Yeshiva University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Yeshiva University, founded in 1886 in New York City, is the world's premier Jewish university combining rigorous Torah study with top-ranked professional programs. The university operates across multiple campuses in Manhattan and the Bronx.
The Wilf Campus in Washington Heights houses the Mazer School of Talmudic Studies, Sy Syms School of Business, and state-of-the-art science labs. YU's unique dual curriculum integrates intensive Jewish studies with secular academic excellence across its undergraduate and graduate divisions.
Yeshiva University Acceptance Rate
Yeshiva University is moderately selective — 63.8% of applicants are admitted — with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Yeshiva University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Recommended Academic Profile
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Yeshiva University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 2 for Yeshiva University (Fall 2026 ? Early Admission — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 94 days left — Fall 2026 ? Early AdmissionDeadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Yeshiva University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Yeshiva University is 3.41. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.11–3.41 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.61–3.81.Yeshiva University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Undergraduate application is not accepted via Common App; uses YU's own portal.
- Dual curriculum combines Jewish studies with liberal arts and sciences.
- 600+ incoming students begin with a year of Torah study in Israel (Gruss Institute).
- Four NYC campuses: Wilf (men, Washington Heights), Beren (women, Murray Hill), plus Brookdale and Resnick.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Yeshiva University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Yeshiva University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Yeshiva University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Yeshiva University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Yeshiva University Without SAT or ACT?
Yeshiva University Average SAT Score: 1410
Admitted students at Yeshiva University average a 1410 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
Yeshiva University's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Scored under 1320? A retake is worth it at Yeshiva University — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 710 | 660 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 700 | 660 | 740 |
| SAT Composite | 1410 | 1320 | 1500 |
A score under 1320 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1500+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1400
Can I get into Yeshiva University with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in Yeshiva University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Yeshiva University ACT Requirements
Yeshiva University's admitted students average an ACT of 31.
ACT Competitiveness
Yeshiva University's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 28 | 25 | 31 |
| ACT English | 32 | 28 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 31 | 28 | 33 |
Can I get into Yeshiva University with a 33 ACT?
At 33, you're in the top quarter of Yeshiva University's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Yeshiva University weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Yeshiva University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Yeshiva University takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
All applicants pick one of two long essays: a gratitude letter to someone in your life (500-750 words) or "here's how I intend to change the world" (500-750 words). Pick the gratitude letter only if you have a genuinely specific relationship to write about - don't force it if your real story is more forward-looking.
Applicants pick 3 of several short-answer prompts capped at 25 words each. Draft, cut, and re-cut these; 25 words rewards a sharp, specific image over a broad statement, and reviewers read many of these, so specificity stands out fast.
Honors applicants answer one additional long essay (750-1000 words, including an unusual "submit page 613 of your 1000-page autobiography" option) plus one more short answer, and must select 4 short answers instead of 3. Don't treat Honors as a checkbox add-on; it roughly doubles your writing workload.
Wilf (Washington Heights) serves men, Beren (Murray Hill) serves women, and over 600 incoming students start with a year of Torah study in Israel through the Gruss Institute. If the Israel year interests you, mention it directly, since it signals genuine engagement with YU's dual curriculum, not just interest in NYC.
Yeshiva does not accept the Common App for undergraduate admission, so applicants sometimes assume they can recycle a Common App essay wholesale. You can borrow ideas, but the prompts differ enough (word counts, specific framing) that direct copy-paste responses read as generic.
Yeshiva University Profile
Is a Yeshiva University Degree Worth It?
At $69,117/year against a $71,353 median graduate salary, Yeshiva University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $78,700, and graduates see a 3.35% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Yeshiva University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $69,117/year at Yeshiva University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Yeshiva University, 14.1% receive a Pell Grant and 17.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Yeshiva University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Yeshiva University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Yeshiva University graduates report a median income of $71,353, about 76% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Yeshiva University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy, CO | 1362 | 30 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Wheaton College | Wheaton, IL | 1363 | 30 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Yeshiva University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Yeshiva University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Yeshiva University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Yeshiva University Admissions
Yeshiva University graduates earn a moderate median salary of $71,353/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Yeshiva University runs high — roughly $69,117+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
14.1% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Yeshiva University skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Yeshiva University's acceptance rate is 63.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Yeshiva University students is 3.41, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.11 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Yeshiva University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.01 or below makes admission tougher at Yeshiva University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Yeshiva University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1410, and within the 1320–1500 range, keeps you competitive.
Yeshiva University's deadline is November 2 (Fall 2026 ? Early Admission), with decisions out by December 15.
Yeshiva University charges an application fee of 65; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
