[School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/school-librarian-school-library-media-specialist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong school librarian/school library media specialist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 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.
Valley City State University earned the #1 spot for value among school librarian/school library media specialist schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, while out-of-state students pay about $13,544. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $24,394. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $51,170 early in their careers. Set against $24,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Cloud State University earned it the #2 place for school librarian/school library media specialist. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $30,795 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $43,279. Set against $30,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Missouri one of the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,741 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $37,460 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,741 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #4 place for school librarian/school library media specialist. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $39,237. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in school librarian/school library media specialist will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $26,082 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $53,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $17,654. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Set against $17,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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.
