Peru State College
Peru State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Peru State College at a Glance
Peru State College (Peru) is a public college in Peru, Nebraska, United States. It was founded by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865, and opened in 1866 as Mount Vernon Academy. It is the first and oldest institution of higher education in Nebraska.
1865
161 years old
1,492
1,308 undergrad · 184 grad
104 acres
Identity
Is Peru State College Worth It?
At a value score of 38/100, Peru State College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,071 — 12% below average — while paying $11,632/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 38% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Peru State College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Peru State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #43 of 83 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #3 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #4 | Bellingham Technical College | 92 | $5,997 | $49,748 |
| #5 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #6 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #43 | Peru State College | 38 | $11,632 | $47,071 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Peru State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NE.
Best Programs at Peru State College
The highest-earning program at Peru State College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $41,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $30,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Peru State College earns $41,800, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $30,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $20,428 in median debt vs. $25,826 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,632/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,800 | $41,800 | $20,428 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,100 | $38,100 | $26,350 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $34,400 | $34,400 | $23,983 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,100 | $31,100 | $21,651 |
| Psychology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $25,826 |
Similar Colleges in NE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Peru, NE
- Student Body
- 1,092 students
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,632
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,071
- Median Student Debt
- $21,875