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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Data Processing Schools in the Southwest Region

2 Colleges in the United States
358 Data Processing Degrees Awarded
$42,423 Avg Early-Career Salary

Data Processing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for data processing students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Data Processing in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the data processing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Data Processing

1
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Our analysis ranked Lone Star College System the best school in the country for a degree in data processing. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. About 18 data processing degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Data Processing graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. See the full data processing program report for Lone Star College System

2
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

A rank of #2 makes Lee College one of the top schools for data processing. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. Lee College awarded about 68 data processing degrees in the most recent data year. Data Processing graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,941. See the full data processing program report for Lee College

3
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in data processing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. About 190 data processing degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Data Processing graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $38,457 early in their careers. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $10,718 in student loans. More information about a degree in data processing from El Centro College

4
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in data processing, ranking #4. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. About 17 data processing degrees were awarded at San Juan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their data processing degree from San Juan College earn around $41,697 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,150. More information about a degree in data processing from San Juan College

5

A rank of #5 makes New Mexico State University Dona Ana one of the top schools for data processing. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. New Mexico State University Dona Ana awarded about 65 data processing degrees in the most recent data year. Data Processing graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $38,559 early in their careers. New Mexico State University Dona Ana graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Read more about the data processing program at New Mexico State University Dona Ana

Narrow Data Processing Schools by State

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View All Data Processing Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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