2027 Best Value Library Science Master’s Degree Schools
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value library science schools.
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2027 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
Cuny Queens College tops our 2027 list of the best value library science schools in the United States. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $12,157. Early-career library science graduates make about $57,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $47,748. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #3. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,659. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $51,407. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $26,582. Library Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $69,347 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #6 spot for library science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Dominican University earned the #7 position for value in library science this year. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Library Science graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $47,396. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Womans University placed #8 among the best values for library science. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,211. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $54,651. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Valdosta State University came in at #9 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,126. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $23,146. Early-career library science graduates make about $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Western Kentucky University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Library Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $51,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #12 position for value in library science this year. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $23,796 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $60,756. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
San Jose State University came in at #13 for value in library science this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $16,481. Library Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Old Dominion University placed #15 among the best values for library science. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Library Science graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University landed the #16 spot for library science value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $45,679 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Chicago State University came in at #17 for value in library science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $43,322. Library Science graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $47,477 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University landed the #18 spot for library science value this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $23,465. Library Science graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $50,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #19 position for value in library science this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $20,836. Early-career library science graduates make about $54,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #21 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $53,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #22 spot for library science value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $46,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #23 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $44,702. Set against $26,657 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Central Missouri landed the #24 spot for library science value this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,304 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $46,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,100. Early-career library science graduates make about $63,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Library Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for library science this year:
Other Library Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Library Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Library Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 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.
