2026 Best Value Library Science Associate’s Degree Schools
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 128 schools to find the best return on investment for library science students.
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2026 Best Value Library Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the library science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Library Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Carolina Community College the best value for a degree in library science in the United States. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $31,514. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at City College Of San Francisco, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Spokane Falls Community College one of the best values for library science. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Library Science graduates carry a median of $17,031 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $34,901. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College landed the #6 spot for library science value this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $19,500. Early-career library science graduates make about $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Cuesta College came in at #7 for value in library science this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $18,958. Library Science graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Library Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value library science schools at other degree levels:
View All Library Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 128 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
