2026 Best Library Information Science Schools
Looking for the best Library Information Science programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 86 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Library Information Science Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Ashford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Library Information Science programs schools in the United States. Located in San Diego, CA, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Ashford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 10%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Students borrow a median of $35,813 to complete their Library Information Science program here. More on Ashford University
Out of the 86 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Colorado Denver landed the #2 spot. Based in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. University Of Colorado Denver Library Information Science students take on a median of $26,582 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Denver
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #3 on this year's Library Information Science ranking in the United States. Based in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Graduates carry a median of $25,120 in student loans. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #4 on this year's Library Information Science ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brookville, NY. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete their Library Information Science program here. See the full Long Island University C W Post Campus profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #5 this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Library Information Science program debt is $15,117. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Based in Huntsville, TX, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $24,850. Read more about Sam Houston State University
Pratt Institute Main came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. Pratt Institute Main posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. The median Library Information Science program debt is $25,103. Read more about Pratt Institute Main
San Jose State University placed #9 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Read more about San Jose State University
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $12,157 to complete their Library Information Science program here. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Syracuse University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $26,130. More on Syracuse University
Appalachian State University placed #12 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. Located in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $21,992. Read the full report on Appalachian State University
University Of Iowa did well this year, earning the #13 position. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. The median Library Information Science program debt is $24,463. Get the full University Of Iowa report
Texas Womans University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Texas Womans University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $24,211. More on Texas Womans University
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete their Library Information Science program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of Southern California ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. The median Library Information Science program debt is $15,625. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Texas A And M University Commerce landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Commerce, TX. About 43% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Texas A And M University Commerce Library Information Science students take on a median of $23,796 in debt. Read the full report on Texas A And M University Commerce
Dominican University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. Located in River Forest, IL, Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Read more about Dominican University
East Carolina University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. The median Library Information Science program debt is $24,747. More on East Carolina University
Drexel University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,412. Drexel University Library Information Science students take on a median of $28,838 in debt. More on Drexel University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #21 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete their Library Information Science program here. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
St Johns University New York ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. Located in Queens, NY, St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. St Johns University New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. See the full St Johns University New York profile
University Of North Texas did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $21,817. Get the full University Of North Texas report
University Of South Carolina Columbia did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Columbia, SC. University Of South Carolina Columbia posts a six-year graduation rate of 79%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $24,472. Read more about University Of South Carolina Columbia
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. About 80% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $20,542. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Library Information Science Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. The median Library Information Science program debt is $20,577. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
University Of Denver placed #28 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Denver posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Denver
The University Of Tennessee came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Located in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Library Information Science program here. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
St Catherine University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Located in Saint Paul, MN, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. St Catherine University graduates 61% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $29,883. More on St Catherine University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Based in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Library Information Science students take on a median of $26,657 in debt. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Emporia State University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. Read more about Emporia State University
The University Of Alabama landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Read the full report on The University Of Alabama
Simmons College placed #34 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. Simmons College is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Simmons College graduates 72% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Simmons College Library Information Science students take on a median of $26,740 in debt. Read more about Simmons College
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #35 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $24,977. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro report
Wayne State University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. Wayne State University is a public school based in Detroit, MI. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete their Library Information Science program here. Get the full Wayne State University report
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #38 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tampa, FL. About 77% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Read more about University Of South Florida Main Campus
Western Kentucky University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Based in Bowling Green, KY, Western Kentucky University is a public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Kentucky University
University At Buffalo ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. This public school is set in Buffalo, NY. University At Buffalo graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Read more about University At Buffalo
University Of Kentucky landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $24,094. See the full University Of Kentucky profile
Northeastern State University landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Located in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Northeastern State University graduates 35% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. The median Library Information Science program debt is $23,465. Get the full Northeastern State University report
Valdosta State University did well this year, earning the #43 position. This public school is set in Valdosta, GA. Valdosta State University graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $28,661. See the full Valdosta State University profile
University Of Central Missouri came in at #44 in this year's ranking. University Of Central Missouri is a public school based in Warrensburg, MO. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. University Of Central Missouri Library Information Science students take on a median of $24,304 in debt. Read more about University Of Central Missouri
University Of Arizona landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. Based in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Read more about University Of Arizona
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $23,138. More on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
North Carolina Central University placed #47 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. Set in Durham, NC, North Carolina Central University is a public institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. North Carolina Central University Library Information Science students take on a median of $31,173 in debt. More on North Carolina Central University
University Of Rhode Island did well this year, earning the #48 position. Set in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $23,432. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Kent State University At Kent ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Library Information Science schools. This public school is set in Kent, OH. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical Library Information Science student debt is $25,174. Get the full Kent State University At Kent report
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. More on Southern Connecticut State University
Emory And Henry College placed #50 among Library Information Science schools in the United States. See the full Emory And Henry College profile
Best Library Information Science Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Library Information Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Library Information Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Library Information Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Library Information Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Library Information Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Library Information Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Library Information Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 86 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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