This year, the new law school at UC-Irvine became the most selective school in the country by admitting only 4% of their students. The big reason? Free tuition to those trailblazers, not to mention a class size in the 60s.
UC-Irvine made a big splash with their opening. While law schools are popping up all over the country, most of them are fairly clearly designed to bring in tuition dollars and nothing more. Should new accreditation models take over or students come to their senses, many of these law schools will be out in the cold.
Irvine is trying to keep the magic going by continuing to offer a great deal to students. Next year’s class are all guaranteed a 50% tuition scholarship. Not quite the same deal as a full ride, but still very helpful where, as the WSJ Law Blog points out, law school tuition is $40,000-$50,000.
But it is reasonable to question the wisdom of a state education system strapped for cash that decides to offer one of its law schools such a deep discount as tuition is hiked around the state. What makes more sense: ensuring UC-Irvine skyrockets or keeping UC-Davis’ tuition under $60K?
To me it seems like a misuse of resources. If the UC system doesn’t need those tuition dollars, then it would be better spent on assisting the financial needs of students at other UC schools. And if the UC system does need those tuition dollars, then maybe the regents should have thought twice about starting yet another law school.
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$50,000?!? Man, I’m so glad I live in Canada (well, and that I’m Canadian, otherwise tuition is much more expensive).
I can’t believe I complain about my $15k a year tuition….Though I know I’ll be repaying it later in taxes at ~50% for pretty much my entire working life, I’m pretty freaking thankful for the semi-socialized higher education at this point in my life.