Data Processing at Dallas College

Dallas College's Data Processing certificate punches well above its weight nationally—placing in the 95th percentile for first-year earnings with graduates earning $38,457. That's $6,500 more than the typical program nationally, and at $10,718 in debt, students face one of the lowest debt burdens in the country. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans in well under a year if they prioritize it. For a short-term credential, these are strong economics.

The complication is what happens after that first year. Earnings drop to $33,941 by year four—a 12% decline that's unusual for tech-adjacent fields. This could reflect graduates using the certificate as a stepping stone before moving on, or it might signal that these skills become less valuable without further credentials. Within Texas, this program sits at the state median, suggesting Dallas College is competitive locally but not exceptional. Still, among seven Texas programs, holding the middle ground while keeping debt minimal isn't a bad position.

For a parent whose child needs immediate employability without significant debt, this certificate delivers. The risk is that it may not build toward long-term earning growth on its own. It's best viewed as either a quick entry point to the workforce or a foundation that requires additional credentials later to maintain earning potential.