[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 2026 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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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library & information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Maine At Augusta tops our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools in the New England Region. 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. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $34,536. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. Set against $34,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,432. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $47,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Connecticut State University earned it the #3 place for library & information science. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $24,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Simmons College one of the best values for library & information science. 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. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,140. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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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 · 5 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.
