Criminal Justice and Corrections at Peru State College

Peru State's Criminal Justice program lands squarely in the middle nationally but trails most Nebraska competitors—a gap that matters when you're paying in-state tuition. Starting at $39K, graduates earn slightly above the national median but fall $7,000 short of what Nebraska's top programs deliver at UNL or Wayne State. Among the 13 Nebraska schools offering this degree, Peru State ranks in just the 40th percentile for earnings.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $27,367, borrowing sits below most criminal justice programs nationally and comes with solid earnings growth that pushes pay to nearly $48K by year four. That 23% increase suggests career progression, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 means most graduates should manage their loans. With about a third of students receiving Pell grants, the program serves a significant low-income population who may have fewer college options.

The core question is whether the $3,000-$7,000 annual earnings gap compared to other Nebraska schools justifies choosing Peru State. If location, smaller campus size, or specific program features align with your child's needs, the manageable debt keeps this viable. But if maximizing early career earnings matters most and those top-tier programs are accessible, they deliver measurably stronger financial outcomes for the same degree.