Picking a college is stressful enough without having to worry about whether you’ll find other Jewish people to hang out with. Will there be decent Shabbat dinners? Can you find someone who gets your family’s specific brand of Jewish traditions? Will you have to explain what Rosh Hashanah is to everyone?
If you’re Jewish and want to go somewhere with a real Jewish community (not just three other Jewish students who all happen to be pre-med), then you’re in luck. There are tons of colleges with highest jewish population where you won’t feel like the only Jewish person in every friend group.
We’ve done all the research, and some of these numbers might surprise you. Some schools in places you’d never expect have huge Jewish communities.
Top 10 Public Universities by Jewish Student Population
Let’s start with the state schools because a lot of us are trying not to graduate with overwhelming debt. These colleges with highest jewish population prove you can get a great education AND find your people without breaking the bank.
The Full Top 10 List:
- University of Florida – 6,500 Jewish students (19%)
- Rutgers University – 6,400 Jewish students (18%)
- University of Central Florida – 6,300 Jewish students (11%)
- Indiana University – 5,200 Jewish students (15%)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison – 4,800 Jewish students (11%)
- University of Maryland – 4,500 Jewish students (12%)
- Penn State University – 4,200 Jewish students (9%)
- UCLA – 4,000 Jewish students (9%)
- University of Michigan – 3,800 Jewish students (8%)
- Arizona State University – 3,600 Jewish students (4%)
University of Florida – The Clear Winner
UF has 6,500 Jewish students. That’s bigger than some entire colleges. Walking around campus, you’re going to run into other Jewish people constantly. The Jewish community there is so established that they have multiple Jewish fraternities and sororities, plus Hillel programming that’s engaging (not just awkward mixers with stale cookies).
Also, it’s Florida, so you never have to trudge through snow to get to services. That’s a bigger selling point than it should be.
Rutgers – East Coast Vibes
Rutgers is perfect if you want that college experience but also want to be able to get decent bagels within a 20-minute drive. Having 6,400 Jewish students means you’re going to find every type of Jewish person – from very religious to “only go to synagogue on Yom Kippur but still get defensive when people make Jewish jokes.”
Plus, being in Jersey means NYC is right there for internships, jobs, or just when you need to remember what good pizza tastes like.
UCF – The Sleeper Hit
You probably didn’t see UCF coming, right? But 6,300 Jewish students is nothing to mess with. The school has been growing like crazy, and Jewish students figured out that Orlando is pretty great. Good weather, decent nightlife, and Disney World when you need to feel like a kid again.
Top 10 Private Universities by Jewish Student Population
Private schools cost more, but sometimes that smaller campus vibe is worth it. These are the colleges with highest jewish population among private institutions:
The Full Top 10 List:
- Boston University – 4,000 Jewish students (22%)
- Tulane University – 3,214 Jewish students (44%)
- George Washington University – 3,000 Jewish students (27%)
- New York University – 2,895 Jewish students (10%)
- University of Southern California – 2,800 Jewish students (14%)
- Syracuse University – 2,400 Jewish students (11%)
- Washington University in St. Louis – 2,200 Jewish students (30%)
- Emory University – 2,100 Jewish students (29%)
- Northwestern University – 1,800 Jewish students (21%)
- University of Miami – 1,750 Jewish students (16%)
Boston University – The Clear Winner
BU has 4,000 Jewish students, which is impressive for a private school. That’s having a small Jewish college within a regular college. The campus is right in Boston, so you get that city experience plus access to all the Jewish stuff Boston has to offer.
Fair warning though – BU students are intense. In a good way, but still. Everyone’s very focused on their future careers and internships. If you’re into that energy, you’ll love it.
Tulane – The Percentage Champion
Here’s where it gets interesting. Tulane has 3,214 Jewish students, but they make up 44% of the entire school. Almost half! That means Jewish culture is part of campus culture. You’re not going to be explaining what challah is to your roommate – they probably already know.
New Orleans is also just… different. In the best way. Where else can you go from Torah study to a jazz club in the same night?
GW – DC Energy
If you want to change the world (or at least argue about politics constantly), GW might be your spot. Having 3,000 Jewish students in Washington DC means you’re surrounded by people who care about issues and want to do something about them.
Plus, the internship opportunities are impressive. A lot of the Jewish students there end up working on Capitol Hill at some point.
Top 10 Colleges by Percentage of Jewish Students
Sometimes it’s not about the total numbers – it’s about what percentage of the school is Jewish. These colleges with highest jewish population by percentage create environments where Jewish life is central, not peripheral:
The Full Top 10 List:
- Yeshiva University – 100% Jewish (obviously)
- Jewish Theological Seminary – 100% Jewish
- Touro College – 61% Jewish
- Tulane University – 44% Jewish (3,214 students)
- CUNY – 38% Jewish
- Brandeis University – 35% Jewish (1,300 students)
- Washington University in St. Louis – 30% Jewish (2,200 students)
- Emory University – 29% Jewish (2,100 students)
- George Washington University – 27% Jewish (3,000 students)
- Boston University – 22% Jewish (4,000 students)
The interesting thing about this list is that when you get above around 25% Jewish, the whole campus culture shifts. Jewish holidays become things that professors acknowledge. Kosher food isn’t some weird special request. Everyone understands why you disappear for three days during Rosh Hashanah.
Ivy League and Elite Schools – Because Someone Asked
Some of you are wondering about the fancy schools your parents probably want you to apply to. The Ivy League definitely has Jewish students, just not always in the massive numbers you see at state schools.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Columbia University – 24% Jewish students
- Brown University – 19% Jewish students
- Cornell University – 17% Jewish students
- University of Pennsylvania – 17% Jewish students
- Yale University – 13% Jewish students
- Harvard University – 11% Jewish students
- Princeton University – 8% Jewish students
- Dartmouth College – 6% Jewish students
The thing about Ivies is that even though the percentages might seem lower, these are still significant communities. For example, 13% at Yale still means over 700 Jewish students, which is plenty to build a solid community.
What Makes These Schools Good for Jewish Students?
So what makes colleges with highest jewish population better for Jewish students? Is it just about the numbers, or is there more to it?
It’s Not Just About Bagels (But Also Kind of About Bagels)
Schools with big Jewish populations tend to understand Jewish life. They’ll have kosher dining options that are actually pretty delicious. They’ll schedule around Jewish holidays instead of putting your biggest exam on Yom Kippur. The little stuff that makes college life manageable when you’re trying to maintain some connection to your Jewish identity.
You’ll Find Your Specific Type of Jewish
Here’s something nobody tells you – there are so many different ways to be Jewish in college. Some people become way more religious than they were at home. Others become less religious but more culturally Jewish. Some get into Israel advocacy, others focus on social justice through a Jewish lens.
When you’re at colleges with highest jewish population, you’ll find people doing all of these things. You’re not stuck being the only type of Jewish person on campus.
The Alumni Network Is Real
This might sound super career-focused, but the Jewish alumni networks from these schools are incredible. Jewish professionals tend to look out for each other, and having gone to a school with a strong Jewish community opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
Regional Differences – Because Location Matters
Northeast – Classic Choice
Schools in the Northeast corridor from Boston down to DC have been attracting Jewish students forever. Your grandparents probably have opinions about some of these schools. The Jewish communities are established, the alumni networks are strong, and you can get decent deli food.
The South – Plot Twist
Southern schools like Tulane, Emory, and University of Florida are becoming major Jewish destinations. The communities are newer but tight-knit. Plus, the weather is better and the cost of living is lower.
Midwest – Hidden Gems
Midwestern schools are underrated. Places like Indiana University and University of Wisconsin have massive Jewish communities that a lot of East Coast families don’t even know about. The social scenes are more chill, the academics are still great, and everything costs less.
West Coast – Different Vibe
California schools have Jewish students, but the communities can feel more spread out. The upside is that you’re in California, which has its own benefits. The downside is that Jewish life might feel less central to campus culture.
What to Look For
When you’re researching colleges with highest jewish population, don’t just look at the numbers. Here’s what matters:
Active Programming vs. Just Existing
Some schools have tons of Jewish students who barely interact with each other. Others have smaller communities that are super tight. Look for schools where Jewish students are engaged – running for student government, organizing events, creating traditions.
How Does the School Handle Antisemitism?
Unfortunately, this is something you need to think about now. Look for schools that take antisemitism seriously and have clear policies for handling it. The best Jewish communities are at schools where the administration has your back.
Study Abroad and Israel Programs
A lot of the best colleges for Jewish students have strong study abroad programs in Israel. These experiences can be transformative and help you connect with Jewish students from other schools too.
Travel to Israel with Masa
So here’s something cool – if you’re getting excited about Jewish community in college but want to take it even deeper, you should definitely look into Masa Israel Journey programs. They’re specifically designed for people our age (18-40) and they’re incredible.
Instead of just visiting Israel as a tourist, you get to live there for a few months. You could do an internship in Tel Aviv’s startup scene, study at Hebrew University, or volunteer with Israeli communities. It’s study abroad but specifically focused on deepening your Jewish identity.
The best part? You meet other young Jewish adults from around the world, including people from all these colleges with highest jewish population we’ve been talking about. The network you build during a Masa program follows you everywhere – to college, grad school, your career, wherever.
A lot of students use Masa as a gap year thing, or do summer programs between college years. Some even do it after graduation as a way to figure out what’s next. There’s financial assistance available too, so don’t let money be the thing that stops you.
Want to check it out? Go to masaisrael.org and see what programs match your vibe. Whether you want to work at a tech startup, study Jewish texts, or volunteer with refugees, there’s probably something that fits.
Bottom Line
Choosing among colleges with highest jewish population isn’t just about finding the school with the most Jewish students. It’s about finding a place where you can be Jewish in whatever way feels right to you, while also getting a great education and having an amazing college experience.
Some people thrive at massive state schools with thousands of Jewish students. Others prefer smaller private schools where the Jewish community is tight-knit. Some want to be in big cities with access to Jewish cultural institutions. Others want that classic college town experience.
The good news is that there are options everywhere. Jewish students are thriving at schools across the country, from obvious choices like NYU and University of Florida to surprises like Indiana University and University of Central Florida.
Do your research, visit campuses if you can, and talk to current students. The Jewish community you find in college often becomes the foundation for lifelong friendships and your adult Jewish identity. Make sure you pick a place where you can grow into whoever you’re meant to become.
