[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 60 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for library & information science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the library & information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in library & information science, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,829. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $69,347 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,185. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Dominican University placed #6 among the best values for library & information science. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $47,396. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas Womans University landed the #7 spot for library & information science value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,651. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University came in at #8 for value in library & information science this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #9 spot for library & information science value this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #10 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $51,244. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #12 position for value in library & information science this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,796. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $60,756. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #13 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $16,481. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wayne State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,679. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University landed the #16 spot for library & information science value this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #17 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $50,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #18 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $46,127 early in their careers. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $20,836. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $53,186. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #21 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,138. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $46,481 early in their careers. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #22 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,304. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $46,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #23 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $44,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #24 for value in library & information science this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $63,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #25 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $22,635. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
These schools also delivered strong value for library & information science this year:
Explore the best-value library & information science schools at other degree levels:
View All Library & Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
