Best institutions to study Rabbinical Studies
A program that prepares individuals for ordination as Rabbis.
11 U.S. institutions graduated 153 Rabbinical Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 39.0605, a specialization of Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06), and leads most directly to the Clergy occupation (BLS SOC 21-2011).
About Rabbinical Studies programs
A program that prepares individuals for ordination as Rabbis. Includes instruction in Talmud, Halacha, Liturgy and Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Education, Pastoral Counseling and Homiletics.
See also: 38.0207 - Talmudic Studies., 38.0206 - Jewish/Judaic Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Rabbinical Studies program, part of Theological and Ministerial Studies, prepares individuals for ordination as Rabbis. This program is ideal for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Jewish traditions and practices while developing the skills necessary for spiritual leadership within the community. Students will explore a variety of subjects, including Talmud, Halacha, and Jewish Ethics.
Core coursework includes instruction in Liturgy and Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Pastoral Counseling, and Homiletics. Students will develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking, which are crucial for effective ministry and community engagement.
Credentials awarded
What Rabbinical Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree81 graduates / yr · 8 institutions53%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate65 graduates / yr · 2 institutions43%
- Post-master's certificate4 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.0%
Graduates over time
Rabbinical Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 208 |
| 2013 | 159 |
| 2014 | 161 |
| 2015 | 181 |
| 2016 | 139 |
| 2017 | 167 |
| 2018 | 144 |
| 2019 | 191 |
| 2020 | 159 |
| 2021 | 165 |
| 2022 | 155 |
| 2023 | 175 |
| 2024 | 148 |
| 2025 | 153 |
Top 11 institutions for Rabbinical 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 53 | 50% | $5,636 |
| 2 | Hebrew College Newton, MAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 24 | — | — |
| 3 | Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 15 | — | — |
| 4 | Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 83% | $10,528 |
| 5 | Rabbinical Seminary of America Flushing, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 12 | 30% | $6,533 |
| 6 | Reconstructionist Rabbinical College Wyncote, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | — | — |
| 7 | Jewish Theological Seminary of America New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 90% | $27,383 |
| 8 | American Jewish University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 44% | — |
| 9 | Academy for Jewish Religion California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | — | — |
| 10 | Academy for Jewish Religion Yonkers, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | — | — |
| 11 | Ner Israel Rabbinical College Pikesville, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral (prof.) | 3 | 24% | $5,277 |
Offered in 5 states
Where Rabbinical Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Theological and Ministerial Studies programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 6 | 106 | Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary53 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 24 | Hebrew College24 / yr |
| California | 2 | 10 | American Jewish University6 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 10 | Reconstructionist Rabbinical College10 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 3 | Ner Israel Rabbinical College3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 21-2011, Clergy, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Rabbinical Studies program often pursue careers as clergy or philosophy and religion teachers. The job outlook indicates little or no change, with approximately 23,000 annual openings and a median wage of $60,820. A typical educational requirement for these roles is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 39.0605
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clergyprimary SOC 21-2011 | $60,810 | +1.0% Little or no change | ~23,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | 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 Rabbinical 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
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
Tools and technology used
Other Theological and Ministerial Studies specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06).
- Divinity/CIP 39.0602
Ministry 6,494 graduates / yr250 institutions - Theology/CIP 39.0601
Theological Studies 6,127 graduates / yr288 institutions - Theological and Ministerial StudiesCIP 39.06991,694 graduates / yr116 institutions
- Pre-Theology/CIP 39.0604
Pre-Ministerial Studies 180 graduates / yr34 institutions
Common questions
What degree do I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, writing, and critical thinking.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as clergy or as a postsecondary philosophy and religion teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 23,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Rabbinical Studies?+
Rabbinical Studies is CIP 39.0605 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Theological and Ministerial Studies (CIP 39.06). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for ordination as Rabbis. Includes instruction in Talmud, Halacha, Liturgy and Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Education, Pastoral Counseling and Homiletics.
How many institutions offer Rabbinical Studies programs?+
11 U.S. institutions reported Rabbinical Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 5 states, awarding 153 credentials in the year. That is 1.0% of all Theological and Ministerial Studies graduates.
How much do Rabbinical Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Clergy occupation, which Rabbinical Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $60,810 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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