Otero Junior College
- Founded in 1941, Otero Junior College is located on an attractive 40-acre campus on the southern edge of La Junta, Colorado. Otero Junior College is proud of its reputation as one of the finest community colleges in the State of Colorado. Our students can be found working in many of today's high demand careers, including fast-growing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. OJC is an accredited Hispanic Serving Institution and provides cutting edge education that offers various two-year degrees, transfer degrees in preparation for four-year bachelor degree programs, and workforce ready certificates. Areas of study include: Agriculture, Behavioral Science, Business Administration, Elementary Education, Psychology, Secondary Education, and many more. Associate of Applied Science Degree Programs including Business, Medical Laboratory Technician, and Associate Nursing Degree just to name a few. Certificate Programs including Practical Nursing, Nurse Aide, Phlebotomy, Law Enforcement Training, Cosmetology, Agri-Business Management, plus many others.
School Highlights
Otero Junior College serves 1,279 students (43% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 5:1 is lower than the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 45%.
Top Rankings
Otero Junior College ranks among the top 20% of community colleges in Colorado for:
- Category Attribute
- Debt For Students Least debt for graduating students
School Overview
The teacher population of 279 teachers has grown by 257% over five years.
| Otero Junior College | (CO) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional | Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | Less than 2 yrs | Four or more years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 279 staff | 87 staff |
| School Calendar | Link to School Calendar | |
Sports
| Total Sports Offered | 8 sports |
| Sports | Baseball, Basketball, Equestrian, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, WrestlingBaseball, Basketball, Equestrian, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, Wrestling, |
Source: 2020 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Otero Junior College is located on an attractive 40-acre campus in La Junta, CO. approximately 60 miles southeast of Pueblo, CO in beautiful Southeastern Colorado. OJC serves the local counties of Otero, Bent, and Crowley. The dormitory at Otero Junior College is only a short walk from classrooms. The commute to OJC is short and stress free for area students because traffic is not heavy. Parking is free and close to the classrooms. The community offers many fun events and activities. Small class sizes allow for personal interaction with faculty. Usually no more than 30 people in a class. Participation in class is easier because of smaller classes and faculty are able to spend more time with students individually. Computer Labs are not overcrowded and they are located all around the campus so you are sure to have access to technical resources. You're not just another number with a student population of only about 1,300. The library is quiet and not crowded with students, providing you with a place to concentrate. There is a wide array of social and recreational activities including intramural and intercollegiate sports and the performing arts. Students have access to the basketball/volleyball court, weight room, tennis courts, soccer field, and nearby baseball diamond and swimming pool. The Student Center provides pool, ping-pong, and air hockey tables so that students can relax. The Otero Players allow students to participate in stage productions of world drama. The Otero Arts Festival gives students opportunity to display their artwork. Various clubs and organizations represent a wide variety of student interests.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Otero Junior College is Lamar Community College (50.9 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- Lamar Community CollegePublic849 students | 50.90 Mi2401 S Main St
Lamar, CO 81052
(719) 336-2248 50.90849 - Pueblo Community CollegePublic6,545 students | 62.80 Mi900 W Orman Ave
Pueblo, CO 81004
(719) 549-3200 62.806,545 - 1,621 students | 76.80 Mi600 Prospect Street
Trinidad, CO 81082
(719) 846-5011 76.801,621 - 13,655 students | 86.60 Mi5675 S Academy Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 502-2000 86.6013,655 - Everest College-Colorado SpringsPrivate, for profit330 students | 86.80 Mi1815 Jet Wing Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80916
(719) 638-6580 86.80330
Recent Articles
What states are home to the most diverse and least diverse community colleges? In our exclusive diversity report, we analyze our data to determine how much diversity there is on community college campuses throughout the United States. In addition, learn about the benefits of attending a community college with a diverse student body.
As the third wave of TAACCCT grants are issued, we take a look at how community colleges are using this federal money to beef up job training programs across the country.
We take a closer look at the Upward Bound program, which is designed to prepare students for college whom might not otherwise succeed due to economic or family factors.
