Library & Information Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for library & information science students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Library & Information Science School
The library & information science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we built our Best Library & Information Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Library & Information Science Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Library & Information Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Library & Information Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the library & information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rutgers University New Brunswick the best school in the country for a degree in library & information science. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 144 library & information science degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $54,330 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library & information science, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 25 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $52,828 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Southern California
San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 778 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
See the full library & information science program report for San Jose State University
University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library & information science, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. About 106 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $54,763 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 126 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $48,752 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #6 for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 77 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $47,748 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Syracuse University landed the #7 spot for library & information science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 107 library & information science degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $44,225 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at Syracuse University
Simmons College came in at #8 for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Simmons College graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 277 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Simmons College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from Simmons College earn around $46,140 in the first couple years of their career. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at Simmons College
Cuny Queens College landed the #9 spot for library & information science this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for Cuny Queens College
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 97 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $44,787 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Rhode Island landed the #11 spot for library & information science this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 55 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $47,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Rhode Island
University At Buffalo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 132 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University At Buffalo earn around $50,173 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
Read more about the library & information science program at University At Buffalo
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #13 for library & information science this year. This large public university is located in the town of California. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 161 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year.
Read more about the library & information science program at Pennsylvania Western University
University Of North Texas landed the #14 spot for library & information science this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 267 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $53,934. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of North Texas
University Of Denver placed #15 among the best library & information science schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. About 90 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $47,594. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Denver
Sam Houston State University came in at #16 for library & information science this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 45 library & information science degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $62,209 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Sam Houston State University
Indiana University Bloomington placed #17 among the best library & information science schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 56 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $45,031 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at Indiana University Bloomington
Appalachian State University earned the #18 position for library & information science this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 38 library & information science degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $57,702. Typical student debt for the program is $21,992.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Appalachian State University
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 83 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $45,466 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #20 among the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 174 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $45,622 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,472 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of South Carolina Columbia
Old Dominion University landed the #21 spot for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 68 library & information science degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Old Dominion University
Catholic University Of America landed the #22 spot for library & information science this year. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 24 library & information science degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $62,949 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,771.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Catholic University Of America
University Of Iowa placed #23 among the best library & information science schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Iowa awarded about 57 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $52,881. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Iowa
The University Of Alabama came in at #24 for library & information science this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 123 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Alabama in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $44,140. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library & information science program at The University Of Alabama
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 23 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Northern Iowa
Rest of the Top 50 Library & Information Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s library & information science ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 86 schools evaluated.
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).
