[School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/school-librarian-school-library-media-specialist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools.
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.
Our analysis ranked Salem State University the best value for a degree in school librarian/school library media specialist in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $59,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Maine came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. 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 University Of Maine generally make around $42,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Plymouth State University one of the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, 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. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $46,850. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in school librarian/school library media specialist will find it at University Of Vermont, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $20,500. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $44,588. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in school librarian/school library media specialist will find it at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Cambridge College placed #6 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Located in the city of Boston, Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,378. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $29,776. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $56,883. Set against $29,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 6 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.
