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Practical Nursing at Otero College

La Junta, CO · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 642 in La Junta, CO.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Otero College's Practical Nursing program earn $74,405/yr in their first year — 69% above the $44,151 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 176.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #3 of 703 Practical Nursing programs nationally, Otero College sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $74,405/yr (69% vs median)

AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings

$778K

1.0% annual growth

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

176.2x

10-year earnings ÷ tuition

Viable Career Paths

2 of 2

Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)

$4,418

Out-of-state: $7,048

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path	Median Salary	Growth	AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses	$62,340	+2.6%	75%
Nursing assistants	$39,530	+2.3%	90%

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

$62,340

+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof

Nursing assistants

$39,530

+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

Practical Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Otero College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Otero College?

At 88/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?

Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.

Why does Otero College rank so high for Practical Nursing?

Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Otero College's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?

The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Otero College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.

Will Practical Nursing graduates from Otero College find jobs?

At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Otero College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →