Best institutions to study Library and Information Science
A program that focuses on the knowledge and skills required to develop, organize, store, retrieve, administer, and facilitate the use of local, remote, and networked collections of information in print, audiovisual, and electronic formats and that prepares individuals for professional service as librarians and information consultants.
71 U.S. institutions graduated 6,306 Library and Information Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 25.0101, a specialization of Library Science and Administration (CIP 25.01), and leads most directly to the Librarians and Media Collections Specialists occupation (BLS SOC 25-4022).
About Library and Information Science programs
A program that focuses on the knowledge and skills required to develop, organize, store, retrieve, administer, and facilitate the use of local, remote, and networked collections of information in print, audiovisual, and electronic formats and that prepares individuals for professional service as librarians and information consultants.
See also: 13.1334 - School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist., 11.0401 - Information Science/Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Library and Information Science program, part of Library Science and Administration, equips students with the essential knowledge and skills to manage and facilitate access to various information resources. This program is designed for individuals aspiring to become professional librarians and information consultants, focusing on organizing, storing, and retrieving information in diverse formats.
Students in this program will develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics like customer service, information technology, and library management, preparing graduates to meet the evolving needs of library patrons.
Credentials awarded
What Library and Information Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree5,788 graduates / yr · 61 institutions92%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate323 graduates / yr · 16 institutions5.1%
- Bachelor's degree104 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.6%
- Post-master's certificate57 graduates / yr · 6 institutions0.9%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship15 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years10 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.2%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Library and Information Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,664 |
| 2013 | 7,255 |
| 2014 | 6,192 |
| 2015 | 5,529 |
| 2016 | 5,038 |
| 2017 | 4,875 |
| 2018 | 5,085 |
| 2019 | 5,490 |
| 2020 | 5,186 |
| 2021 | 5,688 |
| 2022 | 6,071 |
| 2023 | 5,894 |
| 2024 | 6,136 |
| 2025 | 6,306 |
Top 50 institutions for Library and Information Science, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose State University San Jose, CAPublicMaster'sMaster's | 831 | 69% | — |
| 2 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 297 | 61% | — |
| 3 | Texas Woman's University Denton, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 256 | 49% | — |
| 4 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicMaster's | 250 | 69% | — |
| 5 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 219 | 79% | — |
| 6 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 195 | 49% | — |
| 7 | Emporia State University Emporia, KSPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 166 | 56% | — |
| 8 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster'sMaster's | 164 | 52% | — |
| 9 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicMaster'sMaster's | 160 | 73% | — |
| 10 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 155 | 54% | — |
| 11 | University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 144 | 49% | — |
| 12 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicMaster's | 142 | 56% | — |
| 13 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster's | 141 | 85% | — |
| 14 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster's | 139 | 84% | — |
| 15 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicMaster's | 133 | 42% | — |
| 16 | Simmons University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 128 | 72% | $24,848 |
| 17 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicMaster's | 128 | 46% | — |
| 18 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster's | 123 | 77% | — |
| 19 | Dominican University River Forest, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 113 | 55% | $16,176 |
| 20 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 113 | 75% | — |
| 21 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 111 | 84% | $28,851 |
| 22 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 107 | 58% | — |
| 23 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster's | 107 | 64% | — |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 97 | 74% | — |
| 25 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicMaster's | 95 | 89% | — |
| 26 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 93 | 68% | — |
| 27 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster's | 93 | 90% | — |
| 28 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 89 | 75% | — |
| 29 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicMaster's | 88 | 53% | — |
| 30 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicMaster's | 87 | 63% | — |
| 31 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 83 | 76% | $29,726 |
| 32 | North Carolina Central University Durham, NCPublicMaster's | 78 | 42% | — |
| 33 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicMaster's | 76 | 75% | — |
| 34 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicMaster's | 74 | 73% | — |
| 35 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicMaster's | 70 | 91% | — |
| 36 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster's | 66 | 75% | — |
| 37 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 61 | 63% | $32,614 |
| 38 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicMaster's | 61 | 71% | — |
| 39 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 59 | 80% | — |
| 40 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 45 | 66% | $27,359 |
| 41 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicMaster's | 43 | 85% | — |
| 42 | Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, CTPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 41 | 50% | — |
| 43 | Drexel University Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 41 | 78% | $36,004 |
| 44 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicMaster's | 40 | 56% | — |
| 45 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicMaster's | 36 | 46% | — |
| 46 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicMaster's | 34 | 75% | — |
| 47 | East Texas A&M University Commerce, TXPublicMaster's | 33 | 43% | — |
| 48 | Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TXPublicMaster's | 33 | 55% | — |
| 49 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 32 | 57% | $24,639 |
| 50 | Chicago State University Chicago, ILPublicMaster's | 29 | 15% | — |
Offered in 36 states
Where Library and Information Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Library Science and Administration programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-4022, Librarians and Media Collections Specialists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Library and Information Science program can pursue careers as librarians, media collections specialists, or library science educators. The job outlook shows little to no change in the field, with an annual opening of approximately 13,500 positions and a median wage of $64,320, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 25.0101
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Librarians and Media Collections Specialistsprimary SOC 25-4022 | $68,270 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~13,500 | Master's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1082 | $80,340 | +3.0% About as fast as average | ~400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Library and Information Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
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.
Tools and technology used
Other Library Science and Administration specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Library Science and Administration (CIP 25.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, a Postbaccalaureate certificate, a Bachelor's degree, or a Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 13,500 annual openings.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a librarian, media collections specialist, or library science teacher.
What is the CIP code for Library and Information Science?+
Library and Information Science is CIP 25.0101 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Library Science and Administration (CIP 25.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the knowledge and skills required to develop, organize, store, retrieve, administer, and facilitate the use of local, remote, and networked collections of information in print, audiovisual, and electronic formats and that prepares individuals for professional service as librarians and information consultants.
How many institutions offer Library and Information Science programs?+
71 U.S. institutions reported Library and Information Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 36 states, awarding 6,306 credentials in the year. That is 94.6% of all Library Science and Administration graduates.
How much do Library and Information Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Librarians and Media Collections Specialists occupation, which Library and Information Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $68,270 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Library Science and Administration field report median earnings of $29,163 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Library Science and Administration graduates, so its figures match the Library Science and Administration program page.
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