What programs are offered and at what credential level?

The school offers undergraduate certificates in Cosmetology, Vehicle Maintenance, Precision Metal Working, Allied Health, Practical Nursing, and Criminal Justice. It also offers associate degrees in Registered Nursing and Liberal Arts. Plus 11 more programs are available beyond the main trade listings.

How much do graduates of a specific program typically earn?

Median earnings for Registered Nursing graduates are $59,011 two years after completion. Criminal Justice certificate graduates report $37,208 two years after completion, while the general median earnings ten years after entry for the school are $39,018.

How many students finish their program?

The reported completion rate is 41%. For a public community college where many students transfer out to earn four-year degrees, this figure is reported as is and should be scrutinized alongside the specific program goals.

Is the school public or private?

Otero College is a public school located in La Junta, CO.

What is the typical student debt compared to the yearly net price?

The median student debt at completion is $10,250, while the average annual net price after aid is $11,103. This means total debt is comparable to roughly one year of net cost, though students should compare debt to total earnings over their career.

Home › Colorado › Welding schools › Otero College

Otero College

La Junta, Colorado · public · mainly awards certificates · 619 students · WeldingMachining & CNCDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenancePractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)CosmetologyBarberingEMT & ParamedicRadiologic Technology

Avg net price / yr

$11,103

cheaper than 33% of comparable schools

Completion rate

41%

Median debt at completion

$10,250

Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)

$39,018

earns ~$3,514.2 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Otero College is a public school in La Junta, CO, that mainly awards certificates to prepare students for specific careers. With 619 students and 38.2% receiving Pell Grants, it serves those seeking affordable, hands-on training in fields like nursing, vehicle repair, and cosmetology.

What to know

The average annual net price after aid is $11,103, and the typical student debt upon completion is $10,250. The overall completion rate is 41%, which is lower than many four-year schools but does not necessarily indicate failure for a certificate-focused institution. Graduates in Registered Nursing earn a median of $59,011 two years after completion, while those in other certificates report median earnings of $37,208 to $39,018 depending on the field.

Net price is 3% above the Colorado median ($10,772) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 2% above the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

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Programs & what graduates earn

Program	Credential	Median earnings 2 yrs after completion
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Precision Metal Working	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants	undergraduate certificate	not reported

Show all 14 other programs at this school

Program	Credential	Median earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing	associate degree	$59,011
Criminal Justice and Corrections	undergraduate certificate	$37,208
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities	associate degree	$14,759
Agricultural Business and Management	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Agricultural Business and Management	associate degree	not reported
Agricultural Production Operations	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Agricultural Production Operations	associate degree	not reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods	associate degree	not reported
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions	associate degree	not reported
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions	associate degree	not reported
Business Administration, Management and Operations	undergraduate certificate	not reported
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations	undergraduate certificate	not reported

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Colorado:

Questions students ask

What programs are offered and at what credential level?: The school offers undergraduate certificates in Cosmetology, Vehicle Maintenance, Precision Metal Working, Allied Health, Practical Nursing, and Criminal Justice. It also offers associate degrees in Registered Nursing and Liberal Arts. Plus 11 more programs are available beyond the main trade listings.
How much do graduates of a specific program typically earn?: Median earnings for Registered Nursing graduates are $59,011 two years after completion. Criminal Justice certificate graduates report $37,208 two years after completion, while the general median earnings ten years after entry for the school are $39,018.
How many students finish their program?: The reported completion rate is 41%. For a public community college where many students transfer out to earn four-year degrees, this figure is reported as is and should be scrutinized alongside the specific program goals.
Is the school public or private?: Otero College is a public school located in La Junta, CO.
What is the typical student debt compared to the yearly net price?: The median student debt at completion is $10,250, while the average annual net price after aid is $11,103. This means total debt is comparable to roughly one year of net cost, though students should compare debt to total earnings over their career.

Other options in Colorado

School	City	Net price / yr	Completion	Earnings (10 yr)
Aims Community College	Greeley	$11,463	33.1%	$41,887
Colorado Mountain College	Glenwood Springs	$7,813	33.8%	$44,127
Community College of Denver	Denver	$9,450	15.9%	$39,095
Lincoln College of Technology-Denver	Denver	$32,423	64.4%	$46,396
Emily Griffith Technical College	Denver	$7,197	92.2%	$35,487
Front Range Community College	Westminster	$13,031	26%	$45,910

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 127778. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.