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Tuition and Fees

When pursuing higher education, we know cost is a major part of the decision making process. This page contains a breakdown of tuition and fees while attending California Western. 


2024-2025 Academic Year - JD Program

California Western operates on a semester system. Each academic year is made up of two semesters with an optional summer semester. 

Full-time Student (12 – 17 units per semester)

Tuition cost: $31,200 per semester

Part-time Student (6 – 11 units per semester) 

Tuition cost: $23,340 per semester

Three students standing in front of San Diego Trolley stop.

Three students standing in front of San Diego Trolley stop.


California Western School of Law
2024-2025 Cost of Attendance

JD Students Full-time enrollment (12-17 units per semester, 9-month academic year) Part-time enrollment (6-11 units per semester, 9-month academic year)
Tuition[1] $62,400 $46,680
Activity Fee $150 $150
Books and Supplies $1,062 $1,062
Housing & Food [2] $24,885 $24,885
Transportation $1,962 $1,962
Miscellaneous  $4,968 $4,968
Loan Fees $1,314 $1,314
TOTAL (9-month academic year) $96,741 $81,021

[1] If a student takes 1-5 units per term, tuition will be charged at $2,840 per unit. See the Business Offices’ policies and procedures for per-unit tuition details. Note that 1-5 units is less than half-time attendance, which does not qualify for federal student loans.

[2] Students who receive military housing assistance or who live on a military base will be assigned a Housing & Food budget of $4,950 (food only). 


Cost of Attendance Increase

Each school must determine a standard budget or Cost of Attendance (COA), also referred to as the "student budget", for each of its programs. In some cases, a student may incur allowable education expenses that are either greater than the amounts included in the standard COA or else not included at all. Per federal student aid regulations, any deviation from the standard COA must follow set parameters and be thoroughly documented.

Budget Increase Policy and Form

Bar Exam Costs Increase

Students who are graduating in Fall or Spring can expect to pay the direct costs of admission to the bar during their final term. Regulations governing this process require that schools include these bar costs in the standard Cost of Attendance (COA) for students who incur these costs during (not after) a period of enrollment. Note, these direct costs cannot be included for students graduating in the Summer term. Adjustments will automatically be made to include the anticipated bar costs for eligible students; no application is necessary.