University of Houston
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $77,533 |
| Tuition & Fees | $51,447 |
| Living Expenses | $26,086 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $27,533 |
Cover Your $27,533 Gap
University of Houston 3-Year JD students typically need $27,533 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 $27,533/year ($82,598 over the full 3-year program), the funding gap for University of Houston 3-Year JD 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 University of Houston about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
- Evaluate expected starting salary against total debt load — use the 1x salary guideline
- File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid
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 $14,725 larger gap per year due to non-resident tuition surcharges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal loan limit for University of Houston 3-Year JD students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Houston 3-Year 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 University of Houston?
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 University of Houston 3-Year JD cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Houston 3-Year JD is $77,533 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $232,598.
What is the funding gap for University of Houston 3-Year JD?
The annual funding gap is $27,533, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($77,533) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $82,598. This is above the national median of $23,524 for Law (JD) programs.
Is University of Houston 3-Year JD classified as graduate or professional?
University of Houston 3-Year 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.
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Read more →Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- Cost of attendance: Sourced from University of Houston’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)(ii).
- IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 225511.
- 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.
A non-resident student at University of Houston 3-Year JD faces an annual funding gap of $27,533 based on a cost of attendance of $77,533 minus the federal professional loan cap of $50,000. Over 3 years, the total funding gap is $82,598. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.