[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha tops our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,783. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $25,054 early in their careers. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. 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. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Emporia State University one of the best values for library & information science. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,440. Set against $23,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $29,883. Library & Information Science graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $46,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #6 position for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,466. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,463. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $52,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
