Library and Information Science (LIS) is worth being upfront about before comparing schools: this is overwhelmingly a master's-level field. Standalone undergraduate LIS majors are rare — most people entering the profession complete an unrelated bachelor's degree first, then pursue a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or equivalent master's as the standard professional credential. If you're planning ahead as an undergraduate, the more useful move is usually choosing a bachelor's in a related field (English, history, computer science, information systems) and treating the MLIS as a graduate-school decision later. This guide covers the graduate programmes that matter, what ALA accreditation actually checks, and how the field has broadened well beyond traditional librarianship.
Top Library and Information Science Programmes (QS World University Rankings by Subject — Library & Information Management)
A note before the table: exact rank order shifts year to year, and QS's "Library & Information Management" subject ranking is one of the smaller, more specialized categories it publishes, so year-to-year movement can look more dramatic than in larger fields. The schools below appear consistently at or near the top across QS and reputation surveys within the profession. Always check the current QS subject ranking directly, and for US programmes specifically, verify ALA accreditation status separately (see below) since accreditation, not ranking, is the credential that matters for licensure-adjacent library roles.
| University | Country | Notable For |
|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | USA | Historically one of the most respected US iSchools; strong research output |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | USA | Strong archives and information science reputation |
| University of Washington | USA | Strong information science and UX-adjacent tracks |
| Syracuse University (iSchool) | USA | Long-established, broad information science curriculum |
| University of Toronto | Canada | Leading Canadian LIS programme; strong archival studies |
| UCL (Department of Information Studies) | UK | Leading UK programme; strong archives, records, and digital curation |
| University of Michigan (School of Information) | USA | Strong UX research and information systems crossover |
| Rutgers University | USA | Strong information science and data curation reputation |
| Loughborough University | UK | Strong information science and publishing-adjacent programme |
| City, University of London | UK | Strong library and information science reputation, London-based industry access |
How to Choose: Criteria That Matter More Than Overall Rank
1. ALA Accreditation (US and Canada Quality Signal)
In the US and Canada, the American Library Association (ALA) accredits master's programmes in library and information science against defined professional standards, and ALA accreditation is the single most checkable quality signal in the field — many library jobs, especially in public and academic libraries, explicitly require a degree from an ALA-accredited programme as a condition of employment. Before applying anywhere in the US or Canada, verify current accreditation status directly on the ALA's published list rather than assuming a university's general prestige implies it. Outside North America, look for the equivalent recognized professional body (such as CILIP in the UK) and check whether your target employer or country requires programme accreditation at all — requirements vary more by country in this field than in most others.
2. Career Direction Beyond Traditional Librarianship
The field has broadened substantially beyond public and academic librarianship, and it's worth choosing a programme based on where you actually want to end up:
| Career Direction | Programmes Worth Prioritizing |
|---|---|
| Public / academic librarianship | UIUC, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Toronto |
| Archives and records management | UNC Chapel Hill, UCL, University of Toronto |
| Data and information management | University of Michigan, University of Washington, Rutgers |
| UX research / information architecture | University of Michigan, University of Washington |
| Digital curation and preservation | UCL, Loughborough |
Many MLIS and information science programmes now explicitly support concentrations or dual coursework in data science, UX, and digital archives, reflecting how far the field has moved from a purely book-and-catalog model.
3. Full-Time vs. Part-Time and Online Formats
Because most students enter LIS programmes while already working (often in libraries or adjacent roles), part-time and online MLIS formats are common and, unlike in many other fields, generally don't carry a stigma relative to full-time, on-campus study — several ALA-accredited programmes are offered primarily or entirely online. If flexibility matters, check format options specifically rather than assuming on-campus is the default or preferred path.
Programme Length, Cost, and Other Practically Relevant Differentiators
The MLIS (or equivalent MSIS/MIS title, depending on the school) typically takes 1-2 years full-time, longer if pursued part-time alongside work, which is common in this field. Because LIS is a master's-only field for most entrants, there isn't a meaningful undergraduate tuition comparison to make — the relevant cost is graduate tuition, which at US public universities commonly runs $15,000-$30,000/year for in-state students and $25,000-$45,000/year for out-of-state or international students before aid; private and specialist iSchools can run higher. UK and Canadian programmes are often more moderately priced for international students than comparable US private options. Confirm current tuition, and separately confirm accreditation status, directly with each programme.
Acceptance Rates (Approximate, Selectivity Context)
LIS programme acceptance rates are rarely a major differentiator the way they are in more oversubscribed fields — most ALA-accredited MLIS programmes are moderately to broadly accessible relative to fields like law or medicine, since the profession draws from a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds.
| University Tier | Approximate Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Most selective / highest reputation (UIUC, University of Michigan) | ~40-60% |
| Selective (UNC Chapel Hill, University of Washington, Rutgers) | ~50-70% |
| Broad access (many regional ALA-accredited programmes) | ~70%+ |
These are approximate figures and vary by year and track — confirm current, programme-specific figures directly with admissions offices, and prioritize accreditation status over acceptance rate as the more consequential filter in this field.
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — once you've shortlisted programmes, make sure your English test score isn't what holds your application back. Or prepare for TOEFL if your target schools lean TOEFL.