[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/library-and-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for library & information science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the library & information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha tops our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools in the United States. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,783. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $25,054. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Southern Mississippi is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $24,937 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $43,862. That is a strong return on a $24,937 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maine At Augusta one of the best values for library & information science. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $34,536 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Connecticut State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $59,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Ashford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Students borrow a median of $35,813 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $29,163. That is a strong return on a $35,813 median debt.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Library & Information Science rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
