Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Peru State College

A debt load near $27,000 against first-year earnings around $36,000 puts this program squarely in the middle of what liberal arts graduates typically face nationwide. Based on comparable programs across the country, Peru State's outcomes appear roughly average—neither standout nor alarming. The 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe about 9 months of their gross salary, manageable but not trivial. For context, similar programs in Nebraska typically produce first-year earnings of $35,182 with debt closer to $23,500, suggesting Peru State's students may carry slightly more debt than their in-state peers.

The challenge with general liberal arts degrees isn't unique to Peru State—it's the broad nature of the credential itself. Programs like this prepare students for diverse career paths, but that flexibility comes with earnings uncertainty. With 34% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are making significant financial sacrifices for a degree that, based on peer outcomes, leads to modest starting salaries. The range among Nebraska schools is telling: UNO graduates start around $41,000 while UNK's begin closer to $29,000, showing how much outcomes can vary even within one state.

The bottom line: this appears to be a typical liberal arts program with typical results. If your child has a clear career plan that leverages this broad degree—particularly in fields where employer or graduate school connections matter more than the credential itself—the investment could work. Without that plan, you're betting on average outcomes with above-average state debt.