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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science

48 Ranked Colleges
4,863 Degrees Awarded
$21,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master's

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Library & Information Science is the 124th most popular major in the country with 5,403 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, library and information science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $41,496 and had an average of $36,654 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,863 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s” ranking looked at 48 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Library & Information Science Schools

The library science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Woman’s University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 187 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Texas Woman’s University

#2

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Simmons University landed the #2 spot on the list. Simmons University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 272 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Simmons not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Simmons are $21,698, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Simmons

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. University of North Texas is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 258 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Texas Library & Information Science Report

#4

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emporia State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 148 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

ESU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emporia State University are $22,058.

Read more about Library & Information Science at ESU

#5

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. Clarion, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 164 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Clarion University are $13,862, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

#6

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #6. San Jose State is a public institution located in San Jose, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 566 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790.

Full San Jose State Library & Information Science Report

#7

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 83 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at ECU

#8

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 63 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican University are $20,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Dominican University

#9

Queens College

Queens, New York

Queens College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Queens, New York, and it awarded 117 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at QC, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at QC are $21,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full QC Library & Information Science Report

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 84 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library science students list, UW - Madison has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Library & Information Science Report

#11

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #11. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704.

Read more about Library & Information Science at SHSU

#12

LIU Post

Brookville, New York

LIU Post came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. Brookville, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at LIU Post, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at LIU Post are $23,479, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full LIU Post Library & Information Science Report

#13

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 86 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMCP, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UMCP

#14

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #14. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 54 students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#15

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #15. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 34 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400.

Read more about Library & Information Science at St. Kate’s

#16

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

With a ranking of #16, Northeastern State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $10,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 72 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Oklahoma

#18

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina

With a ranking of #18, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 116 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#19

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UCM

#20

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York

With a ranking of #20, University at Buffalo did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. University at Buffalo is a large public school situated in Buffalo, New York. It awarded 40 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

University at Buffalo also took the #16 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University at Buffalo are $26,028, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University at Buffalo

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. This fairly large school is located in Commerce, Texas, and it awarded 51 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549.

Full Texas A&M University - Commerce Library & Information Science Report

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #22. CU Anschutz is a large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 45 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CU Anschutz are $23,915.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at CU Anschutz

#23

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. Iowa City, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Iowa are $27,613.

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

Kent State University at Kent landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 200 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Kent State

#25

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s list. Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a large public school situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It awarded 167 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library science students list, Rutgers New Brunswick has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers New Brunswick are $32,132.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Rutgers New Brunswick

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Diliff.

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