Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel: 46.3% Acceptance Rate

46.3%Acceptance

$9,720Tuition

132Students

70%Grad Rate (6-yr)

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

About Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel

This Orthodox Jewish seminary in Lakewood specializes in intensive Talmudic scholarship and rabbinical training. The school enrolls 132 men in an all-male environment dedicated to advanced Jewish learning. Students spend their days immersed in traditional texts under the guidance of well-known Torah scholars. The 46% acceptance rate reflects selective admissions for serious religious students.

Families pay an average net price of $8,036 annually, making this one of the most affordable higher education options available. The total cost of attendance reaches just $12,820, with room and board adding only $2,800. About 38% of students receive financial aid, and the same percentage qualify for Pell Grants. The modest tuition of $9,720 reflects the institution's mission-driven approach rather than profit motives.

The 26:1 student-faculty ratio ensures close mentoring relationships essential for Talmudic study. Nearly 70% of students complete their programs within four years, though the 71% retention rate suggests the rigorous religious curriculum challenges some. Most students come from out of state, drawn to Lakewood's reputation as a major center of Orthodox Jewish learning. On-campus housing accommodates 90 students in a tight-knit religious community.

Academics & Faculty

This Orthodox Jewish seminary dedicates itself entirely to advanced Talmudic scholarship and rabbinical training. The curriculum centers on intensive study of Jewish law, ethics, and classical texts through traditional methods of analysis and debate. Students engage in rigorous textual interpretation that requires deep critical thinking skills. The 26:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the yeshiva's traditional study model where students learn primarily through peer discussion and independent study. With a 69% graduation rate, most students complete their rabbinical studies successfully. The program attracts students committed to becoming Orthodox Jewish scholars and community leaders. All coursework connects to preparing students for roles in Jewish education and religious leadership.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 26:1
Graduation Rate (4-year): 69.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 69.6%
Retention Rate: 71.2%
Carnegie Classification: Associate College (High Transfer)

Campus Life

This all-male Orthodox seminary enrolls just 132 students in the heart of Lakewood's bustling Jewish community. With housing capacity for only 90 students, about 68% can live on campus in the dormitory-style accommodations that cost just $2,800 annually. The remaining students typically find housing in the surrounding neighborhood, which has become one of America's largest Orthodox Jewish communities.

Lakewood sits about 60 miles south of Manhattan, requiring New Jersey winter coats for the cold months and moderate summer clothing. The 26:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the traditional yeshiva learning model where students spend long hours studying Talmud in pairs called chavrusas. Daily life revolves around intensive text study, prayer services three times daily, and communal meals. Students typically study from early morning through late evening with breaks for meals and prayer. Weekends center on Shabbat observance, with no classes from Friday evening through Saturday night. The seminary draws students from across the country, with only 22% coming from New Jersey itself.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 90 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 all-male Orthodox Jewish seminary draws students from across the country, with nearly 80% coming from outside New Jersey. The school serves 132 students dedicated to advanced Talmudic scholarship in the heart of Lakewood's prominent Orthodox community. More than one-third of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the institution's commitment to making religious education accessible regardless of economic background. The national draw demonstrates the yeshiva's reputation for rigorous Torah study, attracting serious scholars who prioritize deep religious learning over geographic convenience.

Men: 100.0%
Women: 0.0%
White: 100.0%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.0%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 22.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 38.4%

Location

Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel sits in Lakewood, New Jersey, about 60 miles south of New York City. The school draws 22% of its students from within New Jersey. Lakewood has become a major center for Orthodox Jewish life, with dozens of yeshivas and religious institutions calling the area home. The town has grown rapidly over the past two decades as young Orthodox families have moved there for affordable housing and religious community. Students benefit from being within driving distance of New York's Jewish cultural centers while living in a more affordable setting. The area offers a concentrated religious environment that supports intensive Torah study. Students considering colleges in New Jersey may also compare Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel with similar schools in the region.

Address: Lakewood, New Jersey 08701-3623

After College

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel?

The school accepts 46.31% of applicants. This Orthodox Jewish seminary focuses on advanced Talmudic studies and serves a specialized student body of 132 men. The selective admissions process ensures students are prepared for intensive religious scholarship.

How much does Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,036 annually. The school's total cost of attendance is just $12,820, making it one of the most affordable private colleges in the country. About 38% of students receive Pell Grants, and 30% receive institutional grants averaging $8,960.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel?

The student-faculty ratio is 26:1. This yeshiva emphasizes traditional Jewish learning methods including chavrusa study partnerships and shiurim lectures. Students engage in intensive Talmudic study under the guidance of respected rabbinical scholars.

What are the graduation rates at Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel?

The school has a 69.05% four-year graduation rate and 69.60% six-year graduation rate. These outcomes reflect the demanding nature of advanced Talmudic studies and the institution's commitment to thorough religious education. The 71.19% retention rate shows most students persist through their first year.

Where do students live at Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel?

The school has housing capacity for 90 students with room and board costing just $2,800. Most students live on campus in dormitory-style housing that supports the kollel lifestyle of intensive Torah study. The small Lakewood campus fosters a close-knit religious community atmosphere.

Does Yeshiva Gedolah Shaarei Shmuel admit women students?

The school enrolls 100% men and 0% women, following traditional Orthodox Jewish educational practices. This all-male seminary is part of Lakewood's broader yeshiva community, the largest center of Torah learning outside Israel. The student body is 100% white and draws from Orthodox communities nationwide, with 22.22% coming from New Jersey.