The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $103,956 |
| Tuition & Fees | $78,644 |
| Living Expenses | $25,312 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $53,956 |
Cover Your $53,956/yr Gap
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Law (JD) students typically need $161,868 in private loans over 3 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.
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What This Means for You
Very large gap — requires careful evaluation
A $53,956/year gap means $161,868 in additional funding needed beyond federal loans. This is among the largest gaps nationally. Carefully evaluate the return on investment before committing.
- Calculate your expected debt-to-income ratio using projected starting salaries
- Explore income-driven repayment options for the federal loan portion
- Request a meeting with the financial aid office to discuss all available institutional support
- Compare total cost with peer programs — the same degree may cost significantly less elsewhere
- Consider whether employer tuition assistance or military benefits apply to your situation
Need help navigating financial aid? Start with FAFSA
In-State vs. Out-of-State
In-State (Resident)
Out-of-State (Non-Resident)
Out-of-state students face a $37,520 larger gap per year due to non-resident tuition surcharges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Law (JD) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), The University of Tennessee-Knoxville 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Law (JD) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Law (JD) is $103,956 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $311,868.
What is the funding gap for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Law (JD)?
The annual funding gap is $53,956, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($103,956) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $161,868. This is above the national median of $22,599 for Law (JD) programs.
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Law (JD) classified as graduate or professional?
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville 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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville’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: 221759.
- 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.