Career Training Path › Colorado › Otero College
Otero College
La Junta, Colorado · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1802 Colorado Avenue, La Junta, CO 81050 · Phone: (719) 384-6800 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Otero College is a public trade and career school in La Junta, Colorado, offering LPN / LVN, CNA, and welding programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Otero College reports a 38.1% completion rate versus a 69.2% state average, $10,250 median graduate debt, and $39,018 median earnings 10 years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for Otero College in federal data; the school does accept federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 38.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,820 | $73,880 | $79,800 |
| Nursing assistants | $38,690 | $47,380 | $49,920 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $44,100 | $58,590 | $69,540 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $31,520 | $37,690 | $59,710 |
| Phlebotomists | $39,400 | $47,180 | $49,520 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $38,370 | $45,750 | $49,930 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Colorado (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 30 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Otero College is a public trade and career campus in La Junta, Colorado, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and, for its nursing offerings, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The school is Title IV eligible, meaning students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants. Its program families include LPN / LVN programs, CNA classes, welding schools, cosmetology schools, phlebotomy classes, and EMT training, with LPN / LVN programs, CNA classes, and welding schools among the top programs by enrollment.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 38.1%, below the state average of 69.2% for comparable programs. Graduates carry a median debt of $10,250, and median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $39,018 annually. About 38.2% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 619 undergraduates and 116 trade program completers, Otero College serves a small, remote-town population that includes healthcare, skilled trade, and cosmetology tracks. The mix of short certificate-style programs (CNA, phlebotomy, EMT) alongside longer LPN and welding tracks may suit both first-time students and adult career changers, though program length details are not specified here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Otero College offers programs across eight families including LPN / LVN programs, CNA classes, welding schools, cosmetology schools, phlebotomy classes, and EMT training. The top programs by enrollment are LPN / LVN programs, CNA classes, and welding schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Otero College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Otero College is Title IV eligible, so students can use federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 38.1%, which is below the Colorado state average of 69.2% for similar programs.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,250, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $39,018.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (719) 384-6800 or visit https://www.otero.edu/ for current figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Otero College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition rates and eligibility for state as well as federal funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program duration for individual tracks like LPN, CNA, or welding.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?127778 or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter certificate programs (CNA, phlebotomy, EMT) and longer tracks (LPN, welding), which may appeal to career changers, though specific scheduling or adult-learner support is not detailed in the data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements vary by program, such as LPN licensure or CNA certification, but specific certification pathways are not detailed in the available data; contact the school for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Otero College at (719) 384-6800 or through its website at https://www.otero.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?127778 for comparison tools.
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See all trade and career schools in Colorado or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.