Tuition & Fees

The cost of attendance is an estimate of the total cost of attending the School of Law during the nine-month academic year, including tuition, fees, and an allowance for living expenses. The cost of attendance is also the maximum amount of financial aid students may receive, including University scholarships, student loans, resident assistantships, work-study, and any aid from other outside sources.

2024–2025 Cost of Attendance—JD Students (1L and 2L) and Full-time, Residential Graduate Students

The law school in-absentia fee is $6,667.

2024–2025 Cost of Attendance—JD Students (3L)

Bar Exam Fee

BU Law will include the bar exam fee in the standard cost of attendance for all 3L’s. New federal regulations require that schools include the cost of an exam in the cost of attendance for programs that require a professional licensure to enter the profession. Contact the LAW Financial Aid Office if you have any questions about the Bar Exam Fee.

• This is not a fee charged by BU or the School of Law.
• Students are not required to borrow to cover this amount.
• We can adjust the cost of attendance to include an additional amount for a bar exam fee that is greater than this year’s amount or for a second bar exam. We can include all fees you are required to pay to sit for the exam (i.e. laptop fee, character and fitness evaluation).
• We can include the MPRE in the year that you take the exam.
• We cannot include the bar exam fee a second time if you use these funds for other expenses before you pay your bar exam fee.

Tuition and Fees – online and part-time LLM and other LAW Graduate Programs

For students attending the LLM, other master’s degree, and graduate certificate programs online or on a part-time basis at the School of Law, view the information here.

Adjusting the Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance includes standard education-related expenses that most students incur. We understand that some students may have expenses higher than the standard cost of attendance out of choice or necessity.

The law school’s Financial Aid Office will work with you to determine if you have expenses that may be added to the student budget according to federal regulations and University policy but are not included in the standard budget. You will find additional information in the Financial Planning section of our website.

Methods of Payment

Students who will be paying all or a portion of their tuition using their own resources will find payment instructions from BU’s Student Accounting Services office.

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires all students enrolled on at least a ¾ basis to have health insurance. Students may waive SHIP coverage offered through Boston University if their own insurance meets the requirements. For additional information on the requirements and instructions for waiving SHIP, visit the Student Health Services  website.

Boston University offers students a choice of two health insurance plans:

• SHIP Basic Plan—The standard plan, automatically charged to your student account unless you waive it or choose the Student Plus Plan
• SHIP Plus Plan—A more comprehensive plan offering additional coverage; you must request this plan

International Students – Estimate of Expenses for Visas

If you are required to obtain a visa to study in the U.S., you must provide financial documentation demonstrating your ability to pay for your expenses at Boston University. The International Student and Scholars Office (ISSO) at BU sets an Estimate of Expenses for this purpose that is higher than the cost of attendance for the School of Law. You must use the ISSO figures for your visa.

Sports Pass

Boston University automatically charges all full-time students the Sports Pass fee. The Sports Pass allows students admission to all home games for BU ice hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. You may waive this fee online through the Student Link.