[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/library-and-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value library & information science schools.
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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.
For return on investment in library & information science, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,950. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,211. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $54,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,748 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #6 for value in library & information science this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $45,185. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #7 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for library & information science value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the library & information science program here. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #9 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. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #10 position for value in library & information science this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $51,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University placed #11 among the best values for library & information science. 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. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $43,322. Library & Information Science graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #12 for value in library & information science this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #13 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $50,973. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #14 position for value in library & information science this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. 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. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Old Dominion University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,001. Library & Information Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #16 for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the library & information science program here. 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. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #17 for value in library & information science this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $49,101. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University earned the #18 position for value in library & information science this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $28,661. Library & Information Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $24,937 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $43,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #20 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. Set against $22,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #21 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #22 spot for library & information science value this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #23 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $45,031 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $47,396. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Wayne State University earned the #25 position for value in library & information science this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,689. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
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 ranking is produced 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 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.
