FINANCES AND UND LAW
FINANCES AND UND LAW
BRIAN PAPPAS Dean , University of North Dakota School of Law
Founded in 1899 , the University of North Dakota ( UND ) School of Law exists to train high quality lawyers for North Dakota , and we take that responsibility very seriously . We remain unique in our ability to do what few can - deliver a high-quality legal education at an affordable price . We are in the top 10 for the country ’ s lowest in-state tuition and fees at $ 17,633 per year , and in the top 10 for lowest out-of-state tuition and fees at $ 33,551.63 . We are dedicated to remaining affordable , but we compete more than ever with other school seeking quality applicants .
Most law schools utilize significant tuition discounts to attract applicants with high LSAT scores and GPAs . The average in-state law school tuition in the U . S . is now at $ 30,554 for public schools and $ 55,963 for private schools . 1 The average tuition discount at U . S . law schools is just under 80 % and need-based discounting is increasingly rare .
Discount rates are used to game the U . S . News rankings . The U . S . News provides a rankings advantage for schools with more academically qualified entering classes . Law schools with lower-credentialed classes who achieve excellent results ( bar passage , career placements ) should be higher ranked than law schools who do the same with better “ qualified ” students . I am using quotes because LSAT and GPA do not necessarily reflect common sense , determination , and the life experiences that will aid in someone becoming an outstanding attorney . LSAT and GPA may predict success in law school , but not success as a lawyer . 2 Schools seeking to increase their rankings can limit their classes to higher performing applicants , placing a bet that a resulting rise in the U . S . News rankings will then lead to an increase in higher-credentialed applicants . It is a risky move that games the system - those schools are doing nothing differently in terms of the quality of their instruction or services , they simply attract more academically qualified students through discounts and enduring higher budget deficits .
At UND , our discount rate is 11 %. Our greatest challenge to delivering more graduates to North Dakota is the limited number of North Dakota applicants we receive each year . We accept every North Dakota applicant we believe can be successful . Our North Dakota credentials thus have a wider credential range than our out-of-state applicants . For the entering class in fall 2024 , we admitted 56 North Dakota students out of 68 applicants , or 82 %. Of the 56 North Dakota students admitted , we enrolled 39 , or 71 %. Two students decided to defer admission until 2025 . Simply put , if you are a North Dakotan who wants to be a lawyer , we want to talk to you !
Our tuition model , and specifically our state ’ s generous residency laws , are becoming an impediment to attracting North Dakota students . Often our tuition increases are determined through the legislative budgeting process and in 2023 and 2024 , our tuition increases were 0 % and 1 %.
Effectively our tuition revenue today , in terms of buying power , is 2 % less than it was in 2018 . What results is an unsustainable model in which every so many years we are faced with a significant financial deficit .
Another factor impacting our finances is the fact that it is easier to obtain in-state tuition in North Dakota than almost any other state . We provide excellent benefits to former residents and members of the military , and I support both programs . If you live out of state but graduated from a North Dakota high school , regardless of your current residence , you pay in-state rates . If you are active military or a veteran , regardless of location , you pay in-state rates . Students who do not qualify for in-state rates may become residents by living in North Dakota for one year . Unlike nearly every other state in the union , students can utilize their time as students towards the one-year residency requirement .
Compounding the residency situation , our law school provides a contiguous rate if you live in an adjacent territory - Minnesota ( 8 ), South Dakota ( 1 ), Montana ( 5 ), and Manitoba ( 15 ). The numbers indicated are the current 1L students from each place that in total account for 35 % of our 1L class . The contiguous rate is 1.5 times tuition , or $ 25,592.38 . Not one of those adjacent states offers our residents contiguous rates or provide the opportunity for students to become residents for tuition purposes after 12 months . Effectively , none of our out-ofstate students ( aside from the 18 % of our 1L class from Manitoba ) must pay more than one year of out-of-state or contiguous tuition .
If the state ’ s residency laws and our contiguous tuition model encouraged more out-of-state students to locate in North Dakota , that would be a benefit .
24 THE GAVEL