Law Schools: Financial Guarantee Requirements
12-Month Estimated Expenses for International Students
Penn State Law and Penn State Dickinson Law Chart
The information on the chart linked above is also displayed in the following text.
All figures cited are broad estimates used only for determining the year one financial guarantee requirements for the issuance of visa eligibility documents. Cost of living estimates vary depending on a student's personal situation and campus location. Students should expect these costs to increase each year and plan accordingly. Additional funding from the university is not available or implied.
Some programs listed only admit for the fall semester.
| Dickinson Law - J.D. | $85,600 |
| Dickinson Law - S.J.D | $58,600 |
| Dickinson Law - LL.M. | $80,300 |
| Penn State Law - J.D. | $86,000 |
| Penn State Law - S.J.D. | $60,200 |
| Penn State Law - LL.M. | $80,700 |
The breakdown of the estimate figures is below.
Tuition and Fees
| Dickinson Law (Carlisle) | $58,100 |
| Dickinson Law S.J.D. (Carlisle) | $31,100 |
| Penn State Law (University Park) | $58,500 |
| Penn State Law S.J.D. (University Park) | $32,700 |
Tuition estimates includes approximately $600 for annual student fees. Please note: Fees are different depending on location - Carlisle Campus fees tend to be lower. Fees for the current academic year can be viewed on the Bursar's website.
The tuition estimates listed above are based on 12 credits which is the minimum number of credits required by the Department of Homeland Security to maintain full-time student status. Scheduling more than the minimum number of credits may increase your tuition charges. The figures provided here are estimates only. Tuition charges are set each July immediately preceding each academic year by the Bursar's Office.
Living Expenses
| LL.M, Legal Studies | 9 month Visa Eligibility Document (Aug-May) | $18,000 Living expense estimate for 9 months |
| S.J.D. | 12 month - 33 month Visa Eligibility Document | $23,300 Living expense estimate for 12 months |
| J.D. | 3 year Visa Eligibility Document | $23,300 Living expense estimate for 12 months |
The estimated living expenses include approximately $1,900 for Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment.
The estimated living and book expenses are based on figures provided to us by the Student Aid Office for the current academic year. The figures include estimated amounts for room, food, clothing, laundry, personal care items, local transportation, and so on. To obtain a Visa Eligibility Document to apply for an F-1 or J-1 Student Visa, we must receive proof of support for 12 months (federal regulation) depending on the length of the program. Cost of living estimates vary depending on a student's personal situation and campus location. Students should expect these costs to increase each year and plan accordingly. Additional funding from the university is not available or implied.
Mandatory Health Insurance
The estimated insurance rate of $4,200 for the Fall 2024-Spring 2025 academic year was provided by the Student Insurance Office. Actual rates will be posted on the Student Health Insurance website closer to the start of the fall semester.
Read more information about the Insurance Mandate.
Bringing a Spouse or Child
If you will be accompanied by dependents, you will be fully responsible for their support and additional funds are required. Health insurance is mandatory for all accompanying dependents. The high cost of child care for pre-school children (ages 0-6 years) is not included in the child expenses figures. As of August 2015, child insurance expenses have a maximum for 3 or more children. The dependent rates will be reduced accordingly for the LL.M. and Legal Study degrees to account for the 9 month period.
| Additional Spouse Expenses | $6,000 Living | $4,200 Mandatory Insurance | $10,200 Total Additional Funds |
| Additional First Child Expenses | $3,500 Living | $4,200 Mandatory Insurance | $7,700 Total Additional Funds |
| Additional Second Child Expenses | $3,500 Living | $4,200 Mandatory Insurance | $7,700 Total Additional Funds |
| Each Additional Child | $3,500 Living | $3,500 Total for each additional child |
