Best Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees of 2024
Librarians have a valuable job in our society. They champion our access to information; support our freedom to read, learn, and research what we want; and track down whatever materials we can’t find ourselves.
If a career in library science sounds right for you, an online master’s in library science degree might be a great fit. Here’s how to get started:
- Explore this page to determine if this path is the right choice for you.
- Check out the top-ranked online master’s in library science programs, as well as our sponsored programs.
- Request more information from schools you’re interested in to find the best fit for your schedule, pocketbook, and career goals.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top 10 Online Library Science Master’s Programs
San Jose State University
- San Jose, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled37,133
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment85%
- AccreditationYes
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
- Seattle, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,927
- Out-of-state$38,757
- In-State$16,605
- Out-of-state$29,763
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate53%
- Students Enrolled52,434
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment19%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Texas
- Denton, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$8,295
- Out-of-state$18,111
- In-State$6,350
- Out-of-state$13,694
- Retention Rate79%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled42,441
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
University of Maryland-College Park
- College Park, MD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$9,000
- Out-of-state$36,683
- In-State$15,360
- Out-of-state$34,120
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate52%
- Students Enrolled41,272
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Sam Houston State University
- Huntsville, TX
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,856
- Out-of-state$15,648
- In-State$5,765
- Out-of-state$13,108
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled21,612
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Columbia, MO
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,017
- Out-of-state$28,992
- In-State$9,950
- Out-of-state$27,245
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate77%
- Students Enrolled31,401
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment63%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,559
- Out-of-state$15,473
- In-State$8,350
- Out-of-state$19,048
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled49,708
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
- Knoxville, TN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,332
- Out-of-state$29,522
- In-State$11,468
- Out-of-state$29,656
- Retention Rate88%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled31,701
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,581
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled19,038
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled28,021
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Why Is ALA Accreditation Important?
The American Library Association (ALA) accredits 68 programs at 64 institutions across the U.S. ALA-accredited programs often post their status prominently on their websites.
A degree from an ALA-accredited program can qualify aspiring information literacy specialists for many professional jobs, including leadership roles in schools and public systems.
Not only do most employers like to see accredited degrees, but attending an ALA-approved program can help you build a valuable professional network of peers, professors, and alumni.
How Much Does an Online Masters in Library Science Degree Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average master’s degree costs $20,513 per year in tuition alone. As a gross national average, that figure can look much different when broken down school by school. Keep in mind that the sticker price is merely a ballpark figure for the cost of a degree.
Online learning, studying in the state where you live, and choosing a public institution are three simple ways to lower college costs.
Remember, too, that earning a master’s in library science can raise your salary above the national average, so the cost of not attaining your degree may be higher than going to school.
Average Annual Tuition of a Master’s Degree
Public Institution
$12,596
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$29,931
Is an Online Master’s in Library Science Worth It?
Suppose you dream of working in an academic or school library, or aspire to a leadership role in an archive or information management company. In that case, you probably need a master’s in library science.
This degree can build on any undergraduate major to provide you with essential skills in research, organization, data management, and information analysis. These skills transfer easily into many other fields, even if you never opt to become a librarian.
An MLIS opens your future up to more than conventional information management roles. Library science graduates can work as chief information officers, managing editors, senior information specialists, instructional designers, or chief curators.
Earning your degree online can improve your digital skills while saving time and money. Consider these benefits of earning your library science degree online:
Benefits of a Master’s in Library Science
- Qualify for high-paying librarian jobs
- Gain in-demand information management skills
- Meet requirements for librarian certification programs
- Work in diverse settings
- Strengthen job prospects
Reasons to Get Your Library Science Degree Online
- Keep working while you earn your degree
- Balance school and other obligations
- Maintain flexible class and work schedules
- Control the pace of your education
- Learn from anywhere you want
How Much Money Can I Make With a Master’s in Library Science?
Median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists
$64,370
Median annual wage for the highest 10 percent of earners
$101,970
You can expect to make a median annual salary of $64,370 as a librarian, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Jobs in elementary and secondary schools paid the most, at $68,450 per year in 2023. Local government positions paid the least at $60,770 each year.
State colleges and universities offered a median pay of $66,260 for librarians, while general information roles paid $59,730.
Are Concentrations Available for Master’s in Library Science Degrees?
In addition to studying to become a librarian, a master’s in library science degree gives you plenty of concentration options. Depending on your preferences, you can focus on specific areas that can benefit you later in your career.
Some popular specializations include the following:
- Information Architecture: This concentration helps students develop the skills to construct and manage websites as information resources.
- Law Librarianship: Students take courses in legal informatics, law library management, and legal information services. Graduates with this concentration may work for law libraries, information publishers, or organizations that use legal information resources.
- Archives: Graduates with an archives concentration should know how to preserve and manage photographs, records, medical records, digital images, and digital information databases.
- School Librarianship: Students discover how to assist educators and pupils with learning resources and how to integrate technology into schools. This concentration may help students qualify for their state’s educational media specialist license.
- Youth Services: This concentration emphasizes youth literature, storytelling for information professionals, and the culture of youth information services in diverse communities.
What Jobs Can I Get With a Library Science Master’s Degree?
Graduates with a master’s in library science often become public librarians, school librarians, or specialized librarians working in corporate, law, or medical settings.
The library science degree also gives you the skills, knowledge, and credentials to take on various other roles, including working in businesses, museums, and administrative services.
Graduates can also work outside of libraries and become teachers or researchers. The table below contains some library science careers.
Common Library Science Career Paths
- Librarian and Library Media Specialists
- Archivists and Curators
- Instructional Coordinator
- High School Teacher*
- Library Director
- Computer and Information Research Scientists
*May need additional certification or licensure
More Questions About Earning a Master’s in Library Science Online
According to the BLS, you’ll need a master’s in library science to qualify for most librarian jobs. School librarians and other library professionals need a bachelor’s or master’s degree. A teaching certificate may also be required for school-related positions, but requirements vary by state.
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