Understanding Washburn University School of Law Tuition and Costs

Estimating the cost of your college education is an important part of planning your future, and Washburn University wants to give you the tools to make the right choice. Washburn University believes in making a college education attainable for all. Washburn Law is a public law school that is true to its legacy of providing an excellent, yet affordable legal education. At Washburn, you never have to worry about large, unexpected costs for attending college. We believe in being straightforward about costs and preparing you for them before you see a bill.

Overall Cost Considerations

Estimating the cost of your college education is an important part of planning your future, and Washburn University wants to give you the tools to make the right choice. While your actual cost may be higher or lower, it should give you an idea of what to expect. The reflected Cost of Attendance budgets are based on one academic year (fall and spring semesters). The cost of attending Washburn University shouldn't be a surprise. Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your total expenses, including tuition, fees and potential financial aid. You can access your College Financing Plan through your my.washburn.edu account under the Financial Aid Dashboard. It becomes available once we have an estimate of your college costs and financial aid package.

Tuition and Fees

Law school tuition at Washburn University School of Law is $0k annually (calculated from semester costs). Washburn Law ranks #358 in terms of highest tuition among full-time law students ($28,980). The full-time program application fee at the School of Law at Washburn University is $0. Its tuition is full-time: $26,459 (in-state) and full-time: $39,567 (out-of-state). Tuition & Fees (Doctorate)$26,459 (in-state).

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

As a public, municipal law school, Washburn Law has in-state and out-of-state tuition rates. Residents of all other states can qualify for in-state tuition after only six months (e.g., non-resident students living in Kansas by July 1 prior to their first fall semester can take advantage of resident tuition when they enroll for the second semester in January). Students from other states can apply for residency after just six months of attendance. If you are an international student and cannot apply for residency, please contact the school directly after submitting your application. The Interstate Advantage provides undergraduate students in the United States up to $393 per credit hour ($11,790 per year for a full-time student).

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

Washburn University's Financial Aid Office is ready to assist you in applying for financial aid and student loans. Washburn University offers a wide variety of scholarships to help you pay for college, including our automatic, GPA-based academic merit scholarships. Generous merit-based scholarships are available to applicants who qualify. The top 10% of our fall admitted students by February 15th each year are invited to apply for our Distinguished Scholarships, which provide full tuition and fees plus a living stipend. Other scholarship opportunities include regional/specialized scholarships based on where you live and other factors, and departmental scholarships based on which area of study you pursue.

Read also: Washburn's Campus and Community

Grants and Scholarships

Students with financial need may be eligible for grants and free gift aid that - unlike loans - typically don't require being paid back. Incoming freshman students are automatically eligible to receive up to $20,000 ($12,000 for transfer students) in GPA-based merit scholarships just by completing a free application to Washburn University. Other scholarships include the Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship, Washburn Women's Alliance Single-Parent Scholarship, Aleshire Center for Leadership and Community Engagement Scholarship and departmental scholarships.

FAFSA and Financial Aid Application

To apply for federal financial aid and some university scholarships, please complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1 using Washburn's school code (001949). If you need assistance completing your FAFSA, see our FAFSA guide. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that determines your eligibility for federal financial aid and some Washburn University scholarships, including the Shawnee County Promise and Thrives Scholarships and the Northeast Kansas Advantage Scholarship. The application must be completed each year by July 1 using Washburn's school code (001949) to determine financial eligibility. Priority deadlines for financial aid processing are April 1 if starting in the fall, or November 1 if you are starting your legal journey in the spring (i.e., January). After that, our Financial Aid Office will send you a financial aid offer letter in the spring.

Financial Wellness Program

Washburn University has several resources available for students to help them financially plan for their future through the WU Financial Wellness Program.

Yellow Ribbon Program

The Yellow Ribbon Program is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Washburn University School of Law offers unlimited assistance to veterans who qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Additional Expenses and Opportunities

You don’t have to pay your college expenses in one giant lump sum. Applicants can also pursue federal student loan options to help fund their education. Our students graduate with debt 20-30% below the national average each year. News recently ranked Washburn as having the fifth-lowest debt among regional public universities in the Midwest and lowest debt in Kansas), and some even graduate without owing a dime.

Read also: Washburn University Baseball

Cost of Living in Topeka

Topeka has received national recognition for our affordability. Topeka has received national recognition for our affordability. Our overall cost of living index is more than 10 percent below the national urban area average, particularly in the housing market. Cultural, art, music festivals, and other entertainment opportunities happen throughout the year. Topeka has a rich diversity of dining options, from well established restaurants, locally-owned diners, to food trucks.

Housing

These aren't your parents' dorms! Washburn's state-of-the-art student housing options are difficult to beat and extremely popular, so apply early. Some of the amenities offered across our three residential living facilities (Lincoln Hall, Living Learning Center and Washburn Village) include an eSports and Gaming Lounge, on-site laundry facilities, connected dining halls and plenty of FREE parking!

Study Abroad Programs

Washburn's affordable Summer Law Program in Barbados provides students an opportunity to understand their legal systems more fully through comparative study of the Caribbean system. In this faculty-led program, students study with faculty and peers from the United States and across the Caribbean, all while living in a stimulating West Indian university environment. The program takes place during the first summer session so that students can continue their studies at Washburn or intern at home during second session. Financial aid applies and scholarships are available.

Washburn's affordable summer program in Osaka, Japan gives students the opportunity to study Comparative Constitutional Law with Professor Craig Martin and students from Japan and other parts of the world. Japan is one of the United States' most important allies and trade partners. Its constitutional history is deeply linked to American constitutional design but also completely unique in many ways. The two countries also have long-standing fascination with each other's cultures.

Washburn's Semester Abroad Exchange Program in Maastricht allows Washburn Law students who have completed at least one year of course work to study international law and comparative law with the faculty of law at Maastricht University in The Netherlands. Maastricht University has a highly regarded law program and is centrally located for an ideal European travel experience. Under the terms of our exchange agreement, up to four Washburn Law students may study at Maastricht in a given academic year. Washburn also receives up to four exchange students from Maastricht University per year, typically hailing from The Netherlands and other parts of Europe. The program is open only to Washburn Law J.D. Students who wish to participate in an ABA-accredited study abroad program other than those listed above are encouraged to pursue their interests.

Admissions and Application Process

Washburn University School of Law has an application deadline of Aug. 1. Applying during the 2024-2025 cycle. Once a student has submitted a completed application for admission, that application is referred to our faculty admissions committee who reviews the file and renders an admissions decision. At Washburn Law, we prioritize the admissions process, so you will not have to wait long periods of time for an admissions decision. We have a rolling admissions process and review applications throughout the year.

Acceptance Rate and Academic Profile

Based on the 2025 ABA 509 Report, 549 candidates submitted JD applications to Washburn University School of Law and 255 received acceptance letters. This means that of the 255 applicants who received law school acceptance letters, 136 chose to enroll. For a competitive law school application to Washburn University School of Law, students should aim to meet or exceed the median statistics shown below.

Washburn Law ranks #97 in GPA composite (3.64), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile GPAs (3.37 · 3.68 · 3.88). Washburn Law ranks #139 in LSAT composite (155.0), an average of its 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile LSAT scores (151 · 155 · 159). Take the test five times, get the best score you’re capable of, and apply broadly.

Bar Passage Rate

Washburn Law ranks #155 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (71.1%), and it underperforms by -8.9% the state of Kansas's overall bar passage rate of 80.0%. A national comparison on bar passage should be taken with caution because every state has a different bar passage rate. The most meaningful comparison is between a school's passage rate and the state's overall rate for the same exam administration. Our Bar Passage program is comprehensive to cover whichever bar exam you're considering.

Academic Programs and Opportunities

Washburn Law's Juris Doctor (J.D.) program offers a dynamic and comprehensive legal education designed to prepare you for a successful career in law. J.D. Whether you're in business, healthcare, government or any number of other fields, the M.S.L. program provides a comprehensive legal education without the need for a full J.D. degree. M.S.L. At Washburn Law, our LL.M. in Global Legal Studies is designed for international lawyers seeking advanced legal education in the United States. Click the button below to learn more about our LL.M. LL.M.

Centers for Excellence

Six Centers for Excellence complement Washburn’s high quality education. The Center for Excellence in Advocacy, Business and Transactional Law Center, Children and Family Law Center, International and Comparative Law Center, Center for Law and Government, and Oil and Gas Law Center form an extensive “learning network,” connecting law students to experienced professionals and classroom study to real-world practice. Within their respective areas, the centers develop a variety of programs and activities that allow students to collaborate with faculty members, experienced alumni, and other professionals eager to share their scholarship and wisdom. Students hone their advocacy skills in Washburn’s live client law clinic and in a variety of advocacy skills courses. The center provides students with educational opportunities in business law while developing the essential skills of transactional lawyers. Washburn houses the American Bar Association’s Family Law Quarterly. As its primary focus, the center provides superior legal education to prepare highly qualified public servants for a broad range of careers associated with local, state, and federal government.

Clinical and Experiential Learning

Washburn Law students gain essential practical skills through conventional externships, clinical work, and internships, but it’s our supplemental hands-on experiences, made possible by dedicated faculty and committed alumni, that set us apart. Students also gain real-world experience by working with faculty on collaborative research opportunities and assisting with faculty scholarship activities. Since 1970, the Washburn Law Clinic has made it possible for students to practice law before graduation and provide a valuable public service. The Law Clinic teaches students how to argue a complex legal issue before a judge, make a closing argument to a jury, depose an expert witness, and cross-examine a hostile witness during trial. Externships allow second- and third-year law students to earn course credit and enhance their legal education through off-campus placements where they work on assignments and issues that impact real people.

Spring Start Program

Our Spring Start Program provides an alternative to the traditional fall start. Washburn Law enrolls approximately 90 students in the fall and 12 to 15 students for the spring semester. A spring start allows for even greater interaction with professors and fellow students. Spring cohorts often form great bonds with each other because of the shared experience. Washburn Law’s first-year program provides a meaningful start to your legal education. Our low student-to-faculty ratio allows for personalized advising, particularly in your first year of study. A high quality legal education is one in which our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to serve their clients, the profession, and society at large. Consistently named a top program, our Legal Analysis, Research, and Writing Program helps first-year students develop their writing and editing skills in a small class environment. Because of our unique approach to teaching, professors get to know you personally. Faculty offices are readily accessible and professors encourage students to stop by and ask questions.

Career Development

Washburn Law maintains a robust Office of Professional Development, helping students through all aspects of the career search process. You can gain personalized attention on mock interviewing, application preparation, wardrobe consultation, resume creation, and job search strategies. Our Office maintains an online job board with opportunities posted throughout the year.

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