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Otero College

La Junta, CO·Public·642 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 642 students.

N/A
Accept
642
Students
$11,329
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$31,100
Earnings
10 yr
$6,000
Debt

About This School

Otero College is a public institution located in La Junta, Colorado with approximately 642 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $11,329 per year. Typical graduates earn $31,100 within 10 years of enrollment.

Otero College is a public community college in La Junta, Colorado. In fall 2023, the college had an enrollment of 972 students. Otero's athletic teams, known as the Rattlers, compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

The numbers tell a mostly encouraging story here: with a median debt of just $6,000 at graduation, this is one of the more affordable ways to start a college education, and the low net price of $11,329/year makes it accessible for budget-conscious families. That said, median earnings of $31,100 a decade after enrollment suggest graduates often land in modest-paying fields, so it's worth thinking carefully about your intended career path and whether you plan to transfer to a four-year school. Worth considering if you want a low-risk, low-debt entry point into higher education — especially for trades, nursing, or transfer pathways — but it's not the place to stop if your goals require a bachelor's degree or beyond.

Founded
1941
Setting
Remote town

Popular Programs

Health Professions36%
Business & Marketing3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Darvin HamBrian Shaw

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$4,418
Out-of-State Tuition
$7,048
Avg Net Price
$11,329
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants34%
Median debt at graduation$6,000

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$31,100
after enrollment
Median Debt
$6,000
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$6,000
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$28,300
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$31,100
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 5.2x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White42%
Black6%
Hispanic/Latino39%
Asian1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (642 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Otero College

1802 Colorado Avenue

La Junta, CO 81050

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Colorado

Browse all Colorado schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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