by our College Data Analytics TeamLibrary Science majors study the science of information: they learn how to classify, catalog, store and retrieve vast amounts of data. A major in this field of study can be very valuable in the information age. How do you know if the information that is found is reliable and accurate? What type of resource is acceptable for a research paper? Librarians are the people we turn to for answers to these questions.
In your Library Science courses you will deal with many types of media such as books, academic journals, data bases, magazines, newspapers, and websites. Your classes will teach you how to catalogue and classify materials, analyze literature, conduct and write research papers, and develop databases of information.
A major in Library Science covers Library Science. Instructional Programs That Focus On The Knowledge And Skills Required For Managing And/or Maintaining Libraries And Related Information And Record Systems, Collections And Facilities For Research And General Use. Read on to learn the essential details every library science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering library science programs.
In the U.S., library science is a widely-pursued major, with 7,042 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Library Science Schools ranking analyzes these 101 schools to determine the best overall colleges for library science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of library science programs later in this article.
Studies in Library Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations library science graduates commonly enter.
If your end goal is becoming a librarian you should be prepared to work with all different types of people. Being patient and caring will help you as you assist everyone from young children to retired adults find the books or information they are looking for.
Librarian Science majors should also be comfortable working with technology. Librarians need to be constantly learning and adapting to changes in technology. Data bases will become more advanced and online resources more adept. Librarians should be able to determine which websites are academically accurate and which ones can be ignored.
Librarians are organized, creative and detail oriented. Be ready to think of new ways to find information, as well as design displays and run programs to generate interest in the library. You will develop advanced communication skills in writing, reading, and speaking.
Skills emphasized by a library science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a library science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several library science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 35 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 177 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 110 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 6,686 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to library science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 32.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 23.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 6.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 2.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.8% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in library science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
In order to become a certified librarian you must obtain your Masters in Library Science. Librarians are found in elementary school, college and public libraries, but also work for law firms, scientific industries and government agencies. You may become a library technician without a master's degree, but the pay is not as high.
Competition for librarian jobs is high. Due to funding cuts, libraries are reducing staff size and cutting back on hours of operation. Specializing in research may give you an advantage over other applicants for jobs in college libraries or in fields like market research. Other students may choose to pursue other careers in education, law, politics or government work.
A degree in library science prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to library science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to library science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Archivists | 1,193,221 | 1.6% |
| Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,167,030 | 8.0% |
| Library Technicians | 663,965 | -2.6% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | 298,768 | 9.4% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of library science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $48,696 |
| 4 years | $51,904 |
| 5 years | $57,387 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for library science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers library science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,332 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
With 101 different library science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased library science school rankings to help you.
Students interested in library science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Library Science and Administration | 6,432 |
| Library and Archives Assisting | 465 |
| Library Science, Other | 145 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
