Beth Medrash Govoha: 3,532 Students

3,532Students

$47,544Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Beth Medrash Govoha

Beth Medrash Govoha is one of the largest yeshivas in the world, dedicated entirely to advanced Talmudic study. This Orthodox Jewish institution enrolls 3,532 students in Lakewood, New Jersey, a small city that has become a major center of Jewish learning. The school operates on a semester system and focuses exclusively on religious scholarship rather than secular academics. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive intensive guidance in their religious studies. The school is entirely male, with 100% men and 0% women, reflecting traditional Orthodox educational practices.

The financial picture here differs dramatically from typical colleges. About 73% of students receive financial aid, and the same percentage qualify for Pell Grants, indicating most families have significant financial need. Federal loan rates sit at 0%, meaning students generally don't take on traditional college debt. However, graduates earn relatively modest incomes, with median earnings of $47,544 ten years after enrollment. The employment rate of 69.1% reflects that many graduates pursue careers in religious education or community leadership rather than high-paying secular jobs.

The student body is overwhelmingly white at 97.79%, with minimal diversity from other backgrounds. Campus housing accommodates 1,782 students, providing a tight-knit religious community where students can focus entirely on their spiritual and scholarly development.

Academics & Faculty

Beth Medrash Govoha focuses entirely on advanced Talmudic study and Jewish law, making it one of the largest Orthodox Jewish yeshivas in the world. Students here don't pursue typical college majors but instead dedicate themselves to intensive Torah scholarship and rabbinical training. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means each rabbi-instructor works closely with about 20 students, which is important for the one-on-one discussion and debate that drives Talmudic learning. This isn't a place for exploring different academic interests. Students come here specifically to become Torah scholars and community religious leaders. The curriculum centers on ancient texts, Jewish philosophy, and religious law rather than liberal arts or professional programs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 14.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $47,544
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Transfer)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Religion/Religious Studies.	Bachelor	$41,565
Religion/Religious Studies.	Master	$38,289
Religion/Religious Studies.	Certificate	$26,739

View all 3 programs →

Campus Life

Beth Medrash Govoha sits in Lakewood, New Jersey, about 90 minutes from New York City by car. The campus houses 1,782 students in dormitories, which means roughly half of the 3,532 enrolled students live on campus. You'll need a winter coat here, as New Jersey gets cold winters with snow, plus humid summers.

Daily life revolves entirely around Talmudic study and Jewish religious practice. Students spend most of their day in the beis medrash (study hall) analyzing ancient Jewish texts in pairs or small groups. The 100% male student body follows a rigorous schedule of prayer, study, and meals that begins before dawn and continues late into the evening. Weekends center on Sabbath observance, which means no electronics or transportation from Friday evening to Saturday night. Students come from Orthodox Jewish communities worldwide, with 97.79% identifying as white. The surrounding Lakewood community is heavily Orthodox Jewish, so kosher food and religious services are easily accessible. This creates an environment where students can focus intensively on religious scholarship without the distractions found at typical colleges.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 1,782 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 21°–41°F
July Avg: 64°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 52.0"
Annual Snowfall: 23.7"

Student Demographics

This is an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva that serves 3,532 men studying advanced Talmudic texts and Jewish law. The student body is 100% male, which reflects the traditional gender separation in Orthodox Jewish education. About 73% of students receive Pell Grants, showing that many come from families with limited financial resources who prioritize religious education. Nearly 98% of students are white, typical for a school serving the Orthodox Jewish community. Students come from Orthodox families across the country who want their sons to pursue intensive religious study in one of America's most respected yeshivas.

Men: 100.0%
Women: 0.0%
White: 97.8%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.2%
Asian: 0.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 72.7%

Location

Beth Medrash Govoha sits in Lakewood, New Jersey, about 60 miles south of New York City and 70 miles northeast of Philadelphia. This small city of around 135,000 people has grown rapidly in recent decades, largely due to the expansion of Orthodox Jewish communities. Lakewood is about 10 miles inland from the Jersey Shore, giving students access to beaches during warmer months. The area has transformed from a quiet resort town into a major center of Jewish learning, with multiple yeshivas and religious institutions calling it home. The town's character reflects its religious population, with kosher restaurants and Jewish bookstores throughout the area. Students considering colleges in New Jersey may also compare Beth Medrash Govoha with similar schools in the region.

Address: Lakewood, New Jersey 08701-2754

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $47,544
Median Earnings (5 years): $54,079
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 63.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of students attend Beth Medrash Govoha?

The student body is 100% male and 97.79% white, reflecting its identity as an Orthodox Jewish yeshiva. With 3,532 students enrolled, it serves one of the largest communities dedicated to advanced Talmudic study in the world. The institution attracts students committed to intensive religious scholarship within the Orthodox Jewish tradition.

How much financial aid do students receive at Beth Medrash Govoha?

A notable 72.74% of students receive financial aid, with the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants. Students take on virtually no federal loans, with a 0.00% federal loan rate. This suggests the school provides substantial need-based support for families pursuing religious education.

What is the academic structure like at Beth Medrash Govoha?

The school operates on a semester calendar with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. As a specialized yeshiva, it focuses exclusively on advanced Talmudic study rather than traditional liberal arts curricula. Students engage in intensive text study and rabbinical training under the guidance of respected Torah scholars.

What do graduates of Beth Medrash Govoha earn after graduation?

Recent graduates earn a median of $37,271 in their first year after completion. Earnings rise to $47,544 ten years post-graduation, though the mean earnings at six years is lower at $26,800. These figures reflect that many graduates pursue rabbinical roles or religious education rather than high-paying secular careers.

Does Beth Medrash Govoha provide housing for students?

The campus in Lakewood, New Jersey can house 1,782 students in its dormitory facilities. This represents about half of the total enrollment of 3,532 students. The housing supports the yeshiva's intensive study environment where students live and learn in close community.

How successful are Beth Medrash Govoha graduates at repaying loans?

The loan repayment rate stands at 63.73%, which is reasonable given the specialized career paths of graduates. With an employment rate of 69.1%, many alumni find work within Jewish educational institutions or rabbinical positions. The school's focus on religious scholarship means graduates often prioritize community service over maximum earning potential.