Best Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees of 2024
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- Librarians oversee libraries and help people find information.
- To become a librarian, you typically need a master's degree in library science.
- You can choose concentrations based on your interests, including school librarianship and youth services.
- A master's in library science can lead to well-paying jobs that pay close to $100,000 annually for the highest 10% of earners.
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 that sounds like the kind of career you want, an online master's in library science degree might be a great fit for you. 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.
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
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Much Do Online Library Science Degrees Cost?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average master's degree costs $19,749 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
$12,394
Private Institution (Nonprofit)
$28,445
Top 10 Online Library Science Master's Programs
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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San Jose State University
San Jose, CA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost:
In-State | $3,588 per semester for full-time students
Out-of-State | $525 per credit
Credits to Graduate: 43
San Jose State's master of library and information science degree is mostly asynchronous, and is run through its School of Information. The program has continuously held ALA accreditation since 1969.
Students must complete a thesis or e-portfolio to graduate. The curriculum includes electives like AI in the library, web 2.0 and social media, and digital humanities.
Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree in any field and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The program does not require GMAT or GRE test scores.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $889
Out-of-State | $889
Credits to Graduate: 63
The online MLIS from the University of Washington's Information School provides a foundation in library and information science and includes information technology and social/ethical cores. Learners can complete the entire program online or attend some classes in person if they live in the Seattle area.
The curriculum includes classes like preservation and conservation of library materials, collection development, and indigenous systems of knowledge. Students can complete the part-time online program in three years by taking 6-8 credits per semester.
Simmons University
Boston, MA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,365
Out-of-State | $1,365
Credits to Graduate: 36
Distance learners can pursue an MLIS completely online or blended through a combination of online and in-person coursework from Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. The Simmons MLIS curriculum covers best practices for information organization, classification, and access and can prepare students for diverse opportunities in library and information science.
The program offers two concentrations available completely online: information science and technology and archives management. The online program also offers a design-your-own-curriculum option that lets students focus on their individual interests.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Year:
In-State | $6,223
Out-of-State | $19,951
Credits to Graduate: 36
The Department of Information, Library, and Research Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers a fully online, interdisciplinary MLIS degree that features mostly synchronous courses. The UNC Greensboro MLIS curriculum explores topics like information architecture, archival management, social media, and information resources management.
The program offers optional school library and instructional technology licenses. Learners can get hands-on experience in the field by completing practicums and volunteer work with information organizations in their local communities. The program accepts applications year-round.
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes (conditional)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $290
Out-of-State | $1,020
Credits to Graduate: 39
Students can earn a tech-focused master of library science (MLS) from East Carolina University's College of Education in Greenville, North Carolina. The program offers three completely online concentrations in public library, academic library, and school library media.
Full-time students can graduate in five terms, while it takes seven terms for part-time learners to complete the degree. The curriculum includes classes like introduction to reference, materials for young adults, and digital libraries. All MLS students must complete a capstone portfolio to graduate.
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $432
Out-of-State | $877
Credits to Graduate: 39
The University of South Florida's MLIS program, offers a fully online, asynchronous MA in library and information science through its School of Information. The program can prepare students for leadership roles in libraries and other information organizations.
The curriculum includes core courses like organization of knowledge, collection development and maintenance, and research methods in library and information science. Students must submit a portfolio to graduate.
The program offers a specialization in school librarian/media specialist that requires students to take the Florida Teacher Certification Examination in School Media.
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Knoxville, TN - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $700
Out-of-State | $775
Credits to Graduate: 36
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's MSIS degree, via the College of Communication and Information offers an online MS in information sciences with an optional field experience. The interdisciplinary program can prepare graduates for diverse career paths, including library science, data analysis, and user experience design.
Students take three core courses: information technology foundations, information concepts and foundations, and information organization and retrieval. They learn to organize, analyze, and manage information and data. The program does not require the GRE for admission.
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $535
Out-of-State | $535
Credits to Graduate: 39
The online master of library and information science from the University of Missouri-Columbia degree is run by the School of Information Science and Learning Technologies. It requires a hands-on practicum. Mizzou's MLIS graduates may qualify for roles like children's librarian, archives specialist, or research analyst.
Online courses may take place synchronously or asynchronously and last eight weeks. Students can add an emphasis in eLearning information professional, archival science, library media specialist, or library media specialist with certification. Full-time learners can graduate in 1-2 years.
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $626
Out-of-State | $626
Credits to Graduate: 36
The University of Iowa's fully online MA in library and information science has options for synchronous and asynchronous classes. Full-time students can graduate in two years.
The program requires 12 courses, including required core classes like management, teams, and leadership; information and inquiry; and cultural foundations. Students can complete a general plan of study or choose from professional specializations like academic librarianship, book studies and rare books, teacher librarianship, or archives and special collections.
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY - 4 years
- Online + Campus
ALA Accredited: Yes
Cost per Semester:
In-State | $5,655
Out-of-State | $6,785
Credits to Graduate: 36
The State University of New York offers a fully online, asynchronous MS in information and library science from the University at Buffalo. The program is run through the Department of Information Science, and can prepare students for professional library careers. Students can choose a generalist track or add a concentration in one or more areas like public libraries, special libraries, reference service, or cataloging and classification.
Full-time learners can graduate in four semesters, but the program also accepts part-time students. The program does not require a practicum experience, but it offers an optional one that many students complete.
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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.
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.
How Much Money Can I Make With a Master’s in Library Science?
Median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists
$61,660
Median annual wage for the highest 10 percent of earners
$98,650
You can expect to make a median annual salary of $61,660 as a librarian, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Jobs in colleges, universities and professional schools paid the most, at $63,970 per year in 2022. More general information science positions paid the least at $51,220 each year.
Elementary and secondary schools offered a median pay of $62,910 for librarians, while local government roles (excluding education or hospitals) paid $58,330.
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
Can I become a librarian without a library science degree?
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.
Do I need to take the GRE for a master’s in library science?
Each university sets its own distinct admissions standards for each program. Many programs do not require the GRE, while others only ask for GRE scores from applicants with GPAs below 3.0. A few master's in library science programs may accept the Miller Analogies Test instead of the GRE.
How long does it take to get an online master's in library science?
Most master of library science programs require 30-40 credits, which amounts to about two years of full-time study — depending on your program and specialization. However, you can complete your degree in 12-15 months by enrolling full-time in an accelerated program. Meanwhile, part-time enrollment may take up to three years.
What classes will I take in a graduate library science program?
You'll take classes that will give you a broad and specialized library education. You can expect to take classes such as:
- Library and Information Science
- Information Organization
- Management of Libraries and Information Centers
- Archives and Manuscripts
- Materials and Services to Diverse Populations
What are the highest-paying jobs with a master's in library science?
Library director is one of the highest-paying jobs you can get with a master's in library science. You can earn up to $117,000 a year in this role, according to October Payscale data. Other high-paying jobs include law librarian (up to $99,000), archivist (up to $74,000), and reference librarian (up to $73,000).
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges.com. Page last reviewed November 22, 2023.
