Cal Northern School of Law
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $59,705 |
| Tuition & Fees | $17,585 |
| Living Expenses | $42,120 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $9,705 |
Cover Your $9,705/yr Gap
Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) students typically need $29,115 in private loans over 3 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.
We research and compare lenders so you don’t have to. Rates verified as of January 2026.
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to lender products. Rates shown are not guaranteed and depend on creditworthiness, cosigner status, and loan terms. Check with individual lenders for current rates.
What This Means for You
Moderate gap — plan ahead
A $9,705/year gap adds up to $29,115 over the full program. This requires intentional planning but is manageable with the right strategy.
- Contact the financial aid office — many schools offer institutional grants for students with demonstrated need
- Look into graduate assistantships, which often include tuition waivers
- Compare private loan options — rates vary significantly by lender and credit profile
- Consider whether in-state residency (if applicable) would reduce your costs
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 Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) — sent to your inbox.
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) students can borrow up to $50,000 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the professional annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $200,000 for professional students.
Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Cal Northern School of Law?
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 ($50,000/year for professional programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.
How much does Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) is $59,705 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $179,115.
What is the funding gap for Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD)?
The annual funding gap is $9,705, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($59,705) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $29,115. This is below the national median of $22,599 for Law (JD) programs.
Is Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) classified as graduate or professional?
Cal Northern School of Law Law (JD) (JD) is classified as professional under 34 CFR § 668.2, the federal definition of professional programs frozen as of the OBBBA enactment date. This means the annual federal loan cap is $50,000/year, with an aggregate limit of $200,000.
Related Articles
What the OBBBA Means for Professional Students
Medical, law, dental, and other professional students face a $50,000/year cap. Here's the full breakdown.
Read more →How to Fund the Gap Without Grad PLUS
Scholarships, institutional aid, private loans, and service programs — options for professional students.
Read more →Debt-to-Income Planning for Professional Degrees
How to evaluate whether your expected salary justifies the total debt load.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Cal Northern School of Law’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, Subtitle B, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(ii).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 493956.
- Program classification: JD is classified as professional per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $50,000.
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.