Tuition and Fees
When pursuing higher education, we understand that cost is a significant factor in the decision making process. This page provides a detailed breakdown of the Cost of Attendance for California Western law students.
2026-2027 Cost of Attendance
Each year the Financial Aid Office prepares an estimated student budget, or Cost of Attendance (COA), based on federal regulations. The COA establishes standard allowances intended to support a modest but realistic student standard of living.
Included in the COA are both direct costs—tuition and fees billed to the student account—and indirect estimated expenses, such as books, housing, and other living costs. It also represents the maximum total financial aid a student can expect to receive during the nine‑month academic year, which consists of the Fall and Spring semesters. Indirect expense figures reflect average education‑related costs, and actual expenses may vary based on individual circumstances, personal spending choices, and housing selections.
| Expense Category | Full-time enrollment (12-17 units per semester) |
Part-time enrollment (6-11 units per semester) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 66,760 | $ 49,960 |
| Student Fee | $ 1,080 | $ 1,080 |
| Books and Supplies | $ 1,600 | $ 1,600 |
| Housing and Food* | $ 30,159 | $ 30,159 |
| Transportation | $ 1,656 | $ 1,656 |
| Miscellaneous | $ 5,706 | $ 5,706 |
| TOTAL (9-month academic year) | $ 106,961 | $ 90,161 |
Notes:
1 Enrollment in 5 or fewer units during the Fall and Spring semesters is considered less than half‑time, which does not qualify a student for federal student loan eligibility. Students enrolled in 1–5 units will be charged on a per‑unit basis. Please refer to the Business Office’s website for details on tuition and fees.
2 Students who receive military housing assistance or who live on a military base will be assigned a Housing & Food budget of $7,884, which reflects the food allowance only.
2 The Cost of Attendance does not include loan origination fees for Federal Direct Loans. Students who borrow federal loans will have an additional allowance added to their COA to cover the loan origination fees deducted from each disbursement. The allowance reflects an average amount, although actual fees will vary based on the total amount borrowed.
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.
Three students standing in front of San Diego Trolley stop.
2025-2026 Cost of Attendance
| Expense Category | Full-time enrollment (12-17 units per semester) |
Part-time enrollment (6-11 units per semester) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition[1] | $ 64,720 | $ 48,440 |
| Activity Fee | $ 150 | $ 150 |
| Books and Supplies | $ 1,600 | $ 1,600 |
| Housing & Food [2] | $ 29,250 | $ 29,250 |
| Transportation | $ 1,989 | $ 1,989 |
| Miscellaneous | $ 5,067 | $ 5,067 |
| Loan Fees | $1,435 | $1,435 |
| TOTAL (9-month academic year) | $104,211 | $ 87,931 |
[1] If a student takes 1-5 units per term, tuition will be charged at $2,940 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).
Financial Aid Office
The Financial Aid Office is here to help you navigate the financial aid process. If you require assistance or have questions about financial aid, please contact our office.