[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library & information science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value library & information science schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library & information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among library & information science schools in the Southeast Region. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $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 North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,977. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at Valdosta State University, which ranked #3. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,126. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for library & information science. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $51,244. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University landed the #6 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #7 position for value in library & information science this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the library & information science program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 69%.
East Carolina University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $50,867. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina Central University landed the #9 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $31,173. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $48,381. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $52,004. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Appalachian State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $57,702. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kentucky landed the #12 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $39,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #13 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,400. That is a strong return on a $22,859 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #14 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $44,718 early in their careers. Set against $21,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #15 for value in library & information science this year. 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. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,937. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $43,862. Set against $24,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama earned the #16 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $44,140. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #17 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,537. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $45,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
