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

49 Ranked Colleges
4,863 Degrees Awarded
$24,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Library 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 was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Library & Information Science is the 124th most popular major in the country with 5,403 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, library and information science graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $41,496 and had an average of $36,654 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,863 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Library 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the library and information science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Library & Information Science Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library 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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 54 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

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

#2

Queens College

Queens, New York

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 Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Queens, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 117 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, QC has also earned the #12 rank 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 Queens College are $21,042.

Read more about Library & Information Science at QC

Out of the 49 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 84 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Library & Information Science at UW - Madison

#4

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Maryland - College Park. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Maryland - College Park is a public institution located in College Park, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 86 masters’s degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Maryland - College Park

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 119 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #11 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 UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library 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 science degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Library & Information Science Report

Texas Woman’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 187 masters’s library science degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at Texas Woman’s University

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

UNT also took the #22 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at UNT

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 45 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CU Anschutz are $23,915.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

#11

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State University are $21,439.

Read more about Library & Information Science at Appalachian State University

#12

San Jose State University

San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school awarded 566 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, San Jose State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Jose State University are $18,790, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#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 Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNI is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

UNI also took the #0 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Northern Iowa

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 58 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Sam Houston State University Library & Information Science Report

#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 Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 135 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNC Greensboro Library & Information Science Report

#16

Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Rutgers University - New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 167 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rutgers New Brunswick, the school also landed the #4 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 Rutgers New Brunswick are $32,132.

Full Rutgers University - New Brunswick Library & Information Science Report

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. UT Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 100 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Knoxville, the school also landed the #23 spot 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 more about Library & Information Science at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 103 diplomas to qualified masters’s library science students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Library & Information Science Report

#19

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 83 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Carolina University are $20,685, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full East Carolina University Library & Information Science Report

#20

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ESU is a medium-sized school located in Emporia, Kansas that handed out 148 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, ESU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ESU are $22,058, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at ESU

#21

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. UH Manoa is located in Honolulu, Hawaii and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

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

University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 116 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree library science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #9 rank 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Library & Information Science at University of South Carolina - Columbia

With a ranking of #23, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 science degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College 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

University of Rhode Island ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kingston, Rhode Island is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 33 students 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.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at URI

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Commerce, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s library science degrees to 51 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549.

Full Texas A&M 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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