Jewish students looking for a college that feels like home have many great options to choose from. The schools on this list offer a variety of Jewish life programs and resources, as well as strong academics and a welcoming community.
What to Look for in a College for Jewish Students
When choosing a college, Jewish students should consider the following factors:
- Jewish life: What kind of Jewish life programs and resources are available on campus? Are there kosher dining options? A Hillel? A Jewish student union?
- Academics: Is the college a good fit for your academic interests? Does it offer the programs you want to study?
- Community: Is the campus community welcoming to Jewish students? Are there other Jewish students on campus?
- Location: Where is the college located? Is it in a Jewish community?
40 Best Colleges for Jewish Students
The following colleges offer a variety of Jewish life programs and resources, as well as strong academics and a welcoming community.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yeshiva University | New York City, NY |
| 2 | Brandeis University | Waltham, MA |
| 3 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA |
| 4 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL |
| 5 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
| 6 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY |
| 7 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA |
| 8 | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI |
| 9 | New York University | New York City, NY |
| 10 | Columbia University | New York City, NY |
| 11 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD |
| 12 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Madison, WI |
| 14 | University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 15 | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 16 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA |
| 17 | Indiana University, Bloomington | Bloomington, IN |
| 18 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
| 19 | University of Maryland, College Park | College Park, MD |
| 20 | University of California, San Diego | San Diego, CA |
| 21 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Urbana, IL |
| 22 | University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN |
| 23 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH |
| 24 | Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO |
| 25 | Tufts University | Medford, MA |
| 26 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL |
| 27 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC |
| 28 | George Washington University | Washington, DC |
| 29 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY |
| 30 | American University | Washington, DC |
| 31 | University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ |
| 32 | Arizona State University | Tempe, AZ |
| 33 | Chapman University | Orange, CA |
| 34 | University of San Diego | San Diego, CA |
| 35 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL |
| 36 | University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, PA |
| 37 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA |
| 38 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA |
| 39 | University of Maryland, College Park | College Park, MD |
| 40 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
Jewish Life at These Colleges
The colleges on this list offer a variety of Jewish life programs and resources, including:
- Kosher dining options: All of the colleges on this list offer kosher dining options, either in the dining halls or at nearby restaurants.
- Hillel: All of the colleges on this list have a Hillel, which is a Jewish student organization that provides a variety of programs and services, including social events, religious services, and community service opportunities.
- Jewish student unions: Many of the colleges on this list have Jewish student unions, which are student-run organizations that provide a variety of programs and services, including social events, religious services, and community service opportunities.
- Jewish studies programs: Many of the colleges on this list offer Jewish studies programs, which allow students to study Jewish history, culture, and religion.
Academics at These Colleges
The colleges on this list offer a variety of strong academic programs, including:
- Arts and sciences: All of the colleges on this list offer strong arts and sciences programs, with a variety of majors and minors to choose from.
- Business: Many of the colleges on this list offer strong business programs, with a variety of majors and minors to choose from.
- Engineering: Many of the colleges on this list offer strong engineering programs, with a variety of majors and minors to choose from.
- Medicine: Several of the colleges on this list offer strong medical programs, including medical schools and pre-med programs.
Community at These Colleges
The colleges on this list offer a variety of ways for Jewish students to get involved in the community, including:
- Jewish student organizations: All of the colleges on this list have a variety of Jewish student organizations, which provide a variety of programs and services, including social events, religious services, and community service opportunities.
- Jewish cultural events: Many of the colleges on this list host a variety of Jewish cultural events, including lectures, concerts, and film screenings.
- Jewish community service opportunities: Many of the colleges on this list offer a variety of Jewish community service opportunities, including volunteering at Jewish organizations and working with Jewish refugees.
Location of These Colleges
The colleges on this list are located in a variety of states across the country, including:
- East Coast: Yeshiva University, Brandeis University, University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, Emory University, Cornell University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, New York University, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, Madison, University of Texas at Austin, University of Florida, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, George Washington University, Syracuse University, and American University.
- West Coast: University of California, Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Indiana University, Bloomington, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Chapman University, University of San Diego, University of California, San Diego, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
- Midwest: Case Western Reserve University, Washington University in St. Louis, Tufts University, Ohio State University, University of Maryland, College Park, University of Pittsburgh, Emory University, University of Georgia, and Ohio State University.
Conclusion
The colleges on this list offer a variety of Jewish life programs and resources, as well as strong academics and a welcoming community.