Bright outlook
Computers and math
Blockchain Engineers
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
ProgramsComputer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Data Processing
CIP11.03
101 colleges offer Data Processing. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Colleges offering it
- 101
- at its most common level
- Bachelor's earnings
- $84,099
- median, 4 years after
- Bachelor's debt
- $22,453
- median federal loans
Colleges offering it, by degree level
- Certificate
- 101
- Associate's
- 82
- Bachelor's
- 14
- Master's
- 10
- Post-baccalaureate certificate
- 1
- Graduate/professional certificate
- 6
What it covers
About Data Processing
A program that prepares individuals to master and use computer software programs and applications for inputting, verifying, organizing, storing, retrieving, transforming (changing, updating, and deleting), and extracting information. Includes instruction in using various operating system configurations and in types of data entry such as word processing, spreadsheets, calculators, management programs, design programs, database programs, and research programs.
Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 11.03.
By degree level
Earnings and debt by degree level
Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.
| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 101 | $50,8244 yrs after · 1 college | $16,8722 colleges |
| Associate's | 82 | $52,7424 yrs after · 20 colleges | $21,2005 colleges |
| Bachelor's | 14 | $84,0994 yrs after · 3 colleges | $22,4532 colleges |
| Master's | 10 | $167,6054 yrs after · 1 college | $33,5302 colleges |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1 | Not reported | Not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 6 | Not reported | Not reported |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.
Bachelor's programs
Where Data Processing graduates earn the most
Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.
- 1
University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV · Public · 59 graduates
$84,099
debt $22,500
- 2
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS · Public · 28 graduates
$55,514
debt $22,406
Careers
Careers this program leads to
Occupations linked to Data Processing by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Computer Occupations, All Other
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Digital Forensics Analysts
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Document Management Specialists
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Information Security Engineers
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Bright outlook
Computers and math
Information Technology Project Managers
- Median pay
- $116,580
- Outlook
- Faster than average
Bachelor's degree
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Coordination
More in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.
Every program in this area- Computer and Information Sciences, General866 colleges
- Computer Science751 colleges
- Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management642 colleges
- Computer Software and Media Applications419 colleges
- Computer Programming405 colleges
- Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications372 colleges
- Information Science/Studies265 colleges
- Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications109 colleges
Questions about Data Processing
How many colleges offer Data Processing?
Published colleges on CollegesRef report Data Processing at these degree levels: certificate (101 colleges), associate's (82 colleges), bachelor's (14 colleges), master's (10 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (1 college), graduate/professional certificate (6 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).
What do Data Processing graduates earn?
At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Data Processing earn $84,099 a year four years after finishing, across 3 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.
Where do Data Processing graduates earn the most?
University of Nevada-Las Vegas reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Data Processing: $84,099 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.