The Library Sciences cover such career paths as public librarianship, school librarianship, library media specialist, library technician, research specialist, and records curator. The best college degrees in this field are intended to train you for information technology services, archiving and organization, and cataloging Those with a Master’s degree 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, online library science program degrees to ensure that you come out prepared and capable for success in the workplace. With an online Master’s in Library Science degree from one of these schools, you’ll be sure to find the best school path for success and fulfillment in your library science degree program.
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 2022
Accredited Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.2023 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees
| Rank | School | Average Net Price |
| 1 | Texas Woman’s University | $9,684 |
| 2 | Northeastern State University | $10,094 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | $11,629 |
| 4 | Middle Tennessee State University | $12,752 |
| 5 | Valdosta State University | $13,240 |
| 6 | University of Southern Mississippi | $14,032 |
| 7 | University of Central Missouri | $14,058 |
| 8 | University of North Texas | $14,122 |
| 9 | Sam Houston State University | $15,035 |
| 10 | Southern Arkansas University | $15,321 |
| 11 | Trevecca Nazarene University | $16,258 |
| 12 | San Jose State University | $16,542 |
| 13 | University of Missouri | $16,559 |
| 14 | Minnesota State University at Mankato | $17,159 |
| 15 | Old Dominion University | $17,204 |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $17,486 |
| 17 | University of Kentucky | $18,203 |
| 18 | SUNY at Albany | $18,355 |
| 19 | Dominican University | $18,645 |
| 20 | University at Buffalo | $19,262 |
| 21 | Clarion University | $19,452 |
| 22 | University of South Carolina-Columbia | $20,559 |
| 23 | University of Alabama | $20,917 |
| 24 | Rutgers University | $23,035 |
10 Best Affordable Colleges for Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees
1 . Texas Woman’s University
Average Net Price: $9,684
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
TWU began in 1902 as an exclusively women’s 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 Master’s degrees in Library Science to ensure that you can find the specialty that most fits you. These are made available through library science degree courses such as Collection Development, Information Retrieval, Library Management, and a variety of others. With the up-to-date information professional skills and knowledge TWU equips its library science online program students with, you’ll be sure to find success in the ever-changing modern workplace.
2 . Northeastern State University
Average Net Price: $10,094
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
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’s graduate school 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 library science program 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 management for the modern workplace. This library information science learning experience comes at a very affordable average cost of $9,790.
3 . University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Average Net Price: $11,629
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
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.
4 . Middle Tennessee State University
Average Net Price: $12,752
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
Middle Tennessee State University opened in 1911 as a state school for teacher education. 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 its 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 Master’s 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 is designed to ensure that your Master’s of Library Science will take you far in the modern workplace.
5 . Valdosta State University
Average Net Price: $13,240
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
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 Master’s 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 library science 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.
6. University of Southern Mississippi
Average Net Price: $14,032
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
The University of Southern Mississippi is a public research university in Hattiesburg, Mississippi founded in 1910. Today, USM has an undergraduate enrollment of 11,451 students and ranks 2nd in the state for its dorms, location, and professors. USM’s 97% acceptance rate ensures easy access to all students. With 74 bachelor’s degrees available and a 49% graduation rate, they also manage to keep a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. Southern Miss’s affordable, online Master’s degree in Library and Information Science is designed to build your understanding of library service media technology and applications, reference and information sources, catalogs, and physical media management.
7 . University of Central Missouri
Average Net Price: $14,058
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
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 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 library science degree earned through their online library science program.
UCM offers a Master’s degree of Science in Library Science and Information Services, covering a wide breadth of the information management skills necessary for success in the library field. This degree is made possible through an array of library science program classes including Curriculum & the Media Center, Library Media Administration, and Reference Sources & Services, each of which is intended to give relevant, detailed information studies for success in the workplace. With the weight of an online Master’s degree from the University of Central Missouri at your back, you’ll be sure to build a rewarding career in the Library Science field.
8 . University of North Texas
Average Net Price: $14,122
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
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 Master’s 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 of success in the Library field. They make this degree available through classes such as Information Access and Knowledge Inquiry, Information and Knowledge Professions, and 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: $15,035
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: SACS COC
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, it would go on to change its 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 Master’s offerings at Sam Houston State.
Sam Houston State University offers a Master’s 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 . Southern Arkansas University
Average Net Price: $15,321
School Type: Non-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC
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 Master’s Degree of Education in Library Media and Information Specialist that also meets the requirements for library media certification in the State of Arkansas. This library science degree program advances your skills and knowledge through classes such as Collection Management and Development, Information Access, and Library Materials for Children and Young Adults. This degree program is recognized by the Association of American School Librarians and the American Library Association for its quality.
