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2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

49 Ranked Colleges
4,730 Degrees Awarded
$24,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master's For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 5,191 people earned their degree in library and information science, making the major the 141st most popular in the United States.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,730 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 49 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in library and information science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great library and information science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the library and information science program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Library & Information Science Schools

The library and information science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $0-$30k)

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 54 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#2

Queens College

Queens, New York
#12 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Queens College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Queens College is a fairly large public school situated in Queens, New York. It awarded 117 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

QC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Queens College are $21,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Queens College

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 84 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Library & Information Science Report

#4

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Maryland - College Park. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 86 degrees to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2019-2020.

UMCP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at UMCP

#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 119 diplomas to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #11 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Library & Information Science Report

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 82 diplomas to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at USF Tampa

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#18 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 54 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at IU Bloomington

#17 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Denton, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 187 diplomas to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TWU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full TWU Library & Information Science Report

#22 in overall quality

University of North Texas landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Texas is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 258 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library and information science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNT has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UNT

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CU Anschutz are $23,915, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at CU Anschutz

#11

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 24 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State University are $21,439, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Appalachian State University

#12

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
#7 in overall quality

San Jose State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 550 students in 2019-2020.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State are $18,790, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at San Jose State

#13

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Iowa are $22,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Northern Iowa

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 58 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Sam Houston State University

#15

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 135 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Library & Information Science Report

#16

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Rutgers University - New Brunswick did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 167 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

Rutgers New Brunswick not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers University - New Brunswick are $32,132.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Rutgers New Brunswick

#23 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 100 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library and information science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Knoxville has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. IUPUI is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 103 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at IUPUI

#19

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

East Carolina University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library and information science degrees to 83 students in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at East Carolina University

#20

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas
#15 in overall quality

Emporia State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emporia State University is a public institution located in Emporia, Kansas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 148 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ESU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emporia State University are $22,058, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Emporia State University Library & Information Science Report

#21

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

With a ranking of #21, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this fairly large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UH Manoa

#22

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#9 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 116 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC also took the #9 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at UofSC

#21 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 masters’s library and information science degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University also took the #21 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

#24

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, Rhode Island

With a ranking of #24, University of Rhode Island did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Kingston, Rhode Island, and it awarded 33 masters’s library and information science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Rhode Island are $29,082.

Full URI Library & Information Science Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library and Information Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Commerce, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualified masters’s library and information science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M University - Commerce Library & Information Science Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Diliff.

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