Best Online Master’s in Library Science Degrees of 2025

You may be considering a career as a librarian because you love reading, but this occupation is about more than just books. Libraries do distribute written materials, but they’re also community centers offering public restrooms, classes, and resources. Librarians facilitate programs, track down research materials, and recommend stories that broaden perspectives.

During a master’s of library science degree program, you can develop the strong research and organizational skills needed to succeed as a librarian.

You should get your master’s in library science if you want to:

According to BestColleges’ 2024 survey of online students and graduates:

When considering which master of library science online program to pursue, consider the cost of the program, whether financial aid is available, the length of the program, application requirements, student services, and the program’s accreditation status.

The median tuition and fees for an online library science master’s degree cost students about $7,305 in 2020, according to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). However, your net price could be lower depending on the scholarships and grants you may be eligible for.

Be sure to do your research — 29% of the online students and program graduates BestColleges surveyed say they wished they had done more research about cost and financial aid before enrolling in a program, and 31% said they wished they had compared more programs.

Financial aid can offset some of the costs of getting your master’s degree, and online programs tend to cost less than in-person and hybrid programs.

Your master’s degree can also pay off in the long run, and earn you more than the national average wage. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 80% of people who graduated with their master’s degree in 2023 are employed and earned a mean starting salary of $81,310.

Most master’s of library science programs require about 30-40 credits, which can take you up to two years. However, you could complete your program in closer to 1-1.5 years by enrolling in an accelerated program.

Additionally, if you want to keep working while in school, consider a part-time program, which can take longer to complete but offers more flexibility.

Programs typically require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 for admission. While many programs do not require you to submit test scores, some require GRE scores. Each program has its own ideal test score range. Other application requirements include:

Application fees can range from $65-$90 or more, depending on the school, but many programs offer fee waivers based on financial need. Contact the institution’s financial aid office to learn more about fee waiver opportunities.

Programmatic accreditation evaluates and ensures quality educational standards, particularly for career-focused programs and professional pathways. Accreditation is important because it indicates which programs are trustworthy, worth your time, and offer value.

Only consider accredited schools and programs to ensure you are pursuing a quality program that will pay off. Many employers only consider candidates who graduate from accredited programs.

The American Library Association (ALA) is one of the most prevalent and sought-after accrediting bodies for library science programs. Cindy Hohl, president of ALA, told BestColleges that ALA accreditation demonstrates a program has undergone a self-evaluation process, been reviewed by its peers, and has met ALA’s standards. ALA has a database of accredited programs that you can explore.

With a master’s in library science, you can pursue a career as a librarian, archivist, curator, teacher, research scientist, or library media specialist. Librarians earned an average of $68,570, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

An online master’s in library science degree can open doors in library and information careers while offering flexibility, the ability to work while learning, and an opportunity to save money on a master’s program. Our research shows that the vast majority of online master’s program graduates found value in their program and would recommend it to others.

Additionally, having a master’s degree can make you more money. NACE found that people with a master’s degree have a higher mean starting salary than people with bachelor’s or associate degrees. NACE also reports that 67% of 2023 graduates with a master’s in library science are employed full time. Eighty-six percent are employed overall. Most librarian jobs require a master’s degree. According to the BLS, these professionals often earn between $59,000 and $70,000 per year on average.

If you want to pursue a career in research or in academia as a professor, you may need to pursue an education beyond a master’s degree. Academic and advanced research positions usually require a doctoral degree. A doctorate in library science can make you eligible for academic library director, college professor, or and information and data roles.

If you don’t want to pursue a doctorate but still want to continue your education, you may consider getting a certificate. You can earn a certificate in teaching or a specific technology to broaden your career opportunities. You can also pursue specializations in digital curation, digital libraries, law libraries, or health informatics.