[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Trips to the library used to be much more frequent — in 2022, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/95383-the-quiet-crisis-facing-u-s-public-libraries.html” target=”_blank”]library visits[/hen-ui-link] were almost 50% lower than a decade before. Every major North American city has experienced a decline in physical visits to public libraries. However, the decrease in library visits does not necessarily indicate a drop in people’s interest in libraries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The demand for librarians and library media specialists will continue even as technology continues to transform their workplaces. In addition to providing information access, librarians also educate, host events, and provide public services. The best online library science degrees prepare you for evolving careers in private and public libraries, museums, and beyond.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Plan your career using this resource page. Here we breakdown online library science degrees, including[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top Online Master’s Programs in Library Science[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How We Chose These Schools”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At TheBestSchools, we use trusted data from the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate schools without bias. Our ranking methodology helps prospective students from various backgrounds find the best fit. We consider key factors like academic quality, online offerings, and affordability so every type of student can find the best fit for them.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This list has not been updated for 2024. Learn more about how our formula works on [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/rankings/ranking-methodology/”]our ranking methodology page[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Get an Online Library Science Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Promote literacy and spread knowledge[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learn to preserve and organize information[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Convenient learning format, especially for working parents and caregivers[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Opportunities to specialize in areas like art, law, and medicine[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Find jobs in private and public schools, local government, and colleges[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections indicate that librarian employment will keep pace with the average from 2022-2032[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The top 10% of librarians earned more than $101,970 as of April 2024[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Expect From an Online Library Science Graduate Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best online library science programs prepare librarians and information professionals for the contemporary era. This degree covers the concepts, theories, and technology used in libraries and information industries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average master’s in library science requires about 30-36 credits. Over two years, you can prepare for careers in libraries and institutions that preserve information resources, such as museums and historical societies. Electives and concentrations let you deepen your knowledge in specific areas, such as archival studies, law librarianship, and music librarianship. Degrees may hold programmatic accreditation from the[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ala.org/” target=”_blank”] American Library Association[/hen-ui-link] (ALA).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-tertiary-700″]Understand Admission Requirements[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution meets the basic prerequisites for any master’s program. Since each library science degree is administered differently, they may require unique admission criteria. For instance, law librarian concentrations may require an applicant to hold a juris doctor degree from a school[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.americanbar.org/” target=”_blank”] approved by the American Bar Association[/hen-ui-link]. The following includes common admission requirements:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Bachelor’s degree or higher in any major[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Minimum 3.0 GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Application materials that include a personal statement, resume, official transcripts, and 2-3 letters of recommendation[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]GRE scores may be required or preferred[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Optional interview[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-tertiary-700″]Discover Popular Courses[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Library science degrees prepare students for careers in information science, but specific courses and electives may vary. The following includes common courses offered by the best online library science degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Collection and access management[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Emerging technologies in libraries[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Information access and knowledge inquiry[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Information technology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Management of information organizations[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Principles of cataloging and classification[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research, assessment, and design[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-tertiary-700″]Explore Graduation Requirements[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A master of library science degree includes lectures and practicum experiences that prepare you for the modern informational needs of various agencies and organizations. You must meet the requirements of a program to earn a master’s degree. You typically must complete the required core courses and electives, along with any final exam, capstone project, or thesis requirements. Some programs may incorporate an internship or practicum experience at a school library in the final year.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges may require that you maintain minimum academic standards. Requirements could include earning either an A or B grade in core courses. Also, you may need to keep an overall 3.0 GPA throughout the program.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Can I Do With a Master’s in Library Science?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Traditionally, a master’s in library science leads to [hen-ui-link href=”https://thebestschools.org/careers/career-guide/library-science/”]positions in libraries[/hen-ui-link]. Changes in technology have created greater opportunities in broader information-based careers. Graduates can pursue careers as archivists, information architects, or data management analysts.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Along with seniority, work setting can affect salary expectations. Entry-level archivists earned less than $34,310 as of May 2023, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/” target=”_blank”]according to the BLS[/hen-ui-link]. The top 10% of archivists made more than $100,510. They earn a median annual salary of $62,100 in education services, compared to $52,000 at museums.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Working in traditional library settings allows professionals to specialize in roles like librarian, music librarian, law librarian, and medical librarian. Many graduates also pursue non-traditional careers as corporate recruiters, who can earn an average annual salary of $66,520, according to July 2024 Payscale data.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Jobs for Library Science Graduates[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Job[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Salary (2023)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators.htm” target=”_blank”]Archivist[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$59,910[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Corporate_Recruiter/Salary” target=”_blank”]Corporate Recruiter[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$66,520*[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]Not Available[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm” target=”_blank”]Data Management Analyst[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$99,410[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]10%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Information_Architect/Salary” target=”_blank”]Information Architect[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$110,920*[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]Not Available[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Law_Librarian/Salary” target=”_blank”]Law Librarian[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$66,040*[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]Not Available[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm” target=”_blank”]Librarian and Library Media Specialist[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$64,370[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]3%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/project-management-specialists.htm” target=”_blank”]Project Manager[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$98,580[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]6%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Curator/Salary” target=”_blank”]Special Collections Curator[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2023)”]$59,920*[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Job Growth Rate (2022-2032)”]10.8%[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-article-card title=”Explore what you can do with a library science degree” href=”/degrees/library-science/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Does It Cost to Get a Master’s Degree in Library Science?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Annual tuition and fees for a master’s in library science cost an average of $18,340 in 2020, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Take note that no tuition estimate can provide a clear picture of what you will pay for your master’s in library science. Because every student’s situation is unique, you cannot predict the exact costs for each degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In-state residents almost always get a better tuition deal than out-of-state residents. However, schools may provide reciprocity tuition agreements. Online programs may also offer the same tuition rate to learners across all states.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Private schools often cost more than public schools. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_330.50.asp” target=”_blank”]NCES data[/hen-ui-link] reveals that, in the 2021-2022 academic year, graduate students paid an average of $12,596 at public colleges, while enrollees in private institutions paid $28,017 at nonprofit and for-profit colleges.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You need not pay the tuition out-of-pocket thanks to the FAFSA. This form determines your eligibility for federal loans and grants. In addition to federal aid, you can also tap scholarships and private loans, if needed, though loans require repayment and scholarships do not.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Financial Aid Resources” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”289,301″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Library Science Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is a master’s in library science?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Master’s in library science degrees prepare graduates to collect, manage, and preserve information. They curate libraries by choosing the information and items to include in collections. This degree also teaches degree-holders to provide community service and work in leadership roles.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the best degree for a librarian?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most librarian positions at public and specialty branches require a library science degree, often from a program accredited by the ALA. Law librarians sometimes also hold juris doctorate degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the highest degree in library science?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A doctor of library science is the highest academic achievement you can reach in the field. Through this degree, you can complete original empirical research and collaborate with other researchers. It takes about 4-6 years to complete a doctor of library science program. Earning a Ph.D. in library sciences can lead to positions as a dean or director of a library.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much money can I make with a master’s in library science?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Librarians earn a median annual wage of $64,370, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/librarians.htm” target=”_blank”]according to the BLS[/hen-ui-link]. The District of Columbia pays librarians the most, with [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes254022.htm#st” target=”_blank”]an annual mean wage[/hen-ui-link] of $93,640. Other high-paying states for librarians include Washington, California, Maryland, and New York.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to get a master’s degree in library science?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A traditional master’s degree builds on your undergraduate education and typically takes two years of full-time enrollment. People who have other commitments may need to study part time, prolonging their graduation timeline. Accelerated programs often allow eligible students to graduate in less than two years.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [/hen-ui-accordion] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Discover More College Resources[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”1127,301,1144″][/hen-ui-article-row]