[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 86 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value library & information science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library & information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha tops our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,783. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Mississippi earned it the #2 place for library & information science. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,937 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $43,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of Maine At Augusta, which ranked #3. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $34,536. 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.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $59,844. That is a strong return on a $24,660 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at Ashford University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $35,813. Library & Information Science graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $29,163 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Explore the best-value library & information science schools at other degree levels:
View All Library & Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 86 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
