2027 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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for near & middle eastern studies students.
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2027 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in near & middle eastern studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools
For return on investment in near & middle eastern studies, no school beat University Of California Berkeley this year. 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, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $17,746. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $23,819. Set against $17,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $16,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $28,261. Set against $16,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in near & middle eastern studies, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $14,922. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $65,681. 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 Irvine, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $30,897 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #6 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. 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 $21,527 early in their careers. Set against $14,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Utah landed the #7 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. 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 came in at #8 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,697 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,697 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Williams College came in at #9 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. 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. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $38,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. 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. 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 Wisconsin Madison ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $20,850. 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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #12 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $31,480. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $22,486 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,486 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #14 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. 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 $30,716. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #15 spot for near & middle eastern studies value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $22,215. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $29,746. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University landed the #16 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Wellesley College came in at #17 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $9,525 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $43,231. That is a strong return on a $9,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Brown University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $39,165. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University came in at #19 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $43,831. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College landed the #20 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. 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. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Smith College earn a median of $29,878 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Dartmouth College earned the #21 position for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,520 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Middlebury College came in at #22 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the town of Middlebury, Middlebury College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,600. 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. Set against $11,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College landed the #23 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hartford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,770. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $52,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity College admits about 29% of applicants.
Brandeis University came in at #24 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $43,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
George Washington University placed #25 among the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Rest of the Top 30 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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Near & Middle Eastern Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Near & Middle Eastern Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
