by our College Data Analytics Team
[Data Processing](/majors/computer-information-sciences/data-processing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their data processing graduates go on to command.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the early-career earnings of their data processing graduates.
What’s on this page:
Where you study data processing affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Data Processing Graduates ranking. It looks at the median early-career salaries graduates earn, so you can find the schools whose data processing degrees pay off the most.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Highest Paid Data Processing Graduates list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
If you want to know which schools send data processing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bronx Community College the top school for data processing graduate earnings in the United States. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the data processing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,791.
Students chasing top earnings in data processing will find them at American Public University System, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, data processing degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $60,060 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Greenville Technical College earned it the #3 place for data processing. Located in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, data processing degree recipients from Greenville Technical College typically earn about $55,556 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in data processing will find them at Midlands Technical College, which ranked #4. Midlands Technical College is a public school located in the suburb of West Columbia. Data Processing graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of about $52,772 a year early in their careers.
Central Carolina Technical College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in data processing, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, data processing degree recipients from Central Carolina Technical College typically earn about $43,107 annually.
Horry Georgetown Technical College landed the #6 spot for data processing salaries this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public school located in the city of Conway. Data Processing graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of about $46,849 a year early in their careers.
Spartanburg Community College placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for data processing. Spartanburg Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Data Processing graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of about $44,529 a year early in their careers.
Tri County Technical College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for data processing. Located in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, data processing degree recipients from Tri County Technical College typically earn about $51,785 annually.
El Centro College landed the #9 spot for data processing salaries this year. El Centro College is a public school located in the city of Dallas. Data Processing graduates of El Centro College earn a median of about $38,119 a year early in their careers.
New Mexico State University Carlsbad earned the #10 position for data processing graduate earnings this year. New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a public school located in the rural area of Carlsbad. Data Processing graduates of New Mexico State University Carlsbad earn a median of about $36,600 a year early in their careers.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana came in at #11 for data processing graduate earnings this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a public school located in the city of Las Cruces. Early-career data processing graduates from New Mexico State University Dona Ana make a median of around $36,600 per year.
Delgado Community College came in at #12 for data processing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, Delgado Community College is a public institution. Early-career data processing graduates from Delgado Community College make a median of around $50,461 per year.
Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #13 spot for data processing salaries this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a public institution. After graduating, data processing degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College typically earn about $51,467 annually.
York Technical College came in at #14 for data processing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a public institution. Students who complete the data processing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $48,029.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #15 spot for data processing salaries this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. Early-career data processing graduates from Piedmont Technical College make a median of around $29,262 per year.
Athens Technical College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying data processing schools. Located in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a public institution. Data Processing graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of about $24,012 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their data processing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.