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Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages

HUMANITIES Specialization

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates earn $67,612 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,518 and $88,488. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages is a focused area of study within Languages. Graduates typically earn around $67,612 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 108 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 549 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $48,355
Median Earnings · 4yr: $67,612
Colleges Offering: 108
Graduates / Year: 549
Avg Net Price / yr: $16,501

How Much Do Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages Graduates Earn?

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates earn $67,612 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,518 and $88,488. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $48,355 climbs to $67,612 by year four.

$48,355

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$67,612

4-Year National Median

Above the national median for college graduates.

$75,147

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$36,518 25th pct.

$67,612 Median

$88,488 75th pct.

Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $67,612 against an estimated $66,004 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 86 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 549 students who complete Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs each year, the majority (59%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

59% 20%

Bachelor's 59%

Master's 20%

Associate's 9%

What Can You Do With a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages Degree?

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Foreign Language and Literature Teachers leads at $79,350/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↘ -0.2% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Foreign Language and Literature Teachers

$79,350

$63K $103K 25th–75th pct.

Doctoral or professional degree 1,900 openings/yr 20K employed nationally

Speaking Learning Strategies Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach languages and literature courses in languages other than English. Includes teachers of American Sign Language (ASL). Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.

↘ -1.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Secondary School Teacher

$72,040

$60K $93K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 66,200 openings/yr 1.1M employed nationally

Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Learning Strategies Speaking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.

↗ +1.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation

Interpreters and Translators

$60,170

$47K $81K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 6,900 openings/yr 52K employed nationally

Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Writing Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Interpret oral or sign language, or translate written text from one language into another.

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.

Top Colleges for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Pennsylvania Western University California, PA · Public	72	94.3%	$18,256	$47,295
2	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY · Nonprofit	34	4%	$21,590	$102,491
3	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN · Public	32	78.2%	$16,264	$63,742
4	Brigham Young University Provo, UT · Nonprofit	28	67.8%	$15,564	$75,790
5	Cuyamaca College El Cajon, CA · Public	27	Open	$6,618	$32,435
6	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI · Public	20	15.6%	$13,138	$83,648
7	Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Nonprofit	19	99%	$29,357	$44,813
8	University of Chicago Chicago, IL · Nonprofit	17	4.5%	$14,860	$91,885
9	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	15	9%	$12,548	$82,511
10	Grossmont College El Cajon, CA · Public	13	Open	$5,311	$40,309
11	University of Arizona Tucson, AZ · Public	12	86.1%	$16,674	$59,979
12	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	11	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
13	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public	10	60.6%	$17,339	$60,409
14	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	10	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
15	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	9	39.2%	$14,091	$78,466
16	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD · Public	9	44.8%	$15,678	$82,860
17	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public	7	11%	$13,481	$92,446
18	Wayne State University Detroit, MI · Public	7	81.2%	$12,766	$53,493
19	CUNY Hunter College New York, NY · Public	6	53.8%	$2,984	$63,163
20	University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN · Nonprofit	6	11.3%	$26,780	$99,980

View all colleges

Ranked by Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages shows 3 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Above-average earnings Four-year median of $67,612 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $48,355 at graduation to $67,612 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 75,000 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas 2 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($36,518) and 75th ($88,488) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates earn?

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates earn a national median of $67,612 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,518 and $88,488. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree?

One year after graduation, Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree holders earn a median of $48,355. That climbs to $67,612 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree?

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree holders pursue careers including Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, which pays a median of $79,350/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages program take?

A Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages?

108 colleges and universities in the United States offer Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $67,612 and an average net price of roughly $16,501/yr, a Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages and Languages?

Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages is a focused concentration within the broader Languages field. The Languages major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates?

Employers hiring Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

Is graduate school worth it for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates?

With a median salary of $67,612, graduate study in Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.

What is the job outlook for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates?

The job outlook for Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of 0.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Interpreters and Translators is among the strongest-growth roles at +1.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.