by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Data Processing Technology involves the study of 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. 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. Read on to learn the important information every data processing technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering data processing technology programs.
In the U.S., data processing technology is a popular field of study, with 2,131 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Data Processing Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 87 schools to determine the best overall colleges for data processing technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of data processing technology programs later in this article.
Studies in Data Processing Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations data processing technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a data processing technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a data processing technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several data processing technology 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 technology 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 technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in data processing technology prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to data processing technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to data processing technology.
| 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% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of data processing technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers data processing technology 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 technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased data processing technology school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
