2026 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools.
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2026 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
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for near & middle eastern studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in near & middle eastern studies will find it at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $24,395. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,294. That is a strong return on a $24,395 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. 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. 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. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value near & middle eastern studies schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,973 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Soon after graduation, near & middle eastern studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $21,409. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Dickinson College one of the best values for near & middle eastern studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,802 to complete the near & middle eastern studies program here. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Cornell University landed the #6 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for near & middle eastern studies graduates is $17,625. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $43,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
New York University landed the #7 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. 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. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $51,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University ranked #8 on our 2026 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. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $64,851 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Syracuse University landed the #9 spot for near & middle eastern studies value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $54,785. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Fordham University came in at #10 for value in near & middle eastern studies this year. Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Near & Middle Eastern Studies graduates carry a median of $26,884 in student loans. Early-career near & middle eastern studies graduates make about $40,811. Set against $26,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
