Top 15 Schools for Jewish Students

For students who belong to the Jewish faith, connections to culture are important. Without a strong support network, it is difficult to maintain ties to faith. Jewish students in the country are fortunate to have the Hillel organization, which provides a large network of support and resources. Connecting more than 550 colleges and universities together, Hillel has been helping students of all backgrounds learn and understand Jewish life and Israel. For almost a century, Hillel has helped students develop rich ties to their culture so that they may in turn enrich other Jewish people and the world.

Using the number of Jewish student enrollment and Hillel organization size in colleges, EDsmart has created the following list of the top 15 Jewish schools in the nation.

Top 15 Schools for Jewish Students

#1 Rutgers University, New Brunswick

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $25,561 (in-state) $40,340 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 6400

Grad: $12,406 per semester (in-state) $21,329.50 per semester (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 1000

Rutgers University is the eighth oldest school in the country. Founded in 1766, Rutgers offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees.  More than one-third of the student population is Jewish, making it one of the largest Jewish populations in the country.  Rutgers features a welcoming environment for Jewish students, allowing them to develop as their spirituality as well as their academic, and social skills. See Rutgers Online MBA Program Overview Here.

#2 New York University

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $45,138
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 6000

Grad: $38,408
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 5000

The city of New York is already famous for its vibrant Jewish community, and New York University is no exception to this rule. With more than a quarter of the student body population belonging to the Jewish faith, NYU is a hub for college-aged Jewish students. NYU is home to the Edgar M. Bronfman Center for Jewish Student Life, and finds many ways to involve Jewish Students in ground-breaking programs and projects.

#3 University of Central Florida

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $21,462 (in-state) $37,088 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 6000

Grad: $22,900 (in-state) $40,040 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 800

The University of Central Florida and its 12 colleges are home to more than 60,000 students making it the second largest university in the United States. Thanks to the wide diversity the school embraces, campus life is an easy transition for Jewish students. The school features religious services, readily available kosher food, and Jewish studies.

#4 University of Maryland, College Park

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $24,352 (in-state) $44,645 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 5800

Grad: $7,318 per semester (in-state) $14,962 per semester (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 800

University of Maryland features one of the most exciting dynamic Jewish campuses in the country. The school sponsors a wide variety of activities throughout the year beyond religious observance. Featuring briefings from the Israeli Embassy, Shabbat dinners, and more, the Jewish student community at University of Maryland enables students to stretch in new ways.

#5 University of Florida

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $20,550 (in-state) $42,828 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 5000

Grad: $28,290 (in-state) $45,684 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 1500

More Jewish students attend UF than any other college in the nation. As the home of the famed UF Gators, UF is an expansive university with something for everyone. This is especially true for Jewish students, with UF hosting programs surrounding all Jewish holidays as well as campus visits featuring high-profile speakers.

#6 University of Michigan

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $13,977 (in-state) $41,811 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 4500

Grad: Varies by program
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 2000

The University of Michigan is in Ann Arbor. Serving the Midwest region of the United States, University of Michigan features more than a hundred Jewish studies courses, a major, and the opportunity to study abroad in Israel. The real highlight of University of Michigan is their unwavering support to their Jewish student groups—more than 60—that encompass all walks of Jewish life.

#7 Pennsylvania State University, University Park

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $17,502 (in-state) $30,452 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 5000

Grad: $29,851 (in-state) $40,777 per semester (out-of-state) Varies by program
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 500

Pennsylvania State University is a popular choice for Jewish students. The university has a large Jewish population who can take advantage of Penn State's Jewish-oriented programs and activities. Penn State offers more than just accademic support; it offers students a chance to grow spiritually and socially. Students at Penn State even have the opportunity to visit Israel.

#8 Indiana University

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $10,388 (in-state) $33,240 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 4200

Grad: Varies by program
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 900

Situated on a beautiful campus in Indianapolis, Indiana University is a campus rooted in tradition, Big Ten sports, and the hallmarks of academic excellence. IU is known for its great Jewish studies program and the large, vibrant Jewish community on campus.

#9 University of Wisconsin, Madison

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $10,399 (in-state) $29,650 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 4200

Grad: Varies by program
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 1000

Wisconsin's flagship university is the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Besides becoming a high research hub, the Wisconsin Badgers are a competitive lot. Their sports teams are in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference and they've won several national championship titles. The school is committed to supporting Jewish students in their religious and cultural practices.

#10 CUNY, Brooklyn College

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $3,015 per semester (in-state) $535 per credit (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 4000

Grad: Varies by program
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 500

Brooklyn College is a vibrant part of the CUNY network in New York, with a Judaic Studies department that features more than 40 classes for students as well as study abroad opportunities for students to go to Israel. Brooklyn College also hosts an intensive summer Yiddish program on campus in partnership with the YIVO institute. A top caliber institution with high level academics, professionals and artists.

Further Reading: Cheap Affordable Online Colleges

#11 Queens College

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $3,015 (in-state) per semester $535 per credit (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 4000

Grad: $4825 per semester (in-state) $745 per credit (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 331

Queens College, part of the CUNY college network, offers a top tier education for a fraction of the costs of other private colleges and universities. Beyond that, Queens is home to one of the most diverse Jewish communities as well, drawing from Jewish populations all over the world. Queens offers many ways for Jewish students to get involved with the community and opportunities to travel to Israel and study abroad.

#12 Florida International University

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $6,506 (in-state) Fall and Spring semester $18,905 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 3500

Grad: $453 per credit hour (in-state) $999 per credit (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 160

Florida International University is one of the largest universities in the nation with a student population of more than 47,000 students. This size means that the school offers a wide range of education, with more than 200 bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs. For a large university, FIU has one of the lowest tuition costs and is considered a “best buy” in higher education.

#13 California State University, Northridge

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $6564 (in-state) per year, $6936 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 3500

Grad: $7830 (in-state) per year, $8202 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 650

California State University tailors their Jewish student life according to the needs and interests of the students. But what adds to the strength of the Hillel group here is that it serves the campuses of CSUN, and the community colleges of Los Angeles Valley College and Los Angeles Pierce College. More than 38,000 students in the heart of the San Fernando Valley call CSU home.

#14 University of Texas, Austin

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $6,506 (in-state) Fall and Spring semester $18,905 (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 3500

Grad: $4825 per semester (in-state) $745 per credit (out-of-state)
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 500

As home to 51,000 students and 3,000 teaching faculty, University of Texas, Austin is a busy hub of to ranked education. As the flagship school of the UT system of schools, UT Austin is a symbol of the state of Texas. Steeped in tradition, this school helps Jewish students maintain their connection to their heritage through weekly Shabbat dinner and Conservative, Orthodox, and Reform services every week.

#15 Boston University

2014-15 Average Cost of Tuition:
Undergrad: $45,686
Number of Jewish Undergraduate Student: 3500

Grad: Varies by program
Number of Jewish Graduate Students: 500

Boston University offers a well-respected education in the heart of Boston. BU is proud of the blend of campus organizations, academic departments and community support that it has worked hard to establish. BU even offers Jewish students an opportunity to make a difference within Boston’s growing Jewish population.

Further Reading: Best Online Colleges in Texas