Library Science

About Library Science

Wondering whether Library Science is worth studying? What matters is what graduates actually earn, where they end up working, and which colleges produce the most of them. Most graduates end up in this field, so it is worth knowing what a Librarian earns and how the role is projected to grow.

Archiving, data curation, and information management. Stable careers in libraries, museums, universities, and large organizations that preserve and organize knowledge. Four years after finishing the degree, graduates in this field earn a national median of $36,949, per College Scorecard. You can study it at 127 colleges and universities across the country, so location is rarely the limiting factor. About 6,840 students complete a degree in this area every year.

Median Earnings · 1yr

$27,108

Median Earnings · 4yr

$36,949

Colleges Offering

127

Graduates / Year

6,840

Specializations

2

Avg Net Price / yr

$17,853

Is a Library Science Degree Right for You?

Is the Investment Worth It?

At median 4-year earnings of $36,949 and an estimated $71,412 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 10.3 years. Compare your specific program carefully.

How Much Do Library Science Majors Earn?

Pay for Library Science graduates climbs fast in the first few years out. The median start is $27,108 one year after graduation, rising to $36,949 by year four, so the early salary is not the ceiling. Source: College Scorecard, across all 127 US institutions offering programs in this field.

What Can You Do With a Library Science Degree?

Career Paths for Library Science Graduates

Studying Library Science does not lock you into one job title. It opens 3 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from entry-level roles to senior ones, and Librarian pays the most among them at a median $68,270 a year. Each row below adds national wages, employment levels, and the 10-year growth outlook so you can weigh the rest.

Another common path leads to what Archivists typically earn and how the field is trending.

Library Science Specializations

Library Science spans 3 specializations, and the choice among them will not swing your paycheck much: four-year earnings run from $36,949 to $36,949 across the whole group. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data. Source: College Scorecard.

The highest-paying specialization is the cost and outcomes for a Library Science and Administration program, which is worth a closer look before settling on the broader field.

Best Colleges for Library Science

These are the 20 colleges that graduate the most students in Library Science, ranked by how many completed the degree in the most recent reporting year, not by selectivity or prestige. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate for each one come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.

By that measure, the list starts with the cost and admissions data for San Jose State University.

Ranked by number of Library Science graduates per IPEDS completion data. Acceptance rate, net price, earnings, and graduation rate from College Scorecard. Read our methodology →

How Library Science Compares to Similar Majors

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Library Science degree, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find programs that match your profile.

Library Science Degree: Pros & Cons

Weigh the financial trade-offs in Library Science carefully before committing to it. The 0 strengths and 3 concerns below come from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts, so you can see exactly what is driving the caution.

Library Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions