Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander

$21,000Tuition

169Students

12%Grad Rate (6-yr)

Private nonprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander

This Orthodox Jewish yeshiva in Brooklyn serves 169 male students who come exclusively from New York state. The school focuses entirely on traditional Talmudic study and Jewish religious education rather than secular liberal arts or professional programs. Students spend their days immersed in ancient texts and rabbinical commentary, preparing for lives as Orthodox Jewish scholars and community leaders. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means intensive, personalized instruction in small study groups called chavrusas.

The financial picture tells an interesting story about this community's priorities. While tuition costs $21,000, most families pay far less after aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay an average of $7,673, and even middle-income families typically pay around $10,787. About 78% of students receive financial aid, and the same percentage qualify for federal Pell Grants, showing this serves mainly lower-income Orthodox families. Room and board costs just $6,000, reflecting the modest lifestyle these students embrace.

The graduation numbers require context. Only 12% finish their degree within six years, but this reflects the school's unique mission. Many students transfer to other yeshivas or leave to marry and start families, which is common and accepted in Orthodox communities. The 96% retention rate shows students stay engaged, even if their paths diverge from traditional four-year timelines.

Academics & Faculty

This Orthodox Jewish yeshiva focuses entirely on traditional Talmudic and Jewish religious studies rather than secular academic disciplines. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive intensive one-on-one instruction in ancient texts and religious law, which is the core of yeshiva education. However, the 13% four-year graduation rate reflects the unique nature of this institution, where many students may transfer to other yeshivas or pursue different religious study paths rather than completing a formal degree. The curriculum centers on studying Torah, Talmud, and Jewish law through traditional methods of textual analysis and debate that have remained unchanged for centuries.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 13.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 12.3%
Retention Rate: 96.4%
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Transfer)

Campus Life

This Orthodox Jewish men's yeshiva sits in the heart of Brooklyn, where students focus intensively on religious study rather than traditional college activities. With only 169 students and a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, daily life revolves around small study groups and one-on-one learning with rabbis. The campus houses 150 students in dormitories that cost $6,000 per year, creating a close-knit religious community where nearly everyone lives together.

Brooklyn winters require heavy coats and boots, while summers can get humid and hot. Students spend their days in study halls called batei midrash, often studying in pairs using the traditional chavruta method. The 96.36% retention rate reflects how students who choose this path typically stay committed to the intensive religious curriculum. Weekends center around Shabbat observance, with communal meals and continued Torah study rather than typical college social events. The school serves families earning modest incomes, with 77.65% receiving Pell grants and average net costs around $8,602. This creates an environment focused on spiritual growth over conventional college experiences.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 150 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 27°–39°F
July Avg: 70°–84°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.1"
Annual Snowfall: 24.5"

Student Demographics

This Orthodox Jewish yeshiva serves 169 men from New York who come from working-class families. About 78% receive Pell Grants, showing the school attracts students whose families earn modest incomes. The student body is entirely male and white, reflecting the traditional yeshiva model where men study separately from women. Students typically come from Orthodox communities throughout the New York area, drawn by the school's focus on Talmudic scholarship and religious education. The strong local draw suggests families value keeping their sons close to home while they pursue intensive Jewish studies.

Men: 100.0%
Women: 0.0%
White: 100.0%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 77.7%

Location

Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander sits in Brooklyn, New York, right in the heart of one of America's largest cities. The school serves 169 students in Brooklyn's dense Orthodox Jewish community, where yeshivas and religious institutions are deeply woven into neighborhood life. Brooklyn offers easy access to Manhattan just across the river, plus countless kosher restaurants, Jewish bookstores, and religious services within walking distance. The urban setting means students live among millions of people, with subway access to anywhere in New York City. The 150-bed housing capacity keeps most students on or near campus in this bustling borough. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander with similar schools in the region.

Address: Brooklyn, New York 11219-5440

After College

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance process like at Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander?

This Orthodox Jewish yeshiva serves 169 students with a 96.36% retention rate, indicating strong student satisfaction once enrolled. The institution focuses on traditional Talmudic studies and maintains an all-male student body from the Orthodox Jewish community.

How much does Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,602 despite tuition of $21,000. With 77.65% of students receiving Pell Grants, the school serves primarily low-income Orthodox families seeking religious education.

What are the academics like at Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander?

The yeshiva offers intensive Talmudic study with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensuring personalized religious instruction. Students engage in traditional Jewish text analysis and rabbinical scholarship rather than conventional liberal arts coursework.

What are the graduation outcomes at Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander?

The institution has a 12.30% six-year graduation rate, reflecting the unique nature of yeshiva education where many students transfer to other institutions or pursue rabbinical ordination elsewhere. The low graduation rate doesn't indicate academic failure but rather the fluid nature of Orthodox Jewish religious study.

Where do students live at Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander?

The Brooklyn campus houses up to 150 students in dormitory facilities for $6,000 per year. The urban setting provides access to one of the largest Orthodox Jewish communities in America while maintaining the insular environment essential for intensive religious study.

Does Congregation Talmidei Mesivta Tiferes Shmiel Aleksander offer federal student loans?

The school has a 0.00% federal loan rate, meaning students don't typically borrow federal money to attend. This reflects both the low net cost after aid and the community's preference for avoiding debt, with 30.18% receiving institutional grants averaging $15,577.