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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Library Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

1 Colleges in the United States
399 Library Science Degrees Awarded
$44,178 Avg Early-Career Salary

Library Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for library science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Library Science in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the library science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Library Science

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Missouri Columbia this year for library science. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 83 library science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $45,466. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. Read more about the library science program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Students looking for a strong library science program will find one at University Of Iowa, which ranked #2. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. About 57 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Library Science graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $52,881 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Iowa

3

University Of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in library science, ranking #3. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students 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. Graduates of the library science program make about $46,054 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. More information about a degree in library science from University Of Northern Iowa

4

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 library science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $25,054. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete this degree. See the full library science program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

5

Emporia State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best library science schools. Set in the town of Emporia, Emporia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 163 library science students who graduated with this degree at Emporia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Emporia State University generally make around $47,440. Students borrow a median of $23,131 to complete this degree. Read more about the library science program at Emporia State University

6

University Of Central Missouri came in at #6 for library science this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 27 library science degrees were awarded at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent year. Graduates of the library science program make about $46,099 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,304. Get the full library science details for University Of Central Missouri

7
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University placed #7 among the best library science schools. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 library science students who graduated with this degree at St Catherine University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their library science degree from St Catherine University earn around $46,254 in the first couple years of their career. St Catherine University graduates carry a median of $29,883 in student loans. See the full library science program report for St Catherine University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 13 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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