2026 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Near & Middle Eastern Studies](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/area-studies/near-and-middle-eastern-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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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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
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among near & middle eastern studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $10,888. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in near & middle eastern studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $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. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $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 $65,681. That is a strong return on a $14,922 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for near & middle eastern studies. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $14,972. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,972 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in near & middle eastern studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $12,615. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Williams College earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Set against $12,615 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $17,746 in student loans. 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. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #7 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $16,984. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $28,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Harvard University came in at #8 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,167 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,167 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #10 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona landed the #11 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $24,500. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $31,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #12 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $20,850. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Set against $20,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #13 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $22,486. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #14 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,215 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $29,746. Set against $22,215 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. 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. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Wellesley College earned the #16 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $9,525. 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%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $25,973. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $21,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,973 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
Middlebury College earned the #18 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Middlebury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,600. Students borrow a median of $11,593 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Middlebury College earn a median of $54,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University landed the #19 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. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $12,000. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $29,878. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Yale University landed the #21 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Dartmouth College placed #22 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,019 in tuition and fees. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $48,565. That is a strong return on a $16,520 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Southern California ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Dickinson College landed the #24 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,650. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $19,802. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Dickinson College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Set against $19,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Cornell University placed #25 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $43,831. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in near & middle eastern studies:
Other Near & Middle Eastern Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best-value near & middle eastern studies schools at other degree levels:
View All Near & Middle Eastern Studies Rankings >
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 21 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.
