
The annual cost of attending Thomas Jefferson School of Law depends on J.D. enrollment intensity, mandatory charges, and the student's living expenses. A reported 2024-25 graduate charge of $1,260 per credit for part-time enrollment, for both California and out-of-state students, should not be mistaken for the price of an entire academic year.
The same 2024-25 reporting lists $2,432 in required graduate fees. Applicants should confirm exactly which students pay those fees and obtain the school's current J.D. tuition schedule before calculating a total; multiplying a per-credit figure by planned credits is only one part of the calculation. Published rates can change between academic years.
A realistic budget also includes books and supplies, rent, food, transportation, and personal expenses in San Diego. The school's official cost-of-attendance budget may set limits for financial-aid calculations, but a student's actual spending can differ. Scholarships reduce the amount a recipient must finance; loans spread payment over time and generally add repayment costs rather than reducing the underlying price.
Law students may seek part-time work or career-related placements while enrolled at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, but a paid job, an internship, and Federal Work-Study are different arrangements. None should be assumed to be guaranteed by admission.
Federal Work-Study, when available to an eligible student, is a need-based financial-aid program under which wages are earned through an approved job; it is not an upfront tuition discount. Students should ask the financial-aid office whether they qualify and where approved positions are posted. Separately, the school's career-services staff can be a point of contact for legal job searches, résumé review, and professional-development opportunities. Students should verify current services and placement requirements before relying on a particular offering.
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.