2027 Best Library Science Master’s Degree Schools
Library Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 62 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 United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in library science, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Library Science
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in library science. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 library science degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $51,407. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at 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. Students who receive their library science degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $54,330 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete this degree.
Get the full library science details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
San Jose State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 812 library science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full library science program report for San Jose State University
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library science, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,828. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Read more about the library science program at University Of Southern California
University Of Maryland College Park is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library science, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. 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. Graduates of the library science program make about $54,763 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for library science this year. 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. About 158 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $48,752 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
See the full library science program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best library science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 93 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $44,787 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 70 library science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $47,748 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117.
See the full library science program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Syracuse University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 111 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Syracuse University earn around $44,225 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130.
Read more about the library science program at Syracuse University
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #10 for library science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 76 library science degrees 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.
Read more about the library science program at University Of Missouri Columbia
Simmons College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 280 library science degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from Simmons College earn around $46,140 in the first couple years of their career. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at Simmons College
University Of Rhode Island ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 74 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $47,709 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree.
See the full library science program report for University Of Rhode Island
University Of North Texas earned the #13 position for library science this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Texas awarded about 274 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of North Texas earn around $53,186 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of North Texas
Old Dominion University placed #14 among the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. About 46% of students finish within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 128 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete this degree.
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Appalachian State University placed #15 among the best library science schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Appalachian State University awarded about 34 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Appalachian State University earn around $57,702 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,992.
See the full library science program report for Appalachian State University
Cuny Queens College landed the #16 spot for library science this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 90 library science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157.
See the full library science program report for Cuny Queens College
University At Buffalo landed the #17 spot for library science this year. 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. University At Buffalo awarded about 112 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,173. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from University At Buffalo
University Of Denver placed #18 among the best library science schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 83 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $47,594. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at University Of Denver
University Of Iowa placed #19 among the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 87 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $52,881 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Iowa
University Of New Haven came in at #20 for library science this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of New Haven awarded about 61 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of New Haven earn around $49,615 in the first couple years of their career. University Of New Haven graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of New Haven
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #21 position for library science this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 145 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $45,622 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans.
Read more about the library science program at University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Northern Iowa placed #22 among the best library science schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $46,054 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,635.
More information about a degree in library science from University Of Northern Iowa
Indiana University Bloomington placed #23 among the best library science schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. About 57 library science degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $45,031 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree.
Read more about the library science program at Indiana University Bloomington
Sam Houston State University came in at #24 for library science this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 33 library science students who graduated with this degree at Sam Houston State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $62,209 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850.
More information about a degree in library science from Sam Houston State University
The University Of Alabama earned the #25 position for library science this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 158 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $44,140 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496.
Get the full library science details for The University Of Alabama
Rest of the Top 50 Library Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong library science education:
Other Library Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Library Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Library Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 62 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.