by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 5,696 people earned their degree in library and information science, making the major the 134th most popular in the United States.
At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,220 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,425 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major” ranking, we looked at 66 colleges that offer a degree in library and information science. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their library and information science program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.
For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.
The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major”.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major. This small school is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 159 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
Full Clarion University of Pennsylvania Library & Information Science Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emporia State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 162 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dominican University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 62 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Library & Information Science at Dominican University
Out of the 66 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major that were part of this year’s ranking, San Jose State University landed the #4 spot on the list. San Jose State is located in San Jose, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 609 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Library & Information Science at San Jose State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Woman’s University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major. Texas Woman’s University is located in Denton, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 238 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.
With a ranking of #6, North Carolina Central University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 89 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
Read more about Library & Information Science at North Carolina Central University
With a ranking of #7, Simmons University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. Simmons is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 116 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read full report on Library & Information Science at Simmons
Valdosta State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. VSU is a public institution located in Valdosta, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 120 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Read more about Library & Information Science at Valdosta State University
With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 194 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Library & Information Science Report
University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 128 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Library & Information Science at UNC Greensboro
Pratt Institute - Main came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. Pratt Institute - Main is a private not-for-profit institution located in Brooklyn, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Library & Information Science at Pratt Institute
Kent State University at Kent ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 173 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
University of North Texas did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking, coming in at #13. UNT is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 252 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Library & Information Science at University of North Texas
St Catherine University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. St. Kate’s is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 33 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full St Catherine University Library & Information Science Report
Catholic University of America landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. Catholic University of America is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 36 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Wayne State University ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 142 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
Full Wayne State University Library & Information Science Report
Queens College did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 94 degrees to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
University of Southern Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking, coming in at #18. University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 67 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Library & Information Science at Southern Miss
Syracuse University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. Located in Syracuse, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 119 diplomas to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Syracuse University Library & Information Science Report
Texas A&M University - Commerce landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. Texas A&M University - Commerce is a fairly large public school situated in Commerce, Texas. It awarded 54 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
Read full report on Library & Information Science at Texas A&M Commerce
Rutgers University - New Brunswick landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. Located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, this large public school handed out 194 degrees to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2020-2021.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Library & Information Science at Rutgers New Brunswick
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 106 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2020-2021.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Library & Information Science Report
LIU Post did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major ranking, coming in at #23. LIU Post is located in Brookville, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 46 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #25, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library and Information Science Major list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Kentucky
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
