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Systems librarian education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a systems librarian. Systems librarians usually study library science, library science and administration, or computer science. 53% of systems librarians hold a bachelor's degree, and 35% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 137 real systems librarian resumes to see exactly what systems librarian education sections show.

The most common colleges for systems librarians are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.

There are also many online systems librarian courses to help get the education required to be a systems librarian.

What education do you need to become a systems librarian?

What degree do you need to be a systems librarian?

The most common degree for systems librarians is bachelor's degree, with 53% of systems librarians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 35% and master's degree degree at 8%.
  • Bachelor's, 53%
  • Master's, 35%
  • Associate, 8%
  • Doctorate, 2%
  • Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become a systems librarian?

You should major in library science to become a systems librarian. 16% of systems librarians major in library science. Other common majors for a systems librarian include library science and administration and computer science.

Most common colleges for systems librarians

Systems librarians often get their degrees at San Jose State University, University of Maryland - College Park, and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Here are the most common colleges for systems librarians in the US based on their resumes.
Systems librarian common collegePercentages
San Jose State University13.89%
University of Maryland - College Park11.11%
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey5.56%
Florida State University5.56%
Wayne State University5.56%

Best majors for systems librarians

Best colleges for systems librarians

The best colleges for systems librarians are New York University, Northwestern University, and University of California - Los Angeles.

A systems 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 systems 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 systems 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. Louisiana State University and A&M College

Baton Rouge, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,950

Enrollment

23,468

7. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

9. Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,244

Enrollment

15,557

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

20 best online courses for systems librarians

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3. Fundamentals of Unix and Linux System Administration

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4. Linux System Programming Techniques & Concepts

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5. Java Class Library

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6. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

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8. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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9. Computer Security and Systems Management

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11. Operating Systems from scratch - Part 2

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14. Web Development Masterclass - Online Certification Course

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15. Learn BMS & Level Up Your Career- Building management system

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17. Learning Path: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager

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18. Systems Innovation

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19. Product Development & Systems Engineering

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20. Database Management System from scratch - Part 2

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Top 10 most affordable universities for systems librarians

The most affordable schools for systems librarians are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and florida state university.

If the best universities for systems 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 systems librarians.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus

San Juan, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

11,299

7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

9. Southern University at New Orleans

New Orleans, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,033

Cost of attendance

12,702

10. University of Houston - Clear Lake

Houston, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,002

Cost of attendance

22,326

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for systems librarians

The hardest universities for systems librarians to get into are New York University, Northwestern University, and University of California - Los Angeles.

Some great schools for systems 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 systems 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. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

14%

SAT average

1,423

4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

5. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,390

6. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

9. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

10. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

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

The easiest schools for systems librarians to get into are University of Baltimore, oklahoma wesleyan university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a systems 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 systems librarians.

1. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

5. Notre Dame of Maryland University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,069

6. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

7. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

8. St. Catherine University

Saint Paul, MN • Private

Admissions rate

73%

SAT average

1,124

9. Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Winona, MN • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,148

10. Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

1,041

Average systems librarian salary by education level

Systems librarians with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $74,969 annually. With a Master's degree, systems librarians earn a median annual income of $69,817 compared to $59,090 for systems librarians with an Bachelor's degree.
Systems librarian education levelSystems librarian salary
Master's Degree$69,817
Bachelor's Degree$59,090
Doctorate Degree$74,969

Systems 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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