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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Library Science Schools in the Southeast Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$23,269 Avg Student Debt
$52,614 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Library Science Badge [Library Science](/majors/library-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for library science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Library Science Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the library science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Library Science Schools

1

Central Carolina Community College earned the #1 spot for value among library science schools in the Southeast Region. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career library science graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #2 place for library science. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. 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. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the best values for library science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. 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. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

5
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $51,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

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6

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #6 for value in library science this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $22,754 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $46,127 early in their careers. Set against $22,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

7

Valdosta State University came in at #7 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Library Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8

Old Dominion University earned the #8 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #9 for value in library science this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,937 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $43,862. That is a strong return on a $24,937 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

10

Trevecca Nazarene University landed the #10 spot for library science value this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.

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11

Appalachian State University landed the #11 spot for library science value this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $57,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

12

North Carolina Central University came in at #12 for value in library science this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $48,381. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

13

East Carolina University placed #13 among the best values for library science. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,747. Library Science graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $50,867 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

14

University Of Central Arkansas ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Library Science graduates carry a median of $22,920 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $50,187. That is a strong return on a $22,920 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Kentucky earned the #15 position for value in library science this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $39,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

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16

The University Of Tennessee ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $22,859. Library Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #17 among the best values for library science. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $21,348. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $44,718. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

18

The University Of Alabama earned the #18 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $44,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #19 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,472. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,622. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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