[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for library & information science students.
Finding the Best Value Library & Information Science School for You
Where you study library & information science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Library & Information Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Library & Information Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Queens College earned the #1 spot for value among library & information science schools in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,950. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,829. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of the best values for library & information science. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $58,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $63,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place for library & information science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,748. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #7 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,977. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,185. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $60,756. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #10 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Library & Information Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $51,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Chicago State University came in at #11 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $43,322. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #12 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $25,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #13 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Northeastern State University placed #14 among the best values for library & information science. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $50,973. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $34,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Old Dominion University came in at #17 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #18 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $53,934. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $49,101. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,937 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $43,862. Set against $24,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #21 position for value in library & information science this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #22 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #23 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $20,836. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,962. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #25 position for value in library & information science this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,031. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Library & Information Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for library & information science this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
