Head-to-head · 2026
Peru State College vs University of Nebraska at Kearney
Compare average net price ($11,632 at Peru State College; $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney), ROI score (10.12 vs 7.71), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,071 vs $50,105), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Peru State College; 89.5% at University of Nebraska at Kearney) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Peru State College | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.12 ✓ | 7.71 |
| Avg net price | $11,632 ✓ | $16,242 |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,528 ✓ | $64,968 |
| In-state tuition | $8,640 | $8,676 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,640 | $15,284 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,071 | $50,105 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 89.5% |
| Graduation rate | 37.6% | 57.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 64.5% | 80% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,875 | $19,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,092 | 4,088 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1118 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Peru State College | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,986 ✓ | $13,066 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,779 ✓ | $13,350 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,845 ✓ | $14,547 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,313 ✓ | $16,703 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,450 ✓ | $20,664 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Peru State College | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction | 33.5% | 5.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 21% | 14.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.6% | 8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 3.5% | 6.6% |
| Biology, General | 1.1% | 8.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 6.7% | 2.3% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.8% | 4.8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.5% | 1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Peru State College reports the lower average net price by $4,610 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $18,440 difference over four years ($46,528 vs $64,968).
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports $3,034 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,105 vs $47,071). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 64.5% at Peru State College and 80% at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Median federal debt among completers is $21,875 vs $19,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Peru State College vs University of Nebraska at Kearney, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Peru State College is cheaper — average net price $11,632 per year vs $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The annual difference of $4,610 adds up to about $18,440 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,105 vs $47,071 at Peru State College. The gap in the federal data is $3,034. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.