Yale University
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $59,376 |
| Tuition & Fees | $34,596 |
| Living Expenses | $24,780 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $38,876 |
Cover Your $38,876 Gap
Yale University Law students typically need $38,876 in private loans per year to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance. Pre-qualify with a soft credit check — no impact to your score.
Based on our analysis of 7,333 programs at 1,861 universities · thefundinggap.org
What This Means for You
Large gap — private loans likely required
At $38,876/year ($116,628 over the full 3-year program), the funding gap for Yale University Law is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.
- Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
- Ask Yale University about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Consider whether a funded alternative (research/teaching assistantship) exists in your field
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
Get your personalized funding plan
Fee-by-fee cost breakdown, residency comparison, and private loan options for Yale University Law — sent to your inbox.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Yale University Law students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Yale University Law students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Yale University?
No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Yale University Law cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Yale University Law is $59,376 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $178,128.
What is the funding gap for Yale University Law?
The annual funding gap is $38,876, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($59,376) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $116,628. This is below the national median of $57,226 for Law (Other) programs.
Is Yale University Law classified as graduate or professional?
Yale University Law (JSD) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000. Note: Some law programs (e.g., LLM, MSL) are classified as graduate — not professional — meaning the lower $20,500 cap applies, not the $50,000 JD cap.
Related Articles
Largest Graduate Funding Gaps
Which graduate programs have the biggest shortfalls between cost and the $20,500 federal cap.
Read more →Is Graduate School Worth the Debt?
ROI varies enormously. Total costs range from under $20K to over $300K for graduate degrees.
Read more →Graduate Degrees Hit Hardest by the $20,500 Cap
Which degree types face the largest gaps under the new graduate loan limits.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Yale University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 130794.
- Program classification: JSD is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.
Methodology
- Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
- Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
- Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
- Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.
Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.
A student at Yale University Law faces an annual funding gap of $38,876 based on a cost of attendance of $59,376 minus the federal graduate loan cap of $20,500. Over 3 years, the total funding gap is $116,628. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.