2026 Best Value Near & Middle Eastern Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

[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 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 3 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 Southwest Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Arizona, our #1 best value for near & middle eastern studies in the Southwest Region. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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.
The University Of Texas At Austin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in near & middle eastern studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. 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 $38,223. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.