MINNEAPOLIS — The University of St. Thomas law school is freezing tuition for its next incoming class.

The school said all members of the class of 2017 who begin taking courses in fall 2014 will be guaranteed no tuition increases during the entire three-year program.

In addition, those students will see their first-year tuition decrease by more than $2,000 over the current rate. That’s because of a switch from a per-credit tuition model to a flat-fee structure.

Previously, students paid a higher first-year rate because of the heavier credit load in the first year compared with the second and third years. Tuition now will be spread evenly across the three years, at a rate of about $36,800 annually.

The law school also will keep tuition frozen for current second- and third-year students.