Understanding Tuition Fees at North Carolina Central University School of Law

Going to law school represents a significant financial investment. For prospective students considering the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law, understanding the tuition structure and associated costs is crucial. This article provides a comprehensive overview of NCCU Law's tuition fees, financial aid options, and additional expenses to help prospective students make informed decisions.

The Cost of Legal Education: An Overview

Nationally, the average cost of a Juris Doctor (JD) degree can be substantial. Students may spend around $217,480 to earn their JD in three years. This includes living expenses, such as room and board. The cost of law school has increased steadily. If the current trend continues, tuition will be $49,297 on average for the 2025-26 academic year. However, costs can vary significantly depending on the institution. Many schools offer more affordable options for future law students.

NCCU School of Law: A Cost-Effective Option

North Carolina Central University School of Law offers one of the most cost-effective legal educations in the country. The School of Law was founded in 1939 to provide an opportunity for a legal education to African Americans. Now, the School of Law provides this opportunity to one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation.

For the academic year, the annual tuition and fees at NCCU School of Law are $18,808 for in-state residents and $41,480 for out-of-state students. While these figures provide a baseline, it's essential to consider additional expenses that contribute to the overall cost of attendance.

Tuition & Fees (Doctorate) are $19,125 (in-state) and $41,797 (out-of-state).

Additional Fees and Expenses

Beyond tuition, law students should budget for expenses, including:

Living Expenses: Room and board, transportation, and personal expenses.
Books and Supplies: Law school requires many books, and the cost can add up quickly.
Health Insurance: N.C. North Carolina Central University School of Law students meeting specific eligibility criteria are required to have health insurance. NCCU is offering a cost-effective option for our students through Student Blue from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).
Application Fees: The full-time program application fee at the School of Law at North Carolina Central University is $50. The part-time program application fee at the School of Law at North Carolina Central University is $50.
Technology Fees: Costs associated with computers, software, and internet access.

Estimated costs are based on 9-12 credit hours per semester. A student’s total amount of scholarships and loan(s) may not exceed their cost of attendance (COA) or budget.

Understanding Residency

Residency status plays a significant role in determining tuition fees. To qualify for in-state tuition at NCCU School of Law, students must meet specific residency requirements as defined by the state of North Carolina. Generally, this involves establishing a domicile in North Carolina for at least 12 months before enrollment. It is important to consult the university's residency policy for detailed information on eligibility criteria and required documentation.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Law schools may offer need-based financial aid, but they could be loans rather than grants. Many institutional aid packages are based on merit. The better your application, the more likely you’ll receive one of these grants or scholarships. You might have to maintain a certain GPA to continue receiving the award. There are also many independent scholarships through organizations, businesses, and individuals designed to help future law and graduate students afford their education. In addition, you can apply for private loans through financial institutions, such as banks or credit unions. However, these loans require a credit check and tend to have higher interest rates than federal student loans.

Even going to an affordable law school can be out of financial range for students. Apply for financial aid. Complete the FAFSA and state financial applications.

Read also: Affording NCCU: A Guide

FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal loans and grants.
Scholarships: Research and apply for scholarships offered by the law school, private organizations, and foundations.
Grants: Explore grant opportunities based on financial need or specific academic achievements.
Loans: Consider federal and private loan options to cover remaining expenses.

Strategies to Minimize Law School Costs

Score well on the LSAT. It’s not just about your acceptance chances.
Go to a school in your home state.
Look for state reciprocity programs.
Ask about tuition reimbursement. Some employers will pay for you to go to law school.
Negotiate your offers. If you received a much better financial aid offer from one law school, you can ask another institution to match it.

Academic Profile and Bar Passage Rates

NCCU Law ranks #179 in LSAT composite (151.3), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (149 · 151 · 154). NCCU Law ranks #183 in GPA composite (3.31), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.05 · 3.31 · 3.56). NCCU Law ranks #189 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (55.9%), and it underperforms by -24.0% the state of North Carolina's overall bar passage rate of 79.9%. NCCU Law ranks #410 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($36,116).

Programs and Resources at NCCU School of Law

North Carolina Central University School of Law has been accredited by the North Carolina State Bar Council and the ABA since 1950. The School of Law offers two programs leading to the Juris Doctor degree: a full-time day program and the oldest ABA-accredited part-time evening program between Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington, DC. The law library provides access to print and electronic information resources in support of the law school’s curriculum, programs, organizations, and scholarship. Professional librarians, five with law degrees, are ready to help with legal research in our over 390,000 volumes of legal materials. The law library provides a wide variety of spaces for students and faculty to engage in collaborative work, quiet study, and innovative research. The first floor of the library includes a light-filled reading room, soft seating, and space for collaborative study. The second floor contains modern study carrels and soft seating for individual study as well as seven group-study rooms.

Joint-Degree Programs

There are six joint-degree programs available to Day Program students: the JD/MBA Program for students who are interested in a career in law and business; the JD/MLS Program for students who are interested in a career in law librarianship; the JD/MIS Program allows students to develop a technological understanding of the legal issues in the Information and Computer Technology industry; the JD/MPA Program for students who are interested in careers in both the public sector and the law; the JD/MA in History Program for students who are interested in studying law and its relationship to the world of social movements, economic change, politics, and government; and the JD/MPP Program with Duke University for students who are interested in a career involving public policy and law. All of the joint-degree programs allow students to simultaneously pursue two degrees.

Academic and Career Support

Academic Success Program: The Academic Success Program is available to assist students with the rigors of law school.
Faculty Advising Program: Each student is assigned a faculty advisor who is available to discuss questions or problems related to the law school experience, career choices, and personal problems that may affect academic performance.
Clinical Legal Education Program: The award-winning Clinical Legal Education Program is highly rated. It operates year-round from a state-of-the-art model law office. The program offers as many as 10 innovative clinical experiences that provide law students with the opportunity to gain practical skills in an area of law that interests them. It is one of the most comprehensive programs of any law school in the state.
Invest in Success Program: This bar preparation program assists graduates with developing the skills needed to write a passing essay answer for the North Carolina and other state bar examinations. Invest in Success has two principal components: substantive lectures and essay practice sessions. The substantive lectures focus on subjects frequently tested on bar examinations. The essay practice sessions give participants the opportunity to answer essay questions covering a variety of bar-tested subjects and receive individual feedback on their responses.
Institutes: The School of Law offers concentrated training through our Dispute Resolution Institute (DRI) and new Intellectual Property Law Institute (IPLI). DRI offers professional certificate training, clinics, and courses.

Admissions Information

Admission to the School of Law is competitive, with approximately 850 applicants competing for fewer than 150 seats between the Day and Evening Programs. Students are admitted for the fall semester only. As part of its commitment to the law school’s mission, North Carolina Central University School of Law offers a limited number of applicants the opportunity to gain admission through its Performance Based Admission Program (PBAP). Participation in this program is based upon factors identified in a student’s application, and selections are made by the Faculty Admissions Committee. The committee’s decisions are based upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, a history of below-average standardized test scores along with demonstrated academic performance, work experience, a significant time lapse between the undergraduate degree and law school application, completion of other advanced degrees, and a socioeconomically disadvantaged background.

Student Life and Resources

There are three student-run law reviews published at the school. The North Carolina Central Law Review is devoted to a broad range of legal topics submitted by legal scholars, attorneys, and law students. Students are selected for membership based upon GPA and performance in the annual Law Review Writing Competition. The Environmental Law Review provides valuable experience in reading, researching, and writing about current issues in environmental law with a focus on environmental justice. The Trial Advocacy Board consists of student teams who participate in mock jury trial competitions. The office provides a variety of services and programming to assist students and alumni with their career goals. Services include individual counseling, group counseling (when requested), résumé and cover letter reviews, application package reviews, a monthly newsletter, and interview preparation. Programming selections typically fall under either career education or professional development. The career education programming provides opportunities for students to learn about practice areas and ways to use their law degree. The professional development programs emphasize law students’ growth as legal professionals. Students participate in career fairs and interview programs locally, statewide, regionally, and nationally.

Read also: GPA Guidelines for NCCU Admission

Application Process and Deadlines

North Carolina Central University Law School OverviewThe School of Law at North Carolina Central University has an application deadline of April 30.

Final transcripts: Submit your final undergraduate transcript to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for inclusion in your Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report no later than July 15. Your final undergraduate transcript must indicate that your degree has been conferred. Your CAS report must contain a transcript for each college or university where you have taken courses, even if that institution did not award your degree.
Student medical history form: This form must be submitted directly to the Student Health and Counseling Service (SHCS) no later than July 31. Box 19491, Durham, North Carolina 27707. A complete immunization record must also be submitted to SHCS by July 31. The required immunizations are two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and tetanus or t-dap within the last 10 years. A physical examination is recommended but not required. Note: Per North Carolina Public Health Law, each student is required to submit a complete immunization record by August 1. Students who are not in compliance with this law will be dropped from their fall classes at the end of the drop/add period.
The online insurance waiver form: Students are required to have health insurance to attend a UNC system school. The University of North Carolina system has selected Student Blue, underwritten by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), as the school insurance program for students beginning in the fall semester. Students with existing health insurance coverage can opt out of the school insurance plan. Students must enroll in or opt out of the coverage no later than September 10. Visit Student Blue to start the enrollment process. Students who do not opt out of the school insurance program or provide proof of health insurance coverage will be enrolled automatically. Students who have existing family or individual coverage through another Blue Cross Blue Shield plan must complete the enrollment/waiver process as well.
Housing: The University provides limited on-campus housing for graduate students.

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