[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/library-and-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for library & information science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library & information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $48,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $20,577. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $49,101. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #3 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Ashford University one of the best values for library & information science. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $35,813 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $29,163. That is a strong return on a $35,813 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern California one of the best values for library & information science. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $15,625. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $52,828. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
