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Is Otero College worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Otero, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
Otero sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $39,018 helps, but median debt of $10,250 plus yearly net price of $11,103 creates a tighter path. For context, Otero's net price runs about 67% above the typical 2-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 791 similar 2-year, public schools
This school
$12,602
/yrAverage school like this
$7,555
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $5,047 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $20,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$11,103
Median earnings 10 years out
$39,018
Median debt at graduation
$10,250
Graduation rate
37%
At Otero, a typical graduate carries about $10,250 in student debt and earns roughly $39,018 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $117 per month, or 4% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Otero is a two year school in La Junta, CO. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
2-year
Trinidad State
Trinidad, CO
Worth-It Score: 67/100
Median net price: $10,772
2-year
Aims Community
Greeley, CO
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $11,463
2-year
Arapahoe Community
Littleton, CO
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $11,571
2-year
Pueblo Community
Pueblo, CO
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $12,045
2-year
Colorado Northwestern Community
Rangely, CO
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $12,131
Common questions about Otero
The median net price at Otero is $11,103 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at community colleges options in Colorado? See the most affordable community colleges in Colorado →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →