Colorado offers a small set of ALA-accredited MLIS pathways, with online delivery widely available to in-state and remote learners.
ALA accreditation is the single most important credential to verify, as it gates eligibility for most professional librarian jobs.
Compare in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition, and institution-wide net price together to avoid anchoring on the sticker rate.
Most programs require a regionally accredited bachelor's, roughly a 3.0 GPA, and a statement of purpose, with GRE often waived.
Colorado's MLIS landscape is thin but credible, anchored by the University of Denver and supplemented by online-friendly options that serve students across the Front Range and beyond. If you want an ALA-accredited path without relocating, the menu is short, but the quality is real.
Every program featured here is delivered fully online or in a flexible hybrid format, with ALA accreditation status flagged so you can match a degree to the jobs you actually want. For a wider view of how Colorado stacks up nationally, our directory of mlis programs online is a useful companion read.
Below, you will find the 2026 program rankings, side-by-side tuition and net price comparisons, accreditation guidance, popular specializations, admissions and GRE waiver details, and salary outcomes for librarians in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs.
Best Online MLIS Programs in Colorado for 2026
Colorado's pool of ALA-accredited MLIS programs is small: the University of Denver is the sole in-state institution holding that credential for a master's in library and information science. Because the accredited landscape is limited, the ranking below includes DU's fully online MLIS alongside its hybrid concentration tracks, each of which serves a distinct career path. Programs are ordered by a composite that weighs accreditation status, institutional graduation rate, student support indicators, and overall program flexibility rather than cost or earnings alone.
Factors considered
ALA accreditation status
Institutional graduation and retention rates
Delivery format and scheduling flexibility
Student support and faculty access
Program breadth and concentration options
Data sources
Internal program database
Independent program research
NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
Best for: Colorado professionals seeking ALA-accredited flexibility
The University of Denver, through its Morgridge College of Education, is Colorado's only ALA-accredited MLIS provider. The fully online track can be completed in as few as 21 months with four annual start dates, while hybrid options add in-person components for students who want face-to-face learning. DU reports a 75.6% institutional graduation rate, a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 100% of admitted MLIS students receive some form of tuition assistance or scholarship support, which helps offset a net price of roughly $36,131. With concentrations spanning academic libraries, archiving, and research data management, DU covers a wider range of library science careers than its single-school footprint might suggest.
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), Online — Hybrid
ALA-accredited degree delivered entirely online
Completable in as few as 21 months
Four start dates each year for flexible enrollment
No GRE required for admission
Live online class sessions with the same on-campus faculty
One-on-one faculty mentorship throughout the program
Capstone or internship option to build real-world experience
Tuition and Net Price Comparison for Colorado MLIS Programs
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ALA Accreditation: What Colorado MLIS Applicants Need to Know
Accreditation by the American Library Association (ALA) is the single most important credential to verify before enrolling in any MLIS program. It signals that a degree meets national standards for professional library education and, in practical terms, determines which jobs you can apply for after graduation.
Why ALA Accreditation Matters for Hiring
Most academic, public, school, and federal librarian positions explicitly require a master's degree from an ALA accredited program. This includes hiring at large public library systems, university libraries, the Library of Congress, and many state agencies. A degree without ALA accreditation, even if it comes from a regionally accredited university, can disqualify you from these roles or limit you to paraprofessional positions with lower pay ceilings.
Colorado's In-State ALA-Accredited Option
The University of Denver offers Colorado's primary in-state ALA-accredited MLIS, delivered online through its Library and Information Science program at the Morgridge College of Education. For Colorado residents who want a local institution with in-state networking and practicum connections, DU is the default choice.
Expanding Your Options Across State Lines
Because online MLIS programs routinely enroll students from any U.S. state, Colorado residents are not limited to DU. ALA-accredited online programs based at universities in other states often accept Colorado applicants without residency restrictions, which is useful for finding the best MLIS program aligned with lower tuition, specific specializations, or faster timelines.
Avoid Look-Alike Degrees
Several Colorado universities offer related master's degrees in educational technology, instructional design, or information science. These can be valuable credentials, but they are not ALA-accredited MLIS degrees and will not satisfy librarian job requirements. Before enrolling, confirm the program appears on the ALA's official directory of accredited programs.
Popular MLIS Specializations Offered by Colorado Programs
Colorado's library job market spans urban public systems, flagship research universities, and a strong network of state and historical archives. Choosing a specialization that maps to one of these employer types will sharpen your job search far more than picking a track based on personal interest alone.
Archival Studies and Digital Curation
The University of Denver offers an Archival Studies focus within its ALA-accredited online MLIS, plus a hybrid concentration in Research Data Management that covers data curation, preservation, and the full data lifecycle. These tracks line up with employers like History Colorado, the Denver Public Library Western History and Genealogy collection, the Colorado State Archives, and special collections at university libraries. If you are drawn to processing manuscripts, managing born-digital records, or supporting research data at a federal lab, this is the lane to pick.
Academic Librarianship
DU's Academic Librarianship concentration prepares graduates for college and university roles, with coursework in collection development, reference services, and information literacy instruction. Colorado has a deep academic library employer base: CU Boulder, CU Denver, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, and the regional comprehensives like UNC and CU Colorado Springs. Faculty status and tenure tracks vary by institution, so research the employer before committing to a thesis or capstone topic.
Youth, School, and Public Library Services
MLIS students targeting K-12 districts (Denver Public Schools, Cherry Creek, Jeffco, Boulder Valley) or large public systems like Denver Public Library and Pikes Peak Library District should look for coursework in youth services, literacy programming, and community engagement. School Librarianship roles in Colorado typically require additional state licensure beyond the MLIS, so confirm requirements with the Colorado Department of Education early in your program.
Picking a Track With a Job in Mind
Before you enroll, identify two or three target job postings in Colorado and read their required qualifications. Reverse-engineer your specialization, electives, and capstone or internship from those listings rather than choosing a track in the abstract.
2026 Admissions Requirements and GRE Waiver Policies
Colorado MLIS applicants typically face a streamlined graduate admissions process built around five core components: a completed bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, an undergraduate GPA in the 3.0 range, a statement of purpose explaining career goals in libraries or information science, two to three letters of recommendation, and a current resume or CV. Some programs also request a writing sample or short response essays.
Standardized Test Policies
Most ALA-accredited MLIS programs, including those serving Colorado students, have moved away from required standardized testing. The University of Denver, home to Colorado's primary in-state ALA-accredited MLIS, makes the GRE waiver available for 2026 applicants.1 In practice, this means the vast majority of admitted students enter without submitting GRE scores. Applicants who feel a strong test result would strengthen a borderline file may still submit scores, but a missing GRE will not disqualify an application. Students weighing other no-GRE Master's in Library Science programs should compare policies side by side before committing.
GPA Expectations
The University of Denver sets a 2.5 minimum undergraduate GPA for the MLIS, with a 3.0 minimum for any prior graduate coursework.1 These thresholds are lower than the unofficial 3.0 benchmark common across graduate admissions, giving applicants with uneven undergraduate records a realistic path forward when supported by a strong statement and references.
2026 Application Deadlines
DU's MLIS uses term-based deadlines rather than a single annual cutoff. The Winter 2026 application deadline is November 7, 2025, with additional intakes for spring, summer, and fall terms.2 This rolling, multi-term structure lets working professionals start when their schedule allows rather than waiting on a fixed cycle.
Applicants targeting other online MLIS options outside Colorado should confirm test policies and deadlines directly on each program's admissions page, since policies have shifted significantly in recent admissions cycles.
Librarian Salaries in Colorado: Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs
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Program-Level Earnings and ROI for Colorado MLIS Graduates
Sticker salary alone does not tell you whether an MLIS pencils out. The College Scorecard publishes program-level data, including 1-year and 4-year median earnings for completers, median debt at graduation, and the estimated 10-year monthly loan payment. Read together, these numbers give a clearer picture of what a Colorado MLIS actually returns.
Reading Earnings Alongside Debt
For the University of Denver's Library and Information Science master's, reported median graduate debt is $21,844, and 10-year median earnings for institutional alumni sit around $71,155. Program-specific 1-year and 4-year earnings figures are the ones to track most closely once they post, because they isolate MLIS completers rather than the whole university. When you weigh a roughly $22K debt load against typical library science salary figures in Colorado's metro areas, the monthly payment on a standard 10-year repayment plan generally stays manageable relative to take-home pay.
How MLIS ROI Compares
MLIS earnings tend to lag MBA and computer science master's outcomes, sometimes by a wide margin in the first decade. That is the honest tradeoff. The offset: a high share of MLIS completers earn above 150% of the federal poverty line within a few years of graduation, debt loads are typically lower than in business or law programs, and job satisfaction in the field tends to run high.
Why Medians Hide a Lot
A single median flattens very different career paths. Public library branch jobs, especially outside metro Denver, often pay in the $50,000s. Tenure-track academic librarians at four-year institutions and specialized roles in law, medical, or corporate information settings can clear $80,000 to $100,000 or more. Data curation, systems librarianship, and competitive intelligence roles skew highest. When you evaluate ROI, match the earnings band to the actual MLIS career you want, not the program-wide median.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado MLIS Programs
Below are quick answers to the questions prospective students most often ask about earning an MLIS in Colorado. Use them as a starting point, then confirm details directly with each program before applying.
Is the University of Denver MLIS ALA-accredited?
Yes. The University of Denver offers a Master of Library and Information Science through its Research Methods and Information Science department, and the program holds accreditation from the American Library Association. ALA accreditation is the standard most public, academic, and school library employers look for, so verifying current accreditation status on the ALA directory before enrolling is a smart final step.
How much does an online MLIS cost in Colorado?
Total tuition for an online MLIS in Colorado generally runs from the low $20,000s at public-friendly options to roughly $50,000 or more at private institutions like the University of Denver. Per-credit rates, residency status, and whether fees are bundled into tuition all affect the final price, so compare published cost-of-attendance sheets rather than headline tuition alone.
How long does it take to complete an MLIS in Colorado?
Most MLIS programs require around 36 to 48 credits. Full-time students typically finish in about two years, while part-time students working full jobs often take three to four years. A few programs offer accelerated tracks or quarter systems that can shorten the timeline if you can carry a heavier course load.
Do Colorado MLIS programs require the GRE?
GRE requirements have largely faded across MLIS admissions. Most Colorado programs, including the University of Denver, do not require GRE scores, and applications are reviewed holistically based on transcripts, a statement of purpose, recommendations, and relevant work or volunteer experience. Always check the current admissions page since policies can change year to year.
What jobs can you get with a master's in library science in Colorado?
Graduates work as public, academic, school, and special librarians, as well as archivists, metadata specialists, digital asset managers, instructional designers, research analysts, and information professionals in corporate, legal, healthcare, and government settings. Colorado's mix of universities, public library districts, and tech employers creates demand across several of these tracks.
What is the salary for a librarian in Colorado?
Librarian salaries in Colorado vary by setting and metro area, with Denver and Boulder typically paying more than smaller markets. Entry-level public librarians often start in the high $40,000s to mid $50,000s, mid-career professionals commonly earn in the $60,000 to $75,000 range, and academic or specialized roles can exceed $80,000. Refer to the salary section above for current metro-level figures.
