1. Why NLU Fees Vary | Key Factors Explained
One of the most common questions from CLAT aspirants and their families is: "If all NLUs are national law universities, why are their fees so different?" The answer lies in how each NLU is constituted, funded, and operated. Unlike IITs or IIMs which receive centrally regulated UGC/MHRD funding, each NLU is created by a separate state legislature and draws a different mix of government grants and self-generated revenue. This makes fee uniformity across NLUs structurally impossible.
2. What's Included in NLU Fees | Component-Wise Breakdown
Understanding each component of the NLU fee structure prevents surprises at the time of admission. The total amount you pay in your first year is always the highest | because it includes one-time admission charges and security deposits in addition to the regular annual fees. Here is a complete breakdown:
Your first-year payment will always be the highest because it includes the one-time admission fee and refundable security deposit in addition to the regular annual charges. From Year 2 onwards, you pay only the annual tuition, hostel, mess, and recurring academic fees. For budget planning, always calculate Year 1 separately from Years 2–5. Most NLUs increase tuition by ₹3,000–₹5,000 per year, so Year 5 tuition is slightly higher than Year 1. Always verify exact fees at each NLU's official website before admission as fees are revised annually.
3. Top 5 NLUs Fee Structure 2026 | Detailed Profiles
NLSIU Bangalore has the highest annual fee among the traditional top 5 CLAT NLUs at ₹5 lakh per year for General category students (including tuition, hostel, mess, and deposits). The refundable deposits and one-time admission fee are charged only in the first year | from Year 2 onwards, annual fees are the standard recurring charges. The fee increases by approximately ₹5,000 per year over the 5-year duration. The total 5-year cost including hostel and mess is approximately ₹24–25 lakh. NLSIU also offers a 3-year LLB programme with an annual tuition of approximately ₹2.21 lakh. The LLM annual fee (for PG students with off-campus housing) is approximately ₹1.75 lakh per year. SC/ST students pay approximately ₹3,000–₹5,000 less due to reduced refundable security deposits. See our complete NLSIU Bangalore profile →
NLU Delhi is one of the best value-for-money propositions in the NLU system | at ₹3.83 lakh per year for BA LLB, it is significantly cheaper than NLSIU while offering comparable (and in some years superior) placement outcomes. The total 5-year cost including hostel stays under ₹20 lakh. Note that admission to NLU Delhi is through AILET (All India Law Entrance Test), not CLAT | it is a separate examination. The LLM fee at NLU Delhi is approximately ₹2.52 lakh per year. Tuition for various other courses ranges from ₹1.49 lakh to ₹9.50 lakh. See our complete NLU Delhi profile →
NALSAR Hyderabad offers the best value-for-money among the top 5 NLUs. At ₹2.72 lakh per year for BA LLB | less than half of NLSIU's fee | with a 5-year total of just ₹14–15 lakh, NALSAR delivers NIRF #3 quality at a price closer to mid-tier NLUs. The LLM annual fee of ₹1.08 lakh is the lowest among all top-5 NLUs. A one-time payment of ₹10,000 and a refundable deposit of ₹20,000 (₹14,000 for SC/ST) apply at admission. Average placement in 2025 was ₹19 LPA. See our complete NALSAR Hyderabad profile →
NUJS Kolkata had the highest median placement salary among all NLUs in 2026 at ₹20 LPA | surpassing even NLSIU | while maintaining a 5-year total fee of approximately ₹16.6 lakh (BA LLB including hostel). The BSc LLB programme at NUJS is slightly more expensive at approximately ₹4 lakh per year and ₹20.3 lakh total for 5 years. The LLM fee is ₹2.6 lakh per year for 5 specialisations. Health insurance is compulsory and renewed annually. See our complete NUJS Kolkata profile →
GNLU Gandhinagar has the highest fees of any CLAT-participating NLU at ₹6 lakh per year for tuition alone, with the total 5-year cost (including hostel of approximately ₹3.3 lakh and other charges) exceeding ₹30 lakh. This is significantly higher than NLSIU and nearly double NALSAR's fee. Despite the premium cost, GNLU is a top-5 NLU by NIRF ranking, has excellent placement outcomes (₹18–20 LPA average), and is strongly favoured by Gujarat domicile candidates for home-state quota benefits. The LLM fee ranges from ₹1.2 lakh to ₹6 lakh depending on specialisation. See our complete GNLU Gandhinagar profile →
4. All 25 NLUs Fee Comparison Table 2026
The following master table covers all 25 National Law Universities with approximate annual UG fees, 5-year total costs (including hostel and mess), LLM annual fees, and NIRF 2025 ranking. All figures include residential charges unless noted. Fees are subject to revision | always verify at each NLU's official website.
| NLU | Location | NIRF 2025 (Law) | Annual UG Fee (Approx.) | 5-Year Total (Incl. Hostel) | Annual LLM Fee | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore | Bangalore, Karnataka | #1 | ₹5,00,000 | ~₹24–25 Lakh | ~₹1,75,000 | Premium |
| NLU Delhi (AILET) | New Delhi | #2 | ₹3,83,000 | ~₹18–20 Lakh | ~₹2,52,000 | Excellent ROI |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Hyderabad, Telangana | #3 | ₹2,72,000 | ~₹14–15 Lakh | ~₹1,08,000 | Best ROI Top-5 |
| NUJS Kolkata | Kolkata, West Bengal | #4 | ~₹3,30,000 (BA LLB) | ~₹16–17 Lakh | ~₹2,60,000 | Good Value |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | #5 | ₹6,00,000 (tuition) | ₹30 Lakh+ | ₹1,20,000–₹6,00,000 | Premium |
| NLU Jodhpur (NLUJ) | Jodhpur, Rajasthan | #10 (2022) | ~₹2,71,000 | ~₹18–19 Lakh | ~₹1,82,000 | Good Value |
| NLIU Bhopal | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | #8 (2025) | ~₹2,50,000 | ~₹12–14 Lakh | ~₹1,00,000 | Good Value |
| HNLU Raipur | Raipur, Chhattisgarh | #9 (2025) | ~₹2,00,000 | ~₹12–13 Lakh | ~₹90,000 | Good Value |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | #11 (2025) | ~₹1,70,000 | <₹10 Lakh | ~₹60,000–₹80,000 | Excellent ROI |
| RGNUL Patiala | Patiala, Punjab | #14 (2025) | ~₹2,20,000 | ~₹12–14 Lakh | ~₹1,00,000 | Good Value |
| CNLU Patna | Patna, Bihar | #17 (2025) | ~₹1,84,000 | ~₹9–10 Lakh | ~₹1,74,000 | Best Value Tier-2 |
| MNLU Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | #12 (2025) | ~₹2,55,000 | ~₹13–15 Lakh | ~₹1,54,000 | Good Value |
| NLUO Cuttack | Cuttack, Odisha | #16 (2025) | ~₹2,00,000 | ~₹10–12 Lakh | ~₹1,00,000 | Good Value |
| NUSRL Ranchi | Ranchi, Jharkhand | #18 (2025) | ~₹1,80,000 | <₹10 Lakh | ~₹80,000 | Low Cost |
| TNNLU Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu | #19 (2025) | ~₹1,90,000 | ~₹10–12 Lakh | ~₹85,000 | Good Value |
| NUALS Kochi | Kochi, Kerala | #20 (2025) | ~₹2,10,000 | ~₹11–13 Lakh | ~₹1,00,000 | Moderate |
| DSNLU Visakhapatnam | Visakhapatnam, AP | #21 (2025) | ~₹2,00,000 | ~₹10–11 Lakh | ~₹90,000 | Good Value |
| MNLU Nagpur | Nagpur, Maharashtra | #22 (2025) | ~₹2,20,000 | ~₹11–13 Lakh | ~₹1,00,000 | Good Value |
| MNLU Aurangabad | Aurangabad, Maharashtra | #23 (2025) | ~₹2,00,000 | ~₹10–12 Lakh | ~₹80,000 | Good Value |
| NLUJAA Guwahati | Guwahati, Assam | #24 (2025) | ~₹1,75,000 | <₹10 Lakh | ~₹70,000 | Low Cost |
| HPNLU Shimla | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh | #25 (2025) | ~₹2,00,000 | ~₹10–11 Lakh | ~₹85,000 | Building |
| DBRANLU Sonipat | Sonipat, Haryana | | | ~₹1,90,000 | ~₹9–11 Lakh | ~₹80,000 | Building |
| DNLU Jabalpur | Jabalpur, M.P. | | | ~₹1,80,000 | ~₹9–11 Lakh | ~₹75,000 | Building |
| NLUT Agartala | Agartala, Tripura | | | ~₹1,70,000 | <₹9 Lakh | ~₹70,000 | Lowest Cost |
| IIULER Goa (Newest) | Goa | | | ~₹4,00,000+ | ~₹22–25 Lakh | | | Premium (New) |
* All figures are approximate and include tuition + hostel + mess where available. Fees revised annually by each NLU. Always verify at each university's official website before making admission decisions. NIRF ranks reflect 2025 Law category rankings. NLU Delhi (AILET) is not included in CLAT ranking but is a NLU.
5. NLU Annual Fees Ranked | Lowest to Highest
This visual ranking helps you quickly identify where each NLU sits in the fee spectrum. Fees represent approximate annual UG tuition (excluding hostel and mess for clarity):
6. NLU Hostel & Mess Fees 2026 | Residential Cost Guide
Since all NLUs are fully residential universities, hostel and mess fees form a significant part of the total cost. Most NLUs bundle hostel into the quoted annual fee, but the residential quality and charges vary considerably:
| NLU | Hostel Type | Annual Hostel Fee (Approx.) | Annual Mess Fee (Approx.) | Hostel Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NLSIU Bangalore (BA LLB) | Single rooms (on-campus) | ₹1,30,000 | Included in hostel | AC Single Rooms ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NLSIU Bangalore (LLM) | Off-campus housing | ₹1,75,000 | Separate | Off-campus (PG students) |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | Single rooms (on-campus) | ₹3,30,000 | Included | Premium AC Campus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NLU Jodhpur (NLUJ) | Single AC rooms (12 halls) | ~₹1,00,000 | ~₹40,000–₹50,000 | AC Single Rooms ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| CNLU Patna | Single AC rooms | ~₹50,000–₹70,000 | ~₹40,000 | AC Single Rooms ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NALSAR Hyderabad | Residential (on-campus) | ~₹60,000–₹80,000 | ~₹40,000–₹50,000 | Good quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| NUJS Kolkata | Residential (on-campus) | ~₹70,000–₹90,000 | ~₹40,000–₹60,000 | Good quality ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| HNLU Raipur | On-campus hostel | ~₹40,000–₹60,000 | ~₹30,000–₹40,000 | Standard ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Newer NLUs (avg.) | On-campus / shared | ~₹30,000–₹50,000 | ~₹25,000–₹40,000 | Developing ⭐⭐–⭐⭐⭐ |
Beyond the quoted hostel fee, students should budget for: (1) Mess security deposit | a one-time refundable amount at the start of the programme; (2) Room/hostel deposit | separate from academic security deposit; (3) Guest charges | if family members visit; (4) Electricity/AC charges | some NLUs charge separately for AC usage beyond a base limit; (5) Laundry and housekeeping | nominal charges at some NLUs. Budget an additional ₹20,000–₹50,000/year above quoted fees for miscellaneous hostel expenses.
7. NLU LLM Fees Comparison 2026
The LLM (Master of Laws) fee structure at NLUs is distinct from the UG integrated LLB | it is a 1-year programme with its own fee structure. LLM fees are generally lower than UG fees since the programme duration is shorter. Admission is through CLAT PG scores.
| NLU | LLM Annual Fee | Specialisations Offered | CLAT PG 2026 Gen Cutoff | Hostel (LLM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ₹1,08,000 (lowest top NLU) | Corporate Law, Criminal Law, IPR, Int'l Law, Const. Law | ~AIR 100–200 | ~₹60,000/yr |
| NLSIU Bangalore | ~₹1,75,000 (off-campus housing) | IPR, International Law, Const. Law, Corporate Law | ~AIR 50–150 | Off-campus (₹1.75L incl.) |
| NLU Delhi (AILET) | ~₹2,52,000 | Criminal Law, Const. Law, Int'l Law, IPR, Corp. Law | AILET PG | ~₹1,85,000 total (incl.) |
| NUJS Kolkata | ~₹2,60,000 | Corporate Law, IPR, Int'l Law, Criminal, Law & Tech. | ~AIR 200–350 | ~₹80,000/yr |
| NLU Jodhpur (NLUJ) | ~₹1,82,000 | Corporate Law, IPR, Technology Law | ~AIR 489 (R3) | ~₹70,000/yr |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | ₹1,20,000–₹6,00,000 | Multiple specialisations | ~AIR 300–500 | ₹3,30,000/yr |
| HNLU Raipur | ~₹90,000 | Constitutional Law, Criminal Justice, IPR | ~AIR 1,000–1,500 | ~₹40,000/yr |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | ~₹60,000–₹80,000 (lowest) | Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Const. Law | ~AIR 1,500–2,000 | ~₹30,000/yr |
| CNLU Patna | ~₹1,74,000 | Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law | ~AIR 968–1,078 (R1–R3) | ~₹50,000/yr |
| NLIU Bhopal | ~₹1,00,000 | Business Law, IP Law, Environmental Law | ~AIR 600–900 | ~₹40,000/yr |
LLM fees are for 1-year programmes. CLAT PG cutoffs are approximate based on 2025–2026 data. Always verify at each NLU's official website. See our complete CLAT PG guide →
8. Category-Wise Fee Concessions | SC/ST, EWS, PwD at NLUs
All NLUs provide specific fee concessions for reserved category students, though the nature and quantum of the concession differs between institutions. Here is how the category-wise fee system works:
| Category | Type of Concession | Example | NLSIU Bangalore | Example | NALSAR Hyderabad | Available At |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC / ST | Reduced security deposits; tuition waiver at some NLUs for BPL | ₹3,000–₹5,000 less (lower deposits) | ₹6,000 less (₹14,000 deposit vs ₹20,000 Gen) | All NLUs |
| EWS (General Category) | Partial tuition concession; government scholarship eligibility | Varies | verify at NLSIU official site | Varies | verify at NALSAR official site | All NLUs (since 2019) |
| PwD (Persons with Disability) | Reduced fees + accessibility accommodations | Concessions available | verify officially | Concessions available | verify officially | All NLUs |
| BPL (Below Poverty Line) | Complete or near-complete tuition waiver at several NLUs | NLSIU has scholarship scheme for BPL students | NALSAR BPL scholarship available | Most major NLUs |
| State Domicile (NLU-specific) | Home-state quota fees may differ from AI quota | N/A (NLSIU does not have state quota) | Telangana domicile HS quota available | Most state-founded NLUs |
9. Value-for-Money Analysis | NLU Fee vs. Placement Outcome
The most useful way to evaluate NLU fees is not in absolute terms but relative to the career outcome (placement package) they produce. This section calculates the approximate fee-to-placement return ratio for key NLUs:
| NLU | 5-Year Total Fee | Avg. Placement 2025 (LPA) | Months to Recover Fee | Value Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NALSAR Hyderabad | ~₹14–15L | ₹19 LPA | ~9 months | 🏆 Best Value Overall |
| NUJS Kolkata | ~₹16–17L | ₹20 LPA (median 2026) | ~10 months | Excellent Value |
| RMLNLU Lucknow | <₹10L | ₹9–10 LPA (est.) | ~12 months | Excellent (low cost) |
| NLU Delhi (AILET) | ~₹18–20L | ₹18–20 LPA (est.) | ~12 months | Excellent Value |
| NLSIU Bangalore | ~₹24–25L | ₹19 LPA | ~16 months | Good (prestige premium) |
| NLU Jodhpur | ~₹18–19L | ₹18 LPA | ~13 months | Good Value |
| GNLU Gandhinagar | ₹30L+ | ₹18–20 LPA | ~18–20 months | Moderate (highest cost) |
| CNLU Patna | ~₹9–10L | ₹10.80 LPA (median) | ~11 months | Best Value Tier-2 |
| HNLU Raipur | ~₹12L | ₹9–10 LPA (est.) | ~14 months | Good Value |
Months to recover = (Total 5-Year Fee ÷ Annual Placement Package) × 12. Lower = better. Placement figures are averages/medians | individual outcomes vary. See our full NLU placement comparison →
Despite being NIRF #3 and #4 NLUs, NALSAR Hyderabad (₹2.72L/yr, ₹19 LPA avg) and NUJS Kolkata (₹3.3L/yr, ₹20 LPA median) offer significantly better fee-to-placement ratios than GNLU Gandhinagar and even NLSIU. For students who are admitted with a CLAT rank between AIR 140–350, these two NLUs represent the strongest value proposition in the entire NLU system. GNLU's higher cost is partially justified by its Gujarat domicile ecosystem and strong industry connections in Ahmedabad/Surat | but for an all-India candidate with no Gujarat connections, the value equation favours NALSAR and NUJS decisively.
10. NLU Budget Planner | Which NLU Fits Your Budget?
11. Scholarships & Financial Aid at NLUs | How to Reduce Your Fee Burden
Several scholarships and financial aid mechanisms are available to NLU students that can significantly reduce the net cost of education. Here is a comprehensive overview: