2027 Best Value Library Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for library science students.
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2027 Best Value Library Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Oakland Community College earned the #1 spot for value among library science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Library Science graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at Dominican University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $47,396. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Dominican University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Chicago State University one of the best values for library science. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #6 spot for library science value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Library Science graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Library Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $44,885 early in their careers. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #7 position for value in library science this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $26,657. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $44,702. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $20,542. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for library science value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $44,787. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #10 position for value in library science this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Library Science graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #11 spot for library science value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,429 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
