Criminal Justice and Corrections at Otero College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Distribution
How Otero College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Otero College graduates earn $50k, placing them in the 55th percentile of all criminal justice and corrections certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Criminal Justice and Corrections certificate's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (14 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otero College | $50,431 | $48,876 | — | — |
| Red Rocks Community College | $72,583 | $69,271 | $17,667 | 0.24 |
| Front Range Community College | $69,776 | — | $24,774 | 0.36 |
| Colorado Mountain College | $68,129 | $57,495 | $19,500 | 0.29 |
| Colorado Mesa University | $65,638 | — | $11,000 | 0.17 |
| Aims Community College | $57,841 | $61,239 | $9,062 | 0.16 |
| National Median | $48,388 | — | $13,355 | 0.28 |
Other Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs in Colorado
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Colorado schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rocks Community College Lakewood | $4,707 | $72,583 | $17,667 |
| Front Range Community College Westminster | $4,740 | $69,776 | $24,774 |
| Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs | $2,700 | $68,129 | $19,500 |
| Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction | $9,712 | $65,638 | $11,000 |
| Aims Community College Greeley | $2,090 | $57,841 | $9,062 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Otero College, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 17 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.