by our College Data Analytics Team
[Data Processing](/majors/computer-information-sciences/data-processing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for data processing students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in data processing, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in data processing, no school beat El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,718 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $38,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value data processing schools. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $11,598 in student loans. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $40,499. That is a strong return on a $11,598 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Lee College one of the best values for data processing. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in data processing will find it at Lone Star College System, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Data Processing graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career data processing graduates make about $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Navarro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in data processing, landing the #5 spot this year. Navarro College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Corsicana. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,578. Typical student debt for data processing graduates is $13,781. Soon after graduation, data processing degree recipients from Navarro College generally make around $38,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
This ranking is produced 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.