by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you good with numbers? Do you enjoy analyzing information and drawing conclusions? Data Processing may be the major for you.
Data Processing is no longer the mundane task of inputting numbers into a computer. Professionals are able to create their own programs, help businesses or governments retrieve and store data, or teach others how to properly incorporate new technology into their business. When working towards your degree, you will take classes that teach you everything you need to know about computers, software, and data analysis. Some courses students take include computer science, word processing, information technology, computer systems analysis, and business communications. These classes will equip you with the skills to collect, analyze, and report different types of data necessary for conducting business.
Studying Data Processing covers Data Processing. Continue reading for the key facts every data processing major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering data processing programs.
In the U.S., data processing is a widely-pursued major, with 2,131 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Data Processing Schools ranking analyzes these 87 schools to determine the best overall colleges for data processing students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of data processing programs later in this article.
Coursework for Data Processing emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations data processing graduates commonly enter.
Data processing technicians are very computer savvy. Professionals spend their time working with different types of computer software and programs to collect and analyze information. Those who are successful in this career have a strong background in computer information systems and mathematics. Critical thinking, problem solving, and writing skills are also necessary in this career as professionals must be able to analyze data and effectively communicate results and conclusions.
Graduates with a Data Processing degree can expect to work a typical 40-hour workweek in an office setting. The majority of Data Processing Professionals work for companies, but some decide to become self-employed and work as consultants.
Although it is not required, an internship in this field would be beneficial to students. This hands-on experience will expose students to the programs professionals work with daily and give them an advantage when job hunting after graduation.
Skills built by a data processing program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a data processing major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several data processing degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 98 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 769 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 129 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,044 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 18 |
People currently working in careers related to data processing tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 42.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 15.9% |
| Some college courses | 6.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.4% |
| Master’s degree | 5.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 2.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in data processing careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Data Processing graduates have many career options. Often, graduates choose to go into computer service administration or work for companies creating programs that allow file and data sharing. Since this major equips students with useful computer and office skills, many job options are available. Those with previous experience will have an easier time finding jobs and are more likely to be promoted.
Majoring in data processing opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to data processing.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to data processing.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | 440,722 | 0.3% |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | 344,998 | -3.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of data processing graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $38,756 |
| 4 years | $41,578 |
| 5 years | $46,682 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for data processing graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers data processing grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | $119,226 |
| Penetration Testers | $93,800 |
With 87 different data processing programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased data processing school rankings to help you.
Those considering data processing, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician | 2,131 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 118,381 |
| Computer Science | 79,857 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 57,935 |
| Information Science/Studies | 22,425 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 15,581 |
| Computer Programming | 15,336 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 15,034 |
| Computer Systems Analysis | 3,034 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 2,066 |
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications | 436 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
