U of A Ranked #2 Among Best Online Master’s in Library Science Programs
The University of Arizona’s Master of Arts in Library and Information Science (MLIS) has earned a new accolade in 2026, landing the #2 spot on Master’s in Library Science’s latest list of the Best Online Master’s in Library Science Programs. The rankings from MastersInLibraryScience.org are grounded in a detailed methodology that weighs academic quality, cost, graduation rate, student satisfaction and online program accessibility.
This new recognition adds to a growing list of honors for the Southwest’s leading Master’s in Library Science. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, the MLIS program placed #24 overall, with even stronger showings in key specialties: #13 in Information Systems and #18 in Archives and Preservation. The program is also recognized on the international stage: the 2023 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects lists Arizona’s MLIS among the Top 10 worldwide for Library and Information Science, underscoring its global relevance, academic strength and strong foundation in research.
A Program Built for the Future of Information
Offered both on campus and 100% online, the University of Arizona’s American Library Association-accredited MLIS prepares students for the full range of careers in library and information environments, from public and academic libraries to digital archives, special collections, metadata analysis and other roles in the private sector.
The curriculum is designed with both flexibility and rigor in mind. Students can tailor their studies through a wide selection of electives and specialties, including academic librarianship, archives and special collections, digital curation, law librarianship and legal information, and public librarianship. The program also offers strong foundations in research methods, information organization, user-centered services and ethics, preparing graduates not only for current job markets but also for leadership roles across industries.
Arizona Online students benefit from the same high-quality instruction as their on-campus peers, with courses taught by renowned faculty and practitioners. The program emphasizes critical thinking, technological fluency and cultural competence, equipping students to manage and transform information systems in ways that serve a broad array of communities. Students enrolled in the online campus are also eligible for the impactful Knowledge River Scholars Program.
A Consistent National Profile
As libraries and information institutions evolve, the College of Information Science remains at the forefront, preparing MLIS and other graduates not only to navigate the changing digital landscape, but to excel in leadership roles that will shape the future of information.
Learn more about the Master of Arts in Library and Information Science, or explore the MLIS on Arizona Online.