[Library & Archives Assisting](/majors/library-science/library-archives-assisting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for library & archives assisting students.
Finding the Best Value Library & Archives Assisting School for You
The library & archives assisting program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Library & Archives Assisting Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Library & Archives Assisting Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked Central Carolina Community College the best value for a degree in library & archives assisting in the United States. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & archives assisting, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $7,234. Early-career library & archives assisting graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #3 place for library & archives assisting. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Santa Ana College one of the best values for library & archives assisting. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $11,196. Early-career library & archives assisting graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College came in at #5 on our 2026 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, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
Long Beach City College landed the #6 spot for library & archives assisting value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Palomar College earned the #7 position for value in library & archives assisting this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
College Of Dupage ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value library & archives assisting schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $12,492. 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.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #9 spot for library & archives assisting value this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $10,332. Early-career library & archives assisting graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #10 for value in library & archives assisting this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Library & Archives Assisting graduates carry a median of $17,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $34,901. Set against $17,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Bernardino Valley College placed #11 among the best values for library & archives assisting. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Typical student debt for library & archives assisting graduates is $19,500. Early-career library & archives assisting graduates make about $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Capital Community College landed the #12 spot for library & archives assisting value this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Library & Archives Assisting graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuesta College placed #13 among the best values for library & archives assisting. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the library & archives assisting program here. Soon after graduation, library & archives assisting degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. That is a strong return on a $18,958 median debt.
Narrow Library & Archives Assisting Schools by Region
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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).
[Library & Archives Assisting](/majors/library-science/library-archives-assisting/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
