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2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid

49 Ranked Colleges
5,950 Degrees Awarded
$14,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 49 colleges that offer a degree in library and information science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great library and information science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the library and information science program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Library & Information Science (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid. QC is located in Queens, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 94 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

QC also took the #10 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Queens College is $3,469 for library science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 QC

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 54 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for library science students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UNC Chapel Hill

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 122 ’s library science degrees 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 estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Library Science students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

4

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 347 diplomas to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

TWU also made our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Texas Woman’s University is $9,684 for library science students with aid.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Texas Woman’s University

5
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend San Jose State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 648 students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for Library Science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Library & Information Science at San Jose State

6

University of Maryland - College Park landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. College Park, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 103 students in 2020-2021.

UMCP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UMCP is $18,048 for Library Science students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at UMCP

7
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large public school situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It awarded 194 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rutgers New Brunswick, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rutgers New Brunswick is $23,035 for library science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Rutgers University - New Brunswick Library & Information Science Report

8

Emporia State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Emporia State University is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 165 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students with aid list, ESU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $14,794 for library science students with aid.

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 more about Library & Information Science at ESU

9

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 58 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students with aid list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $14,619 for library science students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Indiana University - Bloomington

10

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 90 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $17,234 for library science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Wisconsin - Madison

11

With a ranking of #11, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 314 students in 2020-2021.

UNT also took the #22 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,122 for Library Science students with aid per year to attend UNT.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Texas Library & Information Science Report

12

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for Library Science students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at USF Tampa

13
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. ECU is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 79 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $16,550 for library science students with aid.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at ECU

14
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 169 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” list. It costs about $13,962 for Library Science students with aid per year to attend Wayne State.

Full Wayne State Library & Information Science Report

15
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,989 for library science students with aid per year to attend Appalachian State University.

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%. 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 full report on Library & Information Science at Appalachian State

16

Northeastern State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. NSU is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,094 for Library Science students with aid per year to attend NSU.

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

17
18

Sam Houston State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sam Houston State University is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SHSU is $15,035 for library science students with aid.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at SHSU

19
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 33 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa also took the #18 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $19,401 for library science students with aid per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 88%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Iowa

20

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 34 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CU Anschutz is $14,470 for library science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%.

Full University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Library & Information Science Report

21

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 128 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,629 for library science students with aid per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

22
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 92 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,358 for library science students with aid per year to attend University of Arizona.

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 Arizona

23

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school handed out 102 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students with aid list, Louisiana State University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $17,811 for library science students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Louisiana State University

24
University at Buffalo crest
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

University at Buffalo ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Buffalo, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University at Buffalo is $19,262 for Library Science students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full University at Buffalo Library & Information Science Report

25

Texas A&M University - Commerce landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 54 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - Commerce is $13,515 for library science students with aid.

Full Texas A&M Commerce Library & Information Science Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

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