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2027 Best Library Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

11 Colleges in the United States
897 Library Science Degrees Awarded
$43,777 Avg Early-Career Salary

Library Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall library science education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Library Science

1

Illinois State University tops our 2027 ranking of the best library science schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 library science degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $49,660 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from Illinois State University

2

Students looking for a strong library science program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 93 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison 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. Read more about the library science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

3

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. 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. About 59 library science degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent 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. Read more about the library science program at Indiana University Bloomington

4
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University graduates 55% of students within six years. Dominican University awarded about 113 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $47,396. Typical student debt for the program is $26,236. More information about a degree in library science from Dominican University

5

Students looking for a strong library science program will find one at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #5. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 165 library science students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $42,458 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Get the full library science details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

6

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. About 145 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $44,702. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

7

Wayne State University placed #7 among the best library science schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 120 library science students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $44,885. Typical student debt for the program is $26,689. More information about a degree in library science from Wayne State University

8
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #8 for library science this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. There were roughly 32 library science students who graduated with this degree at College Of Dupage in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from College Of Dupage earn around $31,514 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in library science from College Of Dupage

9

Kent State University At Kent earned the #9 position for library science this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 107 library science degrees in the most recent data 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. Read more about the library science program at Kent State University At Kent

10
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College landed the #10 spot for library science this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Oakland Community College awarded about 20 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $43,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in library science from Oakland Community College

11

Chicago State University earned the #11 position for library science this year. Chicago State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. About 16% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 library science students who graduated with this degree at Chicago State University in the most recent data 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

Narrow Library Science Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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