At a Glance: Top Online MLIS Programs
#1: Rutgers University — The university offers a self-designed master's in information pathway, so you can customize your degree and gain the necessary expertise in your preferred specializations.
#2: University of Maryland — UMD's proximity to Washington, D.C. means students have unique opportunities for archival studies, with access to governmental and institutional libraries and resources.
#3: University of Missouri — The university offers a dual degree in library science and public affairs, which prepares you for roles in information policy and governance.
A master's in library science (MLS) is the standard degree you'll need if you want to work as a professional librarian. Many employers also prefer — or require — graduates to earn their degrees from programs accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), which evaluates these library and information science programs to ensure they meet the profession's educational standards.
We rank schools that offer online master's in library science by considering affordability, student outcomes, reputation, diversity, and social mobility, and include only accredited nonprofit institutions with graduation rates in the top third of online colleges. Read on to find out which programs made the cut.
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Top Master's in Library Science Online Degrees
How We Highlight What Schools Do Best
We analyzed each school's program to identify qualities that set it apart, prioritizing factors like concentration options, industry connections, accessibility, and experiential learning opportunities. Based on these strengths, we assigned each school a superlative category.
Since many programs share similar offerings and outcomes, our goal is to simplify your college decision-making by highlighting the features most relevant to your needs.
We verified these schools' facts in August 2025.
Do You Need a Master's in Library Science to Become a Librarian?
Librarians typically need a master's degree in library science, preferably from an ALA-accredited program. Some states also require additional licensure or certifications. For example, school librarians might need a teaching certificate.
In addition to these professional credentials, employers look at other types of competencies, such as:
Computer proficiency
Interpersonal skills
Research skills
Subject matter expertise (for specialized libraries like law and medicine)
Why ALA Accreditation Matters
ALA accreditation means that a master's program in library and information science has passed a rigorous external review and meets the ALA's standards for curriculum, faculty, and student outcomes. Graduating from an ALA-accredited MLIS or MLS program matters because many employers require it for professional-level librarian roles.
Cindy Hohl
How to Choose the Right Online MLIS Program
The right online MLIS program should be ALA-accredited and align with your career goals, the specialization you want to focus on, your learning style, and your budget.
Match MLIS Specializations to Your Career
Choose a concentration aligned with the skills and knowledge you need for the job you want. For example:
Archivist or special collections librarian: Consider archival studies, digital curation, or special collections if you want to work in museums, universities, government agencies, or historical collections. The University of Maryland's MLIS program stands out for its archival studies specialization, thanks to its proximity to the nation's capital and the many resources available there.
School librarian: If you want to work in K-12 settings, choose school library licensure, instructional technology licensure, or library media pathways. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers a wide range of specializations, including those specific to school librarians.
Public librarian: Look for programs that include community engagement, youth services, and coursework in reference and user services. A self-designed pathway, such as the one offered by Rutgers, can help you gain the well-rounded preparation needed for public librarianship.
Academic librarian: To work in an academic setting, consider programs that prioritize research methods, information literacy, scholarly communication, and instructional support.
Digital librarian and data management: Choose concentrations in digital curation, digital libraries, or data science if you want to follow this tech-heavy track.
Medical, law, or corporate librarian: Pick a program that offers knowledge management coursework and specialized electives designed for these types of industries.
Choose Based on Program Format
Online MLIS programs vary in terms of format. They include:
Asynchronous programs let you complete weekly coursework at your own pace.
Synchronous programs require live online meetings.
Hybrid programs add some in-person coursework or campus experiences (such as the option offered by Dominican University).
Accelerated formats can help you complete your degree faster, but require a considerable time commitment.
Part-time programs better fit full-time workers who can only dedicate a few hours to study.
How Much Does a Master's in Library Science Online Cost?
Online Master's Degree Programs, 2019-2020
Avg. Tuition & Fees (2020)
$8,590
Avg. Net Price (2020)
$10,308
Source: NCES PowerStats
The ranked MLIS programs on our list average about $15,959 for in-state tuition and $26,571 for out-of-state tuition. These figures are not the net prices because they reflect tuition only and do not include books, fees, or other educational expenses, nor do they account for grants or scholarships.
They are also higher than the 2019-2020 NCES averages for online master's programs ($8,590 in average tuition and fees and $10,308 in average net price), though the gap could be due to differences in the years the data were collected.
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How Long Does It Take to Get an Online MLIS?
Typical # of Credits
40 Credits
Typical Program Length
2 Years
Most master's of library science programs require 30-40 credits, which can take you up to two years to complete. However, you can graduate in 1-1.5 years if you enroll in an accelerated program. These programs let you finish sooner by condensing material into shorter terms and allowing you to take more classes at once.
On the other hand, if you want to keep working while studying, you should consider enrolling in a part-time program. These can take longer to complete but offer more flexibility, with a lighter course load and scheduling options that better fit around your commitments.
Admission Requirements for an Online MLIS
When applying for an online MLIS program, consider its requirements. Typically, you'll need:
Bachelor's degree
Transcripts
Resume or CV
Recommendation letters
Statement of purpose, personal statement, or essay
GPA of at least 3.0, though some programs review lower GPAs with added materials or conditional requirements.
Some other requirements may include:
GRE scores: Several of our ranked schools do not require the GRE, but others (like USF) may require or consider GRE scores.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores: Some programs require English proficiency scores (such as the TOEFL) or other documentation for non-native English speakers.
What Can You Do With a Master's in Library Science?
With a master's in library science, you can pursue a career as a librarian, archivist, curator, teacher, research scientist, or library media specialist.
These roles often pay above average compared to other occupations. For example, librarians earned an average of $68,270 per year in 2025, according to the BLS. On the other hand, the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
| Job | Median Annual Salary, May 2024 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Public Librarian | $60,510 | Serve communities by planning programs and helping people find books and use resources. |
| School Librarian | $69,880 | Develop lesson plans and teach elementary, middle, and high school students to use library resources. |
| Academic Librarian | $66,260-68,570 | Assist students and faculty at colleges and universities in their research. |
| Special Librarian | $59,810 | Work in law, medicine, or for corporations to serve the information needs of an organization. |
| Archivist | $64,550 | Organize information and materials, assist in research, and create and use databases. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Master's in Library Science Programs
There is no practical difference between an MLIS and MLS, except for their titles: an MLIS stands for Master of Library and Information Science, while an MLS stands for Master of Library Science. Nonetheless, employers treat them equally, as both meet the professional requirements for librarian roles (as long as the programs are ALA-certified).
