11 Best Law School Loans of August 2025
If free financial aid won’t cover all of your law school costs, you may need student loans. Opting for federal student loans before private loans can help reduce what you pay overall for financing.




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To find the best law school loans, compare interest rates, fees and repayment options — and only borrow after exhausting grants and scholarships.
Federal loans are a safer choice than private options to pay for law school. Private loans may cost less if you have good credit, but federal programs like income-driven repayment protect you if you want to work in the public sector or don’t land a high-paying job.
Our picks for the best law school loans are below, as well as some additional information on choosing between federal and private options. Note that the ratings apply to each company's standard undergraduate loan, but we've noted specific features that apply to law student loans.
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Why trust NerdWallet
- 35+ student loans lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts.
- 10+ years of combined experience covering higher education and student loans.
- Objective, comprehensive star-rating system assessing 43 categories and 40+ data points across student loan origination and student loan refinance.
- Governed by NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Best Law School Loans
Our pick for
Private law school loans
Mid-600s
2.89-14.47%
4.24-14.47%
- Key factsBest for law students who'll need extra time before starting repayment.Pros
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Nine-month grace period is longer than other lenders offer.
- You can defer payments up to an additional 12 months during clerkship after your grace period.
Cons- You must be at least halfway through your repayment term before you can request a co-signer release.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Mid-700s.
- Minimum income: $35,000 per year.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to the total cost of attendance.
Available Term Lengths5, 8, 10, 15 or 20 yearsDisclaimerCollege Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 8/11/2025. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Mid-600's
2.89-14.99%
4.37-13.97%
- Key facts
Rating and details displayed are for Sallie Mae's private student loan. Sallie Mae's law school loan is available to students enrolled less than half-time, making this a good option if you're studying for your JD at night or part-time. The loan also offers 48 months of deferment during a clerkship or fellowship.
Pros- One of the few lenders to provide loans to part-time students.
- Non-U.S. citizens, including DACA students, can apply with a U.S. co-signer.
Cons- You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
QualificationsAvailable Term Lengths10 to 20 yearsDisclaimerLowest rates shown include the auto debit discount. Advertised APRs for Law School Loan assume a $10,000 loan with a 3-year in-school period. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 8/11/2025.
Low-Mid 600s
3.69-14.41%
5.04-14.75%
- Key factsBest for law students who want flexible payment options.Pros
- Among the best for payment flexibility.
- Grace period of 9 months is longer than many lenders offer.
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Stands out for features that enable faster loan repayment.
Cons- You must be enrolled at least half-time to qualify.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Not available.
- Minimum income: Not available.
- Loan amounts: up to $400,000.
Available Term Lengths7, 10, 12 or 15 yearsDisclaimer*Ascent's undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 8/6/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower's credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
Mid-600s
3.18-14.83%
4.39-15.86%
- Key factsBest for flexible repayment options and no fees options.Pros
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- Multiple in-school repayment options available, including interest-only and flat-fee, and deferred for undergrad and grad students.
Cons- Does not offer bi-weekly payments via autopay.
QualificationsAvailable Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 years
650
4.45-14.90%
4.99-15.30%
- Key facts
Rating and details displayed are for Earnest's private student loan. Earnest offers a specific law school loan, but it has the same underlying terms as the lender's other products.
Pros- Option to skip one payment every 12 months.
- No late fees.
- Nine-month grace period is longer than most lenders offer.
Cons- Loans aren't available in Nevada.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: 758.
- Minimum income: $35,000.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to your total cost of attendance.
Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 12 or 15 yearsDisclaimerEarnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107. Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770) One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America. © 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.
680
2.71-7.38%
4.36-5.75%
- Key factsBrazos private student loans are best for borrowers from Texas and students attending school in Texas who are from qualifying states.Pros
- May offer lower rates for graduate students than what are available through the federal government.
- Applies extra payments to the loan principal by default.
- Offers five loan terms, which is more than most lenders.
Cons- Not available to borrowers enrolled in two year programs at community colleges.
- Biweekly payments via autopay is not available.
Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years
680
2.99-14.22%
5.00-13.97%
- Key factsBest for borrowers with a significant funding gap.Pros
- You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.
- You are assigned a student loan advisor.
Cons- No co-signer release available.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Not available.
- Minimum income: $35,000.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 up to your total cost of attendance.
Available Term Lengths5, 7, 10 or 15 years.
Does not disclose
3.24-15.49%
4.99-15.51%
- Key factsBest for existing Citizens Bank customers.Pros
- Six-month grace period extension is available.
- Loyalty discount for existing Citizens Bank customers.
- Multiyear loan approval is available.
Cons- You must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Qualifications- Typical credit score of approved borrowers: Does not disclose.
- Minimum income: Did not disclose.
- Loan amounts: $1,000 to $100,000.
Available Term Lengths5, 10 or 15 yearsDisclaimerStudent Loan Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 4.99% - 15.51% (4.99% - 15.47% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 3.24%-15.49% (3.24%-14.99% APR).
Our pick for
Manageable payments post-graduation
Federal programs like income-driven repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness make graduate PLUS loans best for those who plan to go into public interest law or government. They’re also a solid choice for those who want to keep their career options open.
- Key facts
Graduate students can receive only unsubsidized direct loans. They can also qualify for federal graduate PLUS loans, which have higher interest rates and fees than unsubsidized loans but allow you to borrow more money.
Pros- More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers compared with private lenders.
- All borrowers who attend a school authorized to receive federal aid can qualify.
Cons- May have higher interest rates compared with private lenders.
- You pay an origination fee.
- You can’t see if you’ll qualify without a hard credit check.
Qualifications- Grad PLUS loan borrowers must not have adverse credit history.
- Borrowers with adverse credit history can still receive a grad PLUS loan by enlisting a co-signer without adverse credit history or documenting extenuating circumstances for their credit history.
- Loan amounts: Total cost of attendance minus other financial aid.
Available Term Lengths10 to 25 years once repayment begins, depending on the repayment plan.
Our pick for
All borrowers as a first option
You can borrow up to $20,500 per year in unsubsidized loans, which may not be enough to cover all your law school costs.
None
6.39-7.94%
N/A
- Key factsBest first option for all student loan borrowers.Pros
- More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers than other lenders.
- Subsidized loans do not collect interest while in school or during deferment.
- Lower interest rates than many private lenders.
Cons- You pay an origination fee.
Qualifications- No credit check or minimum income is needed to borrow.
- Loan amounts for undergraduates: $5,500 year one, $6,500 year two, $7,500 year three and thereafter, up to a total of $31,000
- Independent students and graduate students have higher loan limits.
- Undergraduate interest rate fixed at 3.73%, while grad students get higher 5.28% rate
Available Term Lengths10 to 25 years once repayment begins, depending on the repayment plan.
Our pick for
International law students
Many lenders let international students take out loans with an eligible co-signer; MPOWER is one of few that waives this requirement.
None
12.99-15.99%
N/A
- Key factsBest for international students and students with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status.Pros
- Offers a hard-to-find option: non-co-signed student loans for international and DACA students.
- Borrowers are assigned a dedicated student loan advisor.
- Borrowers can request forbearance of up to 24 months, which is longer than many lenders offer.
Cons- Payment required while in school.
- Offers only one repayment term: 10 years.
Qualifications- MPOWER considers future income potential but does not factor in credit scores.
- Loan amounts: Minimum $2,001. Maximum loan is $100,000, limited to $50,000 per academic period.
Available Term Lengths10 yearsDisclaimerNote: Our loan does not support Canadian citizens studying in Canada. Canadian Permanent Residents and U.S. citizens are considered “international” when studying in Canada. International students, U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and DACA recipients in the U.S. or Canada. ‘International’ means you are a non-U.S. citizen or U.S. non-permanent resident studying at a university in the U.S., or you are a non-Canadian citizen or Canadian non-permanent resident studying at a university in Canada. ‘DACA’ means the Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals Program initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in 2012. In order to qualify as a DACA Student, you must have applied for, and been granted, DACA status by USCIS. As a graduate student, you can borrow with a fixed interest rate of 12.99% (13.98% APR¹). This is the maximum rate and will not increase. However, MPOWER offers borrowers a way to qualify for a discount; a 0.25% rate discount is possible by making your loan payments through automatic withdrawal from your bank account. If you qualify for this discount, your rate will be 12.74% (13.72% APR²). ¹[International graduate student with regular interest rate] The APR is calculated using the following assumptions: A loan is approved in the amount of US$10,000 with a 5% origination fee of US$500. The student will start making payments 45 days after loan disbursement. Payments will be interest only until graduation, plus an additional 6-month grace period. The remaining months of repayment are calculated using a 120-month amortization schedule. All payments are made on-time, a forbearance is never utilized, and there is no pre-payment of any principal. At an APR of 13.98%, the monthly payment amount is US$113.66 for the first 30 months. For the next 120 months, the monthly payment amount is about $156.71. ²[International graduate student with discounted interest rate] The APRs with discounts are calculated using the following assumptions: A loan is approved in the amount of $10,000 with a 5% origination fee of US$500. The student will start making payments 45 days after loan disbursement. The borrower signs up for automatic debit immediately after the loan is disbursed and remains on it for the life of the loan, which reduces the rate by 0.25%. At an APR of 13.72%, the monthly payment is US$111.47 for the first 30 months. For the last 120 payments, the monthly amount is US$155.17. Undergraduate Students in the U.S. or Canada As an undergraduate student, you can borrow with a fixed interest rate of 13.99% (15.01% APR³). This is the maximum rate and will never increase. However, MPOWER offers borrowers a way to qualify for a discount; a 0.25% rate discount is possible by making your loan payments through automatic withdrawal from your bank account. If you qualify for this discount, your rate will be 13.74% (14.75% APR⁴). ³[International undergraduate student with regular interest rate] The APR is calculated using the following assumptions: A loan is approved in the amount of $10,000 with a 5% origination fee of $500. The student will start making payments 45 days after loan disbursement. Payments will be interest only until graduation plus an additional 6-month grace period. The remaining months of repayment are calculated using a 120-month amortization schedule. All payments are made on-time, a forbearance is never utilized, and there is no pre-payment of any principal. At an APR of 15.01%, the monthly payment amount is $122.41 for the first 30 months. For the next 120 months, the monthly payment amount is $162.97. ⁴[International undergraduate student with discounted interest rate] The APRs with discounts are calculated using the following assumptions: A loan is approved in the amount of US$10,000 with a 5% origination fee of US$500. The student will start making payments 45 days after loan disbursement. The borrower signs up for automatic debit immediately after the loan is disbursed and remains on it for the life of the loan, which reduces the rate by 0.25%. A forbearance is never utilized and there is no prepayment of any principal. At an APR of 14.75%, the monthly payment is US$120.22 for the first 30 payments. For the last 120 payments, the monthly amount is US$161.39.
Types of law school loans
Direct unsubsidized loans
Graduate PLUS loans
Private loans
Which law school student loan is right for you?
Federal loans for law students
- You have bad credit. Direct unsubsidized loans are not credit-dependent. You will need to pass a credit check to get PLUS loans for law school, but these standards aren't as strict as with private lenders. All eligible federal loan borrowers also receive the same interest rate, regardless of their credit score.
- You want flexible repayment options. Law students finish school owing an average of about $137,500 in student debt, according to a 2024 American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division survey. Federal loans offer more repayment options to handle that debt load, such as income-driven repayment plans, and may be eligible for law school loan forgiveness or repayment programs.
Private loans for law students
- You have excellent credit and are able to qualify for a private loan.
- You don’t think you will need to qualify for federal student loan benefits.
Comparison of federal and private loans for law school
Feature | Grad PLUS Loan | Private Loan |
---|---|---|
Interest rate | 8.94%. | 6.90% (fixed rate). |
Origination fee | 4.228%. | Typically none. |
Loan amount student receives | $131,686 (after fee deducted). | $137,500 (no fee). |
Total repayment cost | $208,479 over 10 years. | $190,730 over 10 years |
Monthly payment | $1,737. | $1,589. |
Other considerations | Has federal protections, but more costly. Student receives less. | Lower cost, but has fewer protections. More money goes toward school. |
APRs and origination fee are accurate for 2025-2026 school year. The origination fee is typically deducted from each monthly disbursement. For comparison purposes our example deducts the fee amount from the balance upfront. |
How federal loan protections can affect law school affordability
How to take out loans for law school
1. Fill out the FAFSA
2. Complete other required applications
3. Work directly with private lenders
STUDENT LOAN RATINGS METHODOLOGY
Last updated on August 1, 2025
Frequently asked questions
- You can take out unsubsidized federal student loans, federal PLUS loans and private student loans to pay for law school. You should typically max out federal loans as a first option.
- Yes. You can borrow up to your law school’s total cost of attendance in loans. Cost of attendance typically includes money for living expenses such as off-campus housing and transportation.
- Loans for bar exam expenses are more like personal loans than student loans. Bar loans have higher interest rates than student loans, and you usually cannot refinance them with your student loans.
- On average, law students graduate with $137,500 in student loans, including undergraduate debt, according to a 2024 American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division survey.
NerdWallet's Best Law School Loans of August 2025
- College Ave Law Student Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 2.89-14.47%
- Sallie Mae Law School Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 2.89-14.99%
- Ascent Law Student Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 3.69-14.41%
- SoFi Law School Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 3.18-14.83%
- Federal Grad PLUS Loan: Best for Manageable payments post-graduation, Fixed APR: 8.94-8.94%
- Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan: Best for All borrowers as a first option, Fixed APR: 6.39-7.94%
- Earnest Law School Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 4.45-14.90%
- Brazos Private Student Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 2.71-7.38%
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for International law students, Fixed APR: 12.99-15.99%
- ELFI Private Student Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 2.99-14.22%
- Citizens Private Student Loan: Best for Private law school loans, Fixed APR: 3.24-15.49%