Peru State College
Peru, Nebraska · Public
ROI Score: 41/100 · Poor Value
Peru State College earns an overall ROI score of 41/100, placing it in the poor value band on CampusROI's framework. Tuition runs $8,640 with an average net price of $11,632 after aid. Median earnings six years after entry land at $33,800, climbing to roughly $47,071 by year ten, producing a payback period of about 15.5 years. Median federal debt of $21,875 works out to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, which is tight. Completion is the headline weakness at 37.6% of degree-seeking students finishing within 150% of normal time. Note that net price ($11,632) actually exceeds in-state tuition ($8,640), which suggests fees, room and board, and limited grant aid are pushing the all-in cost above the headline tuition number. The component scores break down as earnings premium 57/100, completion 18/100, payback 37/100, debt-to-earnings 40/100, repayment 41/100. The lowest sub-score is completion rate at 18/100, which is the main weight pulling the overall number down; the strongest sub-score is earnings premium over a high-school baseline at 57/100. Data points here come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (2024-2025 vintage), and Scorecard earnings carry a 6-10 year reporting lag, so the figures describe recent graduating cohorts rather than this year's incoming class.
The data raises concerns about Peru State College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score41/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- 6-year graduation rate37.6% - Well below the 60% national average. Non-completion is the fastest route to negative ROI.
- Payback period15.5 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Peru State College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,640/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $8,640/yr |
| Average net price | $11,632/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $46,528 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,071 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,875 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $232 |
| Estimated payback period | 15.5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 37.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 1,092 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Peru State College is $8,640/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $11,632/year, or roughly $46,528 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $9,986/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $13,450/year.
The median graduate leaves with $21,875 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $232 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $47,071 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.65 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,986 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,779 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,845 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,313 |
| $110,001+ | $13,450 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $9,986 per year here. With expected earnings around $47,071 a decade out, that's a workable number — Pell, state grants, and any institutional aid are doing real work to make it accessible, but families should still model debt carefully across four years.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($48,001-$75,000) face a net price of about $12,845 per year. These households typically get less Pell support and partial institutional aid, so the tuition bill is more directly felt. Whether the math works depends on the major: programs with stronger early earnings can absorb this cost; lower-paying majors will produce a longer payback period. Note: the income-bracket data shows inversions where the 0-30k bracket pays more than the 30-48k bracket and the 48-75k bracket pays more than the 75-110k bracket — that's unusual and likely reflects small-sample noise or aid policy quirks; treat the brackets as approximate.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families in the $110,000+ bracket pay an average of $13,450 per year. At this price point the calculation is whether the school's earnings outcomes and completion rate justify paying near sticker — high-income families could likely access more selective options or in-state flagships at similar or lower out-of-pocket cost, so the value case has to be made on fit, program, or geography.
Earnings by Major
Top 5 most popular majors at Peru State College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $57,519 | C |
| Psychology | $45,096 | D |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,150 | D |
| Teacher Education | $44,850 | D |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $64,278 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration, Management, and Operations (CIP 5202) graduates 96 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $42,847 and four-year earnings of $57,519. Median program debt is $25,815 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of C. Business and management is the workhorse major here; outcomes track closely with the student's region and willingness to relocate for opportunity.
Psychology
Psychology (CIP 4201) graduates 33 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $32,542 and four-year earnings of $45,096. Median program debt is $25,716 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79, which is heavy. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of D. Psychology bachelor's-level outcomes are weak unless paired with graduate study; the debt-to-earnings ratio here reflects that reality.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Criminal Justice and Corrections (CIP 4301) graduates 32 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $38,953 and four-year earnings of $50,150. Median program debt is $27,367 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of D. Criminal justice leads to law enforcement and corrections roles with capped wage ladders; check whether local employers are hiring before assuming the regional ROI.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education (CIP 1312) graduates 20 students per year. Reported median first-year earnings of $37,072 and four-year earnings of $44,850. Median program debt is $26,117 against a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70, which is tight. CampusROI assigns this program an ROI grade of D. Teacher education leads to relatively low-volatility employment but capped wages, so debt management matters more than at higher-earning majors.
Computer and Information Sciences
Computer and Information Sciences (CIP 1101) graduates 11 students per year. Reported median four-year earnings of $64,278. Computing pathways tend to produce the strongest early-career earnings on this campus and are worth weighing heavily in any cost-versus-major calculation.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 64.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Enrollment | 1,092 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,181 |
Admission rate is not reported in current Scorecard data for this institution. Without a public admit rate it's hard to characterize selectivity directly. What we can read off the outcomes side is the completion rate of 37.6%, which is the closest proxy: schools that admit prepared, well-matched students typically see noticeably higher completion than schools that take a wider range. Prospective applicants should treat admission as effectively open or contact the registrar for current selectivity data before assuming the school is a safety.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Listed peer institutions include Chadron State College (ROI 50, Below Average Value, 15.8yr payback); University of Nebraska at Kearney (ROI 55, Below Average Value, 13.6yr payback); Northern State University (ROI 41, Poor Value, 16.1yr payback); University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (ROI 37, Poor Value, 24.1yr payback); University of Virginia's College at Wise (ROI 48, Below Average Value, 17.1yr payback). Peru State College sits at ROI 41 with 15.5yr payback, so families weighing options should compare these schools side by side on tuition net of aid, completion rate, and program-level earnings rather than relying on rankings.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru State College (this school) | 41 | $11,632 | $47,071 |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney | 55 | $16,242 | $50,105 |
| Chadron State College | 50 | $12,549 | $47,002 |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | 48 | $9,210 | $45,325 |
| Northern State University | 41 | $15,812 | $47,618 |
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma | 37 | $6,624 | $41,913 |
Who Thrives Here
This is a Midwest institution with a small enrollment of 1,092 undergraduates and a Pell Grant rate of 36.9%, near the national average. Strong fit profile is a focused, locally-rooted student who has a clear major in mind and needs the in-state pricing and small-campus scale to make the math work. Be honest about completion: at this rate, a meaningful share of students who enroll do not finish, and incomplete degrees produce the worst ROI of any path. Median earnings ten years out of $47,071 should be the honest yardstick for whether the price the family will actually pay (see the income-bracket breakdown below) leads to a workable post-graduation budget.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Peru State College. With a net cost of $11,632 per year and median graduate earnings of only $47,071 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 15.5 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 37.6% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $21,875 against $47,071 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.