Five Best Bachelor’s Degrees in Library Science

Contrary to the conventional understanding of the field, library science doesn’t just involve sorting books in a library. A bachelor’s degree in Library Science teaches students how to master information, including research, interpretation, synthesis, and presentation. A bachelor’s degree in library science provides students with the skills, knowledge, and credentials they need for careers being librarians, media specialists, research analysts, archivists, and more. In addition, a bachelor’s in library science prepares students with the academic foundation necessary for pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs in library science and related fields will grow between 2016 and 2026, including 13% growth for archivists and 9% growth for librarians. What Is a Bachelor’s in Library Science Degree? A bachelor’s degree in library science is an interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on different disciplines, including research methods, statistics, and the latest informational systems and technologies to find, prioritize, and preserve information. A bachelor’s degree in library science includes general education classes, core classes, and elective classes. Core courses in library science cover library logistics, reference and database searching, library information technology, library materials archiving, and other topics related to these. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in library science requires about 120 credit hours to complete, which for the average full-time students takes around four years. Usually, to apply for a bachelor’s degree in library science, you need either a high school diploma or a GED with a 2.5 minimum GPA. In addition, the SAT or ACT tests are the preferred college entrance exams, and these scores are usually required. Most universities require 1-2 letters of recommendation from past academic professionals as well as a college entrance essay. Careers for Bachelor’s in Library Science Majors Those who complete a bachelor’s in library science are qualified to work as librarians in a myriad of different settings, including but limited to public libraries, school libraries, and medical libraries. These professionals help patrons find information and conduct research, while organizing library content, creating and maintaining reference systems and digital archives, and providing educational opportunities for the community. There are also careers involving library technicians, library assistants, researchers, archivists, and informational specialists. Most people who earn a bachelor’s in library science decide to pursue a Master’s in library science for advanced library positions and a pay increase. Bachelor’s in Library Science Salary Potential A bachelor’s in library science will qualify you for several career paths. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an archivist makes a median salary of $48,400 per year. A research analyst earns more with a mean salary of $63,120. Librarians can make around $59,050 per year, while library directors receive around $61,821. Certain positions, like an information architect, require skills and knowledge that are not typically found in a bachelor’s degree program. Master’s degrees in library science are needed for some careers. Careers in library science are expected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028 since communities are turning to libraries for a variety of services and activities. What Are the Best Bachelor’s in Library Science Degrees? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of College Rank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year 30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At College Rank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. Please feel free to visit our dedicated methodology page for a step-by-step breakdown. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1University of Southern MississippiLocationHattiesburg, MississippiAverage Net Price$12,506More Information The University of Southern Mississippi’s online bachelor’s of science in library and information science degree is ranked No. 2 in the nation by Best Colleges. The library and information science major requires completion of the general education core courses as well as 39 hours of major area courses, 15-21 hours of major requirements outside the department (including 12 hours of foreign language), an 18-hour minor or dual major in another department and enough electives to bring the total number of hours to 124. Throughout the semester, students meet each week in a virtual classroom to take their required classes for this degree. During their senior year, students are required to complete a practicum in a library or archive and produce a reflective blog, presentation, and capstone paper related to the practicum experience. An internship or practicum at a library or archive near you is also required in the senior year. Students planning to enter the university as first-year students must complete the College Preparatory Curriculum (CPC) and submit composite an ACT or combined SAT (verbal/quantitative) score. Note that the writing components of the ACT and SAT are not used in evaluation for admission. Students also need to submit their high school transcripts and must have maintained a minimum of a 3.2 GPA.