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2026 Best Value Library Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in library science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Library Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Queens College the best value for a degree in library science in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $57,950. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,829. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #3 makes Texas Womans University one of the best values for library science. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Library Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $54,651 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $63,005. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,185. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in library science this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Library Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #8 for value in library science this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $16,481. 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. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University came in at #9 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #10 spot for library science value this year. 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. Early-career library science graduates make about $60,756. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Chicago State University earned the #11 position for value in library science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, with out-of-state students paying around $12,757. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $43,322. Early-career library science graduates make about $47,477. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Western Kentucky University landed the #12 spot for library science value 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, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $51,244. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #13 for value in library science this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $23,146. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University earned the #14 position for value in library science this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $23,465 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $50,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $46,127. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Northern Iowa landed the #21 spot for library science value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,635 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #22 spot for library science value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $20,836. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #23 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #24 spot for library science value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library 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.
Dominican University placed #25 among the best values for library science. Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Library Science graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Dominican University generally make around $47,396. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Library Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for library science this year:
Other Library Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value library science schools at other degree levels: