Otero College
La Junta, Colorado
Otero College is a public institution in La Junta, Colorado with 642 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $4,418 compared with a Colorado nursing-school average of $12,169. The school reports a graduation rate of 36.7%, median earnings of $39,018, and median federal debt of $10,250.
$4,418 is lower than the state average of $12,169.
36.7% is lower than the state average of 49.6%.
$39,018 is lower than the state average of $44,127.
About Otero College
| Location | La Junta, Colorado |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.otero.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $4,418 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $7,048 |
| Total Enrollment | 642 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 36.7% |
| Retention Rate | 60.2% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $39,018 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,250 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $108 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 34.2% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 17.5% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
34.2% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 17.5% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Otero College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $17,672, while the reported median debt is $10,250 with an estimated monthly payment of $108. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (41.6%), followed by Hispanic students (38.6%) and Black students (5.8%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($39,018) divided by median debt ($10,250)