[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 86 schools to find the best return on investment for library & information science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the library & information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in library & information science in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. 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. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at Texas Womans University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #4 place for library & information science. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the library & information science program here. 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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $15,117. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,748. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #7 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #8 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $16,481. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $48,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #9 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $60,756 early in their careers. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University placed #10 among the best values for library & information science. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $51,244. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Chicago State University placed #11 among the best values for library & information science. 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, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $43,322. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,477. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #12 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,146. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Northeastern State University landed the #13 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,465. Library & Information Science graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $50,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #14 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $22,754. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #15 for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas placed #16 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $53,186. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #17 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $49,101 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University landed the #18 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #19 among the best values for library & information science. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $24,937 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $43,862 early in their careers. Set against $24,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $22,635. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #22 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #23 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $45,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Dominican University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,236. Library & Information Science graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $47,396 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #25 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,689. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,679. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
These schools also delivered strong value for library & information science this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Library & Information Science rankings across degree levels:
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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 1 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.
