[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/library-and-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 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.
Our analysis ranked University Of South Florida Main Campus the best value for a degree in library & information science in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,829. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at Valdosta State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $44,126. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #5 place for library & information science. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $51,244. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University came in at #6 for value in library & information science this year. 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. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. 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. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $50,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #9 for value in library & information science this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $31,173. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $48,381. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #10 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,962. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #11 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $57,702 early in their careers. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kentucky landed the #12 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $39,315. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #13 for value in library & information science this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $22,859. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $45,400. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $44,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #15 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $24,937 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $43,862 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,937 median debt. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama earned the #16 position for value in library & information science this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $44,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #17 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,537 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $45,622. Set against $24,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
