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Acquisitions librarian education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an acquisitions librarian. Acquisitions librarians usually study library science, library science and administration, or english. 62% of acquisitions librarians hold a bachelor's degree, and 31% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 79 real acquisitions librarian resumes to see exactly what acquisitions librarian education sections show.

The most common colleges for acquisitions librarians are the University of North Texas and the University of North Texas.

There are also many online acquisitions librarian courses to help get the education required to be an acquisitions librarian.

What education do you need to become an acquisitions librarian?

What degree do you need to be an acquisitions librarian?

The most common degree for acquisitions librarians is bachelor's degree, with 62% of acquisitions librarians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 31% and master's degree degree at 5%.
  • Bachelor's, 62%
  • Master's, 31%
  • Associate, 5%
  • Diploma, 2%

What should I major in to become an acquisitions librarian?

You should major in library science to become an acquisitions librarian. 18% of acquisitions librarians major in library science. Other common majors for an acquisitions librarian include library science and administration and english.

Most common colleges for acquisitions librarians

Acquisitions librarians often get their degrees at University of North Texas, Wayne State University, and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Here are the most common colleges for acquisitions librarians in the US based on their resumes.
Acquisitions librarian common collegePercentages
University of North Texas8.33%
Wayne State University8.33%
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs8.33%
Texas Woman's University8.33%
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point4.17%

Best majors for acquisitions librarians

Best colleges for acquisitions librarians

The best colleges for acquisitions librarians are New York University, University of Maryland - College Park, and University of Washington.

An acquisitions librarian with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for acquisitions librarians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become acquisitions librarians.

1. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

2. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

3. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

4. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Enrollment

21,404

5. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,853

Enrollment

14,759

6. University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,267

Enrollment

23,410

7. Louisiana State University and A&M College

Baton Rouge, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,950

Enrollment

23,468

8. Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,244

Enrollment

15,557

9. Simmons University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$40,850

Enrollment

1,790

10. St. John's University

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$41,760

Enrollment

11,907

20 best online courses for acquisitions librarians

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Top 10 most affordable universities for acquisitions librarians

The most affordable schools for acquisitions librarians are Queens College of the City University of New York, university of puerto rico - rio piedras campus, and inter american university of puerto rico barranquitas.

If the best universities for acquisitions librarians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for acquisitions librarians.

1. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

2. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus

San Juan, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

11,299

3. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Barranquitas

Barranquitas, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,902

Cost of attendance

13,479

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Inter American University of Puerto Rico San German

San German, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

14,322

6. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Cost of attendance

17,885

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

In-state tuition

$9,283

Cost of attendance

22,243

10. San Jose State University

San Jose, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,796

Cost of attendance

24,514

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for acquisitions librarians

The hardest universities for acquisitions librarians to get into are New York University, University of Maryland - College Park, and University of Washington.

Some great schools for acquisitions librarians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for acquisitions librarians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

2. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

3. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

4. Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY • Private

Admissions rate

50%

SAT average

1,284

5. University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

59%

SAT average

1,367

6. University of Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,300

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

9. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

56%

SAT average

1,250

10. Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

77%

SAT average

1,281

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for acquisitions librarians

The easiest schools for acquisitions librarians to get into are Fresno Pacific University, kutztown university of pennsylvania, and washington adventist hospital.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an acquisitions librarian without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for acquisitions librarians.

1. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

2. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,058

3. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

4. Emporia State University

Emporia, KS • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,118

5. St. Catherine University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

Admissions rate

73%

SAT average

1,124

6. Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, OK • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,064

7. Marshall University

Huntington, WV • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,100

8. Long Island University

Brookville, NY • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,167

9. Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,121

10. University of Colorado Denver

Denver, CO • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,132

Average acquisitions librarian salary by education level

Acquisitions librarians with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $64,544 annually. With a Master's degree, acquisitions librarians earn a median annual income of $59,348 compared to $48,753 for acquisitions librarians with an Bachelor's degree.
Acquisitions librarian education levelAcquisitions librarian salary
Master's Degree$59,348
Bachelor's Degree$48,753
Doctorate Degree$64,544

Acquisitions librarian education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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