2026-27 Academic Year

Pre-Enrollment Costs

Prior to enrollment, you can expect the following financial obligations:

  • Application Fee. Apply for free online at the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) website until February 1! After February 1, the $70 fee accompanies your initial application for admission. It is a processing charge and is nonrefundable.
  • Tuition Deposit. This $300 nonrefundable deposit is applied to your first semester's tuition and ensures you a place in the entering class. The deposit is due on the date stated in your admission letter. A second $300 nonrefundable deposit is due by June 1 for admitted students starting fall term.

JD/LLM tuition

Important Considerations:

  • Payable per term.
  • Tuition is set for first-year students.
  • Future tuition may vary depending on number of credits taken per term.
  • Does not include costs such as: books, room/board, transportation, and other living expenses (see Cost of Attendance below).
  • Payment plans may be setup on the Student Account Center.
  • You should plan for tuition to increase each year during your law school career.

Administrative Tuition Credit

  • If you are required to take one or two credits above the required 90 credits as a result of your schedule, the Registrar may grant an administrative tuition credit at the time of validation.
  • If approved, the student would then be charged tuition for only the number of credits taken up to 90.
  • Be advised that such credits may impact your financial aid eligibility.
  • We do not grant this credit to enable students to take additional courses beyond the required 90 credits.

MLS Tuition

Important Considerations:

  • Payable per term
  • Does not include costs such as: books, room/board, transportation, and other living expenses (see Cost of Attendance below)
  • Payment plans may be setup on the Student Account Center
  • You should plan for tuition to increase each year during your law school career

Administrative Tuition Credit

  • If you are required to take one or two credits above the required 30 credits as a result of your schedule, the Registrar may grant an administrative tuition credit at the time of validation.
  • If approved, the student would then be charged tuition for only the number of credits taken up to 30.
  • Be advised that such credits may impact your financial aid eligibility.
  • We do not grant this credit to enable students to take additional courses beyond the required 30 credits.
2026-27 Tuition: Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Legal Studies (MLS)
Program Tuition (per credit)
JD $2,144 per credit (full-time $64,320)
LLM $2,144
On-campus MLS $1,596
Online MLS $1,596
SJD See table below
Tuition: Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) Program
Term/Semester Tuition (per term/semester flat charge)
Fall Semester 2026 $20,000
Spring Semester 2027 $20,000
Third Semester and Subsequent Semesters $6,250

Fees

Matriculation Fee

  • $100 one-time fee due when you first enroll in the law school
Student Bar Association (SBA) Fee
Term/Semester Full-time Part-time
Summer 2026 No charge No charge
Fall 2026 $58 $43
Spring 2027 $58 $43

 

University Health & Wellness Fee
Term/Semester Enrolled Student*
Summer 2026 $172
Fall 2026 $258
Spring 2027 $258

*The university is no longer offering a part-time wellness fee. All enrolled students are charged the same rate.

The mandatory per semester Wellness Fee provides funding for several health and wellness resources that benefit all Seattle University students, including access to TimelyCare. In addition, the wellness fee provides access to the university fitness center, online and in-person health and wellness programs, and allows Seattle U an opportunity to develop new resources and services for on-campus and online students.

JD Cost of Attendance and Fees

$65,052 per nine-month academic year (2026-2027)

  • Tuition including the Student Bar Association (SBA) fee, University Health and Wellness Fee, and one time matriculation fee.
  • This does not include room and board, transportation, and personal expenses while enrolled in law school.

Important Considerations:

  • By law, financial aid cannot exceed the amount of these costs, which together comprise a standard student budget
  • Your specific cost of attendance may be increased with documentation of special financial circumstances (such as childcare), making you eligible for additional alternative credit-based loans
  • Financial lifestyle choices and personal expenses (such as credit card bills and car payments) cannot be included in student budget calculations
  • Financial aid is determined by need and cost of attendance.
  • Your financial need — difference between the cost of your education and your financial ability to pay for it.
  • Information on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines need by calculating what you can pay from your own resources. This amount is subtracted from your total cost of education. The difference is your financial need, and the amount we will try to help you meet with aid programs.
  • Non-need-based aid program are also available

AccessLex offers a helpful online budgeting resource.

 

JD Program - Cost of Attendance (2026-2027)

The following represents the estimated cost of attendance for the 2026–2027 academic year. Amounts include tuition, fees, and standard living expenses.

Tuition & Fees
ProgramFall/SpringSummer/Fall/Spring
JD$64,320$64,320
Fee TypeFall/SpringSummer/Fall/Spring
SBA Fee$116$116
Wellness Fee$516$688
Matriculation Fee$100$100
Subtotal$732$904
Total Tuition & Fees$65,052$65,224
Living Expenses (Estimated)

Costs listed represent estimated student budgets and may vary depending on individual circumstances and financial aid adjustments.

Expense TypeFall/SpringSummer/Fall/Spring
Books$2,014$2,014
Housing$19,396$25,861
Food$4,716$6,288
Personal$4,870$6,493
Transportation$3,258$4,344
Stafford Loan Fee$208$208
Subtotal$34,462$45,208
Total Cost of Attendance$99,514$110,432

Loan fees are based on federal estimates and may vary.

If enrolled in summer, financial aid is distributed across all terms. Summer tuition costs are lower, and funds are allocated to support the remaining academic year.

Tuition and costs may increase in subsequent academic years.

Flex JD Program - Cost of Attendance (2026-2027)

The following represents the estimated cost of attendance for the 2026–2027 academic year. Amounts include tuition, fees, and standard living expenses.

Tuition & Fees
ProgramFall/SpringSummer/Fall/Spring
Flex JD$38,592$47,168

Tuition is based on $2,144 per credit.

Total credits: 18 (Fall/Spring) or 22 (Summer/Fall/Spring).

Fall/Spring students enroll in 9.5 credits per semester.

Summer track students enroll in 4 credits (summer), 9.5 (fall), and 8.5 (spring).

Fee TypeFall/SpringSummer/Fall/Spring
SBA Fee$86$86
Wellness Fee$516$688
Matriculation Fee$100$100
Subtotal$702$874
Total Tuition & Fees$39,294$48,042
Living Expenses (Estimated)

Costs listed represent estimated student budgets and may vary depending on individual circumstances and financial aid adjustments.

Expense TypeFall/SpringSummer/Fall/Spring
Books$1,482$1,782
Housing$19,396$25,861
Food$4,716$6,288
Personal$4,870$6,493
Transportation$3,258$4,344
Stafford Loan Fee$208$208
Subtotal$33,930$44,976
Total Cost of Attendance$73,224$93,018

Loan fees are based on federal estimates and may vary.

If enrolled in summer, financial aid is distributed across all terms. Summer tuition costs are lower, and funds are allocated to support the remaining academic year.

Tuition and costs may increase in subsequent academic years.

LLM Program - Cost of Attendance (2026-2027)

The following represents the estimated cost of attendance for the 2026–2027 academic year. Amounts include tuition, fees, and standard living expenses.

Tuition & Fees
Program(Full-Time)Fall/Spring(Part-time)Fall/SpringSpring Start
LLM$51,456$25,728$25,728

Tuition is based on $2,144 per credit.

Full-time tuition is based on an average of 24 credits (12 per semester).

Part-time is based on an average of 12 credits (6 per semester).

Fee Type(Full-Time)Fall/Spring(Part-Time)Fall/SpringSpring Start
SBA Fee$116$86$58
Wellness Fee$516$516$258
Matriculation Fee$100$100$100
Subtotal$732$702$416
Total Tuition & Fees$52,188$26,430$26,144
Living Expenses (Estimated)

Costs listed represent estimated student budgets and may vary depending on individual circumstances and financial aid adjustments.

Expense Type(Full-Time)Fall/Spring(Part-Time)Fall/SpringSpring Start
Books$2,500$1,250$1,250
Housing$19,396$19,369$8,620
Food$4,716$4,716$2,096
Personal$4,870$4,870$2,164
Transportation$3,258$3,258$1,448
Stafford Loan Fee$208$208$208
Subtotal$34,948$33,698$15,786
Total Cost of Attendance$87,136$60,128$41,930

Book and supply costs may vary based on course selection.

Loan fees are based on federal estimates and may vary.

Amounts listed are based on Fall and Spring terms. Summer enrollment may adjust total cost of attendance.

Tuition and costs may increase in subsequent academic years.

MLS Program (In-Person) - Cost of Attendance (2026-2027)

The following represents the estimated cost of attendance for the 2026–2027 academic year. Amounts include tuition, fees, and standard living expenses.

Tuition & Fees
Program(Full-Time)Fall/Spring(Part-Time)Fall/Spring
MLS$47,880$23,940

Tuition is based on $1,596 per credit.

Full-time tuition assumes 30 credits; part-time assumes 15 credits.

Fee Type(Full-Time)Fall/Spring(Part-Time)Fall/Spring
SBA Fee$116$86
Wellness Fee$516$516
Matriculation Fee$100$100
Subtotal$732$702
Total Tuition & Fees$48,612$24,642
Living Expenses (Estimated)
Expense Type(Full-Time)Fall/Spring(Part-Time)Fall/Spring
Books$2,500$1,250
Housing$19,396$19,396
Food$4,716$4,716
Personal$4,870$4,870
Transportation$3,258$3,258
Stafford Loan Fee$208$208
Subtotal$34,948$33,698
Total Cost of Attendance$83,560$58,340

Book and supply costs may vary based on course selection.

Loan fees are based on federal estimates and may vary.

If enrolled in summer, financial aid is distributed across all terms. Summer tuition costs are lower, and funds are allocated to support the remaining academic year.

Tuition and costs may increase in subsequent academic years.

MLS Program (Online) - Cost of Attendance (2026-2027)

The following represents the estimated cost of attendance for the 2026–2027 academic year. Amounts include tuition, fees, and standard living expenses.

Tuition & Fees
Program(Full-Time)Fall/SpringSpring Start
MLS$15,960$7,980

Tuition is based on $1,596 per credit.

Program requires 30 total credits, typically completed over 6 terms (5 credits per term).

Spring Start reflects one academic term. Full-time amounts reflect Fall and Spring terms. Program is designed to be completed over Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.

Fee Type(Full-Time)Fall/SpringSpring Start
SBA Fee$86$43
Wellness Fee$516$258
Matriculation Fee$100$100
Subtotal$702$401
Total Tuition & Fees$16,662$8,381
Living Expenses (Estimated)
Expense Type(Full-Time)Fall/SpringSpring Start
Books$2,500$1,250
Housing$19,396$8,620
Food$4,716$2,096
Personal$4,870$2,164
Transportation$3,258$1,448
Stafford Loan Fee$208$208
Subtotal$34,948$15,786
Total Cost of Attendance$51,610$24,167

Book and supply costs may vary based on course selection.

Loan fees are based on federal estimates and may vary.

Amounts listed are based on Fall and Spring terms. Summer enrollment may adjust total cost of attendance.

Tuition and costs may increase in subsequent academic years.

Computers

If you decide to purchase or lease a laptop and need financial aid assistance, be sure to keep your receipt and documentation of payment. You must buy the laptop first and submit the receipt and proof of payment by you, the student (not parents, spouse or friend), to Student Financial Services. The purchase must be made within a reasonable time frame prior to matriculation or once enrolled at least half-time and before April 1 during an academic year. The expense may be added to your student budget one time only during your law school career, up to the purchase price, or a maximum of $1,450 (for academic year 2026-2027), whichever is less. This will increase your Grad PLUS or private loan eligibility (credit report required), in effect paying yourself back. Please weigh whether the financial terms of a credit based alternative loan are more beneficial than the original method of payment.

For answers to any questions you have about financial aid, please contact Student Financial Services at lawfa@seattleu.edu.

Contact us

Student Financial Services (SFS)
Sullivan Hall, Second Floor
901 12th Avenue
P.O. Box 222000
Seattle, WA 98122-1090
206-398-4250
lawfa@seattleu.edu

SFS Hours

Monday - Friday:
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Late Hours*
Monday and Thursday
4:30-6:00 p.m.

*By appointment only

Hours are subject to change during exams, holidays, and summer session. Changes will be posted outside of the entrance to the Administrative Offices.

A drop box is located to the left of the Administrative Office doors for after-hours correspondence.