by our College Data Analytics Team
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value library science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in library science, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Library Science graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Library Science graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sacramento City College earned it the #4 place for library science. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at Long Beach City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the library science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Palomar College landed the #6 spot for library science value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #7 for value in library science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Spokane Falls Community College came in at #8 for value in library science this year. Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Spokane. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,031 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 early in their careers. Set against $17,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Bernardino Valley College came in at #9 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,196, compared with $4,528 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $19,500. Early-career library science graduates make about $69,642. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt.
Cuesta College landed the #10 spot for library science value this year. Set in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,350, with out-of-state students paying around $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #11 for value in library science this year. 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, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Library Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #12 spot for library science value this year. 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. Library Science graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $49,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University earned the #13 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, 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%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #14 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $16,097. Early-career library science graduates make about $51,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Ashford University earned the #15 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. Library Science graduates carry a median of $35,813 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $29,163. That is a strong return on a $35,813 median debt.
University Of Southern California landed the #16 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Library Science graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Library Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $52,828 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 10%.
This list is compiled 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.