2026 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong data processing technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for data processing technology students.
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2026 Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the data processing technology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Data Processing Technology Schools
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in data processing technology in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $10,718 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in data processing technology will find it at San Juan College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the data processing technology program here. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Dona Ana earned it the #3 place for data processing technology. Set in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,360. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. 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.
Lee College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data processing technology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lone Star College System earned it the #5 place for data processing technology. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Data Processing Technology graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing technology degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
