For your reference, we have assembled sample budgets with estimated costs to serve as a guide to reasonable expenses and help students make financial decisions in preparation for attending Michigan Law. 

We strongly recommend creating a budget for your individual situation prior to borrowing for the academic year. The Financial Aid Office would be happy to provide individual budget counseling. Please contact us for more details. 

Sample Budgets

These budgets include tuition and living expenses for the 8-month 2026-2027 academic year. Please note that expenses within specific categories may vary from student to student. Michigan Law does not question variations within each category so long as the total amount of financial aid does not exceed the budget.

Please note: Your aid from all sources, including from loans, grants, and scholarships, may not exceed your individual cost of attendance based on the budgets outlined here (and any approved adjustments).

  • 1L 2026-27 Sample Budget

    Total

    • Resident: $108,508
    • Non-Resident: $111,508
    Tuition and Fees*
    • Resident: $80,421 
    • Non-Resident: $83,421
    • *International students +$500 per term.
    Housing (Rent and Utilities)
    • $15,008
    Food
    • $6,973
    Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
    • $1,300
    Transportation
    • $400
    Miscellaneous Personal (Clothing, Laundry, Toiletries, Phone, etc.)
    • $3,878
    Federal Loan Fees
    • $528
  • 2L 2026-27 Sample Budget

    Total

    • Resident: $108,156
    • Non-Resident: $111,156
    Tuition and Fees
    • Resident: $80,381
    • Non-Resident $83,381 
    • *International students +$500 per term.
    Housing (Rent and Utilities)
    • $15,008
    Food
    • $6,973
    Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
    • $1,300
    Transportation
    • $400
    Miscellaneous Personal (Clothing, Laundry, Toiletries, Phone, etc.)
    • $3,878
    Federal Loan Fees
    • $216
  • 3L 2026-27 Sample Budget

    Total

    • Resident: $108,720
    • Non-Resident: $111,720
    Tuition and Fees*
    • Resident: $80,381
    • Non-Resident: $83,381 
    • *International Students +$500 per term.
    Housing (Rent and Utilities)
    • $15,008
    Food
    • $6,973
    Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
    • $1,300
    Transportation
    • $400
    Miscellaneous Personal (Clothing, Laundry, Toiletries, Phone, etc.)
    • $3,878
    Federal Loan Fees
    • $216
    MPRE and Bar Exam Fees
    • $564

Other Budget Items

The additional allowable expenses listed below are the most common. Other expenses not listed, if documented, may be allowed as permitted by federal regulations.

Allowable Expenses

  • Child Care Costs

    Allowances will be made for child care costs in single parent situations or if the other parent is a student or is employed. Allowances for child care are made in accordance with the reasonable expenses incurred.

  • Computers

    We urge all students to have a computer while attending law school. We are able to increase the budget one time only to allow the purchase of a computer and printer up to $2,000 from loan sources. We strongly recommend purchasing insurance or an extended warranty. Recommended configurations are available from the IT Department. 

    Computer Loans     Setting Up Your Laptop

  • Insurance

    We feel strongly that all students should have excellent health insurance. Because we know that many of our students remain on their parent’s health insurance, we do not automatically build that cost into our budget, but we are happy to increase your budget for the academic year with documented insurance costs.

    We also encourage all students to take out renters insurance.

  • Medical Expenses Not Covered by Insurance

    If you have medical insurance, we will increase your budget for necessary medical costs that your insurance policy will not cover.

  • MPRE and Bar Exam Expenses

    *All 3L students will have $564 added to the winter term of their budget for MPRE and Bar Exam expenses. Students who incur expenses that exceed what is budgeted may request an increase for the difference.

Non-allowable Expenses

  • Vehicles

    We cannot increase your budget for auto loan payments, auto insurance, repairs, or parking tickets. If there is a pressing need for a vehicle, please consult our office.

  • Consumer Debt

    We cannot include debt incurred prior to attending law school, including credit card debt. We encourage you to reduce or eliminate all consumer debt before enrolling.

  • Additional Expenses

    We cannot increase your budget for moving expenses, job-related expenses, expenses incurred prior to law school, or summer expenses during times of non-enrollment, as these expenses are not related to your education.

Also of Interest

Financial Aid at Michigan Law
Financing Your Education
Office of Financial Aid