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2023 Best Value Colleges for Library Science (Income $0-$30k)

47 Ranked Colleges
6,538 Degrees Awarded
$9,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 6,538 people earned their degree in library science, making the major the 35th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, library science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $43,990 and had an average of $24,604 in loans still to pay off.

For this year’s “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 47 colleges that offer a degree in library science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent library science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the library science program at the school. 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 “Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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.

Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Library Science (Income $0-$30k)

1
QC crest
Queens College
Queens, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Queens College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

QC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Library Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend QC is $1,344 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Library Science at Queens College

2

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #2 spot on the list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also took the #1 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $9,037 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library Science at UCLA

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Library Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, 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 95%.

Read full report on Library Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

4

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Maryland - College Park landed the #4 spot on the list. UMCP is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 104 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

UMCP also made our “Best Library Science Schools” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of Maryland - College Park is $6,067 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library Science at University of Maryland - College Park

5

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #5 spot on the list. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 90 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Library Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Library Science at University of Wisconsin - Madison

6

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library Science at IU Bloomington

7

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 128 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Library Science at UW Seattle

8

Texas Woman’s University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. TWU is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 347 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

TWU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,041 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas Woman’s University.

Full TWU Library Science Report

9
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

With a ranking of #9, San Jose State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 648 degrees to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at San Jose State, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,158 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend San Jose State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 San Jose State University Library Science Report

10
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and it awarded 194 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rutgers New Brunswick has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $14,935 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Rutgers New Brunswick.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Rutgers University - New Brunswick Library Science Report

11

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 98 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library Science at USF Tampa

12

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 102 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Library Science Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $11,318 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Library Science at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

13

With a ranking of #13, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s library science degrees to 314 students in 2020-2021.

UNT also made our “Best Library Science Schools” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend UNT is $6,387 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Library Science at UNT

14

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. UofSC is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC also made our “Best Library Science Schools” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $12,130 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

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 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Library Science at UofSC

15

Emporia State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 168 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ESU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ESU is $11,465 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full ESU Library Science Report

16

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 106 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Knoxville, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,433 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Science at UT Knoxville

17
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 27 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,354 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, 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 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State Library Science Report

18
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

With a ranking of #18, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 169 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wayne State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wayne State is $11,060 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Library Science at Wayne State University

19
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 36 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

USC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Library Science Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend USC is $17,287 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USC Library Science Report

20
University of Arizona crest
University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #20, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 92 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $8,987 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Science at University of Arizona

21
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 79 diplomas to qualified ’s library science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,260 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full East Carolina University Library Science Report

22

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CU Anschutz is $10,404 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CU Anschutz Library Science Report

23
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 33 ’s library science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Library Science Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,554 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 more about Library Science at University of Iowa

24
University at Buffalo crest
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York

University at Buffalo came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University at Buffalo is located in Buffalo, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s library science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University at Buffalo is $14,098 for Library Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Library Science at University at Buffalo

25

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Library Science Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $11,210 for library science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Library Science at Sam Houston State University

Notes and References

References

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