[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/library-and-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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 Nebraska At Omaha tops our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $25,054. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #2. 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. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of Central Missouri, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,099. That is a strong return on a $24,304 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
A rank of #4 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for library & information science. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $47,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #5 place for library & information science. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,466. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Iowa placed #6 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $52,881. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Catherine University earned the #7 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,428. Students borrow a median of $29,883 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 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.
