# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-processing
- CIP code: 11.03 (Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services)
- Colleges offering it: 101 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 101 | $38,060 | $50,824 | $16,872 |
| Associate's | 82 | $38,746 | $52,742 | $21,200 |
| Bachelor's | 14 | $53,745 | $84,099 | $22,453 |
| Master's | 10 | $121,418 | $167,605 | $33,530 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Nevada-Las Vegas](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-nevada-las-vegas-unlv-2976) | Las Vegas, NV | $84,099 | $22,500 |
| [University of Southern Mississippi](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-mississippi-3053) | Hattiesburg, MS | $55,514 | $22,406 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Blockchain Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/blockchain-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Computer Occupations, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-occupations-all-other): $116,580 median pay
- [Computer Systems Engineers/Architects](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/computer-systems-engineers-architects): $116,580 median pay
- [Digital Forensics Analysts](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/digital-forensics-analysts): $116,580 median pay
- [Document Management Specialists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/document-management-specialists): $116,580 median pay
- [Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/geographic-information-systems-technologists-and-technicians): $116,580 median pay
- [Information Security Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-security-engineers): $116,580 median pay
- [Information Technology Project Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/information-technology-project-managers): $116,580 median pay
- [Penetration Testers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/penetration-testers): $116,580 median pay
- [Web Administrators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/web-administrators): $116,580 median pay

## More in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

- [Computer and Information Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-and-information-sciences-general): 866 colleges
- [Computer Science](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-science): 751 colleges
- [Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-information-technology-administration-and-management): 642 colleges
- [Computer Software and Media Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-software-and-media-applications): 419 colleges
- [Computer Programming](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-programming): 405 colleges
- [Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/computer-systems-networking-and-telecommunications): 372 colleges
- [Information Science/Studies](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/information-science-studies): 265 colleges
- [Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/data-entry-microcomputer-applications): 109 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/