Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance represents the average amount believed to be adequate to cover the tuition, fees, books and living expenses of the student for the nine month academic year. This figure also represents the maximum total financial aid package (all loans and grants combined) a law student can expect to receive per year. As a private institution, USC Law students pay the same tuition rate regardless of their state residency. In addition, rates for tuition and fees are set annually and are subject to change.

Your actual expenses may differ from those listed here. In some cases you may have lower expenses in one category which can compensate for higher expenses in another area. We are extremely limited in our ability to approve budget increases. While it may be possible to request a budget increase for certain expenses such as the purchase of a computer for law school, child care costs, etc., it will not be possible to obtain a budget increase to cover such expenses as credit card and other consumer debt payments, car payments, etc.

We strongly encourage all students to take steps towards reducing or eliminating outstanding financial obligations prior to beginning law school so that this cost of attendance will be sufficient to meet your needs as a full-time student at USC Law School. While second and third year students may hold part-time employment of up to twenty hours per week which can serve to supplement, or better yet, replace student loans, it is important to note that law students are not permitted to work during their first year. Therefore, beginning your legal education with minimal expenses will be extraordinarily beneficial, both during law school and in the long-term as you work to repay your student loan debt after graduation.