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2023 Best Value Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $30-$48k)

49 Ranked Colleges
5,950 Degrees Awarded
$10,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 5,950 people earned their degree in library and information science, making the major the 121st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, library and information science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $43,949 and had an average of $27,472 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 49 colleges that offered a degree in library and information science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent library and information science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the library and information science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $30-$48k)

1
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Queens College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 94 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

QC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for QC is $3,524 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Queens College

2

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 54 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $5,729 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 90 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Wisconsin - Madison

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 122 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $6,399 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Library & Information Science Report

5

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 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 347 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

TWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $7,203 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend TWU.

Read more about Library & Information Science at TWU

6

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 58 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,061 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Indiana University - Bloomington

7

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school handed out 103 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $11,567 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UMCP.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMCP Library & Information Science Report

8
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 648 diplomas to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $13,378 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full San Jose State University Library & Information Science Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNT is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 314 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

UNT also took the #22 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,401 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Texas.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of North Texas

10

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 98 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,632 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Library & Information Science Report

11
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Rutgers New Brunswick is a public institution located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The school has a large population, and it awarded 194 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Rutgers New Brunswick did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rutgers New Brunswick is $15,182 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

12

With a ranking of #12, Emporia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emporia State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Emporia, Kansas. It awarded 165 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

ESU also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $12,971 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at ESU

13
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 169 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $11,414 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne State.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Wayne State

14
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 92 diplomas to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,160 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arizona.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Arizona

15

Northeastern State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. It awarded 13 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern State University is $8,315 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Northeastern State University

16

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Louisiana State University is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 102 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $15,403 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

17
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 79 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $13,029 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at East Carolina University

18
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 27 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $9,940 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State Library & Information Science Report

19
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Southern California is $17,345 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Southern California

20

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is $12,017 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

21

With a ranking of #21, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 121 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $16,404 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

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 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Library & Information Science Report

22

With a ranking of #22, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school handed out 66 diplomas to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,289 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sam Houston State University.

Read more about Library & Information Science at SHSU

23

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $13,970 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

24
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Library Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Iowa

25

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas A&M University - Commerce is a public institution located in Commerce, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 54 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,947 for library science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M Commerce.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Texas A&M University - Commerce

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