Library & Information Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for library & information science students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Library & Information Science School
Where you study library & information science matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Library & Information Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Library & Information Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Library & Information Science Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Library & Information Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Library & Information Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the library & information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Rutgers University New Brunswick tops our 2027 ranking of the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 139 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $54,330 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Rutgers University New Brunswick
San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 831 library & information science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Read more about the library & information science program at San Jose State University
University Of Southern California came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 14 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Southern California earn around $52,828 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Southern California
Illinois State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 13 library & information science degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library & information science program at Illinois State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 141 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $48,752. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Maryland College Park placed #6 among the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 95 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best library & information science schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 93 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $44,787 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $47,748 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Syracuse University placed #9 among the best library & information science schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 111 library & information science degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from Syracuse University earn around $44,225 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Syracuse University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #10 among the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 76 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $45,466 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Missouri Columbia
Simmons College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Simmons College graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 128 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Simmons College in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $46,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,740.
See the full library & information science program report for Simmons College
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for library & information science this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 297 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $53,934 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of North Texas
University Of Rhode Island placed #13 among the best library & information science schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 74 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,709. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Rhode Island
Old Dominion University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Old Dominion University awarded about 128 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Old Dominion University
Appalachian State University placed #15 among the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 34 library & information science degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $57,702 early in their careers. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for Appalachian State University
Cuny Queens College landed the #16 spot for library & information science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 88 library & information science degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157.
See the full library & information science program report for Cuny Queens College
University At Buffalo came in at #17 for library & information science this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University At Buffalo awarded about 113 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $50,173 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for University At Buffalo
University Of Iowa ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 66 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Iowa earn around $52,881 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Iowa
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #19 spot for library & information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 219 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $45,622 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Denver placed #20 among the best library & information science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Denver earn around $47,594 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Denver
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 library & information science degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
University Of New Haven came in at #22 for library & information science this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 61 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Haven in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $49,615 in their early career. University Of New Haven graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of New Haven
University Of Arizona ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best library & information science schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 93 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $46,021. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Arizona
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #24 position for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 18 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Northern Iowa earn around $46,054 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,635.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Northern Iowa
Indiana University Bloomington placed #25 among the best library & information science schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 59 library & information science degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $45,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542.
Get the full library & information science details for Indiana University Bloomington
Rest of the Top 50 Library & Information Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for library & information science this year:
Library & Information Science Related Rankings by Major
Library & Information Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 65 schools evaluated.
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).
