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2023 Best Value Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $30-$48k)

49 Ranked Colleges
5,696 Degrees Awarded
$10,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Library & Information Science is the 134th most popular major in the country with 5,696 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 49 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in library and information science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent library and information science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the library and information science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The library and information science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $30-$48k)

1
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Queens College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. QC is a fairly large school located in Queens, New York that handed out 94 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

QC also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Queens College is $3,524 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at QC

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $5,729 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at UNC Chapel Hill

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 90 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $4,788 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Madison.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full UW - Madison Library & Information Science Report

4

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $6,399 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Library & Information Science Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Woman’s University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. TWU is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 347 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TWU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Woman’s University is $7,203 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full TWU Library & Information Science Report

6

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $7,061 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Library & Information Science Report

7

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large public school situated in College Park, Maryland. It awarded 103 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Maryland - College Park is $11,567 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full UMCP Library & Information Science Report

8
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Jose State University is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 626 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $13,378 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at San Jose State University

9

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school awarded 314 diplomas to qualified ’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.

UNT also took the #22 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Texas is $6,401 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of North Texas

10

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. USF Tampa is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 98 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,632 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full USF Tampa Library & Information Science Report

11
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 194 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rutgers New Brunswick, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,182 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rutgers New Brunswick.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Rutgers New Brunswick

12

Emporia State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 165 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

ESU also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Emporia State University is $12,971 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at ESU

13
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 146 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State is $11,414 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Wayne State University

14
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 92 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $10,160 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Arizona

15

Northeastern State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This medium-sized school is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and it awarded 13 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,315 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full NSU Library & Information Science Report

16

With a ranking of #16, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $15,403 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Louisiana State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Louisiana State University Library & Information Science Report

17
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. East Carolina University is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,029 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read more about Library & Information Science at ECU

18
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $9,940 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Appalachian State University

19
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

USC also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for USC is $17,345 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Southern California Library & Information Science Report

20

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Denver, Colorado, this large public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is $12,017 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at CU Anschutz

21

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Carolina - Columbia is $16,404 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UofSC Library & Information Science Report

22

Sam Houston State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 66 degrees to qualified ’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $12,289 for library and information science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Library & Information Science at SHSU

23

With a ranking of #23, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $13,970 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

24
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 27 ’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Iowa

25

With a ranking of #25, Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - Commerce is $10,947 for Library and Information Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Texas A&M University - Commerce

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