2027 Best Value Data Processing Associate’s Degree Schools
[Data Processing](/majors/computer-information-sciences/data-processing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for data processing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Data Processing Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in data processing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Data Processing Schools
Leading the list is Trident Technical College, our #1 best value for data processing in the United States. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $18,116. Data Processing graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Spartanburg Community College one of the best values for data processing. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the data processing program here. Early-career data processing graduates make about $39,702. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in data processing will find it at Cuny Queensborough Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Data Processing graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $26,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in data processing will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $10,718. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $38,457. That is a strong return on a $10,718 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bronx Community College earned it the #5 place for data processing. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Midlands Technical College landed the #6 spot for data processing value this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,013 to complete the data processing program here. Early-career data processing graduates make about $40,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #7 for value in data processing this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $5,518 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the data processing program here. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $38,825. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt.
West Georgia Technical College earned the #8 position for value in data processing this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aiken Technical College came in at #9 for value in data processing this year. Set in the suburb of Graniteville, Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,924. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $17,884. Early-career data processing graduates make about $51,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #10 for value in data processing this year. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $7,858. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $35,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Clair County Community College earned the #11 position for value in data processing this year. St Clair County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Port Huron. In-state tuition and fees average $5,212, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $16,379 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $45,735. That is a strong return on a $16,379 median debt.
Bristol Community College placed #12 among the best values for data processing. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $9,482. Early-career data processing graduates make about $37,897. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing schools. 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, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $16,150. Early-career data processing graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #14 for value in data processing this year. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $9,750. Early-career data processing graduates make about $38,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York Technical College earned the #15 position for value in data processing this year. York Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rock Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the data processing program here. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from York Technical College generally make around $25,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Technical College came in at #16 for value in data processing this year. Set in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the data processing program here. Data Processing graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $40,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #17 spot for data processing value this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College placed #18 among the best values for data processing. 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. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $18,583. Early-career data processing graduates make about $61,814. Set against $18,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Athens Technical College earned the #19 position for value in data processing this year. Located in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $24,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Louisiana State University Eunice ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing schools. Louisiana State University Eunice is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Eunice. In-state tuition and fees average $4,802, with out-of-state students paying around $10,166. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $16,239 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Louisiana State University Eunice generally make around $45,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Miami University Hamilton ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing schools. Located in the suburb of Hamilton, Miami University Hamilton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,012, compared with $18,811 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,031 to complete the data processing program here. Data Processing graduates of Miami University Hamilton earn a median of $45,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenville Technical College landed the #23 spot for data processing value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $21,083. Data Processing graduates of Greenville Technical College earn a median of $39,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Technical College placed #24 among the best values for data processing. Set in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, while out-of-state students pay about $6,923. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $17,652. Early-career data processing graduates make about $36,577. Set against $17,652 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Technical College earned the #25 position for value in data processing this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the data processing program here. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $34,725. Set against $15,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Data Processing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s data processing value ranking:
Other Data Processing Degree Levels
Explore the best-value data processing schools at other degree levels:
View All Data Processing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
