2027 Best Value Library Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Library Science](/majors/library-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value library science schools.
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2027 Best Value Library Science Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the library science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Library Science Schools
Central Carolina Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value library science schools in the Southeast Region. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Library Science graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. That is a strong return on a $10,266 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Library Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $45,659. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for library science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in library science will find it at Valdosta State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $44,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University placed #6 among the best values for library science. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the library science program here. Library Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $51,244 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $22,754. Library Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $46,127 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,754 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #9 spot for library science value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Library Science graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $50,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value library science schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $31,173. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $48,381. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Appalachian State University landed the #11 spot for library science value this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Library Science graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $57,702. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #12 for value in library science this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the library science program here. Early-career library science graduates make about $52,004. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Central Arkansas came in at #13 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,523, compared with $18,023 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $22,920. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $50,187. That is a strong return on a $22,920 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #14 position for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $39,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #15 position for value in library science this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Library Science graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Library Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $45,400 early in their careers. Set against $22,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #16 spot for library science value this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the library science program here. Soon after graduation, library science degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $44,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #17 for value in library science this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,937. Early-career library science graduates make about $43,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama came in at #18 for value in library science this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for library science graduates is $24,496. Early-career library science graduates make about $44,140. Set against $24,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #19 among the best values for library science. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Library Science graduates carry a median of $24,537 in student loans. Early-career library science graduates make about $45,622. That is a strong return on a $24,537 median debt. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
