OJC vs. Red Rocks Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Otero College in La Junta, CO with Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Red Rocks Community College is larger than OJC based on total student enrollment (8,419 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Otero College is located in La Junta, CO (Remote Town setting); Red Rocks Community College is in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• Otero College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Red Rocks Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Otero College 14:1; Red Rocks Community College 28:1.

OJC vs. Red Rocks Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OJC or Red Rocks Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Red Rocks Community College than OJC ($8,478 vs. $12,006).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Otero College are 44.7% lower than at Red Rocks Community College ($9,280 vs. $16,785).
• Red Rocks Community College is 6.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than OJC (about $283 more per year; $4,859.00 vs. $4,576.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.6% higher at Red Rocks Community College than at Otero College (about $10,173 more per year; $17,459.00 vs. $7,286.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Otero College than at Red Rocks Community College (92% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Red Rocks Community College students is 39.1% larger than aid received by Otero College students ($14,333 vs. $10,305).

OJC vs. Red Rocks Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OJC or Red Rocks Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Red Rocks Community College and OJC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OJC - Open admission; Red Rocks Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: OJC Aug 15, 2027.

OJC vs. Red Rocks Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OJC and Red Rocks Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Red Rocks Community College earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than OJC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $31,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Otero College graduates have a $1,676 lower median loan debt than Red Rocks Community College graduates ($7,396 vs. $9,072).
• Among borrowers, OJC graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Red Rocks Community College graduates ($76 vs. $93).
• More Red Rocks Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OJC students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 35%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.