[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value library & information science schools.
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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.
Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best value for library & information science in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $25,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Central Missouri is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,304. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $46,099 early in their careers. Set against $24,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in library & information science will find it at Emporia State University, which ranked #4. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, while out-of-state students pay about $15,419. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Emporia State University earn a median of $47,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. Emporia State University admits about 98% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Columbia earned it the #5 place for library & information science. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,818. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,466. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa came in at #6 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $52,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
St Catherine University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $46,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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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 · 8 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.
