[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library & information science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for library & information science students.
Finding the Best Value Library & Information Science School for You
The library & information science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Library & Information Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Library & Information Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Cuny Queens College tops our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for library & information science. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of Colorado Denver, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $69,347. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,977. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,185. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dominican University came in at #6 for value in library & information science this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,236. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas Womans University earned the #7 position for value in library & information science this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $58,543. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University placed #8 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #9 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Valdosta State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $28,661. Library & Information Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #11 for value in library & information science this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $51,244. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $60,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #13 among the best values for library & information science. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $16,481. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $48,752. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Maine At Augusta earned the #14 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $34,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. That is a strong return on a $34,536 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $25,054 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #16 for value in library & information science this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,001. Library & Information Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University came in at #17 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,689. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $44,885. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Chicago State University landed the #18 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #19 position for value in library & information science this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,465. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $50,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #20 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $22,754. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #21 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of North Texas placed #22 among the best values for library & information science. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,817. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $53,934. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #23 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,481. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #24 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,657. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $44,702 early in their careers. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #25 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $63,005. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Library & Information Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s library & information science value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 ranked schools only.
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).
[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library & information science education at a price that pays off.
