Best Online MLIS Programs for Wyoming Students 2027

What you’ll learn in this article…

Wyoming hosts no ALA-accredited MLIS, so residents enroll online in out-of-state programs at out-of-state graduate tuition rates.
Public and academic librarians pursue Wyoming State Library certification, while K-12 school librarians need a teaching license with a library media endorsement.
Wyoming employs roughly 430 librarians and media specialists, with a location quotient of 1.77, well above the national average.
Choose an MLIS specialization (school, academic, public, archives, or youth services) that matches your target role before comparing schools.

Wyoming does not host an ALA-accredited Master's in Library and Information Science. For residents who want to become a librarian without leaving the state, an online MLIS from an out-of-state, ALA-accredited program is the realistic path. Every program in our rankings admits Wyoming residents and meets the academic requirements for Wyoming State Library certification.

This guide covers what you actually need to compare: the Best Online MLIS Programs for Wyoming Students in 2026, tuition and net price, popular specializations, and a step-by-step look at How to Become a Librarian in Wyoming, plus salary and job outlook data for the state. For a wider view of ALA-accredited online MLIS programs, see our national rankings.

Best Online MLIS Programs for Wyoming Students in 2027

Wyoming has no in-state ALA-accredited MLIS program, so online delivery is the only way residents can earn an accredited library science master's without relocating. The schools below are online-eligible, ALA-accredited programs open to Wyoming students, ranked by a combination of institutional quality and published student outcomes. Each entry includes reported tuition, average net price, and graduation rate so you can compare cost and completion outcomes side by side.

How we ranked these

Factors considered

Online delivery availability
Graduation rates
Published student outcomes
Institutional quality indicators

Data sources

NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Internal program database
Independent program research

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL · $11,000/yr

Best for: Working professionals needing flexible scheduling

Florida State University delivers its Master of Science in Information entirely online, with concentrations in public, academic, and special libraries as well as a school libraries track. The curriculum emphasizes information organization, management, and service-oriented leadership for working professionals. Reported institutional tuition is $5,656 in-state and $18,786 out-of-state, with an average net price around $11,300 and an 86 percent graduation rate. Multiple application deadlines and start points make it a flexible option for Wyoming residents.

Concentrations in public, academic, and special libraries
Flexible online format for working professionals

Information organization and library management courses
Leadership role preparation emphasized

Visit Website

Prepares for K-12 school librarian roles
Information literacy and educational technology focus

Certification qualification pathway
Multiple start terms available

Visit Website

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · $18,000/yr

Best for: Archives and digital asset management aspirants

University of Maryland's Master of Library and Information Science is nationally ranked and offered in hybrid format, combining online coursework with optional in-person study near Washington, D.C. Students can tailor electives toward archives, digital asset management, diversity, and youth services. Program tuition is reported at approximately $34,200 in-state and $69,500 out-of-state; the average net price is $15,700 and the graduation rate is 89 percent. The program requires a bachelor's degree and a 3.0 GPA.

Digital asset management and information architecture focus
Online and in-person learning options

Electives in archives, diversity, and youth services
3.0 GPA and bachelor's degree required

Visit Website

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA · ~$19,000/yr (est.)

Best for: JD holders pursuing law librarianship

The University of Washington's Master of Library and Information Science focuses on user-centered, ethical, and technology-forward information practice, with a hybrid delivery option. It also offers a specialized MLIS Law Librarian pathway for JD-holders, blending theory with legal research and technology. Reported tuition is $12,973 in-state and $43,209 out-of-state, with a net price of $14,100 and an 85 percent graduation rate. Graduates enter roles across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Hybrid online and in-person format
User-centered and ethical information practice

Prepares for public, private, and nonprofit roles
Interdisciplinary research focus

Visit Website

Requires a JD from an ABA-accredited law school
Nine-month, 36-credit program

Internship at Gallagher Law Library included
Residential or online delivery

Visit Website

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · $10,000/yr

The University of South Florida offers a fully online, ALA-accredited Master of Arts in Library and Information Science requiring 39 credit hours with six core courses and room to specialize. The program supports working professionals with asynchronous delivery and a school librarian pathway for those pursuing Florida certification. Reported tuition is $6,410 in-state and $17,324 out-of-state, with a net price around $9,800 and a 77 percent graduation rate.

ALA-accredited and fully online
39 credit hours with six core courses
Asynchronous course delivery

School librarian specialization path
Requires B average, maximum two C grades

Visit Website

Rutgers University

New Brunswick, NJ · $23,000/yr

Rutgers University's online Master of Information with a Library and Information Science concentration covers collection management, information literacy, and digital reference across 36 credits plus three zero-credit courses. The curriculum emphasizes community engagement and transformative leadership in information services. Reported tuition is $17,929 in-state and $37,441 out-of-state, with a net price of $24,400 and an 84 percent graduation rate.

36 credits plus three zero-credit courses
Covers collection management and digital reference
Required technology course

Optional internship recommended
Community engagement and leadership focus

Visit Website

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · ~$12,000/yr (est.)

The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers an ALA-accredited Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies with campus, hybrid, and online named options. The curriculum includes a required 120-hour practicum and areas such as digital librarianship, archives, youth services, and school library media. Reported tuition is $11,603 in-state and $42,103 out-of-state, with a net price of $17,400 and a 90 percent graduation rate. The online program is fall-admission only and does not require the GRE.

ALA-accredited since 1924
36 credits with a required 120-hour practicum
Campus and online format options

Double degree options with law and music
School library media license option

Visit Website

Online format with fall admission only
No GRE required; 3.0 GPA minimum

Concentrations in digital librarianship, archives, and youth services
Requires three letters of recommendation

Visit Website

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA · $10,000/yr

San Jose State University delivers a fully online, 43-unit Master of Library and Information Science with asynchronous coursework and no on-campus requirements. Students receive personalized career pathway support and can prepare for roles such as digital archivist, knowledge manager, and metadata specialist. Reported tuition is $8,410 in-state and $21,010 out-of-state, with a net price of $13,800 and a 69 percent graduation rate. Admission is available for fall and spring terms.

43 units, fully online and asynchronous
No on-campus requirements
Fall and spring admission

Career pathway support from a dedicated specialist
Prepares for roles like digital archivist and metadata specialist

Visit Website

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · $72,000/yr

The University of Southern California's online Master of Management in Library and Information Science is designed to be completed in 12 months and focuses on management strategy and information science fundamentals. The program admits cohorts through USC Bovard College and requires a resume, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Reported tuition is $72,097, with an average net price of $32,700 and a 92 percent graduation rate.

12-month online completion
Management strategies and information science focus

Requires resume, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation
Live online sessions and discussions

Visit Website

University of South Carolina

Columbia, SC · $14,000/yr

The University of South Carolina's fully online, ALA-accredited Master of Library and Information Science totals 36 credit hours split between 18 core credits and 18 electives. Students can pursue school librarianship with optional certification and benefit from professional advisor support. Reported tuition is $12,688 in-state and $35,972 out-of-state, with a net price of $22,800 and a 79 percent graduation rate. No GRE or MAT is required.

36 credit hours: 18 core and 18 electives
No GRE or MAT required
School library certification available

Fully online and ALA-accredited
Professional advisor support

Visit Website

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

#10

Baton Rouge, LA · $10,000 – $15,000/yr

Louisiana State University's 100 percent online Master of Library and Information Science is ALA-accredited and costs $560 per credit, about $20,160 for the full 36-credit program. The curriculum covers information theory, technology, and management, with elective concentration options in academic and public libraries. Reported institutional tuition is $11,954 in-state and $28,631 out-of-state, with a net price of $19,200 and a 69 percent graduation rate. Admits do not need letters of recommendation.

36 credit hours at $560 per credit, about $20,160 total
100% online with no thesis requirement
ALA-accredited since 1931

No letters of recommendation required
Requires resume and 1,000-word statement

Visit Website

Academic libraries concentration
Digital resource management and collection development

Research support services focus
Library administration courses

Visit Website

Public libraries concentration
Community outreach and digital literacy training

Reference services and collection development
Working professional friendly

Visit Website

Why Wyoming Students Go Online for the MLIS

Wyoming has no ALA-accredited MLIS program based within state borders. The University of Wyoming offers strong programs in many fields, but library and information science at the master's level is not one of them. For Wyoming residents who want to become professional librarians, that single fact shapes the entire decision: an online program is not a fallback, it is the standard path.

The Accreditation Requirement

The Wyoming State Library, along with most public library systems and academic libraries in the state, expects librarians in professional roles to hold a master's degree accredited by the American Library Association. School library media positions follow Wyoming Department of Education endorsement rules, but academic and public library hiring almost always lists ALA accreditation as a baseline qualification.

An online ALA-accredited MLIS carries the exact same credentialing weight as an on-campus one. Hiring committees, state library agencies, and accrediting reviewers do not distinguish between delivery formats. The diploma and the transcript look identical. For a broader look at how delivery formats compare, see our overview of online MLIS programs nationally.

Nearest In-Person and Hybrid Options

Wyoming students who prefer some face-to-face contact do have regional options within driving distance for occasional residencies or hybrid coursework:

University of Denver in Colorado, roughly a day's drive from Cheyenne or Laramie
Emporia State University in Kansas, which has historically run cohort-based programs in neighboring states including a Denver-area cohort
University of Missouri and University of North Texas, which both serve western students through fully online formats with optional in-person events

For students in Jackson, Rock Springs, or other western Wyoming cities, programs based near Salt Lake City may also be reachable for any rare on-campus requirement. Students weighing nearby states can compare the library science degree in Colorado or look into options for Utah before settling on a format.

Online as the Practical Default

Given the geography, the small population, and the consistent ALA requirement, going online lets Wyoming students keep their current jobs, stay in their communities, and graduate with a credential that travels anywhere in the country.

Online MLIS Tuition and Net Price Comparison

Because Wyoming does not host its own MLIS, students here pay out-of-state graduate tuition at the online programs below. The table pairs published in-state and out-of-state graduate tuition with each school's institution-wide net price, plus typical graduate debt at completion. Use net price as a rough cost-of-attendance signal and out-of-state tuition as the closer estimate of what most Wyoming students will actually be billed.

Program	In-State Graduate Tuition	Out-of-State Graduate Tuition	Institution Net Price	Median Graduate Debt
Texas Woman's University	$8,520	$15,900	$11,963	$19,218
University of Southern Mississippi	$9,998	$11,998	$21,708	$22,500
University of Wisconsin-Madison	$12,325	$25,651	$17,354	$20,484
Louisiana State University	$13,027	$29,962	$19,151	$20,500
University at Buffalo	$14,530	$28,210	$20,995	$19,000
University of Arizona	$14,856	$34,110	$16,674	$19,620
University of Denver	$42,173	$42,173	$36,131	$21,844

Popular MLIS Specializations Available Online

The right MLIS is less about which school you pick and more about which specialization fits the work you actually want to do. Wyoming has a small but varied library landscape: K-12 districts in Cheyenne and Casper, the Wyoming State Archives, the University of Wyoming Libraries, county systems like Laramie County Library System and Natrona County, and tribal and museum collections on the Wind River Reservation. Here is how the most common online concentrations map to those settings.

School Librarianship

If you want to work in a Wyoming K-12 district, look for a school librarianship track. Texas Woman's University offers a School Librarianship concentration within its online MLS, and the University at Buffalo runs a fully online MS in School Librarianship. The University of Southern Mississippi includes coursework tied to K-12 licensure. Wyoming requires a separate state library media endorsement through the Professional Teaching Standards Board, so confirm how out-of-state coursework will transfer before enrolling. For a broader look at how to become a librarian, the licensure pathway varies by setting.

Archives and Preservation

For roles at the Wyoming State Archives, the American Heritage Center at UW, or county historical societies, an archives track is the natural fit. The University of Arizona offers an archival studies degree concentration, and Southern Mississippi has an Archives and Special Collections concentration. Both cover digital preservation, appraisal, and metadata standards relevant to Wyoming's mining, ranching, and tribal records.

Academic and Research Libraries

If your goal is the University of Wyoming, a community college library, or a special research collection, consider an academic libraries concentration. Arizona, LSU, and the University of Denver each offer academic-track options covering reference, instruction, and collection development.

Public Librarianship

For county systems like Laramie County or Campbell County, public librarianship tracks at LSU and Arizona emphasize community engagement, programming, and reference services. TWU's Community Information concentration covers similar ground with a rural-services lens.

Data and Digital Information

If you lean technical, Arizona offers a Digital Information Management and Curation concentration, and Denver has a Research Data Management track. These prepare graduates for careers in library science like data librarian roles, digital humanities work, or information management positions outside traditional libraries, useful in a state where remote and hybrid information jobs are growing.

Explore other Wyoming related topics

Librarian in Wyoming

How to Become a Librarian in Wyoming: Step-By-Step

Wyoming has two distinct librarian career tracks, and they require different credentials. Public and academic library staff work under the Wyoming State Library certification system, while K-12 school librarians need a teaching license with a library media endorsement from the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (PTSB).¹ Understanding which path you want shapes every step that follows.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Start with a four-year undergraduate degree. For the public library track, any major works, though English, history, education, or information studies are common. For the school library track, your bachelor's should be in a teaching-related program with a GPA of C or higher, and you'll need supervised teaching experience plus documented knowledge of the U.S. and Wyoming constitutions.¹

Step 2: Complete an ALA-Accredited MLIS

Wyoming has no in-state ALA-accredited MLIS programs, so every prospective librarian here completes the degree online through an out-of-state university. ALA accreditation is the standard credential recognized by the Wyoming State Library and by employers across the country, and online MLIS degrees from accredited programs are treated identically to on-campus versions. If you're still mapping out the broader path, our guide to library science degree requirements walks through the general timeline.

Step 3a: Wyoming State Library Certification (Public Libraries)

If you want to work in a public or county library, apply for certification through the Wyoming State Library at library.wyo.gov. Certification is tiered based on education and experience, and an ALA-accredited MLIS qualifies you for the highest professional level. Out-of-state MLIS holders are recognized without needing to repeat coursework. Certification must be renewed periodically through continuing education hours, so plan to attend workshops, webinars, or conference sessions to stay current.

Step 3b: PTSB School Library Media Endorsement (K-12)

For school librarian roles, you apply through PTSB ([email protected], 307-777-7291). Initial licensure costs $150 in-state or $200 for out-of-state applicants and is valid for 5 years. Renewal requires 5 credits of continuing education.¹ You must also pass two exams:

Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: $156, 2 hours, passing score 157-160 depending on grade band (K-6, 5-9, or 7-12)¹
Library Media Specialist Test: $130, 2 hours, passing score 162¹

For a deeper look at credentialing rules across states, see our overview of school librarian licensure.

Step 4: Apply for Positions

With credentials in hand, watch postings from the Wyoming State Library, county systems, university libraries, and school districts. The two credential systems are not interchangeable: a PTSB endorsement does not authorize public library leadership roles, and State Library certification does not let you work as a K-12 school librarian.

Wyoming Librarian Salary and Job Outlook

Wyoming is a small library labor market, but it punches above its weight in concentration. Statewide, librarians and media collections specialists hold roughly 430 jobs, with a location quotient of 1.77 (2023), meaning librarian jobs are about 77 percent more concentrated here than the national average relative to total employment.¹ That density reflects Wyoming's commitment to public library access across a sparsely populated state.

Wages in Wyoming vs. the Nation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2023), Wyoming librarians earn a mean annual wage of about $49,420, or roughly $23.76 per hour.¹ That sits noticeably below the national mean of $68,570 and the national median of $64,370. BLS does not publish a full set of percentile wages (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th) for Wyoming librarians at the state level in the most recent release, and metro-level wage detail for Cheyenne and Casper is also limited or suppressed. For context, nationally the 10th percentile earns about $38,690 and the 90th percentile earns about $101,970, so Wyoming wages tend to cluster toward the lower and middle of that national range. For broader context, our library science salary guide compares figures across all 50 states.

Job Outlook Through 2026

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services projects total librarian employment in the state at about 97 in its 2024 to 2026 projections cycle, a figure that appears to reflect a narrower occupational definition than the broader BLS count.² Nationally, BLS projects 2 percent growth for librarians from 2024 to 2034, with roughly 13,500 annual openings driven mostly by retirements and turnover rather than new positions.³ Wyoming students should plan for a steady but competitive market.

Where Wyoming Librarians Work

The largest employers across the state include:

The Wyoming State Library in Cheyenne
The University of Wyoming Libraries in Laramie
Community college libraries (such as Casper College, Sheridan College, and Western Wyoming Community College)
County library systems serving Natrona, Laramie, Campbell, Sweetwater, and other counties
K to 12 school districts employing school librarians and media specialists

Frequently Asked Questions

Wyoming students considering a Master's in Library and Information Science often have the same handful of practical questions about online study, accreditation, and state certification. The answers below cover the essentials before you compare programs.

Can you get a Master's degree in library science online?

Yes. Dozens of universities now offer the MLIS fully online, and most are accredited by the American Library Association. Online programs typically deliver coursework through a learning management system, with a mix of asynchronous lectures, live discussions, and virtual group projects. Practicum or capstone hours can usually be completed at a library near you, which works well for Wyoming residents.

Is MLS or MLIS better?

Neither is inherently better. MLS (Master of Library Science) and MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science) are largely the same credential under different names. What matters most to employers and to state certification boards is that the degree is ALA-accredited. The MLIS title is more common today because it signals coursework in digital tools, data, and information systems alongside traditional library skills.

How do you become a librarian in Wyoming?

Earn a bachelor's degree, then complete an ALA-accredited MLIS. For public library work, the Wyoming State Library issues professional librarian certification at several levels based on education and experience. School librarians need a Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board endorsement in library media. Academic and special libraries set their own requirements but almost always expect an ALA-accredited master's degree.

Are there any ALA-accredited MLIS programs in Wyoming?

No. Wyoming does not currently host an ALA-accredited MLIS program at any in-state university. That is the main reason Wyoming students pursue the degree online, often through programs at public universities in nearby states. The Wyoming State Library accepts ALA-accredited online degrees on equal footing with on-campus ones for certification purposes.

How long does it take to complete an online MLIS?

Most online MLIS programs require 36 to 42 credit hours. Full-time students generally finish in about two years, while part-time students working in libraries often take three to four years. A few programs offer accelerated tracks that can be completed in roughly 12 to 18 months. Practicum hours and a capstone project may extend the timeline slightly.