2026 Best Value Library Science Schools

1

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

For return on investment in library science, no school beat Cuny Queens College this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Library Science graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $57,950. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

2

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #2 spot this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

3

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

A rank of #3 makes Central Carolina Community College one of the best values for library science. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Fresno City College
Fresno, CA

A rank of #4 makes Fresno City College one of the best values for library science. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College earned the #6 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College landed the #7 spot for library science value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #8 for value in library science this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $31,514. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

Palomar College earned the #9 position for value in library science this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.

10

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $10,332. Library Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Library Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Library Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $45,659 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

12

Spokane Falls Community College
Spokane, WA

Spokane Falls Community College placed #12 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $17,031. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Spokane Falls Community College generally make around $34,901. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt.

13

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Library Science graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CA

San Bernardino Valley College landed the #14 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $4,528. Library Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Library Science graduates of San Bernardino Valley College earn a median of $69,642 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.

15

Texas Womans University
Denton, TX

Texas Womans University landed the #15 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,211 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $58,543. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Houston Clear Lake
Houston, TX

University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #16 among the best values for library science. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,100. Early-career library science graduates make about $63,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #17 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $45,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

18

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #18 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

19

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for library science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $16,097. Early-career library science graduates make about $51,407. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #20 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

21

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #21 position for value in library science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

22

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #22 among the best values for library science. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, library 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. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Chicago State University
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University landed the #23 spot for library science value 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 science graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

24

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University came in at #24 for value in library 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,499. Library 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. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

25

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #25 spot for library science value this year. 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, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,783. Early-career library science graduates make about $25,054. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.