These are the top schools for a master’s degree in library & information science, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Leading the list is Rutgers University New Brunswick, our #1 school for library & information science. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 144 library & information science degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $54,330 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120.
See the full library & information science program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #2. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 25 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,828. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Southern California
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library & information science, ranking #3. 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. San Jose State University awarded about 742 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in library & information science from San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 106 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $54,763 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Maryland College Park
Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 126 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $48,752 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #7 for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 97 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,787 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Syracuse University landed the #8 spot for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 107 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $44,225. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130.
Get the full library & information science details for Syracuse University
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. About 53% of students finish 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. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,950. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for Cuny Queens College
Simmons College placed #10 among the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 266 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Simmons College in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $46,140 early in their careers. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for Simmons College
University Of Rhode Island landed the #11 spot for library & information science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $47,709 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Rhode Island
University At Buffalo placed #12 among the best library & information science schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 127 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $50,173 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University At Buffalo
University Of Denver earned the #13 position for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $47,594 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Denver
Pennsylvania Western University placed #14 among the best library & information science schools. This large public university is located in the town of California. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Pennsylvania Western University awarded about 155 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full library & information science details for Pennsylvania Western University
University Of North Texas earned the #15 position for library & information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 238 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of North Texas earn around $53,186 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of North Texas
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #16 for library & information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 53 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $45,031 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
Get the full library & information science details for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #17 spot for library & information science this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 83 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $45,466 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Missouri Columbia
Sam Houston State University earned the #18 position for library & information science this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sam Houston State University awarded about 45 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $62,209 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Sam Houston State University
Appalachian State University earned the #19 position for library & information science this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 38 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from Appalachian State University earn around $57,702 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at Appalachian State University
University Of Iowa came in at #20 for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 57 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $52,881 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Iowa
Catholic University Of America placed #21 among the best library & information science schools. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 23 library & information science degrees were awarded at Catholic University Of America in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $62,949. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Catholic University Of America
Old Dominion University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 library & information science degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $57,131 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001.
Read more about the library & information science program at Old Dominion University
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #23 position for library & information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 146 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $45,622 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,472 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #24 position for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 23 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. 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
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #25 position for library & information science this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 68 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $41,490. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong library & information science education:
Explore the best library & information science schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
