Data Processing Major Guide: Overview and RoEDU™ Opportunities 2025

The Data Processing major builds core foundations in this discipline and prepares students with practical, career-relevant skills. Use RoEDU™ to find programs that match your goals.

Within Specialty, students often explore key subfields and specializations that provide targeted expertise.

Graduates translate classroom knowledge into real-world impact across sectors through hands-on projects and internships.

As part of Specialty, this major connects to diverse, high-demand fields and interdisciplinary pathways.

Salary Outlook

Entry-level salary
$92,625

Typical starting pay soon after graduation.

Mid-career salary (10y)
$146,447

Estimated after a decade of experience.

Experienced salary (20y)
$196,812

Seasoned professionals at ~20 years.

Weighted median over last 5 years
CAGR 4.1%

CAGR (compound annual growth rate) summarizes average yearly change across the observed period.

Estimated lifetime earnings

40 years, present value
$3,705,000

Employment-weighted across mapped SOCs; entry ≈ 85% of median; historical CAGR shown for last 5y; projections capped at 3% CAGR; lifetime is 40-year present value at 3% discount.

Career Opportunities & Salaries

Data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024) • Median wages, employment, and growth projections

OccupationMedian WageTotal JobsGrowth RateEducation
Computer Occupations, All Other
SOC: 15-1299
Occupation: Computer Occupations, All Other
$108,970
439,380
N/A
N/A

Historical Career Trends (2020-2024)

Historical data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020-2024) • Salary trends and employment growth over 5 years

Computer Occupations, All Other

17.3%
5-Year Growth
YearMedian WageEmployment
2024$108,970439,380
2023$104,920437,170
2022$98,740416,320
2021$95,270370,190
2020$92,870362,580

Colleges offering Data Processing

George Washington University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$46k

Earnings

$78k

American Public University System

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$11k

Earnings

$61k

University of San Francisco

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$45k

Earnings

$75k

Capella University

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$17k

Earnings

$70k

Trocaire College

RoEdu™

999

Net Price

$22k

Earnings

$62k