by our College Data Analytics Team
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value library science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in library science, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $7,234. Early-career library science graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for library science. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at Santa Ana College, which ranked #3. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $11,196. Library Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Sacramento City College one of the best values for library science. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $13,180. Library Science graduates of Sacramento City College earn a median of $46,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Long Beach City College one of the best values for library science. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the library science program here. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Palomar College placed #6 among the best values for library science. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #7 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Library Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #8 for value in library science this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, while out-of-state students pay about $4,528. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $19,500. Library Science graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuesta College landed the #9 spot for library science value this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the library science program here. 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.
San Jose State University placed #10 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $51,407. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $35,813. Library Science graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $29,163 early in their careers. Set against $35,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern California landed the #13 spot for library science value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $52,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.