Library & Information Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their library & information science programs.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best library & information science schools.
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If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the library & information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Columbia, our #1 school for library & information science. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 83 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $45,466 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for library & information science. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 57 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $52,881 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Iowa
University Of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library & information science, ranking #3. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 23 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete this degree.
Get the full library & information science details for University Of Northern Iowa
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the top schools for library & information science. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Nebraska At Omaha awarded about 17 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn around $25,054 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Emporia State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Emporia. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Emporia State University awarded about 162 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from Emporia State University earn around $47,440 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete this degree.
See the full library & information science program report for Emporia State University
University Of Central Missouri earned the #6 position for library & information science this year. This large public university is located in the town of Warrensburg. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 27 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $46,099. Typical student debt for the program is $24,304.
See the full library & information science program report for University Of Central Missouri
St Catherine University earned the #7 position for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. St Catherine University awarded about 29 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from St Catherine University earn around $46,254 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,883.
Get the full library & information science details for St Catherine University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 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.