[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/library-and-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment 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 Maine At Augusta earned the #1 spot for value among library & information science schools in the New England Region. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,536 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Connecticut State University earned it the #2 place for library & information science. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $59,844. Set against $24,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Simmons College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,740. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $46,140. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of New Haven came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of New Haven earn a median of $49,615 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,244 median debt. University Of New Haven admits about 60% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
