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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools

23 Colleges in the United States
$18,766 Avg Student Debt
$83,148 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Badge [Near & Middle Eastern Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/near-and-middle-eastern-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong near & middle eastern studies education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 78 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for near & middle eastern studies students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies School for You

The near & middle eastern studies program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

See how we build our rankings

Customizing Your List

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Near & Middle Eastern Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Near & Middle Eastern Studies
Master's Degrees in Near & Middle Eastern Studies
Doctorate Degrees in Near & Middle Eastern Studies

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the near & middle eastern studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools

1
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

For return on investment in near & middle eastern studies, no school beat Princeton University this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $10,888. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

2
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in near & middle eastern studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in near & middle eastern studies will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $14,922. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $43,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in near & middle eastern studies will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,972 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $50,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

5
Williams College crest
Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $38,595. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.

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University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #6 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $16,984 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $32,062. Set against $16,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

7

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $23,819 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

8
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University earned the #8 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

9

University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,167 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

10

University Of California Santa Barbara placed #10 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,697 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

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11

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #11 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,850 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

12

University Of Arizona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $31,480. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #13 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

14

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #14 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,395 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $44,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

15

University Of Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $38,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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16

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #16 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $38,223. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

17

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #17 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $22,486. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $22,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

18

Washington University In St Louis earned the #18 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $17,553. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $68,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.

19
Wellesley College crest
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $9,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wellesley College admits about 14% of applicants.

20

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #20 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $25,973. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $21,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

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21
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College landed the #21 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,593 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Middlebury College generally make around $54,713. That is a strong return on a $11,593 median debt. Middlebury College admits about 11% of applicants.

22
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University came in at #22 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $25,232. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.

23
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #23 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

24
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #24 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $29,878. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

25
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #25 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in near & middle eastern studies:

26
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
27
28
Dickinson College crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA
29
30
31
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
32
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
33
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
34

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View All Rankings >

Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Near & Middle Eastern Studies. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 78 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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