Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary: $12,800 Tuition

$12,800Tuition

206Students

47%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,442Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearData: 2023-24Jewish

About Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary

Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary trains Orthodox Jewish men for rabbinical careers in a focused religious environment. The seminary enrolls 206 students in Ossining, a small town north of New York City. This specialized institution dedicates itself entirely to Torah study and Jewish law, preparing graduates for leadership roles in Orthodox communities. The student-faculty ratio of 15:1 allows for intensive mentorship in traditional Talmudic learning methods.

The financial picture looks remarkably student-friendly for those from low-income families. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $2,334 per year after aid, while the sticker price sits at $16,350. Even middle-class families pay relatively little, with net costs reaching only $5,535 for those earning up to $110,000. However, graduates earn a median of $36,442 ten years after graduation, reflecting the seminary's focus on religious rather than commercial careers. Most rabbis supplement their income through teaching or community work.

The student body is entirely male and entirely from New York, creating an insular but tight-knit community. Nearly 98% of students return each year, showing strong satisfaction with the program. Only 49% graduate within four years, which is typical for rabbinical programs where students often extend their studies for deeper learning.

Academics & Faculty

This Orthodox Jewish rabbinical seminary focuses exclusively on training future rabbis and religious scholars through intensive study of Jewish law, Talmud, and religious texts. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment typical of traditional yeshiva education. Nearly half of students graduate within four years (48.28%), reflecting the rigorous nature of rabbinical studies that can extend beyond typical undergraduate timelines. The 98.04% retention rate shows strong student commitment to their religious calling. Students engage in small group learning called chavruta and participate in advanced Talmudic discourse. The seminary's academic program prepares graduates for Orthodox rabbinical ordination and leadership roles within Jewish communities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate (4-year): 48.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 46.9%
Retention Rate: 98.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,442
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Transfer)

Campus Life

The 175-bed campus houses about 85% of the 206 students, creating a close-knit Orthodox community in the Hudson Valley. Students follow a rigorous schedule of Talmudic study, prayer services, and religious instruction that shapes every aspect of daily life. The all-male student body maintains the traditional yeshiva environment focused on intensive Jewish learning.

Ossining sits about 40 miles north of Manhattan, requiring winter coats for the snowy Hudson Valley climate and offering easy access to New York City's Orthodox communities. The 98% retention rate reflects students who commit to the demanding rabbinical program structure. Weekends center around Shabbat observance, community meals, and continued Torah study rather than typical college social activities. The $3,400 room and board cost keeps living expenses minimal, while 87% of students receive financial aid to support their religious education. Campus life revolves around the beit midrash (study hall) where future rabbis spend most of their time in paired study sessions and religious discourse.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 175 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 16°–35°F
July Avg: 60°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 50.3"
Annual Snowfall: 39.5"

Student Demographics

This all-male Orthodox Jewish seminary draws exclusively from New York, reflecting its role as a specialized religious institution serving local Orthodox communities. Nearly nine out of ten students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school primarily serves families with limited financial means. The homogeneous student body aligns with the seminary's mission to train rabbis within traditional Orthodox Judaism. Students come from families deeply committed to religious study, often viewing rabbinical education as a calling rather than a career path. The school's 98% retention rate suggests students are dedicated to completing their religious training despite modest future earnings.

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: 87.2%

Location

Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary sits in Ossining, New York, about 30 miles north of Manhattan along the Hudson River. The rural-fringe setting provides a quiet environment for intensive religious study away from urban distractions. Ossining is a small historic town known for Sing Sing Correctional Facility and scenic Hudson Valley views. The seminary's 206 students come entirely from within New York State. Housing capacity reaches 175 students on the compact campus. The area offers access to hiking trails and river activities while maintaining proximity to New York City's resources. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary with similar schools in the region.

Address: Ossining, New York 10562

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,442

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the admission process like at Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary?

The seminary maintains a 98.04% retention rate, suggesting highly selective admission standards and strong student commitment. This Orthodox Jewish institution serves 206 male students exclusively, focusing on intensive rabbinical and religious studies training.

How much does Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of just $3,074 despite tuition of $12,800. With 87.17% receiving financial aid and low-income families paying only $2,334, the seminary makes Orthodox rabbinical education highly affordable.

What are the academic programs like at Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary?

The school specializes exclusively in Orthodox Jewish rabbinical training and religious studies with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. Students follow a semester calendar system designed around intensive Torah study and rabbinical preparation.

What do graduates of Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary earn after graduation?

Alumni earn a median salary of $36,442 ten years after graduation, reflecting careers in rabbinical and religious education roles. The 46.90% six-year graduation rate indicates the rigorous nature of Orthodox rabbinical training programs.

Where do students live at Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary?

The rural-fringe campus in Ossining, NY houses 175 students with on-campus room and board costing just $3,400. The residential setting supports the intensive religious study environment typical of Orthodox Jewish seminaries.

Is Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary exclusively for men?

Yes, the seminary enrolls 100% male students, following Orthodox Jewish tradition for rabbinical education. All 206 students are in-state New York residents, creating a close-knit community focused on religious scholarship and rabbinical preparation.