[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 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.
For return on investment in library & information science, no school beat University Of South Florida Main Campus this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Kentucky University earned it the #4 place for library & information science. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $51,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #5 place for library & information science. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Valdosta State University placed #6 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $44,126. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Old Dominion University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,001. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #8 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, 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. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #9 spot for library & information science value 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. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,962. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $52,004. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #10 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,992. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $57,702. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University landed the #11 spot for library & information science value this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $48,381 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
East Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for library & information science. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,747. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $50,867. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. 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, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #15 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,348. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $44,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama came in at #16 for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $44,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #17 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $45,622 early in their careers. 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 ranking is produced 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 · 22 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.
