[Library & Archives Assisting](/majors/library-science/library-archives-assisting/) 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 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value library & archives assisting schools.
Finding the Best Value Library & Archives Assisting School for You
Where you study library & archives assisting affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Library & Archives Assisting Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Library & Archives Assisting Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Santa Ana College the best value for a degree in library & archives assisting in the United States. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for library & archives assisting. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Early-career library & archives assisting graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Palomar College one of the best values for library & archives assisting. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & archives assisting, landing the #4 spot this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in library & archives assisting will find it at Oakland Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Beach City College came in at #6 for value in library & archives assisting this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Sacramento City College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value library & archives assisting schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value library & archives assisting schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $10,332. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage came in at #9 for value in library & archives assisting this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #10 for value in library & archives assisting this year. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $17,031. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $34,901. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #11 for value in library & archives assisting this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
Capital Community College landed the #12 spot for library & archives assisting value this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #13 position for value in library & archives assisting this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $18,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. That is a strong return on a $18,900 median debt.
Cuesta College came in at #14 for value in library & archives assisting this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Bernardino Valley College placed #15 among the best values for library & archives assisting. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,196 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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).