State University is another institution that makes the list of the least expensive law schools in California. The Golden State University is located in San Francisco, California. It began to exist in 1901. It is a professional graduate school affiliated with Golden Gate University and has earned full accreditation from the American Bar Association.
It’s also important to point out that graduates of Golden State University frequently pass the bar exam on their first attempt, exhibiting a high level of professionalism and ability.
A law bachelor’s degree as well as master’s degrees in intellectual property, taxation, US legal studies, and international law are offered by Golden State University.
The law school received a “A” in National Jurist’s 2016 ranking, and U.S. News & World Report ranked the school’s environmental law program among the top 35 nationwide in 2012.
7. Thomas Jefferson School of Law
The seventh cheapest law school in California is Thomas Jefferson School of Law. It is located in the Californian city of San Diego. It has received accreditation from the American Bar Association. There are also master’s degrees offered. In 1969, the Thomas Jefferson School of Law was established.
8. Santa Clara University
The eighth cheapest law school in California according to our list. This is the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in California and on the west coast of the United States. The law school confers the Juris Doctor degree. It also offers several double degree programs in various other disciplines.
It is ranked 10th among graduate programs in the graduate school rankings published by US News & World Report. It is straightforward in its approach and has a high acceptance rate.
9. University of California Davis
One of California’s top universities, University of California Davis is also one of the most reasonably affordable.
It has a high approval rate as long as the candidate satisfies the requirements. US News & World Report ranked it as the 11th best university in the country.
UC Davis was ranked 11th in the nation for universities by Wellington in 2020 based on its commitment to the public good as determined by research and advocating for public services.
10. University of California Los Angeles
The University of California is located in Los Angeles, which ranks 10th on our ranking of the least expensive law schools in California. Having been established in 1919, it is one of the older campuses in Southern California.
It has a high acceptance rate provided that the fundamental requirements are satisfied. The admittance rate varies at this institution due to statutory limitations. Despite this, it is a top university in California with affordable tuition.
According to Times Higher Education, it is ranked 15th globally for higher education and 13th globally for reputation.
11. Chapman University
11th on our ranking of California’s least expensive law schools. Orange is the home of Chapman University, which was established in 1861. It includes 110 study areas and ten schools and colleges, including the Dale E. Fowler School of Law (49 majors and 61 minors). It offers degrees in master of laws (LLM) and juris doctor (J D) (LL.M).
IT was ranked 125th by the national universities group for the first time. Following that, it was ranked fifth among masters-level universities in the western region. The nation’s 132nd-ranked law school was is this one.
- Read also; 10 Best schools for international law
12. Berkeley School of Law
California’s 12th-cheapest law school is listed on our list. There are now 1,280 students enrolled in Berkeley School of Law, a law school in Berkeley, California that was established in 1894 and is a division of the University of California-Berkeley.
The cost of tuition and fees at Berkeley School of Law in 2021 is $51,987 for residents of California and $55,316 for out-of-staters. The average LSAT score and GPA of the enrolled students are 168 and 3.81 respectively. Out of 5,843 candidates, 1,150 were accepted into Berkeley School of Law, a 19.68 percent acceptance rate.
13. Hastings College of the Law
California’s 13th-cheapest law school is listed on our list. Located in San Francisco, California, Hastings College of Law was established in 1878 and is a division of the University of California-Hastings College of Law. It currently enrolls 1,006 students.
The cost of tuition and fees at Hastings College of Law in 2021 is $55,538 for out-of-state students and $49,538 for residents of California. The average LSAT score and GPA of the enrolled students are 158 and 3.45 respectively. Out of 3,272 applicants, Hastings College of Law accepted 1,392 students for admission, a 42.54 percent acceptance rate.
14. University of San Diego School of Law
California’s 14th cheapest law schools is the last on our list. In San Diego, California, there is a law school called the University of San Diego School of Law, which was established in 1954 and now enrolls 825 students. The tuition and fees for 2021 at the University of San Diego School of Law are $56,711.
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To Conclude
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