Library & Information Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools to find the best for library & information science students.
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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.
Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in library & information science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $52,828 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Southern California
San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 764 library & information science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in library & information science from San Jose State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 126 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $49,101. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at Ashford University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 10% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Ashford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $29,163 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,813.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Ashford University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
