There are many law schools you can choose from if you're looking to earn your law degree in North Carolina. Whether you choose to attend law schools in NC, or have decided to pursue a North Carolina online law degree, you'll find being a student of NC law schools to be a costly venture, even if you're not attending top law schools in North Carolina.

Several factors affect North Carolina law schools pricing and costs. Tuition and fees, room and board, personal expenses, books and other supplies and whether you're attending law schools NC full-time or part-time are all part of the costs of North Carolina law schools. You can ease North Carolina law schools pricing and costs by being a resident, or applying for financial aid.

1. Compare the tuition and fees for law schools in NC to other law schools in the U.S.
2. Add in other expenses relating to North Carolina law schools pricing and costs, such as room and board and books.
3. Look into financial aid in the form of scholarships and grants to help with the cost of NC law schools.
   

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See what the yearly tuition is at North Carolina law schools

If you're looking to earn a law degree, North Carolina can be a very affordable state in which to attend law school. In comparison to many other top law schools in the country, the tuition at some NC law schools can be under $30,000 per year. Additionally, if you are a resident of North Carolina, you can expect your tuition and fees to be less than non-resident students.

I recommend: Check out tuition and fees at some North Carolina law schools, such as Wake Forest University and the University of NC Chapel Hill, compared to top law schools across the country as provided by Internet Legal Research Group. The University of North Carolina School of Law shows the difference in tuition and fees for residents as compared to non-residents of NC.

Factor in other costs relating to attending law schools in North Carolina

In addition to tuition and fees, there are many other costs relating to NC law schools. Housing, books, supplies, personal and other expenses all factor into the final cost of attending law schools in North Carolina, and can run between $15,000 and $20,000. Some NC law schools break down an average cost of these additional expenses.

I recommend: The Campbell University School of Law provides a list of expenses relating to attending the school, including tuition, books, living expenses, travel and required fees. The costs of attending Duke University School of Law include supplies, a mandatory health fee, law bar dues and a recreation fee, in addition to tuition.

Save on North Carolina law schools pricing and costs through scholarships, loans and grants

You can ease the burden of North Carolina law schools pricing and costs by applying for financial aid. Aid can come in the form of loans, scholarships or grants. Any type of financial aid can save you between $2,000 and $15,000 off the cost of attending law schools in North Carolina.

I recommend: The Charlotte School of Law provides an extensive list of scholarships with dollar amounts and criteria law students must meet for each award. See what the average dollar amount is for federal, local and state grant aid and student loan aid for law students at North Carolina Central University at StateUniversity.com.

Attending one of the law schools in North Carolina and earning your law degree doesn’t necessarily mean you want to practice law. North Carolina law degrees can be put to use in a variety of different ways for your business, from learning about business investments to ensuring the administrative aspects of your company are in compliance with North Carolina and national laws.

There are a variety of North Carolina law schools throughout the state to choose from, or you can opt for an online law degree in North Carolina. Before you can seriously consider a North Carolina law degree, you’ll need to meet the academic requirements for North Carolina law schools, which includes taking the LSAT exam. You’ll also want to research North Carolina law school rankings and find accredited law schools in North Carolina. As you begin your search for North Carolina law schools, consider the following:

1. Seek out North Carolina law schools that have been accredited by the American Bar Association.

2. If your time is limited, seek out part-time law schools in North Carolina.

3. Find scholarships and loans to help you pay for tuition at North Carolina law schools.

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Apply to accredited law schools in North Carolina

In addition to consulting North Carolina law school rankings, when it comes to deciding among North Carolina law schools, you should only consider ABA-accredited law schools in North Carolina. These institutions have been approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) to meet the standards set within the country's legal profession.

I recommend: UNC School of Law and North Carolina Central University School of Law are both ABA-accredited law schools in North Carolina. For a complete list of accredited law school programs, check out the ABA’s website.

Consider part-time law schools in NC

If you run your own business, it can be difficult to find the time between work and home life to attend classes toward a North Carolina law degree. North Carolina part-time law schools are great options for busy business owners - or anyone, really - to get the education they seek.

I recommend: The Charlotte School of Law has a part-time program, where students take 9 to 12 credit hours per semester and typically finish their law degree in North Carolina in four years. Concord Law School has a North Carolina online law degree program that can also be completed part time to fit your schedule.

Check out funding options for law schools in NC

Whether you opt for part-time law programs in North Carolina, or decide to bite the bullet and go full time, the cost of North Carolina law schools isn't cheap (the cost of the top two law schools in North Carolina run more than $10,000 a year). Fortunately, there are scholarships and private loans designed specifically for law students.

I recommend: Search for scholarships for NC law schools at FastWeb. Also check out various scholarships available for the UNC School of Law. For law school loans, see Discover Student Loans, which offers federal Stafford loans as well as private education loans.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be realistic when determining how much time you'll have to spend each semester toward earning a North Carolina law degree. Most schools have a part-time option, so while it may take longer to get the degree, you'll have an easier time focusing on coursework - and your business - if you don't overload yourself.

North Carolina law schools advice and ratings use many statistics, such as employment prospects, median salary and tuition. Intangibles such as campus life, teaching methods and learning atmosphere may also form the basis of a law school evaluation.

Applicants to accredited NC law schools should begin their search by first considering law schools located in their desired geographic area. They also should consider the top law schools in the state where they plan to practice. Applicants should then select the schools that are within their budget and meet their specific needs. There are three general sources for evaluating North Carolina law schools:

1. Blogs on ABA accredited law schools in North Carolina. A credible blog or other type of social media may have posts from students, faculty and law school experts sharing their personal experiences with North Carolina law schools.
2. Rating services of law schools. Recognized experts may provide ratings of law schools that offer an exceptional education.
3. Recognition for individual law schools. The best law schools will have awards, grants and other accolades for their programs.
   

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Get advice for top law schools in North Carolina through blogs

Blogs contain posts from law students, professors or lawyers who have personal experience with various law schools. They can provide valuable insight and advice for choosing the best law schools in North Carolina.

I recommend: Echo's Scattered Thoughts is a blog by a law student at Duke University in North Carolina that provides insight into law school courses, exams and papers. Not a reasonably prudent person is a current blog maintained by a law student at the University of North Carolina that contains first-hand accounts of law classes.

Study rankings of North Carolina law schools

Rankings for law schools in North Carolina are an effective and credible source of advice and ratings. Each rating service should provide their methodology. Rankings typically consist of weighted factors, such as assessments of law professors, selectivity and placement rate.

I recommend: LawSchoolNumbers provides specific current percentile ranking information for North Carolina law schools from national sources. The LLM Guide provides the 2008 law school rankings by US News & World Report, which include North Carolina law schools, and discusses the significance of these rankings.

Look at North Carolina ABA law schools that are awards recipients

Awards and accolades can be an excellent way of identifying top tier law schools in North Carolina. Law schools may receive awards for legal research, academic programs or specific papers. The best law schools will also receive grants for their programs.

I recommend: Constangy, Brooks & Smith presented its 2008 Diversity Scholars Award to Jessica N. Holmes, a student at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Duke University won the North American round of the 2008 Moot Court Competition on WTO Procedures hosted by The European Law Students Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Law school applicants seeking highly rated North Carolina law schools should use the law school ratings to get a good overview of the schools. However, applicants should be more concerned with finding a law school that will meet their particular needs, rather than attending the highest ranked law school on a list. Law school students may also wish to consider attending a North Carolina online law degree. An online law school in North Carolina may provide a more affordable option for busy law school students.

When looking for a law school in North Carolina there are many reputable universities to consider. Duke University Law School, UNC Law School and The Charlotte School of Law are just a few of the varied choices in law education. When researching a career in law school that will help to achieve the professional and business goals desired, look for admission requirements, law school rankings and whether or not the school is ABA accredited.

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Elon University

Elon University School of Law is situatued in the Piedmont area of North Carolina.

I recommend: For more information go to the Elon University website.

Dual degree programs

Dual degrees are offered at UNC in conjunction with various other schools and departments at UNC and Duke. Students must be admitted to both law schools and must be aware of the requirements for each degree on a current and individual basis. Credits can only be given toward the J.D. for courses taken after a student has enrolled in law school.

I recommend: UNC School of Law describes the dual degree programs offered to law students and the requirements for each program.

Queen City Scholars Program

The Queen City Scholars Program is a merit scholarship program for prospective law students with four levels of recognition. The four levels of scholarship achievement are: The Bryant Park Scholar, The Dilworth Scholar, The Fourth Ward Scholar and the Charlotte Scholar.

I recommend: The Charlotte School of Law in North Carolina gives detailed information about its Queen City Scholars program as well as additional available scholarships to upcoming law students.

Pro Bono Pledge

At Duke University in North Carolina, students are given the option of signing the Pro Bono Pledge. Under the pledge, students commit to a minimum of 50 hours of law-related community service, including pro bono or clinic field work, during law school. Pro Bono field work connects students with attorneys working in non-profit, private pro bono practices and governmental organizations. Duke law students contribute to public service, network with law contacts and organizations while sharpening their legal and professional skills.

I recommend: Duke Law describes the Pro Bono Pledge and the stipulations concerning the pledge.

Criminal Litigation Clinic

The Criminal Litigation Clinic at NC Central is one of the program's most favored clinics. It provides students with an opportunity to represent individuals charged with crimes, and to protect victims' rights. Law students gain valuable skills while assisting public defenders and district attorneys with their heavy caseloads.

I recommend: North Carolina Central University School of Law gives an overview of the structure, defense and requirements of the Criminal Litigation Clinic program.

Community Law and Business Clinic

The Wake Forest Community Law and Business Clinic in North Carolina is a new program that focuses on assisting students in developing the skills they will need to practice in complex regulatory and legal environments they will eventually confront as law professionals.

I recommend: Wake Forest University School of Law offers its first year of clinical practice in Community Law and Business to its law students.