Library & Information Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their library & information science programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for library & information science students pursuing a degree.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall library & information science education in the Far Western Region.
University Of Southern California tops our 2026 ranking of the best library & information science schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 25 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Southern California earn around $52,828 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Southern California
San Jose State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 778 library & information science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Read more about the library & information science program at San Jose State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 126 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
Read more about the library & information science program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. About 17 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $49,101. Typical student debt for the program is $20,577.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Ashford University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Ashford University graduates 10% of students within six years. Ashford University awarded about 11 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $29,163. Students borrow a median of $35,813 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from Ashford University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.
- 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.
