Best colleges for Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
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.
93 U.S. institutions graduated 2,577 Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 11.0301, a specialization of Data Processing (CIP 11.03), and leads most directly to the Computer Occupations, All Other occupation (BLS SOC 15-1299).
About Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to effectively utilize computer software for managing information. This program is ideal for those interested in mastering data input, verification, organization, and retrieval, equipping them with essential skills for a career in the rapidly evolving field of computer and information sciences. Students will learn to work with various software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, and database management systems.
Core coursework focuses on using different operating systems and data entry techniques. Students gain practical experience with software applications that facilitate data management, including design and research programs, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree791 graduates / yr · 54 institutions31%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year760 graduates / yr · 39 institutions30%
- Master's degree337 graduates / yr · 7 institutions13%
- Award of less than 12 weeks271 graduates / yr · 3 institutions11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years194 graduates / yr · 13 institutions7.5%
- Bachelor's degree130 graduates / yr · 8 institutions5.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years47 graduates / yr · 15 institutions1.8%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate26 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.8%
Graduates over time
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,932 |
| 2013 | 2,828 |
| 2014 | 2,819 |
| 2015 | 2,866 |
| 2016 | 2,529 |
| 2017 | 2,458 |
| 2018 | 2,183 |
| 2019 | 2,136 |
| 2020 | 2,320 |
| 2021 | 1,954 |
| 2022 | 1,978 |
| 2023 | 1,925 |
| 2024 | 2,130 |
| 2025 | 2,577 |
Top 50 institutions for Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field starting salary* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas College Dallas, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 320 | 32% | — | $38,457 |
| 2 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo, COPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 203 | 31% | — | — |
| 3 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 191 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 4 | New Mexico State University - Dona Ana Las Cruces, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 118 | 19% | — | $38,559 |
| 5 | Trident Technical College Charleston, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 111 | 30% | — | — |
| 6 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 102 | 70% | $37,121 | — |
| 7 | Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 89 | 28% | — | $39,702 |
| 8 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 83 | 51% | — | $44,431 |
| 9 | Tri-County Technical College Pendleton, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 73 | 42% | — | $34,725 |
| 10 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 71 | 61% | — | — |
| 11 | Moraine Park Technical College Fond du Lac, WIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 66 | 58% | — | — |
| 12 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 63 | 38% | — | $38,825 |
| 13 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicAssociate's | 58 | 21% | — | $39,062 |
| 14 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 30% | — | $25,617 |
| 15 | Piedmont Technical College Greenwood, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 33% | — | — |
| 16 | Midlands Technical College West Columbia, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 43 | 18% | — | $40,012 |
| 17 | The University of Findlay Findlay, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 58% | $23,128 | — |
| 18 | Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College Orangeburg, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 32% | — | — |
| 19 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 35% | — | — |
| 20 | Lee College Baytown, TXPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 53% | — | — |
| 21 | George Washington University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 34 | 84% | $29,789 | — |
| 22 | CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn, NYPublicAssociate's | 33 | 28% | — | — |
| 23 | CUNY Queensborough Community College Bayside, NYPublicAssociate's | 30 | 24% | — | $26,484 |
| 24 | Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 29 | 21% | — | — |
| 25 | Navarro College Corsicana, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 28 | 23% | — | — |
| 26 | San Juan College Farmington, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 27 | 37% | — | — |
| 27 | Miami University - Hamilton Hamilton, OHPublicAssociate's | 27 | 25% | — | — |
| 28 | Aiken Technical College Graniteville, SCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 34% | — | — |
| 29 | Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 27 | 47% | — | — |
| 30 | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 24 | 18% | — | — |
| 31 | Northcentral University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 23 | — | — | — |
| 32 | St Clair County Community College Port Huron, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 34% | — | — |
| 33 | Pratt Institute Brooklyn, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 21 | 74% | $49,088 | — |
| 34 | Central Carolina Technical College Sumter, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 21 | 34% | — | — |
| 35 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NYPublicAssociate's | 19 | 16% | — | — |
| 36 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 43% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 18 | 49% | — | $37,734 |
| 38 | Bristol Community College Fall River, MAPublicAssociate's | 16 | 22% | — | — |
| 39 | Oconee Fall Line Technical College Sandersville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 16 | 65% | — | — |
| 40 | Southern Regional Technical College Thomasville, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 16 | 31% | — | — |
| 41 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 15 | 35% | — | — |
| 42 | Louisiana State University - Eunice Eunice, LAPublicAssociate's | 14 | 19% | — | — |
| 43 | Augusta Technical College Augusta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 13 | 31% | — | — |
| 44 | Community College of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 24% | — | — |
| 45 | McLennan Community College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 39% | — | — |
| 46 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 86% | — | — |
| 47 | Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 34% | — | — |
| 48 | Georgia Piedmont Technical College Clarkston, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 44% | — | — |
| 49 | Athens Technical College Athens, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 11 | 51% | — | $24,012 |
| 50 | Lanier Technical College Gainesville, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 8 | 34% | — | — |
* Field starting salary (1 yr): median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Data Processing field (CIP 11.03) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 30 states
Where Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Data Processing programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-1299, Computer Occupations, All Other, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers in various computer occupations, with an annual job opening projection of 31,300. The field is expected to grow by 8.2%, offering a median wage of $108,970, with a typical education requirement of a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 11.0301
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Occupations, All Otherprimary SOC 15-1299 | $116,580 | +8.2% Much faster than average | ~31,300 | Bachelor's degree |
Related careers
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, a Master's degree, or an Award of less than 12 weeks.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 93 colleges offering this program across the United States.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.2%.
What is the median wage for careers in this field?+
The median wage for careers in this field is $108,970.
What is the CIP code for Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician?+
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician is CIP 11.0301 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Data Processing (CIP 11.03). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician programs?+
93 U.S. institutions reported Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 30 states, awarding 2,577 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Data Processing graduates.
How much do Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Computer Occupations, All Other occupation, which Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $116,580 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Data Processing field report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,559, College Scorecard.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Data Processing graduates, so its figures match the Data Processing program page.
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