2026 Best Value Data Processing Technology Associate’s Degree Schools
[Data Processing Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/data-processing/data-processing-tech/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 141 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for data processing technology students.
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2026 Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in data processing technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked Trident Technical College the best value for a degree in data processing technology in the United States. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, with out-of-state students paying around $8,620. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $18,116. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Cuny Queensborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data processing technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $10,052. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $26,484. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Bronx Community College one of the best values for data processing technology. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in data processing technology will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $10,718 in student loans. Data Processing Technology graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $38,457 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Horry Georgetown Technical College earned it the #5 place for data processing technology. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $38,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $9,750. Data Processing Technology graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $38,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Midlands Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, with out-of-state students paying around $14,700. Students borrow a median of $14,013 to complete the data processing technology program here. Data Processing Technology graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $40,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,013 median debt.
York Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $25,617. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #9 position for value in data processing technology this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the data processing technology program here. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $35,562. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Technical College came in at #10 for value in data processing technology this year. Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pendleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,448, while out-of-state students pay about $12,007. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the data processing technology program here. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $34,725. That is a strong return on a $15,787 median debt.
Aiken Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,174, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Aiken Technical College generally make around $51,894. Set against $17,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Technical College earned the #12 position for value in data processing technology this year. Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Data Processing Technology graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College landed the #13 spot for data processing technology value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, with out-of-state students paying around $10,775. Students borrow a median of $21,083 to complete the data processing technology program here. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $39,062. That is a strong return on a $21,083 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Located in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,354. Students borrow a median of $18,583 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College placed #15 among the best values for data processing technology. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Spartanburg Community College generally make around $39,702. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Bristol Community College earned the #16 position for value in data processing technology this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $9,482. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. That is a strong return on a $9,482 median debt.
Lee College earned the #17 position for value in data processing technology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the data processing technology program here. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
American Public University System earned the #18 position for value in data processing technology this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $44,801. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Piedmont Technical College placed #19 among the best values for data processing technology. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,652 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Piedmont Technical College generally make around $36,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $21,031 to complete the data processing technology program here. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $44,428. That is a strong return on a $21,031 median debt.
Other Data Processing Technology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value data processing technology schools at other degree levels:
View All Data Processing Technology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
