Mesivtha Tifereth Jerusalem of America

This is a one-program school where every student studies Talmudic law—the only undergraduate degree offered is in Rabbinical Studies. With just 66 total students (45 undergrads), classes are essentially advanced yeshiva sessions. The academic model reflects traditional Jewish seminary education: there are no reported four-year graduates (0%), and only 17% finish within six years, as many students treat their studies as a lifelong pursuit rather than a degree track. The school does offer graduate programs, continuing its focus on religious scholarship.

Imagine a yeshiva transplanted to Manhattan—MTJ's 66 students (established 1907) live a rigorously observant Jewish life where campus culture revolves around Torah study. The school's website emphasizes integration of Jewish values into daily life, suggesting strict adherence to Orthodox practices. With no reported extracurriculars or athletics, the rhythm of student life likely follows the traditional yeshiva model: morning prayers, intensive Talmud study sessions, and evening lectures. The tiny size means everyone knows each other's Talmudic interpretations—and probably their Shabbat dinner plans.

Graduation metrics tell an unconventional story—only 17% of students earn degrees within six years, with a staggering 0% four-year graduation rate. But these numbers likely reflect the school's religious mission rather than academic failure: many students may prioritize prolonged Torah study over degree completion. The intensive focus on rabbinical training means graduates either continue advanced religious studies or enter Orthodox Jewish communities as scholars and leaders, though the school provides no formal career placement data.

The sticker price—$13,560-$17,500 annually including housing—belies the reality that most students pay far less. After aid, the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. plummets to just $204 per year, with 29% of undergraduates receiving grant aid averaging $10,270. The lack of institutional grants suggests most assistance comes from external Jewish scholarship funds. For observant Jewish students committed to rabbinical studies, MTJ may be among the most affordable options in NYC—if they can handle the spartan yeshiva lifestyle.

MTJ is essentially a graduate yeshiva that happens to award undergraduate degrees—its 17% six-year graduation rate isn't a failure but a feature, reflecting students who treat Talmudic study as a calling rather than a credential. In a city packed with prestigious universities, this 66-student seminary offers something radical: an education where the only GPA that matters is Gemara Proficiency Assessment. For Orthodox Jewish men committed to lifelong religious scholarship (the student body appears all-male based on available data), it provides an immersive Torah environment at a cost lower than most NYC gym memberships.