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Peru State College

Peru State College

Peru, NE · Rural · 1,092 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$11,632
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
38%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
52% typical
$47,071
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$51,562 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Established in 1867 as Nebraska’s first institution of higher education, Peru State College is a historic public college nestled along the scenic Missouri River bluffs, affectionately known as the "Campus of a Thousand Oaks." Building on its rich heritage as a normal school, the college is best known for its strong programs in teacher education, criminal justice, and business administration. Students experience a close-knit, supportive community characterized by small class sizes, active NAIA athletics, and a strong commitment to affordability through low tuition rates for both in-state and out-of-state learners.

Wikipedia: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.

Location
Peru, NE, 68421-0010 · Rural campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
OMA · Omaha
58 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,640$8,640
Housing & food (on campus)$10,464$10,464
Books & supplies$960$960
Cost of attendance$22,240$24,920
Average net price$11,632Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$8,640
Housing & food (on campus)$10,464
Books & supplies$960
Cost of attendance$24,920
In-state: $22,240
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $11,632
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.peru.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Peru State College’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$6,240
Fees$2,760
Housing$5,888
Food$5,568
Books & supplies$1,200
Personal expenses$1,600
Transportation$1,664
Total of the above$24,920
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$9,986
$30–48k
$9,779
$48–75k
$12,845
$75–110k
$12,313
$110k+
$13,450
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
38%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
23%
Back for yr 2
64%
Transferred
32%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
37% graduated · 36% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 27% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$39,150
10 yrs after entry$47,071
Debt
Median at graduation$21,875
Monthly payment$232
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$24k
90th percentile$32,252
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

If Peru State College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 46%Women 54%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
37%
First-gen
42%
Family income
$40,241
Independent
32%
Age at entry
23.0
Part-time
14%
Race & ethnicity
White
66%
Hispanic
10%
Black
14%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
2%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NAIA Division II · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Bowling
    Co-ed
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Women's
  • Other Sports
    Co-ed
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$39,150
After 10 yrs
$47,071
Business Administration, Management and Operations96
Psychology, General33
Criminal Justice and Corrections32
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods20
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas19
Computer and Information Sciences, General11
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness10
Biological and Physical Sciences7
Biology, General5
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology5
Fine and Studio Arts5
Special Education and Teaching4
English Language and Literature, General2
Design and Applied Arts2
History2
Mathematics1
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$22M
Full-time faculty
100%
Faculty salary
$8,181/mo
Teaching spend
$6,887
per student
Federal loans
44%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (medium programs)
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

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