Keyport, NJprivate nonprofityeshivagedolahcliffwood.com
Admit rate has ranged 50%–82% 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.
Yeshiva Gedolah of Cliffwood is a tiny, ultra-specialized Orthodox Jewish seminary in Keyport, NJ, where every student studies Talmud and Jewish law full-time. With just 30 undergraduates and a 70-80% acceptance rate, it's more yeshiva than conventional college—no SATs, no secular curriculum, and a graduation rate that reflects its niche religious mission.
Test-blind — scores not considered
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
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.
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Campus & location
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.
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.
Getting into Yeshiva Gedolah of Cliffwood is less about test scores (they're not required or even recommended) and more about demonstrated commitment to Orthodox Jewish study. The school admits 70-80% of applicants, with sources varying between a 70% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (Niche, My Future) and 80% (Data USA). For context, that's significantly higher than nearby Beth Medrash of Asbury Park's 53.85% rate. The YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem.—students who enroll after being admitted—is just 14.29%, suggesting many admitted students choose other yeshivas. With only 25 applications in 2023 (Data USA), this is an intimate, self-selecting process where fit matters more than stats.
This is 100% religious studies, all the time: Carnegie classifies it as a 'Special Focus: Theological Studies' institution where every bachelor's degree falls under 'Philosophy and Religious Studies.' The curriculum is traditional yeshiva-style—think Talmud, Halacha (Jewish law), and Torah analysis—with no secular coursework. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio (EDsmart) suggests close mentorship, though the tiny enrollment (30 students total) means classes are essentially one-on-one tutorials. Graduation rates are unconventional by mainstream standards: sources cite a 6-year rate between 15-19% (Clema.ai, DecidemyCampus), but this reflects the yeshiva world's fluid timelines, where students often stay for years beyond degree requirements to continue studying.
With 30 students total (Varsity Tutors), this is more intimate than most high schools. The calendar revolves around Jewish holidays and study sessions rather than typical college events—think Purim celebrations and late-night Talmud debates, not football games. There's no mention of clubs, Greek life, or athletics; the focus is purely on religious immersion. Housing appears to be informal (no dorms mentioned), likely with local Orthodox families or shared apartments in Keyport's Jewish community.
Don't expect conventional career metrics here. The 81.8% first-year retention rate (EDsmart) suggests students who enroll are deeply committed, but the 6-year graduation rate of 15-19% reflects the yeshiva model's flexibility—many students prioritize prolonged Torah study over degree completion. Alumni typically become rabbis, teachers, or continue at advanced kollels (post-yeshiva study institutes). Unlike Yeshiva Gedolah Keren Hatorah (a peer institution with 76% graduation), Cliffwood's culture seems to emphasize lifelong learning over formal credentials.
At $8,550 tuition (Scholarships.com), it's far cheaper than most private colleges, though financial aid data is inconsistent. Sources report:
The gaps suggest aid packages vary widely, possibly based on need within the Orthodox community. No student loans are mentioned—unsurprising given Jewish law's restrictions on interest.
This isn't just a college—it's a full-immersion yeshiva for students who want to eat, sleep, and breathe Talmud. The lack of secular classes, SAT requirements, or even a conventional graduation timeline makes it radically different from mainstream higher ed. For Orthodox men committed to becoming Torah scholars, the ultra-low student-faculty ratio and $8,550 tuition (vs. $50K+ at many Jewish studies programs) offer intense mentorship at a bargain price. But with just 30 students, it's a cloistered, all-in experience—you're here to join a tight-knight fraternity of lifelong learners, not build a LinkedIn profile.