Near and Middle Eastern Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Near and Middle Eastern Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the comprehensive exploration of the diverse civilizations, historical developments, and contemporary dynamics across North Africa, Southwestern Asia, Asia Minor, and the Arabian Peninsula. This program examines the complex interplay of cultural traditions, political systems, economic structures, and social transformations that have shaped the region and its global connections.
- Historical Analysis: Investigates the evolution of societies from antiquity to the modern era, including imperial expansions, colonial legacies, and the formation of nation-states.
- Political Systems: Explores governance models, state formation, conflict resolution, and the impact of regional and global power dynamics on political stability and change.
- Cultural Expressions: Studies literature, visual arts, music, religious practices, and media as vital forms of identity, resistance, and cultural continuity.
- Economic Structures: Analyzes resource distribution, trade networks, labor systems, and development challenges within both traditional and modern economic frameworks.
- Social Dynamics: Examines demographic trends, gender roles, urbanization, migration patterns, and the lived experiences of communities across the region.
- Transnational Communities: Addresses the experiences of diasporic populations and immigrant groups, highlighting their contributions to both home and host societies.
Near and Middle Eastern Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Near and Middle Eastern Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Near and Middle Eastern Studies degrees, including Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1062 | $84,290 | $51,130 - $164,650 | 11,430 | N/A |
Near and Middle Eastern Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $61,920 in Florida to $113,070 in California—a 83% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Vermont, and Kansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 11,430 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Near and Middle Eastern Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 61 institutions offering Near and Middle Eastern Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Near and Middle Eastern Studies is found at Harvard University (29 graduates), Georgetown University (GU) (21 graduates), University of Chicago (UChicago) (21 graduates), New York University (NYU) (18 graduates), and Princeton University (17 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 317 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Master's
|
21 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
18 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
17 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Other Award
|
12 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
12 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| United States Naval Academy (USNA) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Annapolis, Maryland | Public | usna.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Smith College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Northampton, Massachusetts | Private | smith.edu |
| Wellesley College |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Wellesley, Massachusetts | Private | wellesley.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| United States Military Academy (USMA) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | West Point, New York | Public | westpoint.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Williams College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Private | williams.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
|
4 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Fordham University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of Richmond (UR) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | University of Richmond, Virginia | Private | richmond.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| Boston College (BC) |
Master's
|
2 | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | Private | bc.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| Dickinson College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Carlisle, Pennsylvania | Private | dickinson.edu |
| George Mason University |
Master's
|
2 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Claremont McKenna College (CMC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | cmc.edu |
| Trinity College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hartford, Connecticut | Private | trincoll.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Hood College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Frederick, Maryland | Private | hood.edu |
| Mount Holyoke College (MHC) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | South Hadley, Massachusetts | Private | mtholyoke.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Other Award
|
1 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
1 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Hamilton College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Clinton, New York | Private | hamilton.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Swarthmore College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Swarthmore, Pennsylvania | Private | swarthmore.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Other Award
|
1 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Near and Middle Eastern Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Near and Middle Eastern Studies degree?
Salaries for Near and Middle Eastern Studies graduates vary by role and location. Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $84,290 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $113,070 compared to $61,920 in Florida. Approximately 11,430 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Near and Middle Eastern Studies programs?
Currently 61 accredited institutions offer Near and Middle Eastern Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Harvard University (29 graduates), Georgetown University (GU) (21 graduates), and University of Chicago (UChicago) (21 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Near and Middle Eastern Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 549 in 2010 to a peak of 428 in 2020, before declining slightly to 317 in 2023-24. This represents a 42% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Near and Middle Eastern Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 11,430 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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