2026 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools
[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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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%.
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.
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%.
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%.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Near & Middle Eastern Studies. Browse the parent area of study.
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.
- 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.
