2026 Best Value Library & Information Science Schools

1

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College earned the #1 spot for value among library & information science schools in the United States. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,950. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

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. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. 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

A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of the best values for library & information science. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Library & Information Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $58,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $63,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #5 place for library & information science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,748. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #7 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,977. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,185. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #8 position for value in library & information science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

9

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete the library & information science program here. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $60,756. That is a strong return on a $23,796 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

10

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #10 spot for library & information science value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,499. Library & Information Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $51,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

11

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University came in at #11 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,754 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $43,322. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $47,477. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #12 for value in library & information science this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $25,054 early in their careers. 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. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. 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 placed #14 among the best values for library & information science. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. In-state tuition and fees average $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $50,973. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

15

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,754 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $46,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

16

University Of Maine At Augusta
Augusta, ME

University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $34,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $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. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library & information science program here. Library & Information Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #18 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $53,934. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.

19

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $49,101. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

20

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Library & Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,937 in student loans. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $43,862. Set against $24,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

21

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University earned the #21 position for value in library & information science this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa earned the #22 position for value in library & information science this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,054. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

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. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $20,836. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $54,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $24,962. Soon after graduation, library & information science degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

25

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #25 position for value in library & information science this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $45,031. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.