South Texas College of Law Houston

Key Highlights

• Independent private nonprofit law school founded in Houston in 1923
• Offers one ABA-approved J.D. through full-time, part-time evening, and part-time online schedules
• MSCHE accreditation includes professional-practice doctoral study and distance education
• Part-time schedules are designed to accommodate professional and personal commitments

Student Life & Environment

Student life is centered on a specialized professional-school community. The Office of Student Engagement coordinates leadership and involvement opportunities, while student organizations cover professional interests, identity and affinity communities, public service, advocacy, and social connections. Every campus student organization is open to every South Texas Law student. Part-time students also have a dedicated organization focused on their academic, mentoring, and scheduling needs. Students can contribute to journals and other publications, participate in the Student Bar Association, and take part in advocacy and service activities. Online and part-time students are offered access to student organizations, events, employment interviews, academic support, bar-preparation support, clinics, simulations, and externships. Remote students should still account for the required annual residency and for the practical realities of joining Houston-based activities from a distance. The campus includes the Fred Parks Law Library, courtroom facilities, clinical space, study areas, a bookstore, and food service. Because this is a law school rather than a residential undergraduate university, the experience is oriented toward classes, professional development, legal practice, and networking. Applicants seeking residence halls, varsity athletics, or a broad undergraduate social environment should not assume those features are available; the official sources reviewed did not document institution-operated student housing.

Location & Surroundings

The main campus occupies a full city block at 1303 San Jacinto Street in downtown Houston. Its four connected buildings include the Tower, Cullen Building, Neal Building, and Fred Parks Law Library. The school also operates two student parking lots, with additional public parking available nearby. For law students, the downtown setting is professionally relevant. The institution describes local and federal courthouses, law firms, corporate offices, prosecutors, and public defenders as being within or near the surrounding downtown area. That proximity can make court observation, employer events, externships, clinics, and professional networking more accessible, although placement and employment are never automatic. Full-time and evening students should compare commuting, parking, and independent housing costs when planning their budgets. The reviewed official materials provide a housing-and-food allowance in the cost of attendance but do not identify school-operated residence halls. Online students can live elsewhere for most of the program, but they must budget for travel and accommodation during the annual seven- to eight-day Houston residency. Applicants should confirm residency dates before making travel arrangements.

Costs & Career Outcomes

For the 2026–27 academic year, published tuition and mandatory fees are $46,864 for a full-time fall-and-spring schedule based on 30 credit hours, and $32,040 for a part-time schedule. The stated tuition rate is $1,482 per credit hour plus a $1,200 fee. The school’s estimated nine-month cost of attendance is $80,952 full-time and $65,374 part-time after adding books, housing and food, personal expenses, transportation, and estimated loan fees. These are budgeting allowances rather than promises of actual spending, and housing costs do not establish that campus accommodation is provided. Scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans may be included in aid packages, but total assistance cannot exceed the approved cost of attendance. Students should compare awards carefully, confirm renewal conditions, and consider borrowing costs. Online students should also ask whether the standard budget adequately covers travel and lodging for the required residency. Career preparation begins during the first semester through the Career Resource Center. Services include individual counseling, job-search guidance, clerkship and internship support, employer connections, and listings for part-time, full-time, internship, and postgraduate positions. The official ABA employment summary for the 299 graduates in the class of 2025 reports 245 in full-time, long-term positions requiring or anticipating bar admission and seven in full-time, long-term J.D.-advantage roles. Reported destinations included law firms, government, business, public interest, clerkships, and education. Those outcomes describe one graduating class and do not guarantee an individual result.