Michigan Masters in Library Science

Though their roots may be in the past, today’s librarians are experts in the science of helping people find the information they need. Library and information science professionals work in a diverse range of fields, including the obvious (schools and libraries), while opportunities exist in employers like museums or even private businesses.

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Michigan Master of Library Science Programs

The most widely available graduate degree in library science is a master’s in library science, though this is far from the only degree option. Either way, one big reason why master’s degrees in the field are so popular is that for some jobs, state law requires that level of education.

Some of the potential degree options in library and information science include Master of Library Science (MLS), Master of Science in Library Science (MS), Master of Information Science (MIS), Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) or Master of Science in Information (MSI).

Future library and information science professionals would be wise to obtain their degrees from programs that have earned accreditation from the American Library Association (ALA), as this may be required by state law. In any event, most employers will be looking for this signal of basic educational achievement beyond a graduate degree.

Fortunately for students in Michigan, two library science programs have earned the ALA’s seal of approval. Let’s take a look at the schools and what students need to know about them.

University of Michigan

Institution type: Public
Delivery method: Traditional
Campus: Ann Arbor
Master’s tuition: $23,890 in-state; $48,204 out-of-state
Degrees offered: Master of Science in Information, MSI/MBA, MSI/JD, MSI/MD, MSI/Master of Public Policy, MSI/MSW, PhD in Information
Graduate certificates offered: Health informatics, museum studies, teaching certificate

The University of Michigan’s main campus in Ann Arbor is home to a Master of Science in Information degree that’s been accredited by the ALA and is among the most well-regarded technology-oriented information science degrees in the country.

Students can choose from a variety of dual degree options, or they can focus their master’s degree on fields like data science, digital archives or user experience.

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Wayne State University

Institution type: Public
Delivery method: Traditional, online, hybrid
Campus: Detroit
Total expected tuition: $28,332 (in-state and online); $56,808 (out-of-state traditional)
Degrees offered: Master of Library and Information Science, Master of Science in Information Management, MLIS/MA in History, MLIS/MA in Public History
Graduate certificates offered: Archival administration, library and information science, public library services to children and young adults, school library media specialist endorsement

Wayne State University’s Master of Library and Information Science degree is offered in a variety of formats, giving students the flexibility to learn in a tradition or online setting, or a hybrid of the two.

Multiple graduate certificates and dual degree options are available that can help students further customize their library and information science education.

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Michigan Library Science Outlook

A typical librarian in Michigan earns about $53,000 per year, which is a bit lower than the national average for the occupation of $58,000. Unlike most states, Michigan actually has higher wages for library workers in educational settings than others. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, school-based library workers earn an average of nearly $56,000.

Librarians in Michigan can expect to see their highest salary potential in Ann Arbor, where the average annual wage for librarians and media collections specialists is more than $66,000. Lansing is the next-closest, with an average wage of about $64,000. Librarian salaries are lowest in Niles, where the average is just over $43,000.

Over the next several years, job openings for librarians, both those based in schools and elsewhere, are expected to grow, though rates in Michigan are on the more modest side. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of librarians will grow by 1.6% through 2028, which is lower than both the average growth projected for all jobs in the economy (about 5%) and the rate of expansion expected for librarians and media collections specialists (6.4%).

School-based library workers have a brighter outlook in Michigan than others, though. In fact, employment rates for these professionals are expected to grow by nearly 7% through 2028, compared to the national rate of 5.7%.

Conclusion

The sheer volume of information in the world increases by the second, which is why there’s never been stronger demand for professionals who are trained in finding, organizing and understanding information. Fortunately for students in Michigan with a passion for library and information science, exciting educational options are available.

Take the Next Step in Obtaining Your Degree in Library Science

The growing, thriving, and dynamic field of librarianship can open doors to a rewarding and inspiring career. Take the next step obtaining your master’s degree in library science from an accredited university and start your career journey today.

Why These Programs?

Our goal is to connect potential students with the best MLIS degree programs in the country. We scored all library science master’s degree programs in the U.S. on more than 15 variables across four categories to find the best of the best.