Admit rate has ranged 45%–59% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) is not a typical liberal arts college; it is the intellectual and spiritual epicenter of Conservative Judaism, where rigorous academic scholarship in Jewish texts, history, and thought is inseparable from a lived commitment to Jewish tradition and community. With an undergraduate enrollment of just over 170 students, it offers an intensely intimate, seminar-style education in the heart of New York City, designed for those who see Jewish learning as both a personal passion and a professional calling. This is a place where the library is a sanctuary, debate is a form of prayer, and graduates emerge as rabbis, cantors, educators, and scholars who shape Jewish life globally.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Grade point average
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
172
In-state tuition
$67,357
Out-of-state tuition
$67,357
Graduation Rate
90%
Meets Full Need
Yes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$92,751
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
7:1
First-Year Retention Rate
96%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$92,751
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.1×
Graduation rate
90%
First-year retention
96%
Pell (lower-income) share
4%
Endowment / student
$476,818
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Religion/Religious Studies$51,482
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
90
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
29°F
Annual rain
54.3"
Annual snow
19.2"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Jewish Theological Seminary of America?
Jewish Theological Seminary of America's acceptance rate is approximately 49% (New York, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Jewish Theological Seminary of America?
Admitted students at Jewish Theological Seminary of America typically score 1440–1580 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Jewish Theological Seminary of America cost?
At Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the average net price (after aid) is about $43,195 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Jewish Theological Seminary of America?
Jewish Theological Seminary of America enrolls approximately 172 undergraduate students.
Where is Jewish Theological Seminary of America located?
Jewish Theological Seminary of America is located in New York, NY.
Admissions
Admissions to the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies, JTS's undergraduate school, is selective but navigable for students who demonstrate a clear alignment with its mission. The process is conducted exclusively through the Common Application, which must be supplemented with a separate List College application. The school maintains a test-flexible policy, accepting ACT and SAT scores through November test dates for Early Decision applicants and through January for Regular Decision applicants. While the admissions rate fluctuates across reporting sources, the institution's published selectivity is clear. The undergraduate student body is small, with a total enrollment of 172 as of fall 2023, and the gender distribution skews slightly female (56.4% female to 43.6% male). The admissions —the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll—is notably high, suggesting that those who are admitted are deeply committed to JTS's unique offering.
Academic life at JTS is defined by profound immersion and exceptional access. The institution integrates rigorous scholarship with a commitment to strengthening Jewish tradition, lives, and communities. This philosophy manifests in a radically small-scale learning environment: the student-to-faculty ratio is reported as low as 7:1 or 8:1, ensuring that undergraduate education is conducted almost entirely in seminars and direct mentorship. The curriculum is tightly focused, offering only four undergraduate majors, all centered on Jewish Studies. This singular focus allows for depth rather than breadth. The outcomes of this intensive model are strong, with high retention and graduation rates underscoring student engagement and institutional support. The academic experience is not merely about studying texts but about entering into an ongoing, millennia-old conversation with them, guided by faculty who are leading scholars in their fields.
Life at JTS is a 24/7 immersion in a welcoming, diverse community of scholars and leaders passionate about Jewish learning and living. The campus culture actively encourages students to turn words of Torah into action through teaching, music, art, and social activism. It's a place designed for experimentation and innovation, where students are supported in exploring their own connections to Judaism to find what is most personally meaningful. The community is intimate, with all undergraduates living and learning together, creating a tight-knit environment where intellectual debates spill over from the classroom into the dining hall and dormitory. While there is no Greek life or traditional collegiate athletics, the vibrancy comes from a shared sense of purpose, Shabbat and holiday observances, and the dynamic backdrop of New York City, which serves as an extended campus for cultural and professional opportunities. The graduate school community, which includes rabbinical and cantorial students, further enriches the environment, creating a multi-generational learning society.
A JTS education is a direct pipeline into leadership roles within the Jewish world and beyond. The institution reports a very high first-year retention rate of 96%, indicating strong student satisfaction and support. Graduation rates are a point of institutional strength, with the four-year rate notably high for a specialized institution. The long-term financial return on investment is significant, with median earnings for graduates a decade after entry ranking among the top tier of colleges nationally. This earnings power reflects the high-demand professions graduates enter, including the rabbinate, cantorial arts, Jewish education, nonprofit leadership, and academia. The outcome is not merely a degree but a formation: graduates leave as equipped scholars and practitioners ready to sustain and transform Jewish communities.
The published at JTS is high, reflecting its private, New York City location and the intensive nature of its programs. However, the institution is deeply committed to making this education accessible. JTS's undergraduate school is dedicated to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of accepted students. Financial aid packages include a combination of need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants. The average financial aid package is substantial, significantly reducing the for most students. Applicants are encouraged to use the net price calculator on the JTS website to estimate their individual cost. This robust aid policy is central to the school's mission, ensuring that a future in Jewish leadership is not limited by financial background.
JTS stands alone as the premier institution for Conservative Jewish higher education in the Western Hemisphere. Its distinctiveness is multifaceted:
Unmatched Depth and Focus: It is not a university with a Jewish studies department; it is a comprehensive center for Jewish life and learning, home to world-renowned libraries, graduate schools, and think tanks. Undergraduate students study in the shadow of and often alongside future rabbis, cantors, and scholars.
The Power of Scale: With a microscopic undergraduate population, every student is known. The 7:1 faculty ratio guarantees a level of personal mentorship and intellectual engagement impossible at larger institutions. This creates a culture of collective responsibility and deep relationships.
Living Laboratory of Judaism: The campus is a working model of a vibrant, modern, traditional Jewish community. Learning is not abstract; it is applied daily in worship, ritual, debate, and social action. Students don't just learn about Judaism—they help shape its contemporary expression.
Gateway to Leadership: A degree from JTS is a recognized credential within global Jewish communities. Its alumni network forms the leadership core of Conservative/Masorti Judaism worldwide, offering unparalleled professional pathways for those committed to serving the Jewish people.
It is a singular choice for the student for whom Jewish learning is not an interest but a vocation, offering an education that is as much about forming identity as it is about building a career.
Jewish Theological Seminary of America seal · sourceHistory of JTS - Jewish Theological Seminary · sourceJewish Theological Seminary Reveals Campus Expansion in Morningside Heights, Manhattan - New York YIMBY · sourceJewish Theological Seminary of America (JTSA) | Britannica · source
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