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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Data Processing Schools

19 Colleges in the United States
$16,521 Avg Student Debt
$45,276 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Data Processing Badge [Data Processing](/majors/computer-information-sciences/data-processing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong data processing education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 141 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for data processing students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Data Processing School for You

The right data processing school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Data Processing Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

Learn more about our methodology

Customizing Your List

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Data Processing Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Data Processing
Bachelor's Degrees in Data Processing
Master's Degrees in Data Processing
Doctorate Degrees in Data Processing

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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2026 Best Value Data Processing Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in data processing, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Data Processing Schools

1

For return on investment in data processing, no school beat Trident Technical College this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the data processing program here. Data Processing graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.

2

South Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing schools. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in data processing will find it at Cuny Queensborough Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $26,484. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data processing, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $8,224. Early-career data processing graduates make about $35,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in data processing will find it at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the data processing program here. Early-career data processing graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

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6

Oconee Fall Line Technical College placed #6 among the best values for data processing. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $47,076. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College came in at #7 for value in data processing this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $38,457. Set against $10,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Horry Georgetown Technical College placed #8 among the best values for data processing. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $38,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing schools. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins placed #10 among the best values for data processing. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,448, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $11,693. Data Processing graduates of Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned the #11 position for value in data processing this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,360. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $38,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

Midlands Technical College landed the #12 spot for data processing value this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $14,013 to complete the data processing program here. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $40,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #13 for value in data processing this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Data Processing graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $35,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.

14

York Technical College earned the #14 position for value in data processing this year. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Data Processing graduates of York Technical College earn a median of $25,534 early in their careers. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Aiken Technical College crest
Aiken Technical College
Graniteville, SC

Aiken Technical College placed #15 among the best values for data processing. Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Graniteville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,174, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $51,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Tri County Technical College came in at #16 for value in data processing this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the data processing program here. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $34,725. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Central Carolina Technical College earned the #17 position for value in data processing this year. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,715, with out-of-state students paying around $9,016. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $40,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Technical College Of The Lowcountry earned the #18 position for value in data processing this year. Located in the city of Beaufort, Technical College Of The Lowcountry is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,916. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $17,110. Early-career data processing graduates make about $44,556. That is a strong return on a $17,110 median debt.

19

Greenville Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,495 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $21,083. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $39,062. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College landed the #20 spot for data processing value this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Students borrow a median of $18,583 to complete the data processing program here. Early-career data processing graduates make about $61,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Spartanburg Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing schools. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,148 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $39,702. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Bristol Community College landed the #22 spot for data processing value this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $9,482 to complete the data processing program here. Data Processing graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.

23
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $10,941. Early-career data processing graduates make about $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

American Public University System ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $19,000. Early-career data processing graduates make about $44,801. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.

25
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System placed #25 among the best values for data processing. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $10,425. Data Processing graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.

Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Data Processing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in data processing:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
33
34
35
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
36
37
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

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View All Rankings >

Data Processing is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

Major Annual Graduates
Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician 1,849

View All Data Processing Concentrations >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 141 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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