Best colleges for Library Science and Administration
Ranked by graduate earnings
Compare 74 U.S. colleges offering Library Science and Administration by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 38 states.
Library Science and Administration programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,163 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 25.01 and the Librarians and Media Collections Specialists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Library Science and Administration programs
The Library Science and Administration program focuses on the study of the creation, organization, management, and use of recorded information. It prepares students for various professional roles in librarianship, information management, and archiving. This program is ideal for individuals interested in facilitating access to information and supporting community learning through library services.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in customer service, information technology, and administrative practices, equipping graduates to manage library resources and assist patrons effectively.
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $25,054 | 23 | 47% | — | — |
| 2 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $29,163 | 11 | 11% | $26,445 | $35,813 |
Specializations within Library Science and Administration
4 of the 4 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 25.01 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Library and Information ScienceCIP 25.01016,306 graduates / yr71 institutions36 states
- Archives/CIP 25.0103
Archival Administration 324 graduates / yr13 institutions11 states - Children and Youth Library ServicesCIP 25.0102partial data38 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states
- Library Science and AdministrationCIP 25.0199limited data1 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Offered across 38 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizonalimited | 2 | $29,163 | The University of Arizona Global Campus |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | $25,054 | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| California | 3 | — | — |
| Colorado | 3 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 2 | — | — |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Hawaiilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Iowalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentucky | 3 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 6 | — | — |
| North Carolina | 5 | — | — |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | 4 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennessee | 4 | — | — |
| Texas | 5 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Washingtonlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsin | 3 | — | — |
| Puerto Ricolimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-4022, Librarians and Media Collections Specialists, and its national outlook.
Career opportunities in Library Science and Administration are projected to grow at a rate of 1.7%, with approximately 13,500 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is $64,320, and a typical education requirement is a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Library Science and Administration
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 25.01.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 25.01 (Library Science and Administration) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 25-1082 | Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 25-4011 | Archivists |
| 25-4022 | Librarians and Media Collections Specialistsprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Library Science and Administration programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Check books in and out of the library.
- Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
- Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
- Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
- Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Common questions
What is Library Science and Administration?+
It is a program that studies the management and use of recorded information, preparing students for careers in librarianship and information management.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, communication, and information technology.
What are the job prospects?+
The field is expected to see a growth of 1.7%, with about 13,500 job openings each year.
What is the typical education requirement?+
Most positions require a master's degree in Library Science or a related field.
How much do Library Science and Administration graduates earn?+
Library Science and Administration graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,163, College Scorecard (2019); the Librarians and Media Collections Specialists occupation pays about $72,840 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Library Science and Administration?+
Library Science and Administration maps to CIP 25.01 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card