Library Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 83 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best library science schools.
The school you choose for library science can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Library Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Library Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Library Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the library science degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in library science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 51 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of California Los Angeles
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 139 library science students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $54,330. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from Rutgers University New Brunswick
San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library science, ranking #3. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 846 library science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full library science details for San Jose State University
University Of Southern California came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 14 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $52,828 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
Get the full library science details for University Of Southern California
Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Illinois State University awarded about 13 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $49,660 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree.
See the full library science program report for Illinois State University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #6 among the best library science schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 95 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best library science schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 158 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $48,752. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
See the full library science program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for library science this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 93 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,787 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,813.
Get the full library science details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #9 for library science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. About 70 library science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,748 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Syracuse University earned the #10 position for library science this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 111 library science degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from Syracuse University earn around $44,225 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree.
Get the full library science details for Syracuse University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #11 among the best library science schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,466. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Missouri Columbia
Simmons College came in at #12 for library science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 292 library science degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $46,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,740.
See the full library science program report for Simmons College
University Of North Texas came in at #13 for library science this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. University Of North Texas graduates 61% of students within six years. University Of North Texas awarded about 297 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $53,934. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of North Texas
University Of Rhode Island came in at #14 for library science this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 74 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $47,709. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432.
See the full library science program report for University Of Rhode Island
Old Dominion University earned the #15 position for library science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 128 library science students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Old Dominion University earn around $57,131 in the first couple years of their career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at Old Dominion University
Appalachian State University landed the #16 spot for library science this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 34 library science degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from Appalachian State University earn around $57,702 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library science program at Appalachian State University
Cuny Queens College placed #17 among the best library science schools. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny Queens College awarded about 90 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Cuny Queens College earn around $57,950 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157.
Get the full library science details for Cuny Queens College
University At Buffalo ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 113 library science students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from University At Buffalo earn around $50,173 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
Get the full library science details for University At Buffalo
University Of Iowa earned the #19 position for library science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 87 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $52,881. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Iowa
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #20 spot for library science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 219 library science degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $45,622 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans.
See the full library science program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Denver came in at #21 for library science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Denver. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 83 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of Denver earn around $47,594 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534.
Get the full library science details for University Of Denver
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for library science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 library science students who graduated with this degree at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $39,028 in their early career. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $26,867 in student loans.
See the full library science program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Pratt Institute Main earned the #23 position for library science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Brooklyn. Pratt Institute Main graduates 74% of students within six years. About 31 library science degrees were awarded at Pratt Institute Main in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $53,238 early in their careers. Pratt Institute Main graduates carry a median of $25,103 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from Pratt Institute Main
University Of New Haven placed #24 among the best library science schools. Set in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of New Haven graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 61 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Haven in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $49,615. University Of New Haven graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at University Of New Haven
University Of Arizona ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 93 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $46,021 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Arizona
Rest of the Top 50 Library Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong library science education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 83 schools evaluated.
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).
