Data Processing graduates earn $75,978 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 33.5%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Data Scientist is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
Data Processing is a focused area of study within Computer Science. Graduates typically earn around $75,978 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 133 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,927 students complete this program each year, most earning a associate's. Coursework leans technical and quantitative, with lab or project work common.
Data Processing graduates earn $75,978 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,977 and $108,338. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $44,431 climbs to $75,978 by year four.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
Above the national median for college graduates.
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
There is a wide earnings spread across Data Processing graduates. Sector is the biggest factor. Tech companies and finance firms tend to pay significantly more than government, education, or nonprofit employers in this field.
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $75,978 against an estimated $54,396 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 15 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Of the 1,927 students who complete Data Processing programs each year, the majority (44%) earn a associate's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
Data Processing connects to 8 occupations in the job market. Computer & Information Systems Manager leads at $175,140/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Data Processing students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
| # | College | Graduates | Acceptance | Net Price/yr | Earnings 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit | 175 | 11.1% | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| 2 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA · Nonprofit | 100 | 61.7% | $41,431 | $89,812 |
| 3 | New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Las Cruces, NM · Public | 88 | Open | $6,048 | $39,067 |
| 4 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV · Public | 64 | 96.2% | $10,359 | $55,037 |
| 5 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WI · Public | 63 | Open | $9,268 | $44,371 |
| 6 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SC · Public | 54 | Open | $1,406 | $38,253 |
| 7 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NY · Public | 28 | Open | $5,606 | $42,621 |
| 8 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SC · Public | 27 | Open | $5,931 | $37,257 |
| 9 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS · Public | 26 | 99.1% | $21,708 | $44,140 |
| 10 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NY · Public | 24 | Open | $4,462 | $41,307 |
| 11 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SC · Public | 23 | Open | $2,405 | $37,097 |
| 12 | CUNY Queensborough Community College Bayside, NY · Public | 22 | Open | $4,458 | $44,214 |
| 13 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SC · Public | 22 | Open | $11,366 | $35,768 |
| 14 | Pratt Institute-Main Brooklyn, NY · Nonprofit | 22 | 73.3% | $52,659 | $54,295 |
| 15 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GA · Public | 21 | Open | $2,457 | $35,479 |
| 16 | Lee College Baytown, TX · Public | 20 | Open | $6,879 | $42,178 |
| 17 | George Washington University Washington, DC · Nonprofit | 19 | 47.1% | $36,586 | $90,873 |
| 18 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SC · Public | 19 | Open | $4,159 | $35,507 |
| 19 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GA · Public | 19 | Open | $5,720 | $35,759 |
| 20 | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton, SC · Public | 18 | Open | $14,670 | $40,101 |
Ranked by Data Processing graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →
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Strong earnings and positive career growth make Data Processing a solid option. The 4 strengths and 0 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
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