Library and Information Science

CIP Code: 25.0101

A library and information science degree prepares graduates for careers in Managers, all other, Library science teachers, postsecondary, Librarians and media collections specialists. 70 colleges and universities offer this program.

Annual Degrees Awarded
6,141
Colleges Offering 70
Avg. Career Salary $93,167
Top Career Salary $136,550

Library and Information Science Salary by College

Nationally, bachelor’s graduates in this field earn a median $36,949 four years after graduating (middle half: $23,200–$51,608). Where you study it matters: across 3 colleges with reported results, pay ranges from $30,340 to $38,786.

Sort by:

#College4 yrs afterWage-adjusted1 yr afterMedian debtOutcome Rating
1Ashford University San Diego, CA$38,786$35,293$29,163$25,500F
2University of Maine at Augusta Augusta, ME$32,301$34,327—$21,544F
3University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS$30,340$36,812—$23,255C

Bachelor’s degrees. Wage-adjusted = pay ÷ √(state wage index). Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data.

What Can You Do With a Library and Information Science Degree?

Graduates with this degree pursue careers in the following fields:

Managers, all other

$136,550 +4.5% growth

Library science teachers, postsecondary

$78,630 +3.0% growth

Librarians and media collections specialists

$64,320 +1.7% growth
$93,167
Average Salary Across Careers
$136,550
Highest Paying Career
3
Career Paths Available

Best Colleges for Library and Information Science

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees awarded. These are the top-rated colleges that produce the most graduates in library and information science.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 77 A
2 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 25 A
3 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 144 B+
4 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 126 B+
5 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN 115 B+
6 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 112 B+
7 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 106 B+
8 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 97 B+
9 CUNY Queens College Queens, NY 74 B+
10 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA 68 B+
11 San Jose State University San Jose, CA 764 B
12 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA 180 B
13 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC 174 B
14 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 142 B
15 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 135 B
16 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 123 B
17 Wayne State University Detroit, MI 122 B
18 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 107 B
19 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 98 B
20 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 96 B
21 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK 91 B
22 University of Denver Denver, CO 90 B
23 University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 83 B
24 Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN 56 B
25 University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI 55 B
26 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 52 B
27 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 48 B
28 Appalachian State University Boone, NC 38 B
29 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN 32 B
30 Texas Woman's University Denton, TX 312 C+

Largest Library and Information Science Programs

Schools ranked by number of graduates. These institutions produce the most library and information science graduates annually, including online and distance learning programs.

# College Location Degrees Awarded Repit Grade
1 San Jose State University San Jose, CA 764 B
2 Texas Woman's University Denton, TX 312 C+
3 University of North Texas Denton, TX 267 C+
4 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS 205 C+
5 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA 180 B
6 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC 174 B
7 Emporia State University Emporia, KS 162 C
8 Pennsylvania Western University California, PA 161 C+
9 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI 158 C+
10 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH 147 C+
11 Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ 144 B+
12 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 142 B
13 Simmons University Boston, MA 141 C+
14 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC 138 C+
15 University at Buffalo Buffalo, NY 135 B
16 University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA 126 B+
17 The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 123 B
18 Wayne State University Detroit, MI 122 B
19 Dominican University River Forest, IL 116 C
20 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN 115 B+
21 University of South Florida Tampa, FL 112 B+
22 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY 107 B
23 University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD 106 B+
24 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 102 C+
25 University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 98 B
26 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 97 B+
27 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 96 B
28 University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK 91 B
29 University of Denver Denver, CO 90 B
30 University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO 83 B
6,141
Degrees Awarded Annually
70
Colleges Offering Program
3
Related Careers

About Library and Information Science

Library and Information Science is a degree program offered at 70 colleges and universities across the United States. Each year, approximately 6,141 students graduate with this degree.

Graduates with this degree can pursue careers such as managers, all other, library science teachers, postsecondary, librarians and media collections specialists.

Program Classification

CIP Code 25.0101
Field (2-digit CIP) 25
Category (4-digit CIP) 25.01

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a Library and Information Science degree?
A Library and Information Science degree can lead to careers as a managers, all other, library science teachers, postsecondary, librarians and media collections specialists, and more. Top earners in related careers can make up to $136,550 annually.
How many colleges offer Library and Information Science?
70 colleges and universities in the United States offer Library and Information Science as a degree program. Each year, approximately 6,141 students graduate with this degree.
What are the best colleges for Library and Information Science?
The best colleges for Library and Information Science based on Repit's ratings include University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Southern California, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Rankings are based on the college's overall Repit grade and the number of degrees awarded in this program.
What is the salary potential with a Library and Information Science degree?
Graduates with a Library and Information Science degree can expect average salaries around $93,167 in related careers, with top earners making up to $136,550. Actual salaries depend on the specific career path, experience level, and location.