2026 Best Library Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Library Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for library science students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Library Science in the Great Lakes Region
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.
Top Schools in Library Science
Leading the list is University Of Wisconsin Madison, our #1 school for library science. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 97 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,787 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Students looking for a strong library science program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #2. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 56 library science students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $45,031 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
See the full library science program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Dominican University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #3 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of River Forest. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Dominican University awarded about 117 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $47,396 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from Dominican University
Wayne State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library science, ranking #4. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 150 library science degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from Wayne State University earn around $44,885 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,689.
Read more about the library science program at Wayne State University
College Of Dupage is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library science, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. College Of Dupage awarded about 35 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,514 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from College Of Dupage
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earned the #6 position for library science this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 158 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $44,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,657 to complete this degree.
See the full library science program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #7 spot for library science this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 145 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $42,458 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,146.
See the full library science program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Kent State University At Kent landed the #8 spot for library science this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. About 147 library science degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $40,429 in their early career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from Kent State University At Kent
Chicago State University placed #9 among the best library science schools. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. About 21 library science degrees were awarded at Chicago State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $47,477 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $43,322 to complete this degree.
See the full library science program report for Chicago State University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.