Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Otero College

Otero College's nursing program delivers strong starting salaries but comes with a significant price tag. Graduates earn $74,179 in their first year—well above Colorado's median of $71,592 and ranking in the 76th percentile nationally. However, they carry $31,376 in debt, substantially higher than both the state median ($22,422) and national average ($20,751). That puts this program in the 12th percentile for debt nationally, meaning 88% of comparable nursing programs saddle students with less borrowing.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 remains manageable for a nursing career, and graduates can likely handle monthly payments on strong nursing salaries. What's less clear is why earnings slip to $71,733 by year four—a 3% decline that's unusual for a field where nurses typically gain earning power with experience. This could reflect workforce mobility patterns in rural Colorado or simply variation in a moderate sample size.

The comparison to other Colorado community colleges is telling: Morgan and Front Range produce slightly higher earners with less debt burden. If you're La Junta-local, the convenience may justify the premium. But for families shopping statewide, Otero's nursing program costs more than most alternatives while delivering middle-of-the-pack Colorado outcomes. The strong first-year salary provides a solid foundation, but the debt load means your child will spend more time paying off this credential than peers at comparable programs.