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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Library Science Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
6,922 Library Science Degrees Awarded
$49,021 Avg Early-Career Salary

Library Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their library science programs.

College Factual analyzed 128 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best library science schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Library Science School

Best Library Science Schools

Where you study library science matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Library Science rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Library Science Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Library Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Library Science
Master's Degrees in Library Science
Doctoral Degrees in Library Science

We offer several rankings, including this Best Library Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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Best Schools for Library Science in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall library science education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Library Science

1

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in library science. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 73 library science degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Read more about the library science program at University Of California Los Angeles

2

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 144 library science students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $54,330 early in their careers. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from Rutgers University New Brunswick

3

Students looking for a strong library science program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 25 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $52,828. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Southern California

4

A rank of #4 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for library science. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 778 library science degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the library science program at San Jose State University

5

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $54,763. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. See the full library science program report for University Of Maryland College Park

6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #6 position for library science this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 134 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $48,752 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. Read more about the library science program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for library science this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 77 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117. More information about a degree in library science from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

8

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 97 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $44,787 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Wisconsin Madison

9
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 107 library science students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $44,225 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Read more about the library science program at Syracuse University

10

Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Cuny Queens College graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 library science students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Queens College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $57,950 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,157. Read more about the library science program at Cuny Queens College

11
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College placed #11 among the best library science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 277 library science students who graduated with this degree at Simmons College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $46,140. Students borrow a median of $26,740 to complete this degree. Read more about the library science program at Simmons College

12

University Of Rhode Island earned the #12 position for library science this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 55 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Library Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $47,709 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Rhode Island

13

University At Buffalo earned the #13 position for library science this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 132 library science students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $50,173. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from University At Buffalo

14

University Of Denver came in at #14 for library science this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 90 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Denver in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $47,594 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,534. See the full library science program report for University Of Denver

15

University Of North Texas earned the #15 position for library science this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 267 library science degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $53,934 in their early career. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from University Of North Texas

16

Pennsylvania Western University came in at #16 for library science this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 161 library science students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Get the full library science details for Pennsylvania Western University

17

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for library science this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 56 library science degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $45,031 in their early career. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from Indiana University Bloomington

18

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #18 spot for library science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 83 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $45,466 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Missouri Columbia

19

Sam Houston State University landed the #19 spot for library science this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 45 library science degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their library science degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $62,209 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850. Get the full library science details for Sam Houston State University

20

Appalachian State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Appalachian State University awarded about 38 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the library science program make about $57,702 in their early career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. See the full library science program report for Appalachian State University

21
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 57 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $52,881. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Iowa

22

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #22 among the best library science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 174 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $45,622 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in library science from University Of South Carolina Columbia

23

Catholic University Of America landed the #23 spot for library science this year. Set in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Catholic University Of America graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 library science students who graduated with this degree at Catholic University Of America in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from Catholic University Of America earn around $62,949 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,771 to complete this degree. Read more about the library science program at Catholic University Of America

24

Old Dominion University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 68 library science students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in library science from Old Dominion University

25

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #25 for library science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Typical student debt for the program is $22,635. Read more about the library science program at University Of Northern Iowa

Rest of the Top 50 Library Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong library science education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
37
38
Dominican University crest
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
39
40
41
42
43
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

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Library Science by Region

Explore the best library science schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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View All Rankings >

Library Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Library and Information Science 6,100
Library and Archives Assisting 401
Archives/Archival Administration 251
Library Science, Other 136
Children and Youth Library Services 34

View All Library Science Concentrations >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 128 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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