by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you enjoy making spreadsheets? How about working with information in databases? A career in Data Entry / Microcomputer Applications might be the thing for you.
Classes will prepare students for a career in basic data and text entry through the use of specialized programs and software often found in the office setting. Classes include computer hardware, keyboarding, computer troubleshooting, and personal computer operation. These classes teach students how to maintaining and updating data sources.
Students have the option to major in General Data Entry for Microcomputer Applications or can specialize in areas, such as Word Processing. This program is often offered as an Associates, but is available as a Bachelors degree as well.
A degree in Data Entry explores Data Entry/microcomputer Applications. Continue reading for the important information every data entry major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering data entry programs.
In the U.S., data entry is a widely-pursued major, with 436 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Data Entry Schools ranking analyzes these 57 schools to determine the best overall colleges for data entry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of data entry programs later in this article.
Programs in Data Entry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations data entry graduates commonly enter.
Those who go into Data Entry often are able to retain information and pay close attention to detail. As you transcribe information into spreadsheets, word documents, or databases, it is important that the information is correctly transferred. Successful professionals also have a background in applications such as Microsoft Office.
Jobs in Data Entry are often full time positions with a typical 40-hour workweek. Professionals may work in an office setting or have the option to work from home. Internships and summer jobs will give students experience in this field, but are not necessary for a successful career.
The skill set developed in a data entry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a data entry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several data entry 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 | 41 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 129 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 266 |
People currently working in careers related to data entry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 56.1% |
| Some college courses | 34.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in data entry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates with a degree in Data Entry often work in offices compiling different types of data. Common data entry jobs are in law and medical offices. Graduates have also found jobs in offices updating databases or maintaining spreadsheets. With the advancements in technology, jobs within data entry are decreasing at an average rate. This may make finding a job difficult for graduates.
Studying data entry opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to data entry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to data entry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | 418,460 | 10.1% |
| Word Processors and Typists | 167,447 | 8.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of data entry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,578 |
| 4 years | $35,013 |
| 5 years | $35,657 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for data entry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers data entry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Word Processors and Typists | $38,983 |
| Data Entry Keyers | $33,881 |
With 57 different data entry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased data entry school rankings to help you.
Those considering data entry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, General | 414 |
| Word Processing | 20 |
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, Other | 2 |
| 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 |
| Data Processing | 2,131 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | 2,066 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
