Cost of Attendance
Indiana Resident | Non-Indiana Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (flat rate) | $36,950 | $58,000 |
| Mandatory fees | $1,522 | $1,522 |
| Books and supplies | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Estimated direct costs | $40,422 | $61,472 |
| Food and housing, transportation, personal expenses | $23,872 | $23,872 |
| Total estimated budget | $64,294 | $85,344 |
Of course, determining how much you need to borrow is important. To that end, we have provided our recommended student budget below.
| Indiana Resident | Non-Indiana Resident | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (flat rate) | $36,950 | $58,000 |
| Mandatory fees | $1,522 | $1,522 |
| Books and supplies | $1,950 | $1,950 |
| Estimated direct costs | $40,422 | $61,472 |
| Food and housing, transportation, personal expenses* | $13,500 | $13,500 |
| Total estimated budget | $53,922 | $74,972 |
*Recommended living expense figures based on 2025 data. Recommendations subject to change based on current economic conditions.
Living allowance
Your budget includes a living allowance (food/rent, transportation, personal) for the nine months of the academic year, but you determine the amount that is needed.
We recommend that students limit their living expenses to $1500 per month or less. Students should be able to find a modest studio or one bedroom apartment, in relatively close proximity to the law school, that costs between $800 and $900 per month. To keep your expenses down, you should consider searching for an apartment in that price range. Students who rely on borrowing student loans for their living expenses, should strongly consider finding a roommate to split their costs. IU Classifieds is also a good place to search for a roommate.
In projecting your monthly expenses, you will want to review your prior educational experiences. In addition to your rent and food, analyze carefully what you spend on entertainment, clothes, dining out, and so on. Do not forget to include things like car payments and other expenses tied to owning a vehicle, health insurance, trips home, pet expenses, and any existing credit card debt.
The living expense portion of the Cost of Attendance allows for a maximum personal budget of $2,652 per month, for 9 months. You should try to stretch your aid for a full 12 months though. As such, we strongly reccomend that your monthly budget not exceed $1982 per month.
Reminder: We will use a budget that includes the maximum living allowance of $23,872 when determining your eligibility for federal financial aid programs, but your actual budget may be substantially less. Because the annual cap on the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program is $50,000, some students with higher than normal living expenses may find themselves in a position where they have to borrow a private education loan to meet their need. The total of all of your financial aid (scholarships, federal, and private loans) may not exceed the Cost of Attendance.
Set your monthly budget to $1,982 or less per month to ensure your financial aid will last you a full 12 months.
Computer expense
While the law school requires that new students have a laptop computer, that requirement does not mean that you must purchase a new machine as you prepare to begin class. If you do purchase a new computer for law school and you have maximized your student loans, that expense (up to $2,000) can be added to your financial aid limit. For more information, please contact the Director of Financial Aid at iulawfa@iu.edu