Cheapest Data Processing Colleges

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas delivers the nation's most affordable Data Processing program at just $10,011 annually, while the University of San Francisco charges nearly four times more at $39,495. This dramatic cost variation spans both public and private institutions across 12 states. Southern Mississippi graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $47,846, reflecting strong demand for data professionals in the South's growing tech corridors. Public universities dominate the lower cost tier, with seven of the eight cheapest programs offered by state institutions. The 32.5% graduation rate at Purdue Fort Wayne contrasts sharply with San Francisco's 71.1% completion rate, showing how institutional resources impact student success in technical fields requiring advanced computational skills.

Programs

$10,011 – $39,495

Net Price Range

$43,979

Avg. Program Earnings

48.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

12 Data Processing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada	$10,011	$9,142	50.1%	85.3%
2	Bellevue College Bellevue, Washington	$11,289	$4,305	33.5%
3	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
4	Arkansas State University Jonesboro, Arkansas	$13,085	$7,754	55.1%	69.5%
5	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$14,224	$9,618	50.6%	98.8%
6	Wesleyan College Macon, Georgia	$14,528	$27,650	60.6%	66.8%
7	Dickinson State University Dickinson, North Dakota	$15,270	$9,118	43.4%	72.0%
8	Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota	$18,305	$14,436	33.3%
9	University of Dubuque Dubuque, Iowa	$23,250	$40,065	41.1%	85.1%
10	Southern Technical College Fort Myers, Florida	$24,026	$14,742	49.7%
11	Waynesburg University Waynesburg, Pennsylvania	$25,157	$29,460	60.5%	75.6%
12	University of San Francisco San Francisco, California	$39,495	$58,222	71.1%	71.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $29,484 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Private institutions like the University of San Francisco charge premium tuition rates of $58,222 compared to public schools like UNLV at $9,142 in-state. Geographic location also drives costs, with West Coast programs commanding higher prices than Southern and Midwest alternatives.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable options?

Graduation rates range from 32.5% at Purdue Fort Wayne to 60.6% at Wesleyan College among lower-cost programs. Public universities show mixed completion rates, with Arkansas State achieving 55.1% while Bellevue College graduates only 33.5% of students.

Is earning potential consistent across different price points?

Southern Mississippi graduates earn $47,846 despite the program costing only $14,224, while Arkansas State graduates start at $38,394 from a $13,085 program. The data shows affordable programs can deliver strong financial returns for graduates.

Where do the most selective affordable programs operate?

Wesleyan College maintains the highest selectivity among budget options with a 66.8% acceptance rate, followed by Arkansas State at 69.5%. Most affordable public universities accept 80% or more of applicants, making them accessible entry points into data careers.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.