by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Near & Middle Eastern Studies explores Near And Middle Eastern Studies. A Program That Focuses On The History, Society, Politics, Culture, And Economics Of One Or More Of The Peoples Of North Africa, Southwestern Asia, Asia Minor, And The Arabian Peninsula, Related Borderlands And Island Groups, And Including Emigrant And Immigrant Groups. Examples: [Modern Middle Eastern Studies]. Continue reading for the important information every near & middle eastern studies major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering near & middle eastern studies programs.
Nationwide, near & middle eastern studies is a widely-pursued major, with 317 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 61 schools to determine the best overall colleges for near & middle eastern studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of near & middle eastern studies programs later in this article.
Coursework for Near & Middle Eastern Studies emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations near & middle eastern studies graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a near & middle eastern studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a near & middle eastern studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several near & middle eastern studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 157 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 127 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 32 |
People currently working in careers related to near & middle eastern studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 60.5% |
| Master’s degree | 31.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.2% |
| First professional degree | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in near & middle eastern studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying near & middle eastern studies opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to near & middle eastern studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to near & middle eastern studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 718,152 | 6.5% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of near & middle eastern studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,815 |
| 4 years | $54,317 |
| 5 years | $64,382 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for near & middle eastern studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers near & middle eastern studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $47,517 |
With 61 different near & middle eastern studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased near & middle eastern studies school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in near & middle eastern studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| American/United States Studies/Civilization | 1,156 |
| Asian Studies/Civilization | 705 |
| Regional Studies (U.S., Canadian, Foreign) | 680 |
| Area Studies, Other | 630 |
| East Asian Studies | 581 |
| Latin American Studies | 498 |
| African Studies | 209 |
| French Studies | 143 |
| Russian Studies | 124 |
| European Studies/Civilization | 111 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
