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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science

66 Ranked Colleges
5,378 Degrees Awarded
$43,942 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Library Science Major

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Library & Information Science is the 121st most popular major in the country with 5,950 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, library and information science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $43,949 and had an average of $27,472 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 5,378 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,425 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major” ranking looked at 66 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in library and information science. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in library and information science.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree library science students.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science

1

Out of the 66 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Clarion University is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 159 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

2
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Simmons University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 252 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Simmons University Library & Information Science Report

3
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emporia State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 162 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at ESU

4
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Dominican University
River Forest, Illinois

Out of the 66 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Dominican University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 62 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Dominican U

5
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend San Jose State University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 631 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at San Jose State University

6

Texas Woman’s University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 238 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Full TWU Library & Information Science Report

7
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

North Carolina Central University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Library & Information Science at North Carolina Central University

8
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Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia

Valdosta State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. Located in Valdosta, Georgia, this fairly large public school awarded 120 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2020-2021.

Full VSU Library & Information Science Report

9

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking, coming in at #9. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 194 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

10

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking, coming in at #10. UNC Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 128 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UNC Greensboro

11
Pratt Institute crest
Pratt Institute - Main
Brooklyn, New York

Pratt Institute - Main ranked #11 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Brooklyn, New York, and it awarded 36 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Pratt Institute Library & Information Science Report

12

Kent State University at Kent came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 173 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Kent State

13

University of North Texas landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. University of North Texas is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 252 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UNT

14
St. Kate's crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

St Catherine University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. St Catherine University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It awarded 33 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at St Catherine University

15
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Catholic University of America
Washington, District of Columbia

Catholic University of America ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 36 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Catholic University of America

16
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Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #16, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 142 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Wayne State University

17
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

With a ranking of #17, Queens College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 94 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at QC

18
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. University of Southern Mississippi is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 67 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

Full Southern Miss Library & Information Science Report

19
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, New York

Syracuse University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. Syracuse University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Syracuse, New York. It awarded 119 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full Syracuse Library & Information Science Report

20

With a ranking of #20, Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. Texas A&M University - Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 54 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Texas A&M Commerce Library & Information Science Report

21
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking. Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a large public school situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It awarded 194 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

22

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

23
LIU Post crest
LIU Post
Brookville, New York

With a ranking of #23, LIU Post did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. LIU Post is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Brookville, New York. It awarded 46 masters’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at LIU Post

24

With a ranking of #24, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major list. Sam Houston State University is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 66 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

Full Sam Houston State University Library & Information Science Report

25
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Library Science Major ranking, coming in at #25. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UK

Notes and References

References

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