Est. Earnings (1yr)
$43,086
Est. from NE median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,450
Est. from NE median (4 programs)

Analysis

Projected earnings around $43,000 place Peru State's teacher education program squarely in the middle of Nebraska's range—similar programs in the state span from $42,000 to nearly $47,000 first-year salaries. The estimated $25,450 in debt falls close to what comparable education programs produce statewide, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 that suggests manageable repayment for most teaching positions.

What works in this program's favor is Nebraska's teacher salary structure. Similar programs across the state consistently produce earnings within a narrow band, suggesting that geographic location and school district matter more than which college issued the degree. The debt burden, while substantial, aligns with what other Nebraska education programs report—and it's slightly below the national median of $26,221. With one-third of students receiving Pell grants, Peru State serves a population for whom teaching careers can provide economic mobility despite modest starting salaries.

The challenge is that these figures are estimates based on peer programs rather than Peru State's actual graduate outcomes. For a career as standardized as teaching, where salary schedules are publicly posted and relatively uniform, the estimates likely reflect reality fairly well. Still, prospective students should confirm that Peru State's teacher preparation leads to timely certification and competitive job placement—factors that matter as much as the degree itself when entering Nebraska's education job market.

Where Peru State College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Peru State CollegePeru$8,280$43,086*—$25,450*—
Chadron State CollegeChadron$8,078$46,824*$46,170$24,943*0.53
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln$10,108$45,786*$45,034$23,000*0.50
Concordia University-NebraskaSeward$39,330$43,086*—$23,670*0.55
Wayne State CollegeWayne$7,970$42,589*$46,318$25,957*0.61
University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney$8,302$42,001*$47,021$26,287*0.63
National Median—$43,082*—$26,221*0.61
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with teacher education and professional development, specific subject areas graduates

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in environmental science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Physics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the laws of matter and energy. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Peru State College, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in NE. Actual outcomes may vary.