Otero College
- Graduation Rate
- 37% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,018 C-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,103 B
- 35% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 619
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.6 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $20.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $870,389.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 37% — 35% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $20.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Otero College
Otero College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 619
- Setting
- Town
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Criminal Justice, Culinary & Personal Services
Why students choose Otero College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,103 a year after grants and scholarships — 35% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,018 ten years after enrolling — 4% below the typical college, against $10,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Otero College serves a tight-knit community with an enrollment of just 619 students, allowing for personalized attention and support. The college specializes in practical fields such as health professions and culinary services, equipping students with the skills needed for immediate employment.
The earnings potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $39,018 ten years after enrollment. While the graduation rate stands at 37%, many students find pathways to success through targeted programs. The data shows that 38% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to serving low-income individuals and helping them access higher education.
With a net price of $11,103 and a median debt of $10,250, Otero College remains an accessible option for students seeking affordable education. Those who thrive here often appreciate close faculty interaction and a focus on practical skills that lead directly to careers. This environment fosters a strong sense of community while preparing graduates for the workforce.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Otero College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Otero College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in La Junta, Colorado, Otero College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
- Retention Rate
- 44%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,813
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Otero College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Otero College is $7,286, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,103. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,735 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,576
- Out-of-State
- $7,286
- Avg Net Price
- $11,103
- Median Debt
- $10,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 38%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 17%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,735
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,817
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,499
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,207
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Otero College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Otero College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Otero College report median earnings of $39,018, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,087
- 8 Years
- $37,817
- 10 Years
- $39,018
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 50%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (74)
- 32%
- 100% (74)
- 32%
- 100% (74)
- 32%
- 100% (74)
- 32%
How Otero Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Otero College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Otero College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,103/year ($44,412 total). Graduates earn $39,018 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $914,801 in total earnings — a net gain of $870,389 (20.6× your investment). The median debt is $10,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 37% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $44,412
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $914,801
- Net Return
- $870,389
- ROI Multiple
- 20.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,103
- Median Debt
- $10,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $740,435
- Federal Grants
- $856,659
- Investment Income
- $173,294
Top Programs
The fields Otero College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 36% $70,116 early-career
- Humanities 29%
- Criminal Justice 12% $44,210 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 5%
- Business & Marketing 3%
- Construction Trades 3%
- Precision Production 1%
- Visual & Performing Arts 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Otero College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Otero College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in La Junta, Colorado, Otero College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Otero College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Otero College is $7,286, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,103. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,735 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,250 in federal student loans.
Is Otero College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Otero College report median earnings of $39,018, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Otero College.
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