Navigating the Costs: Understanding University of Idaho College of Law Tuition

The University of Idaho College of Law, Idaho's sole ABA-accredited law school, offers a path to a legal career with campuses in Moscow and Boise. Understanding the financial commitment is a crucial first step for prospective students. This article breaks down the tuition structure, additional costs, and financial aid options available at the University of Idaho College of Law.

University of Idaho College of Law: An Overview

Established in 1909, the UI College of Law has a long-standing reputation, demonstrated by its membership in the Association of American Law Schools since 1914 and accreditation by the American Bar Association (ABA) since 1925. The college provides a comprehensive legal education, with the option for students entering in 2017-18 and beyond to complete all three years of instruction at either the Moscow or Boise location.

The College of Law in fall of 2016 had an enrollment of around 300 students, with an entering first-year class of 97 students. As a public law school, new students come from across Idaho and 18 different states and foreign countries.

The curriculum blends traditional law courses with practical experience. Students can participate in pro bono work, legal clinics, externships with federal or state courts, internships with private law firms or public organizations, and a semester-in-practice program in Boise. This practical focus has earned the College of Law recognition as a top school for practical training by PreLaw Magazine.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition represents a significant portion of the overall cost of attending law school. The University of Idaho College of Law's tuition structure differentiates between in-state and out-of-state students. For the full-time program, the in-state tuition is $26,700, while the out-of-state tuition is $45,936. It's important to note that these figures represent tuition costs alone and do not include additional fees or living expenses.

It is worth noting that UI Law ranks #312 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($46,752).

Understanding the Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance is an estimate of the total expenses for one academic year (two semesters). These estimates will help you anticipate and plan for educational and living costs. Actual expenses may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

What’s included in the cost of attendance?

Tuition and fees: Based on residency status (in-state, out-of-state or international).
Room and board: Estimated costs for housing and meals. These figures reflect an estimated median of on-campus housing and meal plan options. If you live off-campus, with parents or in other locations (e.g. Boise) you may have different costs.
Books, course materials, supplies and equipment: Estimated costs for textbooks and other school supplies needed for coursework. These figures apply to a full-time student for one academic year.
Transportation: Costs vary greatly depending on individual needs, such as commuting, traveling to internships or returning home during school breaks.
Miscellaneous and personal expenses: Includes items like clothing, health insurance, special course fees, personal care products, laundry and federal loan fees. These are considered indirect costs and will differ for each student.

Additional Expenses

Beyond tuition and fees, prospective students should budget for a variety of additional expenses, which can significantly impact the overall cost of attendance. These include:

Room and Board: Housing costs will vary depending on whether a student chooses to live on-campus or off-campus. On-campus housing and meal plan options can be factored into the cost of attendance.
Books and Supplies: Law school requires numerous textbooks, casebooks, and other study materials. Budgeting for these expenses is essential.
Transportation: Whether commuting to campus or traveling for internships, transportation costs should be considered.
Personal Expenses: Miscellaneous personal expenses, such as clothing, health insurance, and personal care products, should also be factored into the budget.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The University of Idaho College of Law offers various financial aid options to help students finance their legal education. These options include:

Scholarships: The College of Law awards scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, and other criteria.
Loans: Students can apply for federal and private loans to cover tuition and living expenses.
Grants: Need-based grants may be available to eligible students.

The financial aid application deadline is an important date to keep in mind. The recommended FAFSA application filing deadline is December 1.

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Location Considerations: Moscow vs. Boise

The University of Idaho College of Law operates on two campuses: Moscow and Boise. While the core curriculum is consistent across both locations, the cost of living and other expenses may vary. Boise, as the state capital and a larger city, may have higher housing costs compared to Moscow. Students should research the cost of living in both locations to make an informed decision about which campus best suits their financial situation.

The college opened its Idaho Law and Justice Learning Center in Boise in 2010, initially as a third-year program only. Second-year classes were added in 2014. The plans for a full three-year program in Boise, which UI had first discussed in the late 1990s and the state legislature had addressed in 2008, were fully realized in 2017 after the Idaho Board of Education and the ABA approved the addition of first-year courses at the Boise campus.

Career Prospects and Debt

While considering the cost of law school, it's also important to consider the potential career prospects and earning potential after graduation. A law degree from the University of Idaho College of Law can open doors to various legal careers in Idaho and beyond. However, it's crucial to manage student loan debt responsibly.

The average indebtedness of 2024 J.D. graduates who incurred law school debt is a figure to consider. It is also important to find out if the school offers a loan repayment assistance program for 2024 J.D. graduates.

Application Fee

The full-time program application fee at the College of Law at University of Idaho is $50.

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Admissions Data

Based on the 2025 ABA 509 Report, 740 candidates submitted JD applications to University of Idaho College of Law and 494 received acceptance letters. This means that of the 494 applicants who received law school acceptance letters, 194 chose to enroll.

UI Law ranks #148 in GPA composite (3.47), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.07 · 3.54 · 3.81). UI Law ranks #161 in LSAT composite (153.0), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (149 · 153 · 157).

Bar Passage

UI Law ranks #165 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (68.4%), and it underperforms by -10.0% the state of Idaho's overall bar passage rate of 78.4%.

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