2026 Best Value Data Processing Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Data Processing associate’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 141 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Data Processing Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
American Public University System tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Data Processing associate's degree schools in the United States. Based in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. American Public University System Data Processing students take on a median of $19,000 in debt. Median earnings reach $44,409 ten years out. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about American Public University System
A rank of #2 makes El Centro College one of the best values in the United States. Set in Dallas, TX, El Centro College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. The median Data Processing program debt is $10,718. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,714. Set against $10,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full El Centro College profile
You'll get strong value at Athens Technical College, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Athens Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,951 a decade after entry. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Athens Technical College
Out of the 141 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, West Georgia Technical College landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Waco, GA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Graduates carry a median of $12,651 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,479 ten years after entry. Set against $12,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on West Georgia Technical College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Augusta Technical College earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Augusta, GA, Augusta Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,282 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,492 for out-of-state students. Typical Data Processing student debt is $11,400. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,523 ten years after entry. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Augusta Technical College
Delgado Community College placed #6 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Located in New Orleans, LA, Delgado Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,279 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $17,418 in student loans. Median earnings reach $33,305 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,418 median debt. Read the full report on Delgado Community College
Georgia Piedmont Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Clarkston, GA, Georgia Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,954. Georgia Piedmont Technical College Data Processing students take on a median of $15,716 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,619. Set against $15,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Georgia Piedmont Technical College
York Technical College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Rock Hill, SC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,036, with out-of-state students paying around $13,340. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete their Data Processing program here. York Technical College alumni report median earnings of $37,257 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about York Technical College
Columbia Basin College placed #9 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pasco, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,680. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt. See the full Columbia Basin College profile
Greenville Technical College placed #10 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Greenville Technical College is a public school based in Greenville, SC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,495, compared with $10,775 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,083 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,473 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,083 median debt. Read the full report on Greenville Technical College
Piedmont Technical College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Based in Greenwood, SC, Piedmont Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. The median Data Processing program debt is $17,652. Piedmont Technical College alumni report median earnings of $35,768 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,652 median debt. More on Piedmont Technical College
Ogeechee Technical College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Statesboro, GA, Ogeechee Technical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,388 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. The median Data Processing program debt is $11,894. Ogeechee Technical College alumni report median earnings of $31,248 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,894 median debt. Read the full report on Ogeechee Technical College
Spartanburg Community College landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Spartanburg Community College is a public school based in Spartanburg, SC. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Typical Data Processing student debt is $10,148. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,097 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt. Get the full Spartanburg Community College report
Horry Georgetown Technical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Based in Conway, SC, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Horry Georgetown Technical College Data Processing students take on a median of $16,500 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,507. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Horry Georgetown Technical College
Central Carolina Technical College placed #15 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Based in Sumter, SC, Central Carolina Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,715, while out-of-state students pay about $9,016. Typical Data Processing student debt is $15,750. Median earnings reach $32,603 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Central Carolina Technical College
Miami University Hamilton came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Based in Hamilton, OH, Miami University Hamilton is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $21,031 to complete their Data Processing program here. Miami University Hamilton alumni report median earnings of $55,076 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,031 median debt. Read more about Miami University Hamilton
Miami University Middletown came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Middletown, OH, Miami University Middletown is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,012, with out-of-state students paying around $18,811. Students borrow a median of $21,031 to complete their Data Processing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Miami University Middletown
Midlands Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Located in West Columbia, SC, Midlands Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,100, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. The median Data Processing program debt is $14,013. Median earnings reach $38,701 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,013 median debt. Read the full report on Midlands Technical College
Mclennan Community College placed #19 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Read the full report on Mclennan Community College
Northeastern Technical College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Northeastern Technical College profile
Seattle Community College North Campus landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Seattle Community College North Campus report
Pueblo Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. Read more about Pueblo Community College
Skagit Valley College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. More on Skagit Valley College
Walden University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. See the full Walden University profile
Capital Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Get the full Capital Community College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Data Processing Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #27 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. More on Cuny Hostos Community College
North Georgia Technical College landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. More on North Georgia Technical College
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Read more about Raritan Valley Community College
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Arkansas State University Main Campus
Wesleyan College
Wesleyan College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on Wesleyan College
Chattahoochee Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on Chattahoochee Technical College
Canisius College
Canisius College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Read the full report on Canisius College
Nassau Community College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Nassau Community College report
Farmingdale State College placed #36 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. See the full Farmingdale State College profile
Wayne State University landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Wayne State University report
Northcentral University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. Get the full Northcentral University report
Everett Community College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Everett Community College
Tri County Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Tri County Technical College
Williamsburg Technical College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Data Processing schools. More on Williamsburg Technical College
Century College
Century College landed the #42 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Century College
Lone Star College System landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Lone Star College System
Montgomery College placed #44 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Read more about Montgomery College
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #45 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Read the full report on Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Oral Roberts University placed #46 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Read more about Oral Roberts University
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #47 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Southern Mississippi report
University Of Dubuque placed #48 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Dubuque report
Hennepin Technical College placed #49 among the best-value Data Processing schools in the United States. Read more about Hennepin Technical College
New Mexico State University Dona Ana landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Related Data Processing Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Data Processing Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Data Processing Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Data Processing Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Data Processing Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Data Processing Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Data Processing Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Data Processing Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 141 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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