Top 35 Most Affordable Library Science Programs

Most affordable master of library science programs badgeA college education is highly valuable today, and it is often essential for securing a solid, well-paying job. However, earning a degree or certificate can lead to significant debt.

As of May 2023, the median yearly wage for a librarian in the United States is $64,370, or $30.95 per hour. Although a degree is not necessary for all library jobs, to become a librarian, most employers will require you to have a master’s degree.

Before beginning any degree program, you must weigh the costs and benefits. Even with scholarships or grants, most students still accumulate some debt. Education Data Initiative notes that the average federal student loan debt is $37,850 as of 2023. Although a bachelor’s degree is supposed to take four years to complete, Education Data Initiative reports that 97 percent of those who have a bachelor’s degree said it took six years to complete that degree. The average cost of attendance over those six years is $229,620. As librarians need a master’s degree, the cost for that degree, per the Education Data Initiative, is $59,684 as of 2023.

We have explored the Top 35 Bachelor of Library Science Degree Programs, the Top 35 Master of Library Science Degree Programs, and the Top 35 Online Master of Library Science Degree Programs. This list concentrates on the most affordable programs in library science. Each of the programs below will help you to work in the library science field.

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How We Ranked the Top 40 Most Affordable Nutrition Related Programs

We selected the schools listed below for our Top 35 Most Affordable Library Science Programs based upon several criteria. Our ranking rubric was created to help you find the best, most affordable library science program that suits your needs.

Accreditation

All schools listed here have received institutional accreditation from one of the following regional accreditation bodies:

Institutional Accreditation

  • Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
  • WASC Senior College and University Commission (WASC)

Some library science degree programs listed below have also received programmatic accreditation from one or more of the following library science-related accreditation bodies:

Programmatic Accreditation

  • ALA (American Library Association)
  • AASL (American Association of School Librarians)
  • CAEP (Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation)
  • CCTC (California Commission on Teaching Credentialing)
  • ALISE (Association for Library and Information Science Education)
  • NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education)
  • AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation)
  • GaPSC (Georgia Professional Standards Commission)

Flexibility

The library science degree programs on this list may be offered in an online fashion, on campus, or in a hybrid manner, combining both online and on campus work. This flexibility is vital to students today who lead busy lives with work, family, and other commitments.

Affordability

We have selected the most affordable library science graduate programs available as of 2024. What did we define as affordable? Each of the programs listed below has an average total degree cost under $50,000, based on 2024-25 tuition rates. Some schools charge more for non-resident students than for resident students, which you will note as you read the details about each program. Others charge differently for online study than for on-campus study. Keep this in mind when you are choosing an affordable library science program.

The top 35 most affordable library science programs are listed below, by state, in alphabetical order, not in any ranking order. Some states may have more than one affordable program listed, while other states will have no affordable programs listed.

Alabama

JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY, Jacksonville, AL

jacksonville state university

Jacksonville State’s MS in Education-Library Media program is 36 to 40 credit hours and is offered online. For admission to this program, you must have completed two years of full-time P-12 professional education work experience. GRE scores are not required. Tuition for both Alabama residents and non-Alabama residents is $348 per credit hour, averaging $12,528 for the degree.

UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA, Livingston, AL

UWA

University of West Alabama’s M. Ed. in Library Media is a 33-credit-hour online program that also provides Alabama teaching certification. GRE scores are not required for admission. Tuition is $429 per credit hour, totaling $14,157 for the degree.

Arizona

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, AZTucson Arizona University logo

University of Arizona’s 37-credit MLIS program offers concentrations in Archival Studies, Academic, Public, Digital Information Management & Curation, Law, and Medical. GRE scores are not required. Arizona residents and non-residents pay $900 per credit, totaling $33,300 for the degree. 

California

FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, Fresno, CA

Fresno pacific university

Fresno Pacific’s online M.A. in Ed in School Library and Information Technology is a 37-credit program that is completed 100% online. GRE scores are not required for admission to the program. Tuition is $750 per credit for resident and non-resident students, totaling $27,750 for the degree.

SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY, San Jose, CA

SJSU

San Jose State’s MLIS program is a 43-credit-unit program offered entirely online. The program culminates in either a thesis or e-portfolio. Numerous electives that are available allow you to customize your program. No GRE scores are required for admission. “Special session” students, that is, those living outside of the San Jose area, pay $525 per credit unit, for a total program cost of $22,575. “Regular session” students who live in the San Jose area pay a flat rate based on the number of units they enroll in each semester, which the California State University system changes each academic year.

Connecticut

SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY, New Haven, CT

inside southern

Southern Connecticut State’s MLIS program totals 36 credit hours and is offered online. Concentrations available include Digital Information Management and Academic. GRE scores are not required for admission. Both in-state and out-of-state students pay $5191 in tuition per semester, for an average total degree cost of $20,764.

District of Columbia

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, Washington, DC

Catholic university

Catholic University of America’s MSLIS program is 36 credits of on-campus study (some courses may be offered online). Concentrations in Community Services, Cultural Heritage Information Management, Data Science, Digital Libraries, Generalist, Information Architecture, Law Librarianship, Organization of Information, and School Library Media are available. GRE scores are required if your undergraduate GPA was below 3.0. Graduate tuition for residents and non-residents is $1,350 per credit, totaling $48,600 for the degree.

Florida

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, Tampa, FL

University of south florida

USF’s MLIS program consists of 39 semester hours of online work. GRE scores are required for admission unless you have a master’s degree with 3.5 GPA average or an undergraduate degree with a 3.25 GPA average. Florida residents pay $347.91 per credit hour, totaling $13,533 for the degree. Non-residents pay $431.43 per credit hour, totaling $16,825.77 for the degree.

Georgia

CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY, Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Clayton State’s MAS program is 36 credit hours and is an on-campus program. It offers a Research Track and a Capstone Track. GRE scores are not required for admission. In-state tuition and fees are $2,302 per semester, totaling $9,208 for the degree. Out-of-state tuition and fees are $7,090 per semester, totaling $28,360 for the degree.

GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY, Milledgeville, GA

George College

Georgia College & State University’s M.Ed. in Library Media is a 36-semester-hour, fully online program. An optional Instructional Technology Certification is available. GRE scores are not required, but GACE Program Admission Assessment scores are necessary for admission. Tuition for in-state and out-of-state residents is $2655 per semester, averaging $10,620 for the degree.

UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA, Carrollton, GAUWG

University of West Georgia’s M.Ed. program consists of 30 hours and is offered 100% online. At the completion of the program, students will be eligible for GaPSC level 6 Media Specialist certification. No GRE scores are required for admission. Tuition and fees for both Georgia residents and non-residents are $3,368 per semester, averaging $13,472 for the degree.

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY, Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Valdosta State’s 39-credit-hour MLIS program is offered completely online. Optional tracks are available in Technology, Reference Sources and Services, Library Management, and Cataloging and Classification. GRE scores are not required to apply. Tuition rates are $300 per credit hour, totaling $11,700 for the degree.

Kansas

EMPORIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Emporia, KS

ESU

Emporia State University’s online MLS program is 36 credit hours and offers concentrations in Archive Studies, Health Information Professionals, Informatics, Leadership & Administration, Youth Services, and Outreach & Community Engagement. No GRE scores are required for admission. Kansas residents and residents of some Missouri and Oklahoma counties will pay $286.44 per credit hour, a total of $14,900 for this MLS program, as of the 2024-25 school year. Out-of-state residents pay $716.10 per credit hour, or $25,779.60 for the degree program.

FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY, Fort Hays, KS

fort hays state university

Fort Hays’ MS in Ed., Library Media Specialist totals 36 credit hours. You must have a current, valid teaching license to be admitted to the program. GRE scores are not required. Tuition is $338.62 per credit hour, totaling $12,190.32 for the degree program.

Kentucky

EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, Richmond, KY

EKU

Eastern Kentucky University’s program is 36 credit hours and is offered completely online. GRE or MAT scores are required for admission to this program. You must be a licensed teacher to be admitted to the program. Tuition for Kentucky and non-Kentucky residents is $419 per credit hour, totaling $15,084 for the degree.

MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY, Murray, KY

Murray State University

Three tracks are available for those wanting to earn the MA in Ed-Library Media degree at Murray State. If you are a certified teacher entering the program, it will total 30 credit hours. If you have a bachelor’s degree and work as a school librarian, it will total 40 credit hours. If you have a bachelor’s degree but no teaching certification, it will total 40 hours. The 30-credit hour program is available online and on-campus, while the other programs are only available on campus. GRE scores are not required for admission, but if you have not already taken PRAXIS tests, you will need to pass those.  Tuition for Kentucky residents on-campus is $409 per credit hour, totaling $12,270 for the degree. Tuition for non-residents on campus is $593.50 per credit hour, totaling $17,805 for the degree. Tuition for online students is $593.50 per credit hour, totaling $17,805 for the degree.

WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, Bowling Green, KY

WKU

Western Kentucky’s MS in LITE is a 30-credit hour, 100% online program. It prepares student for positions as a Library Media Specialist and in Educational Technology. GRE scores are not required, but teaching certification is required for admission to the program. Tuition is $707 per credit hour for both resident and non-resident students, totaling $21,210 for the degree.

Louisiana

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, Baton Rouge, LA

LSU

Louisiana State University’s School of Information Studies (SIS) offers asynchronous online classes in its 36-hour, non-thesis MLIS program. GRE scores are not required for admission. Students may choose one of the following focus areas: Academic, Adult, Archives, Cultural Heritage Resource Management, Digital Content Management, Knowledge Management, Librarianship, Public Librarianship, Records & Information Management, School Librarianship, and Youth Services Librarianship. Graduate tuition for 2024-25 is $555 per credit hour, for a total of $19,980 for the MLIS program.

NORTHWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, Natchitoches, LA

Northwestern State U

Northwestern State’s M.Ed. program in School Librarian totals 36 credit hours and is available in on campus and online formats. GRE scores are not required for admission, but you must have a valid teaching license to be admitted to the program. Tuition and fees for the online program are $475 per credit hour (for resident and non-resident students), totaling $17,100 for the degree. On-campus resident students will pay $17,100 for the degree, and non-resident students will pay $39,304 for the degree.

Maryland

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND-COLLEGE PARK, College Park, MD

University of Maryland

The University of Maryland-College Park’s MLIS program totals 36 credits and offers a Field Study Track or a Thesis Track. Elective focus areas include Archives & Digital Curation, Diversity & Inclusion, Youth Experience, Intelligence & Analytics, Legal Informatics, and School Library Certification for MD. GRE scores are not required for admission. The average degree cost for Maryland students is $34,200; and for out-of-state students, the average degree cost is $69,500.

Minnesota

SAINT CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY, St. Cloud, MN

St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University’s MS in Library Media Specialist program is a 33-credit program offered online. No GRE scores are required for entrance into the program. Tuition rates for residents of MN, ND, SD, WI, and Manitoba are $536.82 per credit, totaling $17,715.06 for the degree program. Tuition rates for residents of IN, KS, MO, NE, and OH are $805.23 per credit, totaling $26,572.59 for the degree program. Non-resident tuition is $815.55 per credit, totaling $26,913.15 for the degree program.

Mississippi

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI, Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi’s MLIS program is a fully online, 40-credit-hour program. No GRE scores are required for admission to this program. Tuition costs for the MLIS program are $556.12 per credit hour for both resident and non-resident students, for an average tuition total of $22,244.80 for the degree program.

Missouri

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY, Saint Charles, MO

Lindenwood University

Lindenwood’s MA in Education- School Library Media & Technology program is 30 credit hours long and is offered in on campus, online, and hybrid formats. GRE scores are not required for admission to the program. Tuition is $551 per credit hour, with a degree total of $16,530.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, Columbia, MO

University of Missouri

University of Missouri’s MLIS program totals 39 credit hours and is presented online. Emphasis areas in Electronic Learning Information Professional, Archival Studies, School Library Media Certification, and Youth Services are offered in this program. GRE scores are not required for admission. As of 2024-25, both Missouri and non-Missouri residents pay a tuition of $5,056.20 per semester, totaling $20,224.80 for the degree program.

Montana

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, Missoula, MT

University of Montana

University of Montana’s M. Ed. Teacher Librarian program consists of 38 credits and is offered completely online. No GRE scores are required for admission. Tuition for Montana residents is $8,406 per year, totaling $16,812 for the degree. Non-resident tuition is $18,960 per year, totaling $37,920 for the degree.

New Jersey

RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY-NEW BRUNSWICK, New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers

Rutgers’ 36 credit program with a concentration in Library and Information Science is perfect for those wishing to become librarians. A concentration in School Librarianship is also available. GRE scores are not required for admission. Tuition is $10,308 per semester for New Jersey residents, averaging $41,232 for the degree; and $13,032 per semester for non-residents, averaging $52,128 for the degree.

North Carolina

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, Greenville, NC

ECU

East Carolina University’s MLS program is a 39-credit hour program offered completely online. Three concentrations are available: Academic, Public, and School Library Media. No GRE scores are needed to apply. An MLS portfolio will be completed at the end of the degree. Resident tuition is $283.12 per credit hour, totaling $11,041.68 for the degree. Non-resident tuition is $1,013.62 per credit hour, totaling $39,531.18 for the degree.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY, Durham, NC

NC Central University

  • Master of Library Science
  • Accredited by ALA, SACSCOC
  • Online programs
  • Average degree cost: $10,714.32
  • Contact: Executive Assistant to the Dean at (919) 530-7585

The MLS program at North Carolina Central University is offered completely online. Tracks available in the 36-credit-hour MLS program include Academic, Archives & Records Management, Digital Librarianship, Law, Public, School Media Coordinator, and Special Librarian. The GRE is not required for admission to the program. In-state tuition is $297.62 per credit hour, for a total degree cost of $10,714.32. Out-of-state tuition costs $1,036.95 per credit hour, with a total degree cost of $37,330.20.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA-CHAPEL HILL, Chapel Hill, NC

UNC

UNC Chapel Hill’s MLS program totals 48 semester hours and offers an optional concentration in Archives & Records Management. A variety of specializations, as well as School Library Media Coordinator Licensure, are also available. GRE scores are not required for admission. Tuition is $848 per credit hour for North Carolina residents, totaling $40,704, and $1,884.50 per credit hour for non-residents, totaling $90,432.

Pennsylvania

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University

Kutztown’s MLS program is fully online and totals 36 credit hours. If you are not already a certified teacher, GRE scores will be required for admission. Pennsylvania residents pay $516 per credit, totaling $18,576 for the degree. Non-residents pay $526 per credit, totaling $18,936 for the degree.

PENNSYLVANIA WESTERN UNIVERSITY, Clarion, PA

Penn West Global Online

PennWest’s 36-credit-hour MSLS program is offered online, and features concentrations in Local & Archival Studies, Reference & User Services, and School Librarianship. GRE scores are not required for admission. Tuition is $516 per credit hour for Pennsylvania residents, totaling $18,576 for the degree; and $526 per credit hour for non-residents, totaling $18,936 for the degree program.

Puerto Rico

UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO, San Juan, PR

Facultad De Comunicación E Información

The University of Puerto Rico’s MSIS program is offered 100% online. Concentrations in Knowledge Management and School Librarianship are available. GRE scores are not necessary for admission, but you must be fluent in English and Spanish to enter the program. The average cost for an online MSIS degree is $13,680.

Tennessee

UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS, Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

University of Memphis’ MS program in School Library Information Specialist is 33 credit hours and leads to initial teaching licensure and a Tennessee license to teach. The program is available both online and on campus. GRE scores are not required for admission. Resident tuition is $5,814 per semester, totaling $23,256 for the degree. Non-resident tuition is $7,920 per semester, totaling $31,680 for the degree.

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE, Knoxville, TN

University of Tennessee

University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s MSIS program totals 36 semester hours and offers options for on-campus or online degrees. Pathways available include Youth Informatics, Youth Services, User Experience, Science Information, School Library Media, Public Librarianship, Information Organization, Geographic Information, Digital Collections, Data Curation & Management, Assessment Librarianship, Archives & Records Management, Academic Librarianship. GRE scores are not required for admission. In-state tuition and fees total $6,860 per semester or $27,440 degree total; and out-of-state tuition and fees total $16,014 per semester or $64.056 total degree cost.

Texas

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS, Denton, TX

UNT

University of North Texas’ MSLS program is offered online and totals 36 credit hours. Concentrations are offered in Archival Studies, Information Organization, Knowledge Management, Law Librarianship & Legal Informatics, Music Librarianship, and Youth Librarianship. GRE scores are not required for admission. As of 2024-25, estimated Texas resident tuition and fees for the program is $16,500. Non-residents pay $7,751.92 per semester, for a total cost of $23,255.76. Oklahoma residents pay $10,231 per semester, for a total degree cost of $30,693.