WMU-Cooley_TuitionHeader_NewStudents_2022-07-19

J.D. 2026-2027 Tuition Rates

Below are the 2026-27 J.D. tuition rates and details on the cost of attending Cooley Law School. 

$1,740 per credit hour

Loan Period (2 semesters/8 months)

2026-2027
30 Credits
24 Credits
18 Credits
Tuition
$52,200
$41,760
$31,320
Housing and food
$14,800
$14,800
$14,800
Books and Supplies
$2,200
$1,700
$1,300
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
$4,610
$3,688
$2,766
Transportation
$4,162
$3,330
$2,498
Student Activities and General Services Fee
$700
$700
$700
Loan Fees
$2,142
$1,712
$1,286
Total estimated expenses
$80,814
$67,690
$54,670

Loan Period (2 semesters/8 months)

2026-2027
30 Credits
24 Credits
18 Credits
Tuition
$52,200
$41,760
$31,320
Housing and Food
$17,200
$17,200
$17,200
Books and supplies
$2,200
$1,700
$1,300
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
$4,610
$3,688
$2,766
Transportation
$4,162
$3,330
$2,498
Student Activities Fee and General Services Fee
$700
$700
$700
Loan Fees
$2,222
$1,792
$1,366
Total estimated expenses
$83,294
$70,170
$57,150

*These expenses are derived using market surveys and direct costs to the student in order to determine student loan awards. When attending Cooley, you will want to create a personal budget that will fit into these educational expenses.

For current borrowers (anyone who had a federal student loan disbursed at Cooley before July 1, 2026):
  • The maximum unsubsidized loan eligibility for an academic year (2 semesters) is $20,500. After all scholarships and other educational resources are accounted for in the financial aid package, Grad PLUS loans and/or Federal Work Study may be used to meet any remaining financial aid eligibility.
  • The maximum Federal Stafford loan aggregate total is $138,500, which includes Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans borrowed from undergraduate and graduate schools. This aggregate limit does not include Grad PLUS loans borrowed. There is no lifetime limit separate from the aggregate limit. Click here to review your federal loan history 

  • Current borrowers may be able to borrow federal unsubsidized loans and/or Grad PLUS loans under the current limits for up to 3 years or the "expected time to credential," whichever is less.

  • The "expected time to credential" is based on the length of the program in academic years, starting from the semester the student matriculated. It does not account for the attempted/earned credits or the time needed to complete the degree. Our program is a three-year program, so depending on the student's start date, the remaining eligibility may vary. The Financial Aid Office will help you determine your remaining eligibility.

  • If a student reaches the end of the eligibility period, they will be subject to the new annual, aggregate, and lifetime loan limits. There are no extensions to the legacy loan provisions. Students who have borrowed a substantial amount of funding through the Grad PLUS loan program may find themselves no longer eligible for any federal loans and will need to seek private loan funding. Students may view the Financial Aid page of Cooley Connect for additional information on private student loans.

For new borrowers (anyone who has not had a federal student loan disbursed at Cooley prior to July 1, 2026) or for students who do not qualify under legacy borrowing provisions described above:
  • The maximum unsubsidized loan eligibility for an academic year (2 semesters) is $50,000. After all scholarships and other educational resources are accounted for in the financial aid package, Federal Work Study and private loans may be used to meet any remaining financial aid eligibility.

  • The aggregate limit for law students (professional school) is $200,000, including what may have been borrowed as a graduate student. These amounts do not include any subsidized and unsubsidized loans borrowed at the undergraduate level.

  • The lifetime loan limit is $257,500, which includes subsidized and unsubsidized loans borrowed from undergraduate and graduate schools. This lifetime limit also includes previous Grad PLUS loans. Click here to review your federal loan history

  • New borrowers are not eligible for Grad PLUS Loans.

Professional Judgment Increase Requests: The Financial Aid Office assumes that the cost of attendance budget for a student who attends the Law School is reasonable for the geographic area in which the student is enrolled. If a student has special circumstances, including childcare while attending educational-related activities/classes or academic testing, they may request a professional judgment increase by contacting their campus Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Services. Documentation of the expenses is required with the professional judgment increase request. Professional judgment increase requests will be reviewed within 2 weeks of submission to the campus Associate Director of Enrollment and Student Services.