[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong school librarian/school library media specialist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for school librarian/school library media specialist students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in school librarian/school library media specialist, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in school librarian/school library media specialist, no school beat University Of Maine this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $27,000. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $42,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #2 makes Salem State University one of the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. 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 $59,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in school librarian/school library media specialist will find it at Plymouth State University, which ranked #3. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Students from in state pay about $14,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. 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 $46,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Connecticut State University earned it the #4 place for school librarian/school library media specialist. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $24,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $44,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
