Best colleges for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 63 U.S. colleges offering Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 28 states.
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,355 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 16.11 and the Interpreters and Translators occupation (BLS SOC).
About Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs
The Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the history, culture, politics, economies, and geography of the Middle East. This program is ideal for students interested in languages, literatures, and linguistics related to this diverse and historically rich region, encompassing countries such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Israel. Students will explore various specializations, including Arabic and Hebrew language and literature, as well as ancient Near Eastern languages. This program prepares graduates for a range of careers in fields that require expertise in Middle Eastern languages and cultures, fostering a deeper understanding of this vital area of study.
Learn more about Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages →
Core coursework in this program emphasizes skills such as speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and writing. Students will also gain knowledge in foreign languages, customer service, and public safety, equipping them with essential tools for effective communication and translation in diverse contexts.
Top 1 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,355 | 30 | 81% | $13,712 | $15,526 |
Specializations within Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages
5 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 16.11 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Arabic Language and LiteratureCIP 16.1101198 graduates / yr39 institutions22 states
- Middle/CIP 16.1199
Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics 73 graduates / yr11 institutions9 states - Ancient Near Eastern and Biblical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCIP 16.110365 graduates / yr10 institutions8 states
- Middle/CIP 16.1100
Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics partial data34 graduates / yr6 institutions6 states - Hebrew Language and LiteratureCIP 16.1102partial data20 graduates / yr6 institutions5 states
Offered across 28 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utahlimited | 1 | $48,355 | Brigham Young University |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 7 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Maryland | 3 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michigan | 4 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 4 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 3 | — | — |
| Ohio | 4 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 6 | — | — |
| Vermontlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3091, Interpreters and Translators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages program can pursue various careers that leverage their language and cultural expertise. The job outlook indicates a growth rate of 1.7%, with approximately 6,900 annual openings. The median wage for related positions is $59,440, and a typical education requirement is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 16.11.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 16.11 (Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 25-1124 | Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-2031 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education |
| 27-3091 | Interpreters and Translatorsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
- Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
- Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
- Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
- Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerized terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
- Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Students can specialize in areas such as Arabic Language and Literature, Hebrew Language and Literature, and Ancient Near Eastern Languages.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, and critical thinking.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
The program offers a job outlook with a growth rate of 1.7% and about 6,900 annual openings.
What is the typical education requirement for careers in this field?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers related to Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages.
How much do Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates earn?+
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $48,355, College Scorecard (2019); the Interpreters and Translators occupation pays about $66,360 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages?+
Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages maps to CIP 16.11 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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