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Otero College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: which has better ROI?

Public, La Junta CO · vs · Private for-profit, Aurora CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Otero College comes closer — median earnings $39,018 against a $44,412 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureOtero CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Aurora
Net price / yr$11,103$37,153
Total net cost$44,412$148,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,018$34,657
Median debt$10,250$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$231,252-$422,672

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Otero College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Otero College, at $11,103 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $26,050 a year, or $104,200 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Otero College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?

Otero College graduates report a median $39,018 ten years after entry, $4,361 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Otero College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,250 at Otero College, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Otero College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: frequently asked questions

Is Otero College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora a better value?
Otero College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Otero College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Otero College: $11,103/yr net price after aid versus $37,153/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a difference of $26,050 a year, or about $104,200 over four years.
Do Otero College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?
Otero College graduates earn a median $39,018 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a $4,361 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.