[School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/school-librarian-school-library-media-specialist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 34 schools to find the best return on investment for school librarian/school library media specialist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in school librarian/school library media specialist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Cuny Queens College tops our 2027 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $16,000. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $75,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $23,420. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $47,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Fresno Pacific University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school librarian/school library media specialist, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,660. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $77,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of West Georgia one of the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $57,518 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Kentucky University earned it the #5 place for school librarian/school library media specialist. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $53,683. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Valley City State University landed the #6 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $24,394 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $53,674. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
East Central University came in at #7 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,840 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $49,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University placed #8 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $43,279. That is a strong return on a $30,795 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Old Dominion University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $56,076. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Columbus State University came in at #10 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $28,040 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #11 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,741 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $41,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Salem State University landed the #12 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $59,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Suny At Albany came in at #13 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $54,318. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University placed #14 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $27,000. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $41,063. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $23,102 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $51,097 early in their careers. Set against $23,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Maine came in at #16 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $49,091. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #17 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,294 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $40,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned the #18 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University placed #19 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $25,649. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $53,792. That is a strong return on a $25,649 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #20 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of University Of Central Oklahoma earn a median of $47,741 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #21 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $60,970. Set against $26,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Plymouth State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $52,664 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University came in at #23 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,186, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. Students borrow a median of $24,412 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $52,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent placed #24 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $59,593. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #25 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $24,875. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $59,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s school librarian/school library media specialist value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
