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Otero College

Community CollegeHSITown: Remote

About Otero College

Overview, location, and what makes it stand out

Otero College teaches in La Junta, on the plains of southeastern Colorado, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution with dormitories, which few community colleges have. Better than a third of its students transfer on to a four-year college, and nursing is among its largest programs.

Founded

1941

Location

La Junta, Colorado

Students

619

Institution

Community College

Known For

NursingMedical Lab ScienceAgricultureTransfer PathwaysHSI

Key Stats

A quick snapshot of what matters most

Acceptance Rate

Open

Admits all qualified applicants

Graduation Rate

38.1%

Below national average

In-State Tuition

$4,576

Out-of-state: $7,286

Avg Net Price

$11,103

After financial aid

SAT Average

Not required

No test scores requested

Median Earnings

$39,018

10 years after enrollment

Admissions

How competitive is getting in?

Selectivity

Open Admission

Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate

How to Apply

Test Policy

No test needed

Application Fee

Free

Early

N/A

Deadline

Rolling

Academics

How strong is the academic experience?

Student Success

Low GraduationHigh Graduation
38.1%

Below Average

38.1% complete their degree within three years

Retention

43.7%

Transfer Out

37%

Teaching Quality

14:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

Full-Time

100%

$/Student

$9.6K

Class Size

Medium

The 38.1% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.

Tuition & Costs

What will you actually pay?

Tuition & Fees

$4,576

In-State

/

$7,286

Out-of-State

Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals

Room & Board

$9,280

Books & Supplies

$1,642

Total Cost of Attendance

$21,020

After Financial Aid

$11,103

Average Net Price

Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships

Net Price (family income <$30K)

$9,735

Receive Grants

38.2%

Take Loans

16.9%

The total cost of attendance runs about $21,020/yr, including $9,280 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $11,103.

Financial Aid

Who gets aid and what happens after

Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Otero College fund their education.

While in School

38.2%

Get Grants

Free money

16.9%

Take Loans

Must repay

$23,822

Median Family Income

After Graduation

$10,250

Median Debt at Graduation

Total federal loan balance when students graduate

$109/mo

Monthly Payment

0%

Low

Default Rate

The median debt is just $10,250, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.

Student Body

Diversity, gender, and enrollment

From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Otero College.

Gender

57.8%

Female

/

42%

Male

Female to Male Ratio

Race & Ethnicity

42.7%
39.1%
9.2%
4%
2.3%
0.5%
Hispanic
White
International
Black
Multiracial
Asian

Enrollment

619

Undergraduate Students

Student Profile

N/A

Graduates

51%

First-Gen

26 yrs

Avg Age

24.9%

Age 25+

With an average entry age of 26, the campus has more working adults and non-traditional students than most schools. You'll find classmates with real-world experience. 51% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 9.2% international students add diversity to the campus.

Campus Life

What it's like to be a student here

Campus Setting

RuralCity
Town: Remote

Town: Remote

Campus Quick Facts

619

Students

community

Institution

Small

Campus Size

N/A

Classification

What This College Offers

Semester calendar

Study Abroad

No

AP Credit

Yes

Teacher Cert

Yes

ROTC

No

Evening College

Yes

Online Programs

Yes

Job Placement

No

Career Counseling

Yes

Sports & Athletics

How seriously this college takes sport

Otero College fields 8 varsity teams with 222 student athletes, about 36% of the student body.

Division

NJCAA

Division I

Conference

Not reported

Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams

Varsity Sports

8

Biggest: Soccer

Student Athletes

222

36% of the student body

Athletes by Gender

59% / 41%

132

Men

/

90

Women

6

Men's Teams

6

Women's Teams

Biggest Teams

MenWomen
60
Soccer
42
Baseball
35
Basketball
24
Softball
22
Rodeo

Every Varsity Team

Soccer60Baseball42Basketball35Softball24Rodeo22Volleyball15Wrestling14Golf10

After Graduation

What can you earn with this degree?

How much do graduates of Otero Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.

Earnings Trajectory

$39,018

Median Earnings · 10 Years After

$34K
6yr
$31K
8yr
$39K
10yr

Popular Programs

Top 6

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

$39K

122 grads

4yr Earnings

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$74K

52 grads

1yr Earnings

Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions

6 grads

Agricultural Business and Management

1 grads

Agricultural Production Operations

1 grads

Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions

1 grads

Median earnings are $39K ten years after enrollment. Choosing a high-demand major can significantly boost your earning potential from here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Otero College

How much does Otero College cost?
Tuition at Otero College is $4,576 for in-state students and $7,286 for out-of-state students. The total cost of attendance runs about $21,020/yr, including $9,280 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $11,103.
What is the graduation rate at Otero College?
Otero College has a graduation rate of 38.1%. The 38.1% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
How much do Otero College graduates earn?
The median earnings for Otero College graduates is $39,018 ten years after enrollment. Median earnings are $39K ten years after enrollment. Choosing a high-demand major can significantly boost your earning potential from here.

Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.