2026 Best Value Library & Information Science Schools

1

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for library & information science in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $12,157. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $57,950. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

2

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,829. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $58,543. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library & information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $21,100. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Houston Clear Lake generally make around $63,005. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.

5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #6 among the best values for library & information science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

7

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for library & information science value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $16,481. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.

9

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #9 for value in library & information science this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,796. Library & Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $60,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #10 for value in library & information science this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $51,244. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,754, compared with $12,757 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $43,322. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,477. That is a strong return on a $43,322 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #12 among the best values for library & information science. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $25,054. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

13

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #13 among the best values for library & information science. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

14

Northeastern State University
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,465 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $50,973. That is a strong return on a $23,465 median debt. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.

15

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University placed #15 among the best values for library & information science. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $46,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #16 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Students borrow a median of $34,536 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University came in at #17 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

18

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #18 spot for library & information science value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $53,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

19

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #19 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $49,101. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

20

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

21

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #21 for value in library & information science this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,937. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $43,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

22

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #22 for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $22,635. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #23 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

24

Trevecca Nazarene University
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.

25

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #25 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $45,031. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.