The seminary combines specialized Buddhist and religious studies education with exceptional affordability, ranking at the 86.5th percentile nationally for cost management. Students benefit from net prices well below peer institutions while achieving above-average earnings growth relative to expectations, supporting the institution's mission of accessible religious education.
Around the national average, balancing strong affordability with more moderate earnings outcomes
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's ability to control costs while maintaining educational quality
With above average results, driven by the 54.6% Pell share and 15.3% transfer student enrollment
With above average performance, indicating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for its specialized student population
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Specialized religious education with strong affordability
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary ranks #495 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with overall performance at the 69.6th percentile. Located in Los Angeles, California, this small private nonprofit institution specializes in religious education with a 61.7% acceptance rate.
The seminary enrolls 54.6% Pell-eligible students, indicating significant access for lower-income students. Graduates earn $4,080 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 70.9th percentile nationally for earnings beyond expectations.
This above-average performance in value-added earnings reflects the institution's ability to deliver outcomes that exceed predictions based on student demographics. With a retention rate of 89.7%, the seminary maintains strong student engagement, though the 20.0% completion rate indicates challenges in degree completion that prospective students should carefully consider when evaluating fit.
The seminary demonstrates strong affordability performance, ranking at the 86.5th percentile nationally with well above average cost management. Students pay an average net price of $12,258 after financial aid, representing $15,342 in savings from the published cost of attendance of $27,600.
This net price stands $9,554 below the peer median of $21,812, indicating exceptional value relative to similar institutions. Graduates earn $4,080 beyond expectations compared to students with similar backgrounds, placing the seminary in the above-average tier for value-added earnings at the 70.9th percentile.
Students seeking a specialized religious education in a small, supportive environment with strong affordability and above-average outcomes. Best suited for those prioritizing Buddhist or religious studies within a private nonprofit setting who value low costs and personalized attention over broad program diversity.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary admits approximately 61.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the seminary in the moderately selective category, with admission rates between 50-75%.
The peer median admission rate of 75.6% indicates the seminary is somewhat more selective than typical institutions in its peer group, with a difference of 13.9 percentage points. This level of selectivity reflects the specialized nature of religious education and the institution's focused mission rather than broad competitive pressures.
For students interested in Buddhist studies or religious education, the seminary's selectivity level suggests qualified applicants have reasonable admission prospects while maintaining academic standards appropriate to the specialized curriculum. The retention rate of 89.7% indicates admitted students generally find good fit with the institutional mission and academic environment.
Students should understand that admission decisions likely emphasize religious commitment and preparation for intensive religious studies alongside traditional academic qualifications. Building a college list should account for the seminary's specialized focus and ensure alignment with career goals in religious education, ministry, or related fields.
Buddhist Studies.
23 graduates
The seminary offers one bachelor's degree program with federal earnings data for analysis. Buddhist Studies ranks #8 nationally and #1 in California, producing 23 graduates with median earnings of $21,910 and a value score of 30.0.
This program represents 100% of the institution's graduates with earnings data, making it the flagship and only tracked program at the school. The national ranking of #8 in Buddhist Studies indicates strong program quality within this specialized field, while the #1 state ranking demonstrates the seminary's leadership position in California for this area of study.
The cohort size of 23 graduates provides a meaningful sample for understanding typical outcomes in this specialized field. As the institution's primary academic offering, Buddhist Studies reflects the seminary's focused mission and specialized educational approach rather than broad program diversity.
Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad West Coast Talmudical Seminary's published cost of attendance is $27,600 per year, including $16,900 in tuition, $8,100 for room and board, and $300 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays just $12,258 after financial aid, representing savings of $15,342 from the sticker price.
This 56% reduction from published costs reflects the seminary's strong commitment to affordability and accessibility. The average net price of $12,258 stands $9,554 below the peer median of $21,812, indicating exceptional value relative to similar institutions.
Financial aid covers more than half of total costs for the typical student, demonstrating effective aid targeting. The seminary's affordability index ranks at the 86.5th percentile nationally, placing it in the well above average tier for cost management.
This combination of modest sticker prices and substantial financial aid creates accessibility for students from diverse economic backgrounds, supporting the institution's mission to serve a broad range of students interested in specialized religious education. The cost structure enables the 54.6% Pell share by maintaining net prices that lower-income families can manage while preserving educational quality.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laguna College Of Art And Design Higher acceptance rate (15.9 percentage points higher) and located 49 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 78% | $47,867 | Compare |
Providence Christian College Higher acceptance rate (30.8 percentage points higher) and located 13 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 93% | $46,264 | Compare |
Life Pacific University Higher acceptance rate (32.3 percentage points higher) and located 30 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 94% | $43,299 | Compare |
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary-Overbrook Higher acceptance rate (38.3 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 100% | $55,225 | Compare |
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Higher acceptance rate (37.1 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | CA | 99% | $47,626 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College Similar quality tier (#517 ranked) | NY | 95% | $41,527 | #517 | Compare |
The Chicago School At Los Angeles Similar quality tier in West (#422 ranked) | CA | 40% | $56,899 | #422 | Compare |
Pacific Oaks College Similar quality tier in West (#400 ranked) | CA | 10% | $52,485 | #400 | Compare |
Aultman College Of Nursing And Health Sciences Similar quality tier (#397 ranked) | OH | 41% | $63,582 | #397 | Compare |
Ner Israel Rabbinical College Similar quality tier (#606 ranked) | MD | 79% | $66,330 | #606 | Compare |
Seminary graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $17,439 six years after enrollment to $29,737 at eight years and $48,361 at ten years. This represents remarkable growth of 177.3% from the six-year to ten-year mark, indicating accelerating career advancement as graduates establish themselves professionally.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 48 graduates, providing reasonable confidence in reported figures despite the small specialized program. Graduates earn $4,080 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the seminary at the 70.9th percentile for value-added earnings performance.
Earnings span from $17,254 at the 25th percentile to $88,362 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 5.1:1 ratio that indicates substantial variation in career outcomes. Approximately 30% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting the institution provides strong preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
While median earnings fall in the below-average tier at the 36th percentile, the strong earnings growth trajectory and positive value-added performance indicate graduates achieve meaningful career progression over time.