
About
Otero Junior College, located in La Junta, Colorado, was founded in 1941 on the southern edge of the city. The school is considered one of the finest in the state and maintain a 97% success rate for job placement and academic transfer upon graduation. The school is a public institution supported by tax dollars and affordable tuition. The school sponsors a number of clubs and organizations, allowing students to pursue and maintain activities outside of the classroom, as well as a number of intercollegiate athletic programs.
Academics
Otero Junior College provides students with academic transfer and career training opportunities. Individuals pursuing academic transfer will complete the first two years of their four year education at OJC, followed by applying for transfer to a four year institution to complete the final two years and earn a bachelor's degree. Career training programs provide students with a hands on education in a given field or industry that allows them to enter the workforce as qualified and capable professionals upon completion. Programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a degree or certificate.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
Individuals interested in enrolling at Otero Junior College must be eighteen years of age or have earned a high school diploma. Enrollment is accomplished through the submission of an application and payment of fees. Providing previous transcripts and test scores is also recommended, as is participating in new student enrollment and meeting with a counselor prior to registration. Students may also be required to take a placement exam prior to their first semester. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships and are awarded based on need as determined by the information provided by the student in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $11,000. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range:
- State Residents: $3,100-$3,800
- Out-of-State: $5,400-$6,434
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $130-$160 per unit
- Out-of-State: $220-$270 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 99% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 99% | $6,634 |
Receiving Student Loans | 40% | $4,525 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, Otero Junior College may offer services like:
- Online course work available
- Weekend and night classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Work study style employment
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Students who attend a community college will be able to choose from a variety of programs that will lead to an associate's degree or transfer to a four year institution. The following list shows graduation and transfer-out rates for Otero Junior College compared to community colleges in Colorado, which can be useful for determining which community college to attend.
Otero JC | Otero County | Colorado | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 30.0% | - | 24.9% |
Transfer-out Rate | 11.3% | - | 13.6% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1992)
- Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Colorado
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Otero Junior College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Agricultural Supplies, Retailing and Wholesaling (C)
- Agricultural Business Technology (C)
- Farm and Ranch Management (C)
- Animal Husbandry and Production (C)
- Crop Production (C)
- Agricultural Business
Business and Marketing Studies
Education
- Early Childhood Education (A, C)
Engineering Technology
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing Assistant (C)
- Nursing (A)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
- Medical Lab Technician (C)
- EMT & Paramedic (C)
- Community Health Services, Liaison, Counseling (C)
- Medical Assistant (C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A)
- General Studies (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Auto Mechanic (A, C)
Personal and Culinary Services
- Cosmetology (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (C)
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Otero Junior College.
- Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, CO (77 miles away)
- Seward County Community College and Area Technical School in Liberal, KS (157 miles away)
- Morgan Community College in Fort Morgan, CO (158 miles away)
- Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO (185 miles away)
- University of New Mexico - Los Alamos Campus in Los Alamos, NM (210 miles away)