2022 Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 301 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,600 and $33,408 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 289 library and information science graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,438 and $39,783 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 5 colleges that offered a degree in library and information science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality library and information science programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 5 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#1

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa

$22,648 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

$45,696 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNI are $22,648.

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

#2

Emporia State University

Emporia, Kansas

#1 in overall quality

$22,058 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

$40,341 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 5 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Emporia State University landed the #2 spot on the list. Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 148 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

ESU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ESU are $22,058.

Full ESU Library & Information Science Report

#3

St Catherine University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

#3 in overall quality

$17,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

$46,407 Average Early-Career Earnings

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend St Catherine University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. St. Kate’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 34 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Kate’s, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at St Catherine University are $17,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Library & Information Science at St. Kate’s

#4

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa

#2 in overall quality

$27,613 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

$41,937 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 5 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 masters’s library science degrees to qualified students.

Iowa also took the #2 spot in our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Iowa are $27,613, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Iowa Library & Information Science Report

#5

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri

#4 in overall quality

$16,394 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

$41,565 Average Early-Career Earnings

Out of the 5 schools in the Best Value Library Science Schools for a Master’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Missouri landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Central Missouri is a medium-sized public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 22 masters’s library science degrees in 2019-2020.

UCM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Library & Information Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Missouri are $16,394.

Read full report on Library & Information Science at University of Central Missouri

• Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Library & Information Science (Income $30-$48k)

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.

Featured Library Science Schools

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More >