Data Processing at University of Southern Mississippi

Starting at $37,734 puts this program's graduates roughly $7,000 behind the national median for data processing degrees—a meaningful gap when you're carrying nearly $29,000 in student debt. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means your child would owe about nine months' salary, which is manageable but not impressive. Here's the catch: this is the only bachelor's-level data processing program reported in Mississippi, so while it ranks at the 60th percentile statewide, that's a comparison to itself.

The bigger picture matters more. Nationally, this program sits in the bottom 5% for earnings among data processing degrees, where top programs produce graduates earning over $63,000. The University of Southern Mississippi's open admission policy (99% acceptance rate) and significant Pell Grant population suggest this serves students who may have limited alternatives, but it doesn't change the economic reality: graduates here earn substantially less than peers from other programs.

The small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year. If your child is set on staying in Mississippi and needs a data processing credential, this is your only in-state option at the bachelor's level. But the earnings gap suggests exploring out-of-state programs, online options from better-performing schools, or honestly reconsidering whether this specific credential delivers enough value to justify the investment.