Otero Junior College campus
Otero Junior College logo

Otero Junior College

Type 2 year, Public
Campus locale Town: Remote
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 370
Student to faculty ratio 18 to 1
Students retention rate 51%
On-time graduation rate 38%

Located in La Junta, Colorado, Otero Junior College is a public, institution that offers undergraduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

One of the notable aspects of Otero Junior College is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Otero Junior College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at Otero Junior College is 18-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in Colorado is 16-to-1, while the national average is 17-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at Otero Junior College is reported to be 38%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Colorado state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 43% whereas the national average was 35%.

The retention rate of students at Otero Junior College is 51% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Colorado is 69%, while the national average is 61%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at Otero Junior College do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,107

Cost of attendance at Otero Junior College in 2022 for students from Colorado.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 2 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Colorado's average $8,123
National average $4,604

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,563

Cost of attendance at Otero Junior College in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 2 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Colorado's average $20,262
National average $8,757

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 97 of freshman students at Otero Junior College received on average $6,554 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$6,554
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 90 51% $4,804 $432,388
Other Federal Grant 138 78% $3,926 $541,733
State Grant/Scholarships 72 41% $3,403 $245,040
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 104 59% $3,274 $340,519
Total Grant & Scholarships 172 97% $6,554 $1,127,292

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Otero Junior College students who enrolled in 2018 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Otero Junior College students is 38.0%. Female students graduated at a rate of 43.6%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 33.1%.

38.0%

  • asian 66.7% 2 students
  • white 42.2% 38 students
  • unknown 40.0% 2 students
  • hispanic 37.8% 37 students
  • International Students 30.8% 4 students
  • Mixed Race 50.0% 4 students

Athletic Associations

  • NJCAA
    National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

Service Offerings

Otero Junior College provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Otero Junior College offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Credit for military training