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Library Science and Administration

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Library Science and Administration

Library Science and Administration graduates earn $36,949 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,200 and $51,608. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Library Science and Administration

Library Science and Administration is a focused area of study within Library Science. Graduates typically earn around $36,949 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. The program is available at 84 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 6,224 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $27,108
Median Earnings · 4yr: $36,949
Colleges Offering: 84
Graduates / Year: 6,224
Avg Net Price / yr: $17,853

How Much Do Library Science and Administration Graduates Earn?

Library Science and Administration graduates earn $36,949 four years out, significantly below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,200 and $51,608. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $27,108 climbs to $36,949 by year four.

$27,108

1 Year After Graduation

Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.

$36,949

4-Year National Median

Significantly below average. Graduate credentials or high-demand roles can raise this considerably.

$32,301

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a moderate earnings spread across Library Science and Administration graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$23,200 25th pct.

$36,949 Median

$51,608 75th pct.

Is the Cost 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 specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 12 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 6,224 students who complete Library Science and Administration programs each year, the majority (89%) earn a master's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

89%

Master's 89%

Post-Bacc Cert. 4%

Post-Master's Cert. 4%

What Can You Do With a Library Science and Administration Degree?

Library Science and Administration connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Librarian leads at $68,270/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +1.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Librarian

$68,270

$56K $84K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 13,500 openings/yr 134K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Writing Critical Thinking

Day-to-day responsibilities

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

Check books in and out of the library.
Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

↗ +3.8% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Archivists

$64,550

$51K $83K 25th–75th pct.

Master's degree 1,100 openings/yr 8K employed nationally

Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing Speaking Active Learning

Day-to-day responsibilities

Appraise, edit, and direct safekeeping of permanent records and historically valuable documents. Participate in research activities based on archival materials.

Organize archival records and develop classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials.
Provide reference services and assistance for users needing archival materials.
Prepare archival records, such as document descriptions, to allow easy access to information.

Top Colleges for Library Science and Administration

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Library Science and Administration students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public	702	84.6%	$13,760	$78,988
2	Texas Woman's University Denton, TX · Public	325	96.1%	$11,963	$56,544
3	Simmons University Boston, MA · Nonprofit	279	70%	$25,265	$63,494
4	University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public	271	72.2%	$15,649	$57,010
5	Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA · Public	231	73.3%	$19,151	$61,251
6	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS · Public	228	99.1%	$21,708	$44,140
7	Pennsylvania Western University California, PA · Public	188	94.3%	$18,256	$47,295
8	University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC · Public	156	88.5%	$10,965	$48,160
9	Wayne State University Detroit, MI · Public	152	81.2%	$12,766	$53,493
10	Emporia State University Emporia, KS · Public	151	97.7%	$16,261	$47,601
11	Rutgers University-New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ · Public	149	58.2%	$24,406	$74,479
12	University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC · Public	148	60.2%	$22,811	$62,177
13	Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH · Public	146	86.3%	$20,787	$45,388
14	University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI · Public	140	90.7%	$15,014	$54,990
15	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA · Public	134	39.2%	$14,091	$78,466
16	Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA · Public	128	72.3%	$10,945	$49,361
17	University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD · Public	122	44.8%	$15,678	$82,860
18	University of South Florida Tampa, FL · Public	112	43.2%	$9,812	$57,743
19	Syracuse University Syracuse, NY · Nonprofit	110	45.9%	$38,793	$79,164
20	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN · Public	108	41.6%	$18,976	$60,249

View all colleges

Ranked by Library Science and Administration graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

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 and Administration program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Library Science and Administration 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 and Administration Degree: Pros & Cons

Library Science and Administration carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 2 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $27,108 at graduation to $36,949 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 14,600 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.

CONS

Below-average earnings Four-year median of $36,949 falls below the national median for bachelor's degree holders.
Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Long earnings breakeven At median salary and average net price, recovering education costs versus a baseline wage takes roughly 10.3 years.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($23,200) and 75th ($51,608) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Library Science and Administration Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Library Science and Administration graduates earn?

Library Science and Administration graduates earn a national median of $36,949 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,200 and $51,608. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Library Science and Administration degree?

One year after graduation, Library Science and Administration degree holders earn a median of $27,108. That climbs to $36,949 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Library Science and Administration degree?

Library Science and Administration degree holders pursue careers including Librarian, which pays a median of $68,270/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Library Science and Administration program take?

While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Library Science and Administration students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.

How many colleges offer Library Science and Administration?

84 colleges and universities in the United States offer Library Science and Administration programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Library Science and Administration degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $36,949 and an average net price of roughly $17,853/yr, a Library Science and Administration degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Library Science and Administration and Library Science?

Library Science and Administration is a focused concentration within the broader Library Science field. The Library Science major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Library Science and Administration-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Library Science and Administration graduates?

Employers hiring Library Science and Administration graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.

What is the job outlook for Library Science and Administration graduates?

The job outlook for Library Science and Administration graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +2.8% job growth over the next 10 years. Archivists is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.8%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.