University of Houston
Cost of Attendance Breakdown
| Annual Cost of Attendance | $54,585 |
| Tuition & Fees | $29,273 |
| Living Expenses | $25,312 |
| Federal Loan Cap (Professional) | −$50,000 |
| Annual Funding Gap | $4,585 |
Cover Your $4,585 Gap
University of Houston Law students typically need $4,585 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
Small gap — likely manageable
Your $4,585/year gap is below $5,000, which many students can cover through part-time work, savings, or a small private loan.
- A graduate assistantship or part-time work may cover the full gap
- Apply for department scholarships and external fellowships
- If borrowing privately, a small loan at competitive rates can bridge the difference
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 $4,585 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 Law students?
Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), University of Houston Law 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 Law cost per year?
The total cost of attendance for University of Houston Law is $54,585 per year. Over the full 3-year program, the total cost is $163,755.
What is the funding gap for University of Houston Law?
The annual funding gap is $4,585, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($54,585) and the federal loan cap ($50,000). Over the full 3-year program, the total gap is $13,755. This is below the national median of $23,524 for Law (JD) programs.
Is University of Houston Law classified as graduate or professional?
University of Houston Law (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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How mid-program students are affected by the OBBBA transition.
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 Law faces an annual funding gap of $4,585 based on a cost of attendance of $54,585 minus the federal professional loan cap of $50,000. Over 3 years, the total funding gap is $13,755. Based on data from “The 2026 Graduate Education Funding Crisis — A Data Report” available on thefundinggap.org.