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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools

1 Colleges in the United States
5,595 Library & Information Science Degrees Awarded
$49,501 Avg Early-Career Salary

Library & Information 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.

College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best library & information science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Library & Information Science in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in library & information science, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Library & Information Science

1

Rutgers University New Brunswick tops our 2026 ranking of the best library & information science schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 144 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $54,330. Typical student debt for the program is $25,120. More information about a degree in library & information science from Rutgers University New Brunswick

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for library & information science. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 25 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,828. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. See the full library & information science program report for University Of Southern California

3

A rank of #3 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for library & information science. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 728 library & information science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. More information about a degree in library & information science from San Jose State University

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for library & information science. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 106 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree. See the full library & information science program report for University Of Maryland College Park

5

Students looking for a strong library & information science program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 126 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $48,752. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481. Get the full library & information science details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

6

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117. More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 97 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $44,787 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree. See the full library & information science program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

8
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University earned the #8 position for library & information science this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 107 library & information science degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $44,225 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,130. See the full library & information science program report for Syracuse University

9

Cuny Queens College landed the #9 spot for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. About 74 library & information science degrees were awarded at Cuny Queens College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,950. Cuny Queens College graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. More information about a degree in library & information science from Cuny Queens College

10
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College earned the #10 position for library & information science this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Simmons College awarded about 139 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $46,140 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,740. See the full library & information science program report for Simmons College

11

University Of Rhode Island landed the #11 spot for library & information science this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $47,709 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. See the full library & information science program report for University Of Rhode Island

12

University At Buffalo came in at #12 for library & information science this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 127 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University At Buffalo earn around $50,173 in the first couple years of their career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. See the full library & information science program report for University At Buffalo

13

University Of Denver landed the #13 spot for library & information science this year. 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. There were roughly 90 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library & information science degree from University Of Denver earn around $47,594 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Denver

14

Pennsylvania Western University placed #14 among the best library & information science schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 155 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in library & information science from Pennsylvania Western University

15

University Of North Texas came in at #15 for library & information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. University Of North Texas awarded about 238 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $53,186 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Get the full library & information science details for University Of North Texas

16

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best library & information science schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $45,031. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. See the full library & information science program report for Indiana University Bloomington

17

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #17 among the best library & information science schools. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $45,466 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. Get the full library & information science details for University Of Missouri Columbia

18

Sam Houston State University placed #18 among the best library & information science schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 library & information science degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information 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 & information science from Sam Houston State University

19

Appalachian State University earned the #19 position for library & information science this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 38 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $57,702. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. See the full library & information science program report for Appalachian State University

20
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #20 for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Iowa awarded about 48 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information 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 & information science from University Of Iowa

21

Catholic University Of America landed the #21 spot for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 23 library & information science students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $62,949 early in their careers. Catholic University Of America graduates carry a median of $25,771 in student loans. See the full library & information science program report for Catholic University Of America

22

Old Dominion University landed the #22 spot for library & information science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 68 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $57,131 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001. More information about a degree in library & information science from Old Dominion University

23

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #23 spot for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. About 146 library & information science degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the library & information science program make about $45,622 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete this degree. Get the full library & information science details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

24

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #24 for library & information science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Northern Iowa awarded about 23 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $46,054 early in their careers. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. More information about a degree in library & information science from University Of Northern Iowa

25

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #25 among the best library & information science schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 68 library & information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $41,490. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Get the full library & information science details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Library & Information Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong library & information science education:

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Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
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Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
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Other Library & Information Science Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Library & Information Science rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Library & Information Science
Associate's Degrees in Library & Information Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Library & Information Science
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View All Library & Information Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 81 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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