[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library & information science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 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.
For return on investment in library & information science, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $57,950. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,748. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #3 place for library & information science. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the library & information science program here. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. 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. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $69,347. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #5 place for library & information science. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Dominican University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $47,396 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #7 for value in library & information science this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,211. Library & Information Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #8 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for value in library & information science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,146. 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. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #11 spot for library & information science value 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, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the library & information science program here. 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.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #12 position for value in library & information science this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $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 landed the #13 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $16,481. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #14 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library & information science program here. 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. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #15 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $45,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Chicago State University landed the #16 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $43,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chicago State University admits about 43% of applicants.
Northeastern State University came in at #17 for value in library & information science this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $50,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #18 position for value in library & information science this year. 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, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #19 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #20 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $53,186. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #21 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #22 for value in library & information science this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,005. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $44,702. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri placed #24 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,304 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $46,099. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #25 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. 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. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s library & information science value ranking:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Library & Information Science rankings across degree levels:
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Notes and References
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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 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.
