It’s Supply and Demand 101: When demand for a product drops, prices fall to lure back buyers. But this fundamental law of economics doesn’t apply to law schools. The number of applicants to U.S. law schools declined drastically during the past two years, yet the average tuition this fall will climb by more than double the rate of inflation.
Average tuition and fees at private law schools will increase approximately 4 percent over last year to $40,585, according to an examination of published rates by The National Law Journal. That’s the first time private-school rates have crossed the $40,000 threshold. In-state resident students at public law schools will see a 6 percent increase on average, to approximately $23,590. Inflation is running at about 1.7 percent.
