by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 53 U.S. colleges awarded 520 degrees and certificates in General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 45% of graduates. College Factual ranks 12 schools in its 2027 Best General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $46,578 one year after completing, rising to $61,998 after four years.
A degree in General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications covers Data Entry/microcomputer Applications, General. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Perform Basic Data And Text Entry Using Standard And Customized Software Products. Includes Instruction In Keyboarding Skills, Personal Computer And Work Station Operation, Reading Draft Texts And Raw Data Forms, Audio And Tape Dictation, And Various Interactive Software Programs Used For Tasks Such As Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, And Others.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., general data entry/microcomputer applications is a widely-pursued major, with 520 degrees awarded annually. 53 colleges award general data entry/microcomputer applications degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 114.
By level, the 520 awards include 38 certificates, 129 associate degrees and 234 master’s degrees.
Women earned 53% of general data entry/microcomputer applications degrees and certificates in the latest year (276 of 520). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (194) and White (171), and international students earned 6.
College Factual ranks 12 schools in its 2027 Best General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications Schools ranking, including 5 for associate degrees. It also ranks general data entry/microcomputer applications schools within 2 states. In all, 53 colleges offer general data entry/microcomputer applications programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common general data entry/microcomputer applications credential is the master’s degree: 234 of the 520 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to general data entry/microcomputer applications call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Monitoring, and for knowledge of English Language, Administrative and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Written Comprehension and Finger Dexterity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a general data entry/microcomputer applications degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 38 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 129 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 234 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to general data entry/microcomputer applications, at 58.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 58.7% |
| Some college courses | 30.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 11.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, with an average median salary of $33,881; the strongest outlook belongs to Data Entry Keyers, at 10.1% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Data Entry Coordinator, Photocomposing Perforator Machine Operator, Data Input Clerk and Varitypist.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to general data entry/microcomputer applications, at 418,460.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | 418,460 | 10.1% |
General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications graduates earn a median $46,578 one year after completing their program, $61,998 after four years and $35,657 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,578 |
| 4 years | $61,998 |
| 5 years | $35,657 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to general data entry/microcomputer applications, with a median salary of $33,881.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | $33,881 |
General Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications has 2 similar majors in the Computer & Information Sciences field, which together award 30 degrees a year; the largest are Word Processing (25) and Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, Other (5). Browse all Computer & Information Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Word Processing | 25 |
| Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, Other | 5 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
