2026 Best Value Library Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Library Science graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 128 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Long Island University C W Post Campus this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Brookville, NY. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Typical Library Science student debt is $25,211. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Long Island University C W Post Campus
Out of the 128 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas Womans University landed the #2 spot. Texas Womans University is a public school based in Denton, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,211 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,544 ten years out. Set against $24,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Texas Womans University
San Jose State University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Library Science ranking in the United States. San Jose State University is a public school based in San Jose, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,988. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on San Jose State University
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Denton, TX. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,010 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of North Texas
Emporia State University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. This public school is set in Emporia, KS. In-state tuition and fees average $7,106, compared with $15,419 for out-of-state students. The median Library Science program debt is $23,131. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Emporia State University report
Pratt Institute Main came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,845. Students borrow a median of $25,103 to complete their Library Science program here. Median earnings reach $54,295 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,103 median debt. Pratt Institute Main has an acceptance rate of 73%. Read more about Pratt Institute Main
University Of Iowa landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. University Of Iowa is a public school based in Iowa City, IA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. The median Library Science program debt is $24,463. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,762. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Iowa profile
St Johns University New York placed #9 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit school based in Queens, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,529. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete their Library Science program here. Median earnings reach $69,571 ten years out. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York has an acceptance rate of 83%. Get the full St Johns University New York report
Simmons College placed #10 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Based in Boston, MA, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Simmons College Library Science students take on a median of $26,740 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,494. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted. See the full Simmons College profile
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #11 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College Library Science students take on a median of $21,348 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,251 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%. More on Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school based in Milwaukee, WI. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Based in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete their Library Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,126. Set against $23,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 77% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Located in Columbia, SC, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete their Library Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,177 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,472 median debt. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Arizona landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete their Library Science program here. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. Set against $21,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on University Of Arizona
Wayne State University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Detroit, MI, Wayne State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete their Library Science program here. Wayne State University alumni report median earnings of $53,493 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants. See the full Wayne State University profile
University Of Rhode Island offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical Library Science student debt is $23,432. Median earnings reach $69,743 ten years out. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. More on University Of Rhode Island
Marshall University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Marshall University report
University Of Maine At Augusta landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Maine At Augusta report
Emory And Henry College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Emory And Henry College report
North Carolina Central University placed #20 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read more about North Carolina Central University
Illinois State University placed #21 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Illinois State University
University Of California Los Angeles placed #22 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of California Los Angeles profile
University Of Denver came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Capital Community College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Capital Community College profile
Central Carolina Community College placed #25 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read more about Central Carolina Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Library Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #27 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Bennington College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Get the full Bennington College report
Tarrant County College District landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Tarrant County College District
East Carolina University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on East Carolina University
Central Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Read more about Central Community College
Cuny Queens College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Cuny Queens College
Dominican University landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Dominican University
San Bernardino Valley College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Read more about San Bernardino Valley College
College Of Lake County came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Read more about College Of Lake County
University Of New Haven ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. Read the full report on University Of New Haven
Sacramento City College landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Sacramento City College
Joliet Junior College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about Joliet Junior College
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #39 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of South Florida Main Campus report
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Ivy Tech Community College profile
Kaskaskia College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Kaskaskia College
Old Dominion University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Old Dominion University
Valdosta State University placed #44 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. Get the full Valdosta State University report
Suny At Albany
Suny At Albany came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Suny At Albany profile
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. See the full University Of Northern Iowa profile
Northeast Community College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Library Science schools. See the full Northeast Community College profile
University Of Southern California came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Southern California profile
Georgia College And State University placed #49 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. More on Georgia College And State University
University Of Kentucky placed #50 among the best-value Library Science schools in the United States. More on University Of Kentucky
Related Library Science Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Library Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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