Cost of Attendance

Student on computer in lower commons

Penn State’s Board of Trustees meets every summer to establish tuition rates and mandatory fees for the upcoming academic year.

Our Office of Admissions and Financial Aid provides estimated costs of non-tuition related expenses to assist students with budgeting. Each Cost of Attendance chart reflects actual or estimated costs for the 9-month academic year. Financial aid is not available during periods of non-enrollment (i.e., summer sessions). Please be aware that scholarships and grants are available to help defray the cost of tuition.

J.D. Tuition and Expenses

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance estimates expenses for the 9-month academic year.

All J.D. applicants are considered for merit scholarships and may apply for a need-based grant.

Direct Expenses
(Billed Costs)
2023-2024
Academic Year
Estimated
2024-2025
Academic Year1
Tuition $57,720 $58,872
Fees $182 $182
Indirect Expenses (Out-of-Pocket Costs) 2023-2024
Academic Year
Estimated 2023-2024
Out-of-Pocket Costs2
Books, Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $2,050 $2,050
Housing $11,000 $11,000
Utilities $3,400 $3,400
Food $4,500 $4,500
Transportation $3,750 $3,750
Other miscellaneous expenses3 $2,700 $2,700
Total Cost of Attendance, Standard $85,302 $86,454
     
Other Costs 2023-2024 Estimated 2024-2025
One-time computer purchase4 Up to $2,200 Up to $2,200
Bar Exam Registration5 $800 $800


1Although tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 school year have been finalized by the Penn State University Board of Trustees, other costs for the year will not be finalized until late Spring 2024. 

2Estimated Other Costs for the 2024-2025 Academic Year will be available in late Spring 2024.

3The miscellaneous expenses amount includes allowances for clothing, laundry, recreation, and personal care.

4Any student may request a one-time Cost of Attendance increase for the purchase of a laptop or desktop computer. Interested students should contact the Dickinson Law Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to provide documentation for this increase. Such increases typically grant a student additional access to loan funds.

5Graduating J.D. students will receive an allotment for the first professional credential, including bar exam test registration fee and other required fees based on jurisdiction (e.g., background check, fingerprinting, technology fee, etc.). Including the bar exam registration allotment, the total 2023-2024 Cost of Attendance for graduating students is $86,102. Students whose exam registration costs exceed the standard allotment may request an increase to their Cost of Attendance so long as they provide documentation of costs exceeding the allotment. Interested students should contact the Dickinson Law Director of Admissions & Financial Aid.

International Student Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory at Penn State for international students and their accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children). For full information on requirements, please review the University Health Services website. Health insurance costs for the upcoming academic year will be available in June.

Billing Schedule

Student account statements are prepared on a monthly basis. Billing begins in early August for Fall semester and early December for Spring semester, with a due date on the 22nd of the month. To avoid a 1.5 percent late fee charge, statements must be paid by the due date. More information about tuition due dates may be found here.

Tuition Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from classes after the start of the term are subject to the tuition refund policy.

LL.M. Tuition and Expenses

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance estimates expenses for the 9-month academic year.

Qualified LL.M. applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships.

Direct Expenses
(Billed Costs)
2023-2024
Academic Year
Estimated
2024-2025
Academic Year
Tuition $57,720 $58,8721
Fees $182 $182
Indirect Expenses
(Out-of-Pocket Costs)
2023-2024
Academic Year
Estimated 2024-2025
Out-of-Pocket Costs2
Books, Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $2,050 $2,050
Housing $11,000 $11,000
Utilities $3,400 $3,400
Food $4,500 $4,500
Transportation $3,750 $3,750
Other miscellaneous expenses3 $2,700 $2,700
Total Cost of Attendance, Standard $85,302 $86,454
     
Other Costs 2023-2024 Estimated 2024-2025
One-time computer purchase4 Up to $2,200 Up to $2,200
Bar Exam Registration5 As documented As documented
Required University Health Insurance6 $3,665 $3,665

 

1Although tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 school year have been finalized by the Penn State University Board of Trustees, other costs for the year will not be finalized until late Spring 2024. 

2Estimated Other Costs for the 2024-2025 Academic Year will be available in late Spring 2024.

3The miscellaneous expenses amount includes allowances for clothing, laundry, recreation, and personal care.

4Any student may request a one-time Cost of Attendance increase for the purchase of a laptop or desktop computer. Interested students should contact the Dickinson Law Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to provide documentation for this increase. Such increases typically grant a student additional access to loan funds.

5Graduating LL.M. students who plan to sit for a U.S. bar exam may request to receive a Cost of Attendance increase for the first professional credential, including bar exam test registration fee and other required fees based on jurisdiction (e.g., background check, fingerprinting, technology fee, etc.). Such increases typically grant a student additional access to loan funds. Interested students should contact the Dickinson Law Director of Admissions & Financial Aid.

6Note: Health insurance is mandatory at Penn State for international students and their accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children). For full information on requirements, please review the University Health Services website. Health insurance costs for the next academic year are typically available in June.

Billing Schedule

Student account statements are prepared on a monthly basis. Billing begins in early August for Fall semester and early December for Spring semester, with a due date on the 22nd of the month. To avoid a 1.5 percent late fee charge, statements must be paid by the due date. More information about tuition due dates may be found here.

Tuition Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from classes after the start of the term are subject to the tuition refund policy.

S.J.D. Tuition and Expenses

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance estimates expenses for the 9-month academic year.

The Direct Expenses outlined below are applicable for S.D.J. scholars during the required period of residency. Post-candidacy scholars should refer to the note on S.J.D. tuition structure, below, for additional information.

Qualified S.J.D. applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships.

Direct Expenses
(Billed Costs)
2023-2024
Academic Year
Estimated
2024-2025
Academic Year
Tuition $30,000 $30,000
Fees $182 $182
Indirect Expenses
(out-of-pocket costs)
2023-2024
Academic Year
Estimated
2024-2025
Out-of-Pocket Costs
1
Books, Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $2,050 $2,050
Housing $11,000 $11,000
Utilities $3,400 $3,400
Food $4,500 $4,500
Transportation $3,750 $3,750
Other miscellaneous expenses2 $2,700 $2,700
Total Cost of Attendance, Standard $57,582 $57,582
     
Other Costs 2023-2024 Estimated
2024-2025
One-time computer purchase3 Up to $2,200 Up to $2,200
Bar Exam Registration4 As documented As documented
Required University Health Insurance5 $3,665 $3,665

 

1Estimated Other Costs for the 2024-2025 Academic Year will be available in late spring 2024.

2The miscellaneous expenses amount includes allowances for clothing, laundry, recreation, and personal care.

3Any student may request a one-time Cost of Attendance increase for the purchase of a laptop or desktop computer. Interested students should contact the Dickinson Law Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to provide documentation for this increase. Such increases typically grant a student additional access to loan funds.

4Graduating S.J.D. students who plan to sit for a U.S. bar exam may request to receive a Cost of Attendance increase for the first professional credential, including bar exam test registration fee and other required fees based on jurisdiction (e.g., background check, fingerprinting, technology fee, etc.). Such increases typically grant a student additional access to loan funds. Interested students should contact the Dickinson Law Director of Admissions & Financial Aid.

5Note: Health insurance is mandatory at Penn State for international students and their accompanying dependents (spouse and/or children). For full information on requirements, please review the University Health Services website. Health insurance costs for the next academic year are typically available in June.

S.J.D. Tuition Structure

During the required period of residency, S.J.D. scholars are charged full-time tuition and fees per semester. Post-candidacy, and irrespective of residency, scholars remain enrolled as full-time students but are assessed a lesser tuition rate. For 2023-2024, that rate will be $5,000 per semester.

Billing Schedule

Student account statements are prepared on a monthly basis. Billing begins in early August for Fall semester and early December for Spring semester, with a due date on the 22nd of the month. To avoid a 1.5 percent late fee charge, statements must be paid by the due date. More information about tuition due dates may be found here.

Tuition Refund Policy

Students who withdraw from classes after the start of the term are subject to the tuition refund policy.