[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 83 schools to find the best return on investment for library science students.
Finding the Best Value Library Science School for You
The right library science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Library Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Library Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Cuny Queens College tops our 2027 list of the best value library science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $12,157. Library Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,950 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in library science, landing the #2 spot this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #4 place for library science. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Library Science graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Library Science graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Palomar College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
Long Beach City College placed #6 among the best values for library science. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,544. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #7 position for value in library science this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #8 for value in library science this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $10,266. Library Science graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #9 among the best values for library science. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Library Science graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $31,514 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sacramento City College earned the #10 position for value in library science this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $13,180. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #11 spot for library science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Library Science graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for library science. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Library Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #13 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Spokane Falls Community College placed #14 among the best values for library science. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Falls Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,461 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Library Science graduates carry a median of $17,031 in student loans. Library Science graduates of Spokane Falls Community College earn a median of $34,901 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,031 median debt.
Fresno City College landed the #15 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #16 for value in library science this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $69,347. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #17 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dominican University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,828. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $26,236. Library Science graduates of Dominican University earn a median of $47,396 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University placed #19 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,211. Early-career library science graduates make about $58,543. That is a strong return on a $24,211 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $44,126. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #21 among the best values for library science. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Library Science graduates carry a median of $23,146 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,458. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #22 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $51,244. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #23 spot for library science value this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $23,796. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $60,756. Set against $23,796 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Capital Community College landed the #24 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #25 among the best values for library science. Set in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,888 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Library Science graduates carry a median of $34,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Maine At Augusta generally make around $45,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Library Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in library science:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 ranked schools only.
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).
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong library science education at a price that pays off.
