Most Affordable Master’s in Library Science Online

The Library Sciences cover such career paths as an archivist, research specialist, and records curator. Degrees in this field are intended to train you for information technology services, archiving and organization, and cataloging Those with Master’s degrees in Library Sciences make an average of $41,846 per year.

Below we’ve compiled a list of the top ten online Master’s degrees in Library Science. These schools offer high-quality, remotely accessible degrees to ensure that you come out prepared and capable for success in the workplace. With an online Master’s degree in Library Science from one of these schools, you’ll be sure to find success and fulfillment in your chosen career path.

Methodology

All schools considered for these rankings

• Are regionally or nationally accredited
• Offer at least one fully online master’s in library science degree (with no more than two weeks of required in-person work)
• Were collected from official accrediting agency websites.

Schools are ranked solely by the average net price as released in the most recent IPEDs database collected in 2020

2021 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees

10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees

1 .  Northeastern State University

Average Net Price: $9,790

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,182

Northwestern State University was founded by the Cherokee Nation in 1851 as a female seminary. Since its beginning, it has changed names five times and has grown in reputation and size. Their accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission is a testament to the quality of education that they offer. The three NSU campuses also feature much of the lush greenery native to the Tulsa area.

NSU offers an online M.S. in Library Media & Information Technology in order to prepare you for a fulfilling career in the Library Sciences. They provide this degree through courses such as Advanced Materials for Children, Emergent & Early Literacy Development, and Information Resources and Services to ensure that this degree provides up-to-date skills and information for the modern workplace. This quality learning experience comes at a very affordable average cost of $9,790.

2 .  University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Average Net Price: $9,853

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,931

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro was founded in 1891 as a women’s school. Since then they have become a prestigious co-ed university and are tied for #13 in the nation for social mobility performance according to US News and World Report. Their 266-acre campus features well-kept lawns and a variety of local tree species to keep an inviting, calming student experience.

In order to effectively prepare you for success in the library sciences world, UNC Greensboro offers a Master of Library and Information Studies degree. In order to ensure that this degree will provide relevant information for today’s library workplace, they offer a variety of courses including Information Organization and Access, Information Sources and Services, and Library Administration and Management. With an online degree from UNC Greensboro, you’ll be sure to find success and fulfillment in your future career.

3 .  Texas Woman’s University

Average Net Price: $9,718

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,619

TWU began in 1902 as an exclusively womens’ school that emphasized the importance of home-making skills among other higher learning concepts. In 1972 they became co-ed but their student body is still overwhelmingly female. Given the history of Texas Women’s University, you will certainly be able to learn more about the importance of the contributions women have made to America’s society.

Texas Woman’s University offers twenty different online Masters’ degrees in Library Science to ensure that you can find the specialty that most fits you. These degrees are made available through courses such as Collection Development, Information Retrieval, Library Management, and a variety of others. With the up-to-date skills and knowledge TWU equips its students with, you’ll be sure to find success in the ever-changing modern workplace.

4 .  Valdosta State University

Average Net Price: $12,221

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,131

Valdosta State University was founded in 1906 and underwent a great deal of growth and change to become the school it is today. Since the late 70s their student body has more than doubled in size and today over 9500 students call it home. VSU’s efforts at expansion and development have earned them an accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

VSU offers two specialized online Masters degrees within the Library Sciences arena, each meant to instruct you with a specific specialty in mind. The up-to-date classes feeding into these degrees include Cataloging and Classification, Electronic Resources in the Library, and Information Sources and Services. With the accessibility and quality of these degrees, they’re sure to bring you great success in your chosen profession.

5 .  Middle Tennessee State University

Average Net Price: $12,265

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,015

Middle State University opened in 1911 as a state school for training teachers. Since then, it has graduated more than 100,000 students and quintupled its campus size. With this growth came recognition as a reputable school, as evidenced by their accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. With quality, modernized teaching, and a long history of careful growth, MTSU is sure to prepare you aptly for a rewarding career in applying the Library Science skills you’ll learn.

The online Masters of Library Science degree of Middle Tennessee State University gives up-to-date information on the ever-changing role of libraries and related institutions. To do this, they apply a wide range of related classes including Digital Library Collections, Information Searching Strategies, and Management of Libraries. Each of these classes are designed to ensure that your Masters of Library Science will take you far in the modern workplace.

6 .  University of Central Missouri

Average Net Price: $13,394

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 394

The University of Central Missouri was founded in 1871 as a school intended to educate teachers. Since then, it has undergone a number of name changes and a great deal of expansion and modernization. Their remarkable efforts in increasing their student capacity and means of teaching have earned them recognition and an accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. With their great leaps and bounds in spreading knowledge to their students, they are certain to help you to find success through a degree earned at their school.

UCM offers a Masters degree of Science in Library Science and Information Services, covering a wide breadth of the information necessary for success in the library field. This degree is made possible through an array of classes including Curriculum & the Media Center, Library Media Administration, and Reference Sources & Services, each of which is intended to give relevant, detailed information for success in the workplace. With the weight of a Masters degree from the University of Central Missouri at your back, you’ll be sure to build a rewarding career in the Library Science field.

7 .  Southern Arkansas University

Average Net Price: $13,561

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 261

Founded in Magnolia, Arkansas in 1909, Southern Arkansas University quickly became a four-year university and began educating future leaders of industry. As the school grew, it shed three names and primary purposes until it became Southern Arkansas University. Being accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, it has garnered a reputation as an institution of quality learning. With an online Master’s degree from SAU, you’re sure to find a rewarding career in Library Sciences.

Southern Arkansas University offers an online Masters Degree of Education in Library Media and Information Specialist that also meets the requirements for library media certification in the State of Arkansas. This degree advances your skills and knowledge through classes such as Collection Management and Development, Information Access, and Library Materials for Children and Young Adults. This program is recognized by the Association of American School Librarians and the American Library Association for its quality.

8 .  University of North Texas

Average Net Price: $13,781

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,619

The University of North Texas was founded in 1890 in Denton, Texas and now also has a location in Frisco Texas. Their 84% acceptance rate ensures broad access to their 94 masters programs and 36 doctorate programs. Their accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges serves as a testament to the quality of their teaching skills and dedication to successful education.

The University of North Texas offers a Master of Science in Library Sciences to ensure that you will graduate informed and capable for success in the Library field. They make this degree available through classes such as Information Access and Knowledge Inquiry, Information and Knowledge Professions, Management of Information Agencies. A degree from UNT is sure to provide the knowledge and skills you’ll need to find a rewarding career.

9 .  Sam Houston State University

Average Net Price: $13,904

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,910

Sam Houston University began in 1879 in Sherman, Texas as a school for teachers in the Texas public school system. In the next 90 years, they would go on to change their name three times and would become a full university for graduate and undergraduate studies. They have since earned recognition from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Your degree in Library Sciences will be one of the 55 Masters offerings at Sam Houston State.

Sam Houston State University offers a Masters of Library Science to ensure that you enter the library field qualified and knowledgeable. SHSU provides this qualification through a broad array of classes including Information Services & Resources, Literature For Young Adults, and School Library Administration. With an online degree from SHSU, you’ll be sure to find a rewarding, successful career in the Library Sciences.

10 . University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee

Average Net Price: $14,444

School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,603

In Milwaukee in 1885, the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee was founded as a Normal School for educators to learn at. They are one of 15 schools recognized as a high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. With UW-M’s 5.2 million cataloged library items and 379 thousand square feet of library space, it’s sure to be a welcoming place for those seeking Masters degrees in Library Science.

The University of Milwaukee – Wisconsin boasts nine different online Masters degree tracks in the Library Sciences. For these degrees, UW-M offers a broad range of classes including Digital Information Services, Metadata, and Music Librarianship to name a few. With a long track record of quality education, a low cost, and such a broad range of specialized degrees and classes, a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee is sure to generate a great deal of career opportunities for you.