Tuition Rates and Expenses

The following tuition rates apply to the 2009-10 academic year and should be expected to increase in subsequent years. The Law School prices tuitions based on the degree pursued rather than the length of enrollment. Students who graduate early will still be responsible for the full tuition amount. Generally, tuition is billed and collected by the University on a semester or quarterly basis. Increases to tuition rates, if any, occur annually.

JD and Two-Year JD (for international students) degree programs: $47,202

Accelerated JD program (new in 2009-10): Summer 2009 Term: $27,038, Fall 09/Spring 10: $56,644

The Accelerated JD program begins in the Summer term, which is part of the 2008-09 academic year. Tuition rates change in the fall and the Fall/Spring terms reflect the 2009-10 academic year rates.

LLM and LLM in Taxation degree programs: $48,440

LLM/Kellogg (12-month) degree program: $65,741

JD-MBA degree program: $65,910

Students who are admitted to the JD-MBA Program during their first year of law school are charged the first-year JD-MBA Program tuition rate. The difference between the first-year JD-MBA Program tuition rate and the JD Program tuition rate is assessed at the start of the summer term

JD-LLM in Taxation degree program: First Year: $47,202; Second Year: $47,202; Third Year (including 7th semester): $71,422
Under both the 6-semester and 7-semester formats, students pay the equivalent of 3 years of JD tuition plus half of the annual LLM in Taxation degree tuition. Under the 6-semester format, the additional LLM in Taxation Program tuition amount is applied to a student's tuition bill during the Spring semester of the third year at the prevailing LLM in Taxation tuition amount at that time. Under the 7-semester format, the additional LLM in Taxation Program tuition amount is applied at the time the student returns to complete his/her seventh semester of coursework.

Executive LLM (Seoul) degree program: $48,440
Any taxes that may be applicable under Korean law will be the student's responsibility. Students are also responsible for their travel expenses (including roundtrip airfare to Chicago in March), room and board, and daily necessities at the Northwestern Law Chicago campus.

JD Non-degree and/or auditing fee: $2,360 per credit hour

Part-Time LLM in Taxation and Non-Degree Taxation programs: $2,422 per credit hour

Joint degrees with non-Northwestern University graduate programs:
Although typically in residence at the Law School for less than 6 semesters, students who pursue a joint degree with a non-Northwestern University graduate program are charged 6 semesters of Northwestern Law JD program tuition. Students in these joint degree programs who were awarded a scholarship or grant by the Law School upon admission to the JD program will also receive 6 semesters of their grant or scholarship. The final tuition charge and grant/scholarship award will be applied to a student's account during their final term in the joint degree.

Absentia fee for students who visit away:
Students who visit away at a domestic institution must pay tuition directly to the institution they will attend. Additionally, Northwestern Law charges an absentia fee equal to the greater of either 10% of Northwestern Law tuition for the term(s) away or the difference between Northwestern Law’s tuition and the institution to be attended. Students forfeit Northwestern Law grant and scholarship funding during the terms in which they visit away. As a result, students receiving financial aid from Northwestern Law may not apply scholarship funds to either the tuition or the absentia fee.

Activity Fees
All full-time students will also incur an annual SBA and Student Activities Fee of $80 and a $190 U-PASS fee. All exchange students will incur an activity fee and a U-Pass fee for the semester they are in attendance at the Law School.