Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary
Spring Valley, New York · Private Nonprofit
ROI Score: 25/100 · Poor Value
Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary scores 25 (Poor Value), primarily because its 10-year median earnings of $17,360 are far below the national baseline for any educational credential. The earnings premium subscore is 0 -- graduates earn 97.1% less than the college wage baseline, meaning the credential is not associated with conventional labor market participation. The payback period is reported as 999 (effectively infinite) because there is no positive earnings differential to calculate a payback against. Be'er Yaakov is a Haredi Orthodox Jewish yeshiva in Spring Valley, New York, where the educational mission is Torah study rather than labor market preparation. With 92.2% Pell recipients and a net price of $4,543, the school serves a very low-income population seeking intensive religious education, not career credentials. Standard ROI metrics do not map onto the institutional mission.
The data raises concerns about Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score25/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period>50 years - Graduates earn at or near the level of high school completers — the cost may not recoup within a working career.
Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $12,300/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $12,300/yr |
| Average net price | $4,543/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $18,172 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $17,360 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | N/A |
| Median debt at graduation | N/A |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $0 |
| Estimated payback period | >50 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 58.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 765 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary is $12,300/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $4,543/year, or roughly $18,172 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $4,122/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay N/A/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with N/A in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $0 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $17,360 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is N/A - (insufficient data to assess).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,122 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,292 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,610 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,171 |
| $110,001+ | N/A |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The lowest income bracket (0-$30,000) pays $4,122 per year -- one of the lowest net prices on this site. For families in the Haredi community, the low cost aligns with the communal decision to prioritize Torah study over secular employment. The 92.2% Pell rate confirms the school serves families qualifying for maximum federal aid.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families in the $48,001-75,000 range pay $5,610 per year and the $75,001-110,000 bracket pays $7,171. No data is available for higher income brackets. These costs are minimal in absolute terms, consistent with the institutional model.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
No data is available for the $110,000+ income bracket, consistent with the school's predominantly low-income enrollment profile.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Religion/Religious Studies | $19,093 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Religion/Religious Studies
Religion/Religious Studies is the only program: 89 graduates with $11,674 year-one earnings and $19,093 at year four. No debt or ROI grade data is available. The earnings figures reflect the Haredi community's pattern of combining Torah study with community religious employment (rabbinical roles, teaching, kashrus supervision) that is often partially off-market or compensated through community support structures not fully captured in W-2 earnings data. Conventional ROI metrics do not apply to this program or institution.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | N/A | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | N/A | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | N/A | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | N/A | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 765 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 92.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $1,762 |
No admission rate or test score data is reported. Entry into a talmudic seminary is determined by religious qualification and community affiliation, not standardized academic criteria. This institution operates outside the conventional higher education admissions framework.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Be'er Yaakov's peers listed include Adelphi University, Albany College of Pharmacy, Cairn University, Johnson University, and Montreat College. These peer assignments reflect Scorecard methodology and do not represent meaningful educational comparisons. Be'er Yaakov is a talmudic seminary with a specific religious mission that does not compete with or compare to conventional four-year colleges. Families evaluating this institution should apply entirely different criteria than those used for conventional higher education.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary (this school) | 25 | $4,543 | $17,360 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| Cairn University-Langhorne | 25 | $27,642 | $44,172 |
| Johnson University | 25 | $22,063 | $40,596 |
| Montreat College | 24 | $27,061 | $45,151 |
Who Thrives Here
Be'er Yaakov serves a very specific student population: Haredi Orthodox Jewish men pursuing full-time Torah and Talmud study. No admission data is reported. Enrollment of 765 and a 92.2% Pell rate reflect the community's economic circumstances. This school does not compete with conventional colleges and universities; its graduates are pursuing a religious vocation, not labor market entry. Standard college selection criteria (earnings, completion rate, ROI) are not the relevant framework for evaluating this institution.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary. With a net cost of $4,543 per year and median graduate earnings of only $17,360 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds >50 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a long payback period.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.