HUMANITIES
+1.8%Liberal Arts
A broad foundation across writing, history, social science, and the arts — a flexible entry point into graduate school, business, or public service.
HUMANITIES
Library Science
Salary data, career paths, top colleges, and every specialization, all sourced from College Scorecard, IPEDS, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
About Library Science
Archiving, data curation, and information management — stable careers in libraries, museums, universities, and large organizations that preserve and organize knowledge. Graduates earn a national median of $36,949 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. The field is offered at 127 colleges and universities across the United States. Approximately 6,840 students complete degrees in this area each 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?
$36,949
Median earnings · 4yr
+1.7%
10yr job growth
2
Specializations
Is the Investment Worth It?
Breaks even in
~10.3
yrs
vs $30K/yr baseline wage
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.
ROI varies significantly by specialization and institution. A top program in a high-demand specialization can return many multiples of its cost. A lower-tier program in a saturated field may take a decade to break even. Use the Specializations and Best Colleges sections above to compare your specific options before deciding.
How Much Do Library Science Majors Earn?
Library Science graduates start at a median $27,108 one year out and reach $36,949 four years later. Both figures are national medians from College Scorecard, measured across all 127 US institutions offering programs in this field.
$27,108
1 Year After Graduation
Median at the institutional level. Entry-level salaries; reflects career start, not peak earnings.
$36,949
4-Year National Median
Enrollment-weighted national median across all institutions. Most graduates have 2-3 years of career experience at this point.
$32,301
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size. Closer to what a typical school's graduates earn.
What Can You Do With a Library Science Degree?
Career Paths for Library Science Graduates
Library Science connects to 3 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spanning entry-level and senior roles. Librarian leads in median earnings at $68,270/yr. Each row includes national wages, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
Librarian
Master's degree
$68,270
↗ +1.7% growth
Archivists
Master's degree
$64,550
↗ +3.8% growth
Library Technicians
Postsecondary nondegree award
$44,580
↘ -6.8% growth
Library Science Specializations
Library Science spans 3 specializations with relatively consistent earnings, from $36,949 to $36,949 at the four-year mark, per College Scorecard. Each row links to a full program profile with institution counts and annual completion data.
Specialization
Colleges
Grads/yr
Earnings · 4yr
Best Colleges for Library Science
The 20 colleges below are ranked by Library Science graduate volume, how many students completed this degree in the last reporting year. All data points shown (acceptance rate, net price, earnings, grad rate) come from College Scorecard and IPEDS.
1
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA · Public
Acceptance
84.6%
Net price/yr
$13,760
Earnings 10yr
$78,988
Grad rate
36%
2
Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX · Public
Acceptance
96.1%
Net price/yr
$11,963
Earnings 10yr
$56,544
Grad rate
58%
3
Simmons University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
Acceptance
70%
Net price/yr
$25,265
Earnings 10yr
$63,494
Grad rate
81%
4
University of North Texas
Denton, TX · Public
Acceptance
72.2%
Net price/yr
$15,649
Earnings 10yr
$57,010
Grad rate
57%
5
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA · Public
Acceptance
73.3%
Net price/yr
$19,151
Earnings 10yr
$61,251
Grad rate
63%
6
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public
Acceptance
99.1%
Net price/yr
$21,708
Earnings 10yr
$44,140
Grad rate
38%
7
Pennsylvania Western University
California, PA · Public
Acceptance
94.3%
Net price/yr
$18,256
Earnings 10yr
$47,295
Grad rate
50%
8
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC · Public
Acceptance
88.5%
Net price/yr
$10,965
Earnings 10yr
$48,160
Grad rate
58%
9
Emporia State University
Emporia, KS · Public
Acceptance
97.7%
Net price/yr
$16,261
Earnings 10yr
$47,601
Grad rate
47%
10
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI · Public
Acceptance
81.2%
Net price/yr
$12,766
Earnings 10yr
$53,493
Grad rate
46%
11
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ · Public
Acceptance
58.2%
Net price/yr
$24,406
Earnings 10yr
$74,479
Grad rate
73%
12
University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public
Acceptance
60.2%
Net price/yr
$22,811
Earnings 10yr
$62,177
Grad rate
70%
13
Kent State University at Kent
Kent, OH · Public
Acceptance
86.3%
Net price/yr
$20,787
Earnings 10yr
$45,388
Grad rate
46%
14
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI · Public
Acceptance
90.7%
Net price/yr
$15,014
Earnings 10yr
$54,990
Grad rate
49%
15
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA · Public
Acceptance
39.2%
Net price/yr
$14,091
Earnings 10yr
$78,466
Grad rate
73%
16
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA · Public
Acceptance
72.3%
Net price/yr
$10,945
Earnings 10yr
$49,361
Grad rate
33%
17
University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
Acceptance
44.8%
Net price/yr
$15,678
Earnings 10yr
$82,860
Grad rate
76%
18
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL · Public
Acceptance
43.2%
Net price/yr
$9,812
Earnings 10yr
$57,743
Grad rate
68%
19
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit
Acceptance
45.9%
Net price/yr
$38,793
Earnings 10yr
$79,164
Grad rate
78%
20
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN · Public
Acceptance
41.6%
Net price/yr
$18,976
Earnings 10yr
$60,249
Grad rate
65%
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
Major
$30k
$40k
$50k
$60k
$70k
$80k
$90k
$100k
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.
College ROI Calculator
See if a Library Science degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Library Science Degree: Pros & Cons
Library Science carries financial trade-offs that prospective students should weigh carefully before committing. The 0 strengths and 3 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.
CONS
- Below-average earnings Four-year median of $36,949 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders, limiting near-term financial returns.
- Declining roles in some areas 1 related career within this field show negative 10-year employment projections per BLS. Research specific roles carefully before committing.
- Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 10.3 years. Compare program costs carefully.
Library Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Library Science graduates earn?
Library Science graduates earn a national median of $36,949 four years after completing their degree, per College Scorecard data. Earnings vary significantly by specialization, institution, and region. Use the specializations table on this page to compare programs.
What is the starting salary for a Library Science degree?
The median earnings one year after graduation for Library Science degree holders is $27,108 at the institutional level, per College Scorecard. Starting salaries vary by employer, location, and specific specialization within the field.
What jobs can you get with a Library Science degree?
Library Science degree holders work in a range of careers. Librarian is one of the top roles by median wage ($68,270/yr nationally per BLS data). See the Career Paths section on this page for a full breakdown of related occupations, employment levels, and 10-year growth projections.
How many colleges offer Library Science?
127 colleges and universities in the United States offer programs in Library Science, per IPEDS data. Options range from community colleges offering associate degrees to research universities with doctoral programs. The Best Colleges section on this page ranks the top institutions by graduation volume.
Is a Library Science degree worth it?
At a median 4-year earnings of $36,949 and an average net price of roughly $17,853/yr across institutions offering this major, a Library Science degree can deliver strong returns, particularly in high-earning specializations. The ROI depends heavily on which institution and specialization you choose.
How long does it take to earn a Library Science degree?
A bachelor's degree in Library Science typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years. Online and part-time options can adjust these timelines based on your schedule and transfer credits.
What skills do employers look for in Library Science graduates?
Employers hiring Library Science graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, research, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the 10-year job outlook for Library Science graduates?
Based on BLS projections, the job outlook for Library Science graduates is mixed, with some declining roles, with an average of -0.4% projected growth across related occupations. Archivists is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.8%. Demand will vary by specialization, employer sector, and geographic region.
Related Findings
-
The Best Major Out-Earns the Worst by 2.5 to 1
The top-paying major returns $93,843 a decade out. The bottom returns $36,949. The gap is 2.5x, and the two ends share almost nothing in common.
- Major earnings
- Engineering tech
- Library science
- Earnings gap
- Field of study
-
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
- Major earnings
- Highest paying majors
- Job growth
- STEM
- Field of study
-
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
- Engineering tech
- Engineering
- Program earnings
- Applied degree
- Technician careers
Continue Exploring
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Careers
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