Data Processing at Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, SC · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 7,731 in West Columbia, SC.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $40,012 at Midlands Technical College come in 14% above the national median of $34,993 for Data Processing programs.

With a 56.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 25% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Data Processing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $40,012 far exceeding the $10,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #5 ranking among 16 Data Processing programs places Midlands Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 32% earnings increase from $40,012 to $52,772 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

55 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
46
Low End
55
Score
57
High End
Earnings $40,012/yr (14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (43% shielded)
Job Market Large (31,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$557K
7.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,576
Out-of-state: $27,624
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,250
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,772
32% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Data Processing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer occupations, all other $108,970 +8.2% 43%
Computer occupations, all other
$108,970
+8.2% growth 43% AI-proof

Data Processing Career Guide

Explore what Data Processing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 16 programs nationwide.

Read the full Data Processing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Data Processing Overview

Data Processing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Midlands Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Midlands Technical College's Data Processing program score?
A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Data Processing field.
What's the AI risk for Data Processing graduates from Midlands Technical College?
With 57% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $418,614 in decade earnings vs $557,153 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Data Processing graduates from Midlands Technical College?
At $10,250 in median debt, Data Processing graduates from Midlands Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →