[Library & Information Science](/majors/library-science/library-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value library & information science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library & information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
University Of Maine At Augusta earned the #1 spot for value among library & information science schools in the New England Region. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. 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.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value library & information science schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $23,432. Library & Information Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $47,709 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Connecticut State University earned it the #3 place for library & information science. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,660 to complete the library & information science program here. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $59,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Simmons College earned it the #4 place for library & information science. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Typical student debt for library & information science graduates is $26,740. Early-career library & information science graduates make about $46,140. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
