[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best value for library & information science in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $25,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $46,099 early in their careers. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of Northern Iowa, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Emporia State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. 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.
St Catherine University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $29,883. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $46,254. That is a strong return on a $29,883 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,818. 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. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #7 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $52,881. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 7 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.
