Understanding the University of Arkansas School of Law Tuition Costs

Choosing a law school is a significant investment, and understanding the associated costs is crucial for prospective students. The University of Arkansas School of Law, located in Fayetteville, offers a comprehensive legal education. This article breaks down the tuition costs, fees, and other financial considerations for attending this institution.

Overview of the University of Arkansas School of Law

Established in 1924, the University of Arkansas School of Law is committed to preparing students for successful legal careers. The school achieves this through a challenging curriculum taught by nationally recognized faculty, unique service opportunities, and a supportive community that prioritizes students.

The School of Law is located on the University of Arkansas's flagship campus, providing students with access to a 136,000-square-foot facility. This building includes state-of-the-art classrooms, comfortable study areas, group meeting spaces, and an extensive library. Students have key card access to these resources.

The school offers a full-time, three-year Juris Doctor (JD) program. The curriculum includes 90 semester hours, with 42 hours of required courses. The first-year curriculum includes Civil Procedure, Contracts, Criminal Procedure, and Legal Writing. Additionally, the School of Law offers a joint JD/MBA program with the Sam M. Walton College of Business, as well as three dual-degree programs. An LLM program in Agricultural and Food Law is also available, preparing attorneys to specialize in legal issues related to agriculture and food systems.

Tuition and Fees

The University of Arkansas School of Law provides a breakdown of tuition and fees for both in-state and out-of-state students. For the full-time program, the tuition is $18,881 for in-state students and $41,751 for out-of-state students.

It’s important to note that these figures represent only the base tuition. Additional university fees also apply. These fees cover various services and resources, including student activities, health services, media, transit, network infrastructure, facilities, library access, and a law fee.

Detailed Breakdown of University Fees

The university fees per year include student-initiated and student-approved allocations. These are subject to change without notice.

Student Activity Fee: Calculated at $2.64 per credit hour, totaling $63.00.
Student Health Fee: Calculated at $8.66 per credit hour, totaling $259.80.
Media Fee: Calculated at $0.90 per credit hour, totaling $27.00.
Transit Fee: Calculated at $5.62 per credit hour, totaling $168.60.
Network Infrastructure and Data Systems Fee: Calculated at $16.00 per credit hour, totaling $480.00.
Facilities Fee: Calculated at $26.60 per credit hour, totaling $798.00.
Library Fee: Calculated at $4.98 per credit hour, totaling $149.40.
Law Fee: Calculated at $25.24 per credit hour, totaling $757.20.
JLAP Fee: A fee of $20.00, assessed at $10.00 per semester.
Deposits for Law Applicants: A one-time fee of $125.00.

Law students are assessed tuition of $568.31 per credit hour. Students enrolled in Agricultural and Food Law are charged $516.68 per credit hour in-state tuition.

Additional Expenses

Besides tuition and fees, students should also consider additional expenses such as room and board, books, and personal expenses. The university provides estimated costs for these items to help students plan their budgets.

Weighted average expenses for living in a residence hall, double occupancy, with an unlimited meal plan.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

The University of Arkansas School of Law is dedicated to keeping costs and debt as low as possible. Financial aid is available in the form of Perkins Loans, higher education loans, and work-study grants, all processed by the Office of Financial Aid. Merit scholarships are also awarded to some entering students.

Paying Tuition and Fees

When paying tuition, room and board, and associated fees, anticipated financial aid for a current semester may be deducted if it is listed as anticipated aid on the student's account. Financial obligations to the University of Arkansas must be satisfied by established deadlines. E-check (electronic check) and credit/debit payments are made online on UAConnect.

Tuition and Fee Adjustments

Students who drop classes will have their tuition and fees adjusted according to Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 330.0 - Tuition and Fee Adjustment Policy for Dropping Classes. Tuition and fee adjustment deadlines for an official withdrawal are noted in Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 518.0 - Tuition and Fee Adjustment Policy for Official Withdrawal.

Late Fees

Students are required to pay all charges by the posted payment deadline. Students who fail to pay all charges or who fail to execute an installment payment plan by the deadline may be assessed a late payment fee equal to the outstanding balance, not to exceed $75.00.

Residency and Tuition Classification

Students classified as “in-state” for fee payment purposes are assessed tuition. Official policies of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees provide the basis for classifying students as either “in-state” or “out-of-state” for purposes of paying student fees. Out-of-state students who question their residency classification are encouraged to contact the Registrar’s Office.

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Special Circumstances

The university has specific policies in place for students called into active military service. When a student or student’s spouse is activated for full-time military service and is required to cease attending the University of Arkansas without completing and receiving a grade in one or more courses, they shall receive compensation for the resulting monetary loss as provided by Fayetteville Policy 504.2.

Compensatory Options for Students Called into Active Military Service

Upon leaving the University of Arkansas because of active duty or deployment, the student may choose one of three compensatory options:

The student may officially withdraw and receive full adjustment and refund of tuition and non-consumable fees for the term involved.
The student can remain enrolled and arrange for a mark of “Incomplete” for each class and finish the courses 12 months after deactivation.
The student may receive free tuition and fees for one semester after deactivation.

Additional Considerations for Prospective Students

Applicants must have completed all requirements for an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year college prior to enrolling in the School of Law. Admission is based on the applicant’s LSAT score, undergraduate GPA, and full file review. Preference is given to Arkansas residents. The application deadline is April 15 of the year in which admission is sought, and applicants should take the LSAT no later than the preceding February.

Housing Options

Limited graduate housing for individual students is available in campus residence halls. A variety of private off-campus housing options are available in Fayetteville and surrounding communities within easy commuting distance of the law school.

Career Services

The law school maintains an Office of Career Services to assist and advise students and graduates. With two attorneys serving as full-time counselors, the office coordinates on-campus interviews for permanent and summer employment; individual career counseling sessions; workshops and handbooks regarding résumé preparation, interviewing skills and techniques, and job searches; panels of lawyers who present programs on a variety of topics; a job bulletin; employment outreach; and networking events with local attorneys and judges.

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