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Cheapest Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

The City University of New York system dominates affordable Middle Eastern and Semitic language programs, with six campuses offering net prices below $4,000. Hunter College leads at just $2,446 net cost while maintaining a solid 61% graduation rate and selective 47.86% acceptance rate. This concentration in New York reflects the city's role as a major diplomatic and international business center, where Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and other Middle Eastern languages connect graduates to positions at the United Nations, cultural institutions, and multinational corporations. Beyond the CUNY network, public universities across the country provide accessible pathways into these specialized fields. California State University-San Bernardino offers the next most affordable option at $5,918 net cost, while the University of Washington-Seattle demonstrates that quality and affordability can coexist with an 83.7% graduation rate at $13,485 net cost. The 20 programs span from $2,446 to $14,487, giving students options across different regions and campus environments while maintaining access to languages that serve growing international markets.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $22,355
Net Price Range
$31,885
Avg. Program Earnings
68.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
4 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
5 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
6 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
7 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
8 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
9 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
10 $11,504 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
11 $12,514 $8,634 47.8% 93.2%
12 $12,932 $11,238 53.1% 93.1%
13 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
14 $13,339 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
15 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
16 $13,816 $11,180 87.2% 42.6%
17 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
18 $14,059 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
19 $14,159 $14,766 64.3% 91.3%
20 $14,487 $6,496 82.2% 66.7%
21 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
22 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
23 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
24 $15,342 $11,790 81.2% 82.4%
25 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
26 $15,960 $13,626 65.9% 86.8%
27 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
28 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
29 $16,189 $11,450 14.3% 88.9%
30 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
31 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
32 $17,139 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
33 $17,413 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
34 $17,525 $9,748 70.0% 78.9%
35 $18,127 $60,300 91.9% 17.0%
36 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
37 $18,661 $34,700 46.4% 79.8%
38 $18,967 $66,939 94.9% 5.4%
39 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
40 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
41 $20,133 $23,250 46.0% 68.0%
42 $20,148 $69,045 95.0% 4.0%
43 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
44 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
45 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
46 $21,364 $10,363 83.6% 41.8%
47 $21,660 $27,900 65.5% 48.2%
48 $21,955 $31,030 48.6% 86.8%
49 $22,117 $62,982 94.4% 11.8%
50 $22,355 $32,480 70.3% 72.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for Middle Eastern language studies?

The City University of New York system offers six programs with net costs ranging from $2,446 at Hunter College to $3,830 at Queens College. As public institutions serving New York residents, these schools benefit from state funding and the city's commitment to accessible higher education. CUNY's location in one of the world's most linguistically varied cities also provides rich cultural resources and internship opportunities. The combination of low cost and urban advantages makes CUNY an strong value for language studies.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable programs?

Among the six CUNY schools, graduation rates range from 49.3% at Lehman College to 72.1% at Baruch College, reflecting different student populations and academic focuses. Baruch's business orientation may contribute to its higher completion rate, while Lehman serves a more varied student body in the Bronx. Outside the CUNY system, the University of Washington-Seattle achieves an impressive 83.7% graduation rate despite being in the middle price range at $13,485 net cost. These variations show that affordability doesn't necessarily correlate with lower completion rates.

Where can students find the most selective Middle Eastern language programs?

Hunter College maintains the lowest acceptance rate at 47.86% while offering the cheapest net price at $2,446, making it highly competitive. The University of Washington-Seattle follows closely with 47.52% acceptance and delivers strong outcomes with its 83.7% graduation rate. Baruch College accepts 49.53% of applicants and combines selectivity with strong completion rates at 72.1%. These three institutions demonstrate that affordable programs can maintain academic rigor and attract strong applicant pools.

Does geographic location affect program costs significantly?

Geographic clustering appears in the data, with New York hosting six of the most affordable programs through the CUNY system. California State University-San Bernardino offers the West Coast's cheapest option at $5,918 net cost with a high 91.08% acceptance rate. Connecticut appears three times with regional campuses of the state university, ranging from $8,896 to $13,339 in net costs. This pattern suggests that state funding models and regional cost structures significantly influence program affordability more than pure geography.

What career earning potential exists for Middle Eastern language graduates?

Current data shows graduates earning around $26,353, which reflects early career positions often found in education, cultural organizations, or entry-level government roles. However, this figure likely underrepresents long-term earning potential in specialized fields like diplomatic service, international business, or translation services. New York's concentration of international organizations, media companies, and cultural institutions provides graduates with pathways to higher-paying positions. The language skills developed in these programs often serve as foundations for careers requiring security clearances or specialized regional expertise.

More Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.