2027 Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Data Processing Technology](/majors/computer-information-sciences/data-processing/data-processing-tech/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for data processing technology students.
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2027 Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in data processing technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools
El Centro College earned the #1 spot for value among data processing technology schools in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,718 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $38,457. That is a strong return on a $10,718 median debt.
Mclennan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data processing technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $5,910. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $11,598. Data Processing Technology graduates of Mclennan Community College earn a median of $40,499 early in their careers. Set against $11,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes San Juan College one of the best values for data processing technology. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the data processing technology program here. Early-career data processing technology graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned it the #4 place for data processing technology. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from New Mexico State University Dona Ana generally make around $38,559. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lee College one of the best values for data processing technology. 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, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $10,941. Data Processing Technology graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $10,425. Data Processing Technology graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Navarro College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing technology schools. Navarro College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Corsicana. In-state tuition and fees average $3,008, while out-of-state students pay about $6,578. Typical student debt for data processing technology graduates is $13,781. Data Processing Technology graduates of Navarro College earn a median of $38,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
