
LLM in USA for Indian Students
LLM is a postgraduate degree for students who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to practise law. The graduation requirements differ depending on the university. The one-year full-time programme provides law professionals with specialised knowledge and prepares them to function in a multinational legal environment. LLM programmes at premier universities in the United States teach international students the legal concepts of the host country. It assists lawyers in relocating and practising in foreign countries and dealing with global concerns. Nonetheless, even after finishing an LLM, international students may be required to pass a bar exam to practise law in the United States.
Table of Contents
- LLM in USA: Course Highlights
- Why Study LLM in the USA?
- Who can Study LLM in the USA?
- Best LLM Schools In USA
- Cost of Studying LLM in USA
- LLM Tuition Fees In USA
- Cost of Living in the USA
- LLM In USA Requirements
- Entrance Exams for LLM in USA
- LLM Scholarships For Indian Students In USA are accumulated as follows:
- Jobs For Llm Graduates In USA
- How to Apply for LLM in USA?
LLM in USA: Course Highlights
Program |
LLM - Latin Legum Magister |
Duration of the Course |
2 years |
Eligibility |
Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved US Law School with 3.0+ GPA |
Entrance Exams |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE ETC. |
Tuition Fees |
62,000 USD - 71,000 USD. |
Jobs |
Legal Advisor, Legal Counsel, Associate Attorney, Attorney, Legal Associate, Legal Consultant. |
Average Salary |
$58,000 Onwards |
Why Study LLM in the USA?
The following are some of the factors that entice study abroad students to pursue an LLM in the United States:
- Legal studies in the United States emphasise the Socratic method of teaching in order to strengthen students' argumentative debate, which is a crucial ability for lawyers.
- Law graduates who pursue careers such as Diplomat or Policy advisors learn how to negotiate treaties and maintain foreign relations.
- Starting salaries in law firms range between 58,000 and 70,000 USD.
- The American Bar Association (ABA) released research that showed a consistent increase in the number of active lawyers, with an 8.4 per cent increase from 2011 to 2021.
- Lawyer incomes have risen faster than the rate of inflation during the last two decades. Lawyer earnings increased by 63 per cent while inflation was 53 per cent.
- International graduates are welcome to practise law in these companies without fear of prejudice.
- Due to the high criteria in legal clinics in the United States, students have the opportunity to work on pro bono cases throughout the school year.
Who can Study LLM in the USA?
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved law school in the United States or a first degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a foreign law school
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or 83 per cent at the bachelor's level (varies with the university)
- 2 to 2 years of work experience is required (depends upon university)
- Evidence of English proficiency
Best LLM Schools In USA
Here are the top LLM schools in the USA:
S.no |
QS World Ranking 2023 |
University |
City |
|
#5 |
Harvard University |
Cambridge |
|
#18 |
Yale University |
New Haven |
|
#3 |
Stanford University |
Palo Alto |
|
#27 |
University of California, Berkeley |
Berkeley |
|
#22 |
Columbia University |
New York |
|
#39 |
New York University (NYU) |
New York |
|
#10 |
University of Chicago |
Chicago |
|
#=281 |
Georgetown University |
Washington DC |
|
#44 |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
Los Angeles |
|
#25 |
University of Michigan – Ann Arbour |
Michigan |
Cost of Studying LLM in USA
The United States has historically been an expensive place to live. The cost of studying LLM in the United States may also include living expenditures and university tuition fees. Let us expose them one by one!
LLM Tuition Fees In USA
Tuition prices for LLM programmes at colleges in the United States range from 62,000 USD to 71,000 USD. This translates to 47,00,000 INR - 54,00,000 INR. Furthermore, the annual cost of living in the United States for overseas students is roughly USD 15,000.
University Name |
Rank |
Degree |
Course Duration |
Fees |
Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge |
3 |
Masters in Law (LLM) |
1 year |
INR 60.5 lakhs |
Stanford University, Stanford |
2 |
Masters in Law (LLM) in Competition Innovation & Information Law |
1 year |
INR 47.9 lakhs |
Columbia Law School, New York |
19 |
Masters in Law (LLM) |
1 year |
INR 53.82 lakhs |
New York University, New York |
35 |
Masters in Law (LLM) in Competition Innovation & Information Law |
1 year |
INR 50.8 lakhs |
University of Southern California, Los Angeles |
121 |
Masters in Law (LLM) |
1 year |
INR 52.1 lakhs |
Texas A & M University, College Station, USA |
169 |
Masters in Law (LLM) |
1 year |
INR 20.6 lakhs |
Arizona State University, Tempe |
220 |
Masters in Law (LLM) |
1 year |
INR 36.5 lakhs |
Northeastern University, Boston |
362 |
Masters in Law (LLM) in Criminology & Criminal Justice |
1 year |
INR 24.1 lakhs |
Cost of Living in the USA
Housing in the United States is a significant factor in an international student's cost of living. On-campus living is more convenient than off-campus housing, but most universities have limited room. Meal arrangements, transportation, health insurance, and other expenses are also incurred.
The entire LLM USA cost for Indian students comprises a variety of expenses such as exam fees, housing costs, travel costs, visa application fees, and so on. Let's review each with a monthly average estimate or one-time price.
Categories |
Amount in USD |
Application Fee |
$71 to $ 95 |
F-1 Student Visa |
$152.60 |
Flight Fare (one-way; India to USA) |
$667.61 |
SEVIS Fee |
$333.80 |
Accommodation |
$9,147.29 - $13,733.60 monthly |
Books and Supplies |
$2,280.49 monthly |
Meals |
$2,850.61 monthly |
Transporation |
$1,266.94 - $2,850.61 monthly |
Personal Expenses |
$4282 monthly |
Health Insurance |
$1456.98 monthly |
LLM In USA Requirements
The primary document needs of each university/college for Indian students pursuing LLM in the United States are as follows:
- Transcripts of 10th, 12th, and bachelor's degrees.
- The LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service evaluates international transcripts.
- 2 Recommendation Letters (LORs.)
- Based on the questions posed by the university, write an essay/statement of purpose (SOP).
- TOEFL scorecard with a minimum of 100 points and IELTS scorecard with a minimum of 7 bands
Entrance Exams for LLM in USA
Entrance exams |
Amount in USD |
GRE |
$201.60 |
IELTS |
$186.24 |
TOEFL |
$179.87 |
F-1 Student Visa |
$152.60 |
Flight Fare (one-way; India to USA) |
$667.61 |
SEVIS Fee |
$333.80 |
LLM Scholarships For Indian Students In USA are accumulated as follows:
S.no |
Scholarship |
Amount Covered |
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation |
Covers all tuition, living expenses, and travel expenses. |
|
Fullbright Scholarship |
Tuition and travel expenses are covered. |
|
Hauser Global Scholars Program |
$23,705.79 |
|
Fullbright Scholarship |
$19,004.06 to $38,008.11 |
|
Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship |
Full or Partial tuition fee |
|
Merit-Based Scholarships |
Differs |
|
UCLA Law Distinguished Scholars Program |
Partial tuition fee |
Jobs For Llm Graduates In USA
Optional Practical Training is available to LLM graduates from the United States (OPT). LLM students should apply for this course at least six months before finishing their degree. OPT has a maximum term of 12 months. The position can be contractual, compensated, or unpaid. Graduates who have completed their OPT can apply for an H1-B visa to begin working for a US firm. Each year, 65000 H1-B visas are granted to foreign nationals.
You must pass the Bar examination of the state in which you wish to practise as a lawyer. Most jurisdictions, including New York and California, enable students with a foreign law degree to take this examination. However, about 23 states in the United States have a requirement that only students with a degree from an ABA-approved law school are eligible to take the Bar exam. As a result, international students with a foreign bachelor's degree in law must pursue an LLM in the United States in order to practise in these states.
Here are a few of the jobs offered for LLM graduates in the USA:
Job Profile |
Annual Salary in USD |
Legal Advisor |
115,000 USD |
Legal Counsel |
133,000 USD |
Associate Attorney |
118,000 USD |
Attorney |
192,000 USD |
Legal Associate |
86,400 USD |
Legal Consultant |
119,000 USD |
How to Apply for LLM in USA?
Admission to an LLM in the United States following an LLB in India or any other law course is as follows:
- Choose a law school based on your interests, specialised programme,tuition fees, and priority university deadlines.
- Fill out the application forms as soon as possible. The dates can be found on the official university websites.
- Send your application to the intake of your choice in advance.
- Send the critical documents to the university by email or postal mail (as asked.)
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us, and we will be happy to assist you! Take advantage of the skilled advice of AECC Global student counsellors to launch your admission and application process to study in the United States.