Best MLIS Schools Near Springfield, MO (2026)

Updated September 1, 2026 BLS data College Scorecard On this page

Springfield, Missouri is home to about 169,432 residents. Median household income is $45,984 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 30.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Missouri, the top-earning library science-related role is Library Science Teacher, Postsecondary at a median $74,800 annually (BLS, May 2025).

Closest Library Science Schools to Springfield

The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer library science programs near Springfield, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from Springfield city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. On this page, schools are ordered by distance from Springfield. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Central Missouri

Warrensburg, MO 110.8 miles from Springfield
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
54.8 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 64%
Graduation rate 52%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $49,560
Avg net price $14,462/yr
Tuition
In‑state$10,050
Out‑of‑state$18,600
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 72%
  • Programs offered: 92

Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning CommissionIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO 131.8 miles from Springfield
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
75.7 BOC Score
Graduation rate 73%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $63,403
Avg net price $20,268/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 92%
  • Programs offered: 156

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Missouri schools on the Missouri library science page.

Library Science Wages Near Springfield

Springfield is part of the Springfield, MO metro area (BLS area code 44180). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Missouri statewide.

OccupationMedian WageSourceCOL-Adjusted (US=100)
Librarian and Media Collections Specialist$56,840Springfield, MO$64,153
Library Technician$39,160MO statewide$44,199
Archivist$60,020MO statewide$67,743
Library Science Teacher, Postsecondary$74,800MO statewide$84,424

Source: BLS, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.

Springfield at a Glance

MetricValueSource
Population169,432Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003)
Median household income$45,984Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013)
Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+30.3%Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003)
Regional Price Parity (US=100)88.6 (below U.S. average)BEA RPP 2024

Other Springfield-Area Cities With Library Science Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the highest-paying library science roles near Springfield?

Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, the top-paying library science-related roles near Springfield are: Library Science Teacher, Postsecondary ($74,800), Archivist ($60,020), Librarian and Media Collections Specialist ($56,840). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Missouri statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.

Should I look at programs in Nixa instead of Springfield?

Nixa, MO is 10.3 miles from Springfield and has its own set of local library science programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.

Is Springfield an affordable place to study library science?

Springfield’s median household income of $45,984 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Springfield while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Missouri public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.

How do I verify a program is accredited?

Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.

Learn More About Library Science Programs

Other Programs Available in Springfield

Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Springfield:

Data verified: September 1, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.

Back to Best MLIS Schools in Missouri: Online Programs (2026)