Best institutions to study Near and Middle Eastern Studies
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the peoples of North Africa, Southwestern Asia, Asia Minor, and the Arabian Peninsula, related borderlands and island groups, and including emigrant and immigrant groups.
46 U.S. institutions graduated 261 Near and Middle Eastern Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 05.0108, a specialization of Area Studies (CIP 05.01), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About Near and Middle Eastern Studies programs
A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the peoples of North Africa, Southwestern Asia, Asia Minor, and the Arabian Peninsula, related borderlands and island groups, and including emigrant and immigrant groups.
See also: 30.2202 - Classical, Ancient Mediterranean, and Near Eastern Studies and Archaeology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Near and Middle Eastern Studies program, part of Area Studies, focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of the peoples from North Africa, Southwestern Asia, Asia Minor, and the Arabian Peninsula. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the complexities of these regions and their global impacts.
Students in this program develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework often includes topics related to race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives, preparing graduates for various roles in academia and beyond.
Credentials awarded
What Near and Middle Eastern Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree111 graduates / yr · 16 institutions43%
- Bachelor's degree84 graduates / yr · 31 institutions32%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship34 graduates / yr · 9 institutions13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year29 graduates / yr · 5 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions1.1%
Graduates over time
Near and Middle Eastern Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 461 |
| 2013 | 458 |
| 2014 | 419 |
| 2015 | 444 |
| 2016 | 381 |
| 2017 | 369 |
| 2018 | 361 |
| 2019 | 368 |
| 2020 | 346 |
| 2021 | 338 |
| 2022 | 305 |
| 2023 | 273 |
| 2024 | 257 |
| 2025 | 261 |
Top 46 institutions for Near and Middle Eastern Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 39 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 2 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 33 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 4 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 20 | 88% | $29,023 | — |
| 5 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 66% | — | — |
| 6 | Princeton University Princeton, NJPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 11 | 98% | $13,729 | — |
| 7 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDPublicBachelor's | 9 | 93% | — | — |
| 8 | Brandeis University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 86% | $25,074 | $43,748 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 9 | 89% | — | $29,746 |
| 10 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 96% | $14,689 | $48,565 |
| 11 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 7 | 68% | — | $31,480 |
| 12 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 6 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 13 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 90% | — | — |
| 14 | Williams College Williamstown, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 94% | $10,747 | $38,595 |
| 15 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 67% | — | — |
| 16 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 4 | 95% | $17,613 | $43,831 |
| 17 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster's | 4 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 96% | $14,644 | $39,165 |
| 19 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor's | 4 | 65% | — | — |
| 20 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 21 | Smith College Northampton, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 89% | $17,183 | $29,878 |
| 22 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 85% | — | $43,668 |
| 23 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicDoctoral | 2 | 93% | — | $50,728 |
| 24 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 2 | 93% | — | $23,819 |
| 25 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 75% | $30,225 | $43,671 |
| 26 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 2 | 86% | — | — |
| 27 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 28 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 2 | 94% | $14,126 | $30,716 |
| 29 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicBachelor's | 2 | 53% | — | $16,733 |
| 30 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 2 | 75% | — | — |
| 31 | Dickinson College Carlisle, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 80% | $22,831 | $32,722 |
| 32 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 49% | — | — |
| 33 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 86% | — | $21,527 |
| 34 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 1 | 87% | — | $30,897 |
| 35 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 36 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $20,586 | $33,549 |
| 37 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 38 | Wellesley College Wellesley, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 92% | $19,292 | $43,231 |
| 39 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 1 | 93% | — | $28,261 |
| 40 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 1 | 84% | — | $21,409 |
| 41 | Colgate University Hamilton, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 91% | $22,903 | — |
| 42 | Fordham University Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 82% | $38,931 | $40,811 |
| 43 | University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 52% | — | — |
| 44 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 45 | Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 92% | $18,174 | — |
| 46 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicMaster's | 1 | 68% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Area Studies field (CIP 05.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 22 states
Where Near and Middle Eastern Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Area Studies programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Near and Middle Eastern Studies can pursue careers as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers at the postsecondary level. With an annual growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual job openings, the median wage in this field is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 05.0108
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Near and Middle Eastern Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Other Area Studies specializations
The 36 other 6-digit CIP codes under Area Studies (CIP 05.01).
- American/CIP 05.0102
United States Studies/ Civilization 1,027 graduates / yr120 institutions - Regional Studies (U.S.CIP 05.0122partial data783 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Asian Studies/CIP 05.0103
Civilization 549 graduates / yr94 institutions - Area StudiesCIP 05.0199505 graduates / yr65 institutions
- East Asian StudiesCIP 05.0104446 graduates / yr62 institutions
- Latin American StudiesCIP 05.0107365 graduates / yr86 institutions
- African StudiesCIP 05.0101171 graduates / yr45 institutions
- European Studies/CIP 05.0106
Civilization 161 graduates / yr27 institutions - Russian StudiesCIP 05.011081 graduates / yr30 institutions
- French StudiesCIP 05.012478 graduates / yr26 institutions
- RussianCIP 05.010569 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Latin American and Caribbean StudiesCIP 05.013466 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Japanese StudiesCIP 05.012756 graduates / yr15 institutions
- Italian StudiesCIP 05.012645 graduates / yr18 institutions
- Spanish and Iberian StudiesCIP 05.0130partial data43 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Western European StudiesCIP 05.0114partial data40 graduates / yr5 institutions
- German StudiesCIP 05.012537 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Chinese StudiesCIP 05.012329 graduates / yr12 institutions
- Pacific Area/CIP 05.0109
Pacific Rim Studies partial data28 graduates / yr5 institutions - Scandinavian StudiesCIP 05.0111partial data20 graduates / yr5 institutions
- South Asian StudiesCIP 05.0112partial data20 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Ural-Altaic and Central Asian StudiesCIP 05.0120limited data14 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Southeast Asian StudiesCIP 05.0113partial data12 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Slavic StudiesCIP 05.0118limited data12 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Appalachian StudiesCIP 05.0135limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Korean StudiesCIP 05.0128limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Irish StudiesCIP 05.0133limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
- Canadian StudiesCIP 05.0115limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 8 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Balkans Studies05.0116
- Baltic Studies05.0117
- Caribbean Studies05.0119
- Commonwealth Studies05.0121
- Polish Studies05.0129
- Tibetan Studies05.0131
- Ukraine Studies05.0132
- Arctic Studies05.0136
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degree in Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and active learning.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 1,100 annual openings.
What occupations can I pursue?+
You can work as a postsecondary teacher in area, ethnic, and cultural studies.
What is the CIP code for Near and Middle Eastern Studies?+
Near and Middle Eastern Studies is CIP 05.0108 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Area Studies (CIP 05.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the history, society, politics, culture, and economics of one or more of the peoples of North Africa, Southwestern Asia, Asia Minor, and the Arabian Peninsula, related borderlands and island groups, and including emigrant and immigrant groups.
How many institutions offer Near and Middle Eastern Studies programs?+
46 U.S. institutions reported Near and Middle Eastern Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 22 states, awarding 261 credentials in the year. That is 5.3% of all Area Studies graduates.
How much do Near and Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Near and Middle Eastern Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Area Studies field report median earnings of $33,549 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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