2026 Best Value Library Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Library Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 128 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Library Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Dominican University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Library Science doctoral degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,828. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete their Library Science program here. Median earnings reach $60,327 ten years out. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Dominican University report
Emporia State University came in at #2 on this year's best-value Library Science ranking in the United States. Set in Emporia, KS, Emporia State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Science student debt is $23,131. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,601. That is a strong return on a $23,131 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%. More on Emporia State University
A rank of #3 makes Simmons College one of the best values in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,874. Typical Library Science student debt is $26,740. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,494. Set against $26,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%. Get the full Simmons College report
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #4 on this year's best-value Library Science ranking in the United States. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Library Science students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. Indiana University Bloomington alumni report median earnings of $63,742 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington has an acceptance rate of 78%. More on Indiana University Bloomington
You'll get strong value at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, which ranked #5 this year. Get the full Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College report
Rose State College landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Rose State College
Syracuse University placed #7 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. See the full Syracuse University profile
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. See the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico San German profile
Kaskaskia College placed #9 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Get the full Kaskaskia College report
Pueblo Community College landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pueblo Community College report
University Of Baltimore came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Baltimore
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Read the full report on University Of Arizona
University Of Iowa offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Read more about University Of Iowa
Joliet Junior College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. More on Joliet Junior College
Northeastern State University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Read more about Northeastern State University
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Massachusetts Boston profile
Cuesta College
Cuesta College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. More on Cuesta College
Pennsylvania Western University offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. More on Pennsylvania Western University
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #19 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Houston Clear Lake
Northampton County Area Community College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Northampton County Area Community College
East Carolina University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about East Carolina University
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce report
Ashford University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Ashford University report
Santa Ana College placed #25 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Santa Ana College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Library Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #26 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of Southern Mississippi profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Columbia University In The City Of New York profile
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis report
University Of Rhode Island ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. More on University Of Rhode Island
Chippewa Valley Technical College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Chippewa Valley Technical College
Marshall University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Marshall University
White Mountains Community College landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on White Mountains Community College
Blackfeet Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Blackfeet Community College report
Spokane Falls Community College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Read the full report on Spokane Falls Community College
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on University Of Kentucky
San Jose State University came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full San Jose State University report
Bennington College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Bennington College
Central Community College placed #38 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. See the full Central Community College profile
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. More on University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Georgia College And State University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Georgia College And State University
Valdosta State University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Get the full Valdosta State University report
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. See the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha profile
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Ivy Tech Community College
Illinois State University placed #44 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. More on Illinois State University
College Of Lake County ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. See the full College Of Lake County profile
Cuny Queens College placed #46 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Catholic University Of America placed #47 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. More on Catholic University Of America
Illinois Central College placed #48 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read more about Illinois Central College
Fresno City College placed #49 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read more about Fresno City College
Universidad Del Turabo offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Read the full report on Universidad Del Turabo
Related Library Science Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Library Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Library Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Library Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Library Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Library Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Library Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Library Science Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · 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).
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