2027 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools
[Near & Middle Eastern Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/near-and-middle-eastern-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for near & middle eastern studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies School for You
The right near & middle eastern studies school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created 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.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best value for a degree in near & middle eastern studies in the United States. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $14,972 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $50,728. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for near & middle eastern studies. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,746 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $23,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,922 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $43,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in near & middle eastern studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $30,897. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $14,167 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $21,527 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.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,697 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. That is a strong return on a $22,697 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago earned the #9 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $15,854. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $38,008 early in their careers. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College earned the #10 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $38,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. 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%.
Harvard University placed #12 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, 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. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $31,480 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #14 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $24,395. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,294 early in their careers. Set against $24,395 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,215 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $38,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. 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 $30,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #18 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Wellesley College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $9,525 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $43,231 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Brown University landed the #20 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cornell University landed the #21 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Smith College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. 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. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $19,000. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $29,878. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Dartmouth College landed the #23 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,520 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Middlebury College placed #24 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. 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. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $54,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Southern California placed #25 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $15,625. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for near & middle eastern studies this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
