2027 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 10 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 Middle Atlantic Region
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
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among near & middle eastern studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. 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. That is a strong return on a $24,395 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #2 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $22,486 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $86,770. Set against $22,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #3 makes Cornell University one of 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. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $17,625. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $43,831. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in near & middle eastern studies will find it at George Washington University, which ranked #4. 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. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes New York University one of the best values for near & middle eastern studies. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $19,250 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $51,233. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Dickinson College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,650. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $19,802 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $32,722. That is a strong return on a $19,802 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Syracuse University landed the #7 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $26,130. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Georgetown University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,851 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,483 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.
American University landed the #9 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from American University generally make around $43,671. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Fordham University came in at #10 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $26,884. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $40,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
