1. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, IL
"You'll stand out in your field because we stand out in ours. Receive an exceptional education from our MSLIS program consistently ranked number one by U.S. News & World Report. As an iSchool student, you'll be immersed in a rich learning environment that provides a strong academic foundation as well as opportunities to explore your interests through extracurricular and networking activities, internships and other professional field experience, and interaction with expert faculty."
from https://ischool.illinois.edu/degrees-programs/graduate/ms-library-and-information-science
2. University of Maryland College Park in College Park, MD
"The fully American Library Association (ALA) accredited Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program at the University of Maryland prepares graduates to be socially engaged and technologically focused information professionals, ready to create, educate, and innovate. The MLIS is a professional degree that provides students with a comprehensive foundation in both research and practice in library and information science. This foundation prepares students for careers with government agencies, archives, museums, libraries, startups, and any organization engaged in information activities."
from https://academiccatalog.umd.edu/graduate/programs/library-information-science-lbsc/
3. University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA
"As an ALA-accredited degree program, USC’s online Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) offers a unique and relevant experience in the constantly evolving field of library and information science. The MMLIS allows students to explore leadership and management strategies to prepare them for high-level career paths while learning information science fundamentals."
from https://bovardcollege.usc.edu/mmlis/mmlis-program/
4. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC
"The School of Information and Library Science, also known as the iSchool at Carolina, offers an undergraduate major and minor, master’s degrees and two doctoral degrees. We are consistently ranked as one of the nation’s top schools by U.S. News & World Report."
from https://www.unc.edu/school/information-library-science/
5. University of Washington in Seattle, WA
"At the University of Washington Information School, we educate the innovators and leaders of the library and information world, helping develop the skills needed to play a critical role in any knowledge-intensive industry. Libraries are evolving and the way they serve the public is rapidly changing. The iSchool’s Master of Library and Information Science not only provides the practical skills to advance a career and the confidence to make bold decisions, it elicits the essential skills to connect, communicate effectively, and be a changemaker in the community."
from Library Science Master's - MLIS | Information School | University of Washington
6. University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA
"The Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) program at UCLA provides students with a blend of conceptual and theoretical knowledge and practical experience. In the classroom, students acquire a solid foundation in contemporary library, archival, and information science theory, information seeking and retrieval skills, and information technology expertise."
from https://seis.ucla.edu/academics/department-of-information-studies/master-of-library-information-science-mlis/
7. University of Texas Austin in Austin, TX
"The School of Information Master of Science in Information Studies (MSIS) program offers a pathway to diverse, high-demand information careers. As the field of information rapidly expands within the digital age, MSIS students engage in a flexible curriculum that provides the tools necessary to study, manage, and innovate the information systems around us. Our students learn to design new tools, analyze human activities, organize information, and ensure technology serves its intended users. Join the next generation of information creators, innovators, brokers, and designers.
from https://catalog.utexas.edu/graduate/areas-of-study/information/information-studies/
8. University of South Florida in Tampa, FL
"The School of Information offers an American Library Association (ALA) accredited degree program that includes the competencies and skills which are essential for a library and information science professional to perform at a high level of proficiency. Students complete a set of six required core courses as the foundation for the degree and can choose a path through additional electives in alignment with their professional goals and interests. The USF MLIS program is taught fully online and all courses are asynchronous."
from https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/information/graduate/ma-library-information-science/index.aspx
9. Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY
"How do libraries meet the needs of their communities in a digital-first world? What expertise do librarians require to foster fair access to information? How can we safeguard history and personal stories for future generations? How can overlooked narratives be brought to light? How do we empower people to assess the reliability of the information they consume? As a student in an online master’s in Library and Information Science, you’ll explore these critical questions, developing the skills to navigate today’s complex information landscape."
from https://ischool.syracuse.edu/academics/online-library-and-information-science-masters-degree/
10. University of Wisconsin Madison in Madison, WI
"Join us at the iSchool for a progressive and challenging program. Accredited by the American Library Association since the inception of accreditation (1924), our program will support you in becoming an innovative information professional. The Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies can be completed either on campus or online. Our 36-credit program includes a minimal number of required courses, allowing students flexibility to pursue five different concentration areas, including librarianship, digital archives, information technology and user experience, data/information management & analytics, and organization of information."
from https://ischool.wisc.edu/programs/ma-library-information-studies/
11. Rutgers The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ
"We prepare service-oriented, user-focused practitioners who acknowledge the evolving information, technological and learning needs of a diverse and global society, as well as the social issues involving equity of access. Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
from https://comminfo.rutgers.edu/graduate-programs/master-information/concentrations/library-and-information-science
For the final ranking, Scott Pfitzinger's methodology was used. Rankings were taken from 8 different lists, averaged if the college was on at least two lists, and then that number was divided by a factor of how many lists the college appeared on.
1. University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign - 6 lists
2. University of Maryland--College Park - 6 lists
3. Syracuse University - 5 lists
4. Rutgers University - 5 lists
5. University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill - 4 lists
6. University of Wisconsin--Madison - 4 lists
7. University of Southern California - 3 lists
8. University of Los Angeles - 3 lists
9. University of Texas Austin - 3 lists
10. University of South Florida - 3 lists
11. University of Washington - 2 lists
These lists were used in determining the rankings:
US News and World Report Best Library and Information Studies Programs
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025: Library and Information Management
Intelligent Best Master's in Library Science Degree Programs 2025
Librarysciencedegree.org Best Online ALA Accredited MLIS Programs
Masters in Library Science Best Library Science Schools in the Country for 2021
EduRank Best Universities for Library and Information science in the World
Research.com 2024 Best Library Science Degree Programs Ranking in the Midwest
Top Library Science Universities in United States | Studyportals University Meta Ranking