Peru State College
#2 Best Psychology Colleges in Nebraska- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,071 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,632 B-
- 32% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,092
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 25.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.4 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Psychology Colleges in Nebraska.
Every $1 spent returns $25.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,135,445.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 38% — 34% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Peru State College Matters
Peru State College is a public university in Peru, NE and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 1,092
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Peru State College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,632 a year after grants and scholarships — 32% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,071 ten years after enrolling — 15% above the typical college, against $21,875 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 61% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.60 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 1,092 students, Peru State College is a good fit for those looking for a more intimate campus experience where community feels important. Students often dive into areas like Business and Marketing, Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Biology. These programs reflect a practical approach to learning, designed to prepare students for real-world challenges.
After graduation, students can expect to earn about $47,071 within ten years. That number gives a solid idea of the potential return on investment for those who choose to attend. Affordability is also a highlight, with a net price of around $11,632 after financial aid. This means students can achieve their goals without an overwhelming financial burden, especially considering that 37% of students receive Pell Grants to help cover costs.
Looking at the financial side, the median debt for graduates sits at approximately $21,875, which is manageable with the earnings potential. Students who thrive at Peru State College tend to be those who appreciate a close-knit environment and are motivated to engage in their studies. With supportive programs and a focus on practical outcomes, it’s a place where students can develop skills for both personal and professional growth.
Rankings
- #2 Best Psychology Colleges in Nebraska
- #3 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
- #3 Best Master's Programs in Nebraska
- #3 Best Business Colleges in Nebraska
- #3 Best Education Colleges in Nebraska
- #4 Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska
- #7 Best Colleges in Nebraska
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska
Can I Get In?
How selective Peru State College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Peru State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Peru, Nebraska, Peru State College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,181
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.53
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Peru State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Peru State College is $8,640, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,632. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,986 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,875 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,640
- Out-of-State
- $8,640
- Avg Net Price
- $11,632
- Median Debt
- $21,875
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 44%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,986
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,779
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,845
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,450
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Peru State College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Peru State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Peru State College earn a median of $47,071, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,150
- 8 Years
- $43,246
- 10 Years
- $47,071
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.46x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (53)
- 20%
- 100% (53)
- 20%
- 100% (53)
- 20%
- 100% (53)
- 20%
How Peru Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Peru State College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Peru State College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,632/year ($46,528 total). Graduates earn $47,071 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,181,973 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,135,445 (25.4× your investment). The median debt is $21,875, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $46,528
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,181,973
- Net Return
- $1,135,445
- ROI Multiple
- 25.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,632
- Median Debt
- $21,875
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Peru State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Peru State College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.27%, well above the typical college. About 9.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $64,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.27%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $87,769
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $65,411
- Investment Income
- $132,994
Top Programs
The fields Peru State College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 38% $53,715 early-career
- Education 19% $42,824 early-career
- Psychology 13% $39,544 early-career
- Criminal Justice 9% $46,778 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
- Humanities 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Peru State College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Peru State College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Peru, Nebraska, Peru State College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Peru State College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Peru State College is $8,640, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,632. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,986 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,875 in federal student loans.
Is Peru State College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Peru State College earn a median of $47,071, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Peru State College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Peru State College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.27%, well above the typical college. About 9.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $64,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Peru State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Peru State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Peru State College.
- Mary Baldwin UniversityStaunton, VA · Close peer43% grad $44,427 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Alaska SoutheastJuneau, AK · Close peer29% grad $48,475 earn 63% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Wright State University-Lake CampusCelina, OH · Close peer42% grad $49,500 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Mayville State UniversityMayville, ND · Close peer40% grad $47,828 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Kent State University at SalemSalem, OH · Close peer30% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Reinhardt UniversityWaleska, GA · Close peer39% grad $46,541 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Peru State College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Peru State College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.60, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.04), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note