Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications at College of DuPage

At first glance, College of DuPage's Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications program appears to hit a sweet spot: graduates carry just $8,690 in debt (among the lowest 5% nationally) while earning $45,016 their first year out. That 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than three months of their annual salary—a manageable starting point for any career. The numbers look exceptional compared to programs nationwide, ranking in the 95th percentile for earnings.

However, there's a significant catch here: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, making it unreliable for drawing strong conclusions. The fact that these same figures appear as both the state and national medians suggests limited data points are skewing the picture. Additionally, while "data entry" programs existed when these graduates completed their degrees, this field has contracted significantly as automation has reduced demand for manual data entry work. Today's job market prizes broader technical skills—database management, data analysis, or business analytics—rather than keyboarding proficiency.

For parents considering this program in 2025, verify what skills it actually teaches now. If it has evolved into a genuine microcomputer applications or business technology program, the low debt load makes it worth exploring further. If it's still primarily data entry focused, that $45,016 starting salary may not reflect current market realities for these skills.