2026 Best Value School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist Schools

1

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

For return on investment in school librarian/school library media specialist, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $67,212. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

2

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Students looking for strong value in school librarian/school library media specialist will find it at Murray State University, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $47,734. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

3

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school librarian/school library media specialist, landing the #3 spot this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $19,750. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $44,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

4

Valley City State University
Valley City, ND

Students looking for strong value in school librarian/school library media specialist will find it at Valley City State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,394 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $51,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.

5

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in school librarian/school library media specialist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

6

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $21,840 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $49,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.

7

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University placed #7 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,040 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $51,154. That is a strong return on a $28,040 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

8

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #8 among the best values for school librarian/school library media specialist. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,864, with out-of-state students paying around $19,652. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,962 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

9

Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University landed the #9 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $30,795. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $43,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.

10

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri came in at #10 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $25,741. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $37,460. Set against $25,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of West Georgia
Carrollton, GA

University Of West Georgia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $50,413. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

12

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $23,102. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

13

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,960, while out-of-state students pay about $15,690. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus generally make around $44,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

14

William Paterson University Of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $31,000. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.

15

Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the school librarian/school library media specialist program here. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $41,063. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

16

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University landed the #16 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $27,000. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $59,390. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield earned the #17 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $30,294 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $39,237 early in their careers. Set against $30,294 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

18

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine earned the #18 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $42,428. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

19

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #19 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $23,521. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $54,318 early in their careers. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

20

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $26,082 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

Georgia College And State University
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College And State University landed the #21 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,512. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $52,718. That is a strong return on a $24,412 median debt. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.

22

Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University earned the #22 position for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $48,197 early in their careers. Set against $32,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

23

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #23 for value in school librarian/school library media specialist this year. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, school librarian/school library media specialist degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $47,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

24

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value school librarian/school library media specialist schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for school librarian/school library media specialist graduates is $26,750. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $47,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

25

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University landed the #25 spot for school librarian/school library media specialist value this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,458. School Librarian/school Library Media Specialist graduates carry a median of $25,656 in student loans. Early-career school librarian/school library media specialist graduates make about $58,302. That is a strong return on a $25,656 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.