Best institutions to study Jewish/Judaic Studies
A program that focuses on the history, culture, and religion of the Jewish people.
52 U.S. institutions graduated 1,149 Jewish/Judaic Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0206, a specialization of Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About Jewish/Judaic Studies programs
A program that focuses on the history, culture, and religion of the Jewish people. Includes instruction in Jewish religious heritage, sacred texts, and law; Jewish philosophy and intellectual history; Jewish life and culture, both in Israel and the Jewish Diaspora; historical Jewish minority cultures such as the Yiddish, Sephardic, and other; anti-Semitism, gentile relations and Shoa; Zionism; and modern developments within Judaism.
See also: 30.2101 - Holocaust and Related Studies., 39.0605 - Rabbinical Studies., 38.0207 - Talmudic Studies., 39.0201 - Bible/Biblical Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Jewish/Judaic Studies program focuses on the rich history, culture, and religious traditions of the Jewish people. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including Jewish religious heritage, sacred texts, philosophy, and the diverse experiences of Jewish life both in Israel and the Diaspora. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the complexities of Jewish identity and culture.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, reading comprehension, and effective communication. Coursework often includes the study of Jewish law, anti-Semitism, Zionism, and modern developments within Judaism, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject.
Credentials awarded
What Jewish/Judaic Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree631 graduates / yr · 4 institutions55%
- Bachelor's degree217 graduates / yr · 42 institutions19%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year167 graduates / yr · 6 institutions15%
- Master's degree99 graduates / yr · 12 institutions8.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years20 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship12 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.0%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Jewish/Judaic Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 218 |
| 2013 | 317 |
| 2014 | 325 |
| 2015 | 669 |
| 2016 | 647 |
| 2017 | 745 |
| 2018 | 814 |
| 2019 | 859 |
| 2020 | 1,000 |
| 2021 | 1,354 |
| 2022 | 1,051 |
| 2023 | 1,257 |
| 2024 | 1,011 |
| 2025 | 1,149 |
Top 50 institutions for Jewish/Judaic Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yeshiva University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sBachelor'sMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 586 | 83% | $39,696 | — |
| 2 | Seminary Bnos Chaim Lakewood, NJPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 147 | 94% | $15,385 | — |
| 3 | Elyon College Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 69 | 96% | $15,442 | — |
| 4 | Jewish Theological Seminary of America New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 55 | 90% | $27,383 | $56,236 |
| 5 | Mosdos Yaakov V'Yisroel Lakewood, NJPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor'sAssociate's | 41 | 46% | — | — |
| 6 | Gratz College Jenkintown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 37 | — | — | — |
| 7 | Women's Institute of Torah Seminary and College Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 36 | 100% | $11,881 | — |
| 8 | Spertus College Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | — | — | — |
| 9 | Hebrew Theological College Skokie, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 50% | $11,197 | — |
| 10 | Touro University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 72% | $27,110 | — |
| 11 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 85% | — | — |
| 12 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsBachelor's | 9 | 86% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 9 | 90% | — | — |
| 14 | Academy for Jewish Religion Yonkers, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 6 | 80% | — | — |
| 17 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor's | 4 | 57% | — | $23,219 |
| 18 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 4 | 82% | — | — |
| 19 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor's | 4 | 66% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 91% | — | — |
| 21 | Smith College Northampton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 89% | $17,183 | — |
| 22 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 3 | 93% | — | — |
| 23 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 3 | 84% | — | — |
| 24 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 92% | $26,873 | — |
| 26 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 27 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor's | 2 | 69% | — | — |
| 28 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 29 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 89% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 83% | — | — |
| 31 | Wellesley College Wellesley, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 92% | $19,292 | — |
| 32 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor's | 2 | 85% | — | — |
| 33 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 69% | $27,376 | — |
| 34 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor's | 2 | 54% | — | — |
| 35 | CUNY Hunter College New York, NYPublicBachelor's | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 36 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 91% | $29,107 | — |
| 37 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 2 | 89% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor's | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 39 | San Francisco State University San Francisco, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 50% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor's | 1 | 74% | — | — |
| 41 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 42 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicBachelor's | 1 | 63% | — | — |
| 43 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 44 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 45 | Hofstra University Hempstead, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 69% | $34,539 | — |
| 46 | Oberlin College Oberlin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 81% | $28,313 | — |
| 47 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 65% | — | — |
| 48 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor's | 1 | 72% | — | — |
| 49 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor's | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 50 | Muhlenberg College Allentown, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 82% | $23,111 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Religion/Religious Studies field (CIP 38.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 24 states
Where Jewish/Judaic Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Religion/Religious Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Jewish/Judaic Studies often pursue careers as postsecondary teachers in area, ethnic, and cultural studies. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for this occupation is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0206
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Jewish/Judaic Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Other Religion/Religious Studies specializations
The 9 other 6-digit CIP codes under Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02).
- Talmudic StudiesCIP 38.02075,664 graduates / yr92 institutions
- Religion/CIP 38.0201
Religious Studies 2,287 graduates / yr360 institutions - Christian StudiesCIP 38.0203760 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Religion/CIP 38.0299
Religious Studies 69 graduates / yr15 institutions - Catholic StudiesCIP 38.0208partial data40 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Islamic StudiesCIP 38.020530 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Buddhist StudiesCIP 38.0202limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hindu Studies38.0204
- Mormon Studies38.0209
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Jewish/Judaic Studies?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can pursue a career as a postsecondary teacher in area, ethnic, and cultural studies.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.4% and about 1,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Jewish/Judaic Studies?+
Jewish/Judaic Studies is CIP 38.0206 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Religion/Religious Studies (CIP 38.02). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the history, culture, and religion of the Jewish people. Includes instruction in Jewish religious heritage, sacred texts, and law; Jewish philosophy and intellectual history; Jewish life and culture, both in Israel and the Jewish Diaspora; historical Jewish minority cultures such as the Yiddish, Sephardic, and other; anti-Semitism, gentile relations and Shoa; Zionism; and modern developments within Judaism.
How many institutions offer Jewish/Judaic Studies programs?+
52 U.S. institutions reported Jewish/Judaic Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states, awarding 1,149 credentials in the year. That is 11.5% of all Religion/Religious Studies graduates.
How much do Jewish/Judaic Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Jewish/Judaic Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Religion/Religious Studies field report median earnings of $56,236 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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