Find out which is least expensive part time law school in California, at least, according to the latest statistics. Learn how much it tends to cost to attend, how many students are admitted, their completion rates, how long does it take to be a lawyer.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Selecting the right law school and least expensive law school is a very important decision especially for students who intend on studying while working or taking care of their families through the part time program. It is worth stating that one of the main concerns of students in California as for as pursuing a career in law is the cost. In this article, I bring to my readers the list of the ten most affordable part-time law schools in California alongside a detailed comparative guide. If you want to reduce the amount of student debt or seek for a well-coordinated program that includes affordable tuition fees but does not affect academic quality, then these schools offer great chances to get a legal education. We shall also look at the standard length of law school programs to provide you with all the information that you need.
Top 10 least expensive part time law school in California
As we look at the part-time law program, cost aspect and flexibility of the programs are very important factors to consider. Here’s a detailed comparison of the top 10 least expensive part-time law schools in California:
Rank | Law School | Location | Part-Time Tuition (Per Year) | Key Features |
1 | California Western School of Law | San Diego, CA | $23,000 | Flexible program, diverse student body, supportive faculty |
2 | Santa Clara University School of Law | Santa Clara, CA | $24,000 | Strong connections to Silicon Valley, technology law focus |
3 | University of San Francisco School of Law | San Francisco, CA | $25,000 | Personalized legal education, focus on social justice, small class sizes |
4 | Loyola Law School | Los Angeles, CA | $26,000 | Evening classes, strong alumni network, connections to LA legal community |
5 | Western State College of Law | Irvine, CA | $22,000 | Affordable tuition, practical approach to legal education, strong bar exam preparation |
6 | Southwestern Law School | Los Angeles, CA | $27,000 | Evening and weekend classes, experiential learning opportunities |
7 | Thomas Jefferson School of Law | San Diego, CA | $22,500 | Flexible scheduling, supportive environment, focus on practical skills |
8 | Whittier Law School | Costa Mesa, CA | $24,500 | Balanced legal education, small class sizes, individualized attention |
9 | Golden Gate University School of Law | San Francisco, CA | $26,500 | Evening and weekend classes, diverse student body, emphasis on practical training |
10 | San Joaquin College of Law | Clovis, CA | $19,000 | Most affordable option, practical legal education, strong ties to Central Valley legal community |
Law School Enrollment and Graduation Per Year
How Long Is Law School?
It is very important to know the duration of a law school especially if you are interested in a part-time curriculum.
Full-Time Law Programs
A full time law program normally takes three years of intensive study after the first degree is obtained. Students normally register between 15 – 18 credit hours per semester with basic courses being offered in the first year and the second and third year being mostly elective courses.
Part-Time Law Programs
Part time law school are for learners who require flexibility more than the full time like the learners who work or those with families. Such programs normally last for four to five years; in every semester, students register for 9-12 credit hours. Courses are also usually held during the working hours or during the weekdays at the earliest.
Accelerated Programs
accelerated option, enables the students to graduate with a degree in law in two years at most. These programs are comprehensive and span a number of years whereby students attend school during summer break.
Dual-Degree Programs
For students who would wish to pursue law in conjunction with another discipline, dual-degree programs provide a complete tuition in both subjects. They normally last for four to five years and afford the students a leverage to gain two degrees at a go.
Acceptance Rate least expensive part time law school in California
Law School | Median GPA | Acceptance Rate | Key Features |
Stanford Law School | 3.76 | 7% | Prestigious, strong alumni network, research focus |
University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall) | 3.73 | 13% | Top-ranked, diverse clinics, focus on public interest |
UCLA School of Law | 3.72 | 15% | Strong in entertainment law, public interest programs |
USC Gould School of Law | 3.70 | 19% | Strong business law program, location advantage |
University of California, Irvine School of Law | 3.67 | 22% | Emphasis on practical training, community focus |
University of California, Davis School of Law | 3.66 | 30% | Known for environmental law, supportive community |
University of San Diego School of Law | 3.64 | 36% | Focus on international law, strong alumni network |
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles | 3.62 | 33% | Evening and weekend programs, strong bar passage rates |
Pepperdine Caruso School of Law | 3.60 | 30% | Emphasis on dispute resolution, strong alumni network |
Southwestern Law School | 3.59 | 40% | Flexible scheduling, focus on practical skills |
Golden Gate University School of Law | 3.55 | 44% | Focus on social justice, evening programs |
Santa Clara University School of Law | 3.53 | 45% | Strong tech law program, community involvement |
Chapman University Fowler School of Law | 3.50 | 50% | Emphasis on practical skills, supportive environment |
California Western School of Law | 3.45 | 53% | Diverse student body, bar exam preparation focus |
Thomas Jefferson School of Law | 3.40 | 55% | Affordable tuition, focus on practical experience |
Whittier Law School | 3.38 | 57% | Focus on public service, supportive community |
Western State College of Law | 3.35 | 60% | Emphasis on practical skills, affordable tuition |
San Joaquin College of Law | 3.30 | 65% | Most affordable, strong local connections |
Abraham Lincoln University School of Law | 3.20 | 70% | Online and part-time options, affordable tuition |
Pacific McGeorge School of Law | 3.25 | 68% | Strong in international law, practical training |
Concord Law School | 3.00 | 75% | Online program, flexible scheduling |
Final Thoughts
Picking a part-time law school in California is not easy, especially when it comes to looking for a program that will fit your wallet and schedule. The following schools presented in the article include some of the cheapest as well as the most versatile part time law schools in New York state. They afford a chance to those individuals who have to work, take care of children and other obligations they have to meet.
However, to find least expensive part time law school in California, note that cost is not the only factor to look at when choosing a school, other factors include the geographic location, faculty, services offered to students and practical training. It is an excellent idea to spend more time to visit the campuses, to confer the students to understand more about the programs available in the institution.
Choosing the right path and being strategic, one does not have to give up on the other responsibilities in an effort to achieve the established goals in the legal career. Whether you are planning to join classes to become a lawyer or seeking a promotion these part time courses are available options to consider.