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Peru State College

Peru State

Peru, Nebraska 68421-0010

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Business-focusedTight-knitRural

Known for business — close-knit campus

Peru State College is a public institution in Peru with particular strength in business and psychology.

A small campus of 1.1K undergraduates with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

38% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $47,071 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,401.

Established
1865
Motto
"Campus of a thousand oaks"
Mascot
Bob the Bobcat
Type
Public college
Conference
National Association of
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,141Students
16:1Student:Faculty
38%Grad Rate
$47,071Earnings 10yr
$11,401Net Price

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,280
Tuition (out-of-state)$8,280
Room & Board$10,016
Books & Supplies$960
Total Cost of Attendance$20,743
Average Net Price$11,401
Median Debt at Graduation$21,875
Monthly Payment (10yr)$232

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,266
$30–48K$8,226
$48–75K$12,899
$75–110K$13,364
$110K+$15,079

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

60.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.0%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

6

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

1

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (23)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

63%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,141
Gender Split
59% / 41%
Women / Men
First Generation
42%
Pell Grant Recipients
34%

Race & Ethnicity

White 71%
Black 12%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 1%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate37.7%
Freshman Retention62.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$39,150
10 Years$47,071

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Bobcats

Basketball qualification

History & Fun Facts

  • The Nebraska Territorial Legislature chartered the school on February 12, 1866, under the name Peru Seminary and College.
  • The State of Nebraska established the Nebraska State College System by statute in 1978, and Peru State College was placed by statute under the control of the new governmental body at the same time.
  • In 2003 rumors spread again about the possibility of closing Peru State College as part of a set of proposals to help save money in the Nebraska education system.
  • Peru State College celebrated a record 472 graduates in 2007 with student enrollment ballooning even higher.
  • Archived 2016-09-19 at the Wayback Machine Nebraska...

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

91Average

Estimated from NE state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
113 mi(196 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
321 mi(556 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
335 mi(581 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City98 mi
STL St Louis309 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul330 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1281 mi · ~37h drive
New York, NY1137 mi · ~32h 51m drive
Hartford, CT1200 mi · ~34h 40m drive
Providence, RI1265 mi · ~36h 33m drive
Albany, NY1143 mi · ~33h 1m drive
Syracuse, NY1023 mi · ~29h 33m drive
Rochester, NY950 mi · ~27h 27m drive
Buffalo, NY884 mi · ~25h 32m drive
Philadelphia, PA1083 mi · ~31h 17m drive
Pittsburgh, PA826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
Harrisburg, PA990 mi · ~28h 36m drive
Newark, NJ1128 mi · ~32h 35m drive
Washington, DC998 mi · ~28h 50m drive
Baltimore, MD1015 mi · ~29h 19m drive
Atlanta, GA778 mi · ~22h 29m drive
Charlotte, NC888 mi · ~25h 39m drive
Raleigh, NC982 mi · ~28h 22m drive
Miami, FL1353 mi · ~39h 5m drive
Orlando, FL1158 mi · ~33h 27m drive
Tampa, FL1148 mi · ~33h 10m drive
Nashville, TN569 mi · ~16h 26m drive
New Orleans, LA794 mi · ~22h 56m drive
Richmond, VA1001 mi · ~28h 55m drive
Chicago, IL432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
Detroit, MI669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Minneapolis, MN335 mi · ~9h 41m drive
St. Louis, MO321 mi · ~9h 16m drive
Kansas City, MO113 mi · ~3h 16m drive
Indianapolis, IN508 mi · ~14h 41m drive
Columbus, OH672 mi · ~19h 25m drive
Cleveland, OH735 mi · ~21h 14m drive
Milwaukee, WI440 mi · ~12h 43m drive
Dallas, TX535 mi · ~15h 27m drive
Houston, TX741 mi · ~21h 24m drive
Austin, TX714 mi · ~20h 38m drive
San Antonio, TX779 mi · ~22h 30m drive
Los Angeles, CA1311 mi · ~37h 52m drive
San Francisco, CA1437 mi · ~41h 31m drive
San Diego, CA1300 mi · ~37h 33m drive
Seattle, WA1402 mi · ~40h 30m drive
Portland, OR1398 mi · ~40h 23m drive
Denver, CO492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Phoenix, AZ1022 mi · ~29h 31m drive
Salt Lake City, UT846 mi · ~24h 26m drive
Honolulu, HI3831 mi · ~110h 40m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

Peru State College Application Checklist

Decision Notifications