Thomas M Cooley Law School
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $80,754 |
| Tuition & Fees | $52,722 |
| Living Expenses | $28,032 |
| Books, Supplies & Other | $0 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Graduate) | −$20,500 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $60,254 |
Cover Your $60,254/yr Gap
Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) students typically need $60,254 in private loans over 1 year 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.
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What This Means for You
Very large gap — requires careful evaluation
A $60,254/year gap means $60,254 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
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) 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 Thomas M Cooley Law School?
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 Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) is $80,754 per year. Over the full 1-year program, the total cost is $80,754.
What is the funding gap for Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM)?
The annual funding gap is $60,254, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($80,754) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). This is above the national median of $53,584 for Law (LLM) programs.
Is Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) classified as graduate or professional?
Thomas M Cooley Law School Law (LLM) (LLM) 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
What the OBBBA Means for Graduate Students
The 2026 law eliminates Grad PLUS loans and sets a $20,500/year cap. Here's what changes and what doesn't.
Read more →How to Fund the Gap Without Grad PLUS
Scholarships, assistantships, private loans, and employer programs — a practical guide to covering unfunded costs.
Read more →Private Student Loans: What to Know in 2026
Credit requirements, cosigner impact, and how to compare rates across lenders.
Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from Thomas M Cooley Law School’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)(i).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 172477.
- Program classification: LLM 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.