Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago: 94.3% Acceptance Rate

94.3%Acceptance

$15,000Tuition

78Students

8%Grad Rate (6-yr)

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindData: 2023-24Jewish

About Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago

Telshe Yeshiva serves 78 students in Chicago's Orthodox Jewish community as a rabbinical seminary focused entirely on Torah study and religious scholarship. The school accepts 94% of applicants but caters to a very specific population of men seeking intensive religious education. Students spend their days immersed in traditional Jewish texts and Talmudic study. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio allows for close mentorship in this ancient learning tradition. Nearly 87% of students return each year, showing strong commitment to the rigorous program.

Students pay an average net price of just $6,182 after aid, making this one of the most affordable higher education options available. Families earning between $48,000-$75,000 pay only $4,017 annually. The low $2,000 room and board cost reflects the seminary's modest living arrangements. However, the 8% four-year graduation rate signals that this path isn't designed for quick completion. Traditional yeshiva education often extends well beyond four years as students deepen their religious knowledge.

The student body is 97% white and 86% from Illinois, creating a tight-knit community of local Orthodox Jewish men. Campus life revolves entirely around religious study and observance. This isn't college in the conventional sense but rather preparation for religious leadership roles.

Academics & Faculty

Telshe Yeshiva focuses exclusively on Orthodox Jewish rabbinical education and intensive Torah study. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides close mentorship in traditional Jewish texts and religious law. However, the 7.70% six-year graduation rate reflects the institution's unique academic structure, where students often transfer to other yeshivas or pursue different paths in Jewish education rather than completing a conventional degree. The curriculum centers on Talmudic analysis, Jewish philosophy, and rabbinical training rather than secular subjects. Students receive intensive one-on-one instruction in ancient texts and oral tradition. The academic program prepares future rabbis and Jewish scholars through rigorous textual analysis and religious scholarship that can span many years.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 88.9%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 9.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 7.7%
Retention Rate: 87.9%

Campus Life

This Orthodox Jewish seminary sits in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood, where 86% of the 78 students come from Illinois. The campus houses 125 students in dormitory-style rooms at just $2,000 per year, making it one of the most affordable residential programs in the country. Chicago winters demand heavy coats and boots, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through February.

Daily life revolves around intensive Torah study and rabbinical training in an all-male environment. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio allows for close mentorship with experienced rabbis. Students spend most of their time in the beis medrash (study hall) engaged in chavruta (partner study) and attending shiurim (lectures). The 87.88% retention rate reflects the deep commitment required for this rigorous religious education. Weekends center on Shabbat observance, with communal meals and continued study. The surrounding neighborhood offers kosher restaurants and shops within walking distance. Students here aren't pursuing traditional college experiences but rather dedicating themselves to becoming Orthodox rabbis and Torah scholars.

Setting: City-Large
Housing Capacity: 125 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 20°–31°F
July Avg: 67°–81°F
Annual Precipitation: 38.4"
Annual Snowfall: 38.4"

Student Demographics

This Orthodox Jewish seminary draws serious religious students committed to intensive Torah study and rabbinical training. The school enrolls only men, reflecting traditional Orthodox Jewish educational practices where religious scholarship is gender-separated. Most students come from Illinois and the broader Midwest, showing the yeshiva's strong reputation within regional Orthodox communities. Over one-third receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves families across economic backgrounds who prioritize religious education. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio supports the intensive mentorship model central to traditional yeshiva learning, where students work closely with rabbinical scholars.

Men: 100.0%
Women: 0.0%
White: 97.4%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 86.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 38.0%

Location

This Orthodox Jewish rabbinical seminary sits in Chicago, Illinois, one of America's largest metropolitan areas. The 78-student institution operates within a city of nearly 3 million residents, offering access to extensive Jewish community resources and cultural institutions. Chicago's diverse neighborhoods include established Orthodox communities where students can find kosher dining, religious services, and mentorship opportunities. The city's public transportation system connects students to libraries, museums, and internship possibilities across the metropolitan area. With 86% of students coming from within Illinois, most are already familiar with Chicago's harsh winters and active summers. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago with similar schools in the region.

Address: Chicago, Illinois 60625

After College

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago?

Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago accepts 94.29% of applicants. This high acceptance rate reflects the specialized nature of Orthodox Jewish rabbinical education, where students typically come with a specific religious calling and background in Torah study.

How much does Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $6,182, making this one of the most affordable private institutions in the country. With tuition at $15,000 and room and board at just $2,000, families earning $48,000-$75,000 pay an average of only $4,017 annually.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago?

The student-faculty ratio is 15:1 with an enrollment of just 78 students. This intimate setting allows for intensive one-on-one Torah study sessions and close mentorship relationships that are central to Orthodox rabbinical training.

What are the graduation rates at Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago?

The 4-year graduation rate is 9.09% and the 6-year rate is 7.70%. These low rates reflect the traditional yeshiva model where many students continue advanced Torah study for many years beyond a typical college timeline, often pursuing rabbinical ordination.

Is Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago a single-gender institution?

Yes, Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago enrolls 100% male students with 0% female enrollment. This follows traditional Orthodox Jewish educational practices where men and women study separately, with this institution focusing specifically on training future rabbis and Torah scholars.

Where do students at Telshe Yeshiva-Chicago come from?

About 86.36% of students come from Illinois, with the remaining from other states seeking this specialized rabbinical education. The student body is 97.44% white, reflecting the demographics of the Orthodox Jewish community that the yeshiva serves.