Yale Divinity School’s Positive Impact on America’s Communities

Public Impact

Yale Divinity School contributes powerfully to the nation’s strength and the common good. We do this through the religiously trained leaders we send into churches and communities across America, through the direct provision of educational resources to lay leaders and lifelong learners, and through the creation of deeper knowledge of God and the application of theology to the pressing issues of our day.

Today, our graduates lead congregations and provide spiritual care in hospitals, schools, and numerous other settings. They bring their theological knowledge and religious commitment to bear in public service or as leaders of nonprofits that meet urgent human need. They do research and teach the next generations, dedicated to creating a more religiously informed and inspired America. They apply their ethical formation to important roles in business and industry, leading large companies and developing promising new technologies mindful of their human impact. Together, their work improves the lives of millions of Americans.

Today, as we have done for more than 200 years, Yale Divinity School is pursuing a vital mission of service to churches and communities.
 

Dean with graduates at commencement

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.

Impact Stories

Impact by the numbers

  • 35/13

    Our alums contribute to the common good through work in 35 industries in 13 broad sectors

  • 200

    Graduates today lead large organizations, private and public

  • 25

    Alumni serve as heads of denominations and religious organizations  

  • 24

    Alumni serve as university and school  presidents, VPs, and Chaplains

  • 100%

    Tuition support for students with demonstrated need. 

  • 45

    Alumni serve in leadership roles for nonprofit organizations

  • 40

    Trained student chaplains per year serving in hospitals and education settings

Students studying in a library

Note: The above figures are based on a study of alumni records and publicly available data performed in the summer of 2025; exact counts subject to change.

Students at Opening Convocation 2025

YaIe Divinity School exists to address the most pressing issues facing our country and world. Our unique combining of faith and intellect keeps YDS powerfully relevant and ideally positioned to take on the challenges of the future.

—

Gregory E. Sterling, Dean, Yale Divinity School

Featured Alumni Leaders

Leaders in their Fields: Alumni examples

  • Kate Bowler, acclaimed author and associate professor of American religious history, Duke Divinity School
  • Callista Isabelle, Associate Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life, Vassar College
  • Keri Day, Professor of Constructive Theology and African American Religion, Princeton Theological Seminary
  • Adam Greene, Head of School, Episcopal School of Jacksonville
  • Neichelle Guidry, Dean of Chapel, Spelman College
  • Serene Jones, President, Union Theological Seminary
  • Chan Sok Park, Chair of Religious Studies Department and Director of Pre-Ministry Program, College of Wooster
  • Jake Schrum, University President (ret.)
  • Javier Viera, President, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

*also listed under Business & Innovation

*also listed in Environmental Protection

FACULTY CONTRIBUTIONS

Yale Divinity School has shaped American Christianity in important and positive ways for longer than two centuries. Historically, our professors and scholars have trained ministers, contributed to the public’s religious education, generated new theological knowledge, fostered ecumenism, and made major contributions to American religion through projects such as the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. 

In recent years, members of our faculty have enriched American religious and spiritual life in some of the following ways: 

  • Christian theological critique of problems with finance capitalism (Kathryn Tanner). Learn more.
  • Best-selling book and related courses, for students and lifelong learners alike, on the makings of a “life worth living” (Miroslav Volf and collaborators). Learn more.
  • Poetry bringing wisdom, inspiration, and theological insight to a broad reading public (Christian Wiman). Learn more.
  • Fresh insight on how churches and Christians should think, and act, theologically on matters of race and the built environment (Willie Jennings). Learn more.
  • Scholarship on music and the Black Church and the tradition’s extraordinary influence on a host of musical cultures (Braxton Shelley). Learn more.
  • Research-based resources for churches striving to attract and retain young-adult members (Almeda Wright). Learn more.
  • Theologically driven books and poetry and widely subscribed poetry podcast series (Pádraig Ó Tuama). Learn more.
  • Moral movements and the application of theology to issues of greatest public concern (William Barber). Learn more.
  • Public voice on Christian morality and its application to today’s most pressing issues (Greg Sterling). Learn more.
  • Research demonstrating impact of Book of Revelation on immigration debate (Yii-Jan Lin). Learn more.
  • Clergy well-being (Jerry Streets). Learn more.

YDS DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PUBLIC

Yale’s Impact on America

Yale makes a difference for Americans across the country.

Read the Yale report

Last updated April 22, 2026