YDS fulfills a critical role preparing leaders at a time of dramatic shifts in the global theological landscape. The student body represents a wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and faith communities from around the world, taught by faculty eager to accept the educational challenges of an increasingly globalized environment. Faith and intellect meet in our daily ecumenical worship services in Marquand Chapel which reflect the great variety of theological and worship traditions represented here.
Admissions & Aid
Inspiring the Minds That Inspire the World!
Yale University Divinity School is a graduate professional school within a world-class research university and is both a rigorous academic institution and an ecumenical community of faith. We stand between the more strictly academic approach of a department of religion and the more practical, parochial orientation of the seminaries. We educate and prepare the scholars, ministers, and leaders of the future. Our faculty are leading scholars in their respective disciplines and their commitments to supporting students are academically and programmatically unparalleled.
Application and Financial Aid
Learn more about the application process and and aid.
divinity.admissions@yale.edu
(203) 432-5360
Yale Divinity School provides full-tuition scholarships and living-expense stipends for all students who qualify for need-based aid—a group that constitutes 95% of our student population.
Here, in more detail, is information on how YDS makes a divinity education well within reach for the future leaders and community-builders who study here.
On top of full-tuition scholarships for need-qualified students, YDS awards merit scholarships to selected Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Religion degree applicants. YDS merit scholarships are based on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) applicants’ talents and achievements, academic excellence, evidence of commitment to social justice work, demonstrated leadership ability, and promise for ministerial leadership and service to churches. In 2026–2027, YDS merit scholarships will cover 100% of tuition costs and provide an annual stipend of $13,500 or $15,000 for other educational and living expenses.
All YDS degree students, regardless of financial aid status, receive free dining credits for use in the Divinity School Refectory. In 2026–2027, degree students enrolled in nine credits or more will receive $1,300 in annual dining credits; degree students enrolled in fewer than nine credits will receive $650 in annual dining credits.
YDS offers below-market rents for all students residing in our two housing facilities: the Living Village and Canner Street apartments. A single student will pay roughly $9,000 to live in YDS housing in the 2026-27 academic year; the estimated cost of single-student off-campus housing is $14,000.
Many students use earnings from a campus job to help with their expenses. Wages from campus jobs are paid directly to the student each week. A student’s earnings from campus employment can add up to $4,000 or more per year.