Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary

The yeshiva offers a singular focus: Bachelor’s degrees in Religion/Religious Studies, with all 11 of its degrees awarded in this field (per the College Scorecard). The curriculum is deeply rooted in Talmudic study and Chabad-Lubavitch traditions, blending rigorous textual analysis with Orthodox Jewish practice. While the school is unranked in mainstream guides, it holds a C+ grade from EdSmart, placing it #1563 among regional private universities—a reflection of its specialized, non-secular mission.

• Sole major: Religion/Religious Studies (Bachelor’s)
• Pedagogy: Traditional yeshiva-style learning (chevruta, shiurim)
• Institutional vibe: Intensely religious, with minimal secular coursework

Life at YOEC revolves around Torah study and Orthodox Jewish observance, with no traditional collegiate athletics or Greek life. The campus is overwhelmingly male (no data on female enrollment) and 98.8% white, per Data USA. Students live in a cloistered, religious environment where daily prayer, kosher dining, and Shabbat observance structure communal life. Reviews hint at a spartan, no-frills campus—expect yeshiva benches, not climbing walls.

• Demographics: 98.8% white, near-total Orthodox Jewish enrollment
• Key features: Kosher dining, daily minyanim, Chabad-centric programming
• Housing: Likely dormitory-style, though specifics are scarce

Graduation rates are low by conventional standards—15-20% within four years—but this likely reflects the yeshiva’s non-traditional student body, many of whom may prioritize prolonged Torah study over degree completion. Alumni typically enter rabbinical roles, Jewish education, or communal leadership, with lawyers and judges cited as the highest-paying career path (per Data USA). The school’s value lies in its religious training, not career ROI metrics.

• Graduation rate: 15-20% (4-year)
• Common careers: Rabbis, teachers, Jewish communal professionals
• Notable outlier: Some alumni pursue law (highest-paying field)

Tuition is $16,200 (out-of-state, per College Simply), though some sources cite a lower $9,250 figure for full-time students. Financial aid details are sparse, but the school offers a net priceNet priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator on its website. Notably, the sticker price ($31,504 per Scholarships.com) suggests significant aid may be available for qualifying students, common in yeshivas with donor support.

• Tuition: $9,250–$16,200 (sources vary)
• Sticker price: $31,504 (with likely aid discounts)
• Net price calculator: Available on YOEC’s site

YOEC is one of the few West Coast yeshivas offering Chabad-Lubavitch-aligned Talmudic study in Los Angeles, a city with limited Orthodox Jewish higher-ed options. Its total immersion in Torah, lack of secular distractions, and zero-application-fee policy make it accessible to devout students. The trade-off? A narrow academic scope and low graduation rates by conventional metrics—but for those seeking a rabbinical path, it’s a focused, affordable choice.