2026 Best Library Science Schools
Looking for the best Library Science programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 128 institutions 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Library Science Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Ashford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Library Science programs schools in the United States. Ashford University is a private for-profit school based in San Diego, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $35,813 to complete their Library Science program here. Read more about Ashford University
Out of the 128 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. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. The median Library Science program debt is $26,582. See the full University Of Colorado Denver profile
The strong Library Science programs at Rutgers University New Brunswick earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Rutgers University New Brunswick posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. The median Library Science program debt is $25,120. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Long Island University C W Post Campus came in at #4 on this year's Library 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Long Island University C W Post Campus Library Science students take on a median of $25,211 in debt. Read the full report on Long Island University C W Post Campus
The strong Library Science programs at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. The median Library Science program debt is $20,836. Get the full University Of Maryland College Park report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #6 among Library Science schools in the United States. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Library Science program here. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Sam Houston State University placed #7 among Library Science schools in the United States. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete their Library Science program here. More on Sam Houston State University
Pratt Institute Main came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,845. The median Library Science program debt is $25,103. See the full Pratt Institute Main profile
San Jose State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. More on San Jose State University
Cuny Queens College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Based in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Cuny Queens College Library Science students take on a median of $12,157 in debt. More on Cuny Queens College
Syracuse University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. Syracuse University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Syracuse University Library Science students take on a median of $26,130 in debt. Get the full Syracuse University report
Appalachian State University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Boone, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Appalachian State University Library Science students take on a median of $21,992 in debt. Read the full report on Appalachian State University
Ivy Tech Community College placed #13 among Library Science schools in the United States. Set in Indianapolis, IN, Ivy Tech Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Ivy Tech Community College Library Science students take on a median of $11,889 in debt. More on Ivy Tech Community College
University Of Iowa came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. University Of Iowa graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete their Library Science program here. More on University Of Iowa
Texas Womans University landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. Based in Denton, TX, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Texas Womans University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical Library Science student debt is $24,211. Read the full report on Texas Womans University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #16 among Library Science schools in the United States. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. 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 Science program here. More on University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,647. The median Library Science program debt is $15,625. More on University Of Southern California
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #18 among Library Science schools in the United States. Texas A And M University Commerce is a public school based in Commerce, TX. About 43% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Students borrow a median of $23,796 to complete their Library Science program here. Get the full Texas A And M University Commerce report
Dominican University placed #19 among Library Science schools in the United States. Set in River Forest, IL, Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution. Dominican University posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Dominican University Library Science students take on a median of $26,236 in debt. See the full Dominican University profile
East Carolina University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Greenville, NC. East Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. The median Library Science program debt is $24,747. See the full East Carolina University profile
Drexel University placed #21 among Library Science schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. The median Library Science program debt is $28,838. See the full Drexel University profile
University Of California Los Angeles placed #22 among Library Science schools in the United States. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. University Of California Los Angeles posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Library Science students take on a median of $16,097 in debt. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
St Johns University New York landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based 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. Get the full St Johns University New York report
University Of North Texas did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Science student debt is $21,817. See the full University Of North Texas profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Library Science Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #27 among Library Science schools in the United States. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school based in Columbia, SC. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete their Library Science program here. Read more about University Of South Carolina Columbia
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Read more about Indiana University Bloomington
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #29 in this year's ranking. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public school based in Honolulu, HI. University Of Hawaii At Manoa posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete their Library Science program here. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
University Of Denver ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. Set in Denver, CO, University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Denver posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. The median Library Science program debt is $22,534. Read more about University Of Denver
The University Of Tennessee landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. About 74% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete their Library Science program here. More on The University Of Tennessee
St Catherine University did well this year, earning the #32 position. St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. About 61% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,428. Typical Library Science student debt is $29,883. Read more about St Catherine University
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee did well this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Milwaukee, WI, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Library Science students take on a median of $26,657 in debt. More on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
The University Of Alabama placed #34 among Library Science schools in the United States. Set in Tuscaloosa, AL, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. About 73% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Get the full The University Of Alabama report
Emporia State University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, with out-of-state students paying around $15,419. Graduates carry a median of $23,131 in student loans. See the full Emporia State University profile
Simmons College placed #36 among Library Science schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. Simmons College posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Graduates carry a median of $26,740 in student loans. Read more about Simmons College
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. The median Library Science program debt is $21,348. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #38 among Library Science schools in the United States. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Wayne State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Detroit, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Wayne State University Library Science students take on a median of $26,689 in debt. See the full Wayne State University profile
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public school based in Tampa, FL. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. The median Library Science program debt is $21,829. Read the full report on University Of South Florida Main Campus
Western Kentucky University landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bowling Green, KY. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. The median Library Science program debt is $24,499. Read more about Western Kentucky University
University At Buffalo placed #42 among Library Science schools in the United States. Based in Buffalo, NY, University At Buffalo is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Science student debt is $22,232. See the full University At Buffalo profile
University Of Kentucky ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Northeastern State University did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical Library Science student debt is $23,465. Get the full Northeastern State University report
Valdosta State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. Valdosta State University is a public school based in Valdosta, GA. Valdosta State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical Library Science student debt is $28,661. See the full Valdosta State University profile
University Of Central Missouri did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Warrensburg, MO, University Of Central Missouri is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. University Of Central Missouri Library Science students take on a median of $24,304 in debt. Read more about University Of Central Missouri
University Of Arizona ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. The median Library Science program debt is $21,861. More on University Of Arizona
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #48 among Library Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Norman, OK. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Library Science students take on a median of $23,138 in debt. Get the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus report
North Carolina Central University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. Set in Durham, NC, North Carolina Central University is a public institution. North Carolina Central University graduates 42% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Science student debt is $31,173. Read more about North Carolina Central University
University Of Rhode Island ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Library Science schools. University Of Rhode Island is a public school based in Kingston, RI. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete their Library Science program here. More on University Of Rhode Island
Kent State University At Kent did well this year, earning the #51 position. This public school is set in Kent, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Read the full report on Kent State University At Kent
Best Library Science Schools by Degree Level
Compare rankings by degree level:
- Best Library Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Library Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Library Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Library Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Library Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Library Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Library Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 128 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).