Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Peru State College

Peru State's teacher education program graduates earn nearly $5,000 less than typical Nebraska education majors, placing it among the bottom tier of the state's 16 programs. At $37,072 in first-year earnings, graduates here make about $4,000 less than peers at Wayne State or UNO, and $7,000 less than those from Nebraska's top programs. That gap matters when you're managing over $26,000 in student loans on a starting teacher's salary.

The minimal earnings growth—just $243 over four years—is typical for teaching, where salary schedules flatten early. The debt load itself isn't excessive by national standards, but the combination of below-average starting pay and stagnant growth creates a tighter financial squeeze than most Nebraska education programs. The 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about 70% of their first-year salary, manageable but not comfortable.

The small sample size here is significant—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift considerably year to year. If your child is drawn to Peru State for other reasons (small class sizes, campus culture, location), this program won't derail their career. But from a pure earnings standpoint, several Nebraska schools offer the same credential with $4,000-7,000 higher starting salaries, making the financial picture notably easier for new teachers already facing modest incomes.