Data Processing

Types of Degrees Data Processing Majors Are Getting

The following table lists how many data processing graduations there were in 2020-2021 for each degree level.

Education Level	Number of Grads
Master’s Degree	199
Graduate Certificate	4
Doctor’s Degree	2

What Data Processing Majors Need to Know

People with careers related to data processing were asked what knowledge areas, skills, and abilities were important for their jobs. They weighted these areas on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest.

Knowledge Areas for Data Processing Majors

According to O*NET survey takers, a major in data processing should prepare you for careers in which you will need to be knowledgeable in the following areas:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Skills for Data Processing Majors

A major in data processing prepares you for careers in which the following skill-sets are crucial:

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities for Data Processing Majors

As a data processing major, you will find yourself needing the following abilities:

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

What Can You Do With a Data Processing Major?

Below is a list of occupations associated with data processing:

Job Title	Job Growth Rate	Median Salary
Geographic Information Systems Technicians	9.3%	$90,270
Web Administrators	9.3%	$90,270

Who Is Getting a Master’s Degree in Data Processing?

This major tends to be male dominated. About 60% of recent graduates are men.

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the countrywide level, the racial-ethnic distribution of data processing majors is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity	Number of Grads
Asian	31
Black or African American	8
Hispanic or Latino	11
White	27
International Students	111
Other Races/Ethnicities	11

Geographic Diversity

Students from other countries are interested in Data Processing, too. About 55.8% of those with this major are international students. The most popular countries for students from outside the country are:

• India
• China
• Saudi Arabia
• Nepal
• Vietnam

How Much Do Data Processing Majors Make?

Salaries According to BLS

Average salaries range from $46,750 to $93,350 (25th to 75th percentile) for careers related to data processing. This range includes all degree levels, so you may expect those with a more advanced degree to make more while those with less advanced degrees will typically make less.

To put that into context, according to BLS data from the first quarter of 2020, the typical high school graduate makes between $30,000 and $57,900 a year (25th through 75th percentile). The average person with a bachelor’s degree (any field) makes between $45,600 and $99,000. Advanced degree holders make the most with salaries between $55,600 and $125,400.

Amount of Education Required for Careers Related to Data Processing

Some careers associated with data processing require an advanced degree while some may not even require a bachelor’s. Whatever the case may be, pursuing more education usually means that more career options will be available to you.

How much schooling do you really need to compete in today’s job market? People currently working in careers related to data processing have obtained the following education levels.

Education Level	Percentage of Workers
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)	13.2%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)	6.1%
Some College Courses	8.1%
Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree)	14.7%
Bachelor’s Degree	50.9%
Master’s Degree	7.2%
Post-Master’s Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master’s degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.	1.5%

Online Data Processing Programs

In the 2020-2021 academic year, 132 schools offered some type of data processing program. The following table lists the number of programs by degree level, along with how many schools offered online courses in the field.

Degree Level	Colleges Offering Programs	Colleges Offering Online Classes
Certificate (Less Than 1 Year)	0	0
Certificate (1-2 years)	44	8
Certificate (2-4 Years)	18	5
Associate’s Degree	74	13
Bachelor’s Degree	5	2
Post-Baccalaureate	0	0
Master’s Degree	7	1
Post-Master’s	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Research)	1	1
Doctor’s Degree (Professional Practice)	0	0
Doctor’s Degree (Other)	0	0

Is a Degree in Data Processing Worth It?

The median salary for a data processing grad is $46,750 per year. This is based on the weighted average of the most common careers associated with the major.

This is 17% more than the average salary for an individual holding a high school degree. This adds up to a gain of about $137,000 after 20 years!

Majors Related to Data Processing

You may also be interested in one of the following majors related to data processing.

Major	Number of Grads
Computer Information Systems	20,748
Computer Science	15,813
Information Technology	10,754
Information Science	6,934
Computer Software & Applications	4,047
Computer Systems Analysis	817
Computer Systems Networking	720
Computer Programming	490
Other Computer & Information Sciences	443

References

*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• College Scorecard
• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers First Quarter 2020
• Image Credit: By Kenneth Jensen under License

More about our data sources and methodologies.