Is $10k Reasonable for Tuition for Massage Therapy?

Question by Hi There.: Is k reasonable for tuition for massage therapy?
I’m looking at going to the La James int’l college to do Massage Therapy, to become licensed here in iowa and be able to get jobs starting at $ 15 like my friends have gotten, but when i went there and got all the info, they told me it was about $ 10,000 to cover the 650 hour 6-month course, with free lifetime training to pass license renewals, and free lifetime job placement assistance. The $ 1500 of materials such as table and whatnot, are included in that $ 10k price tag.

I want a job that i enjoy, that has a strong job market, that i can make a career out of, perhaps expaning into the medical field to do physical therapy or other logical expansions upon this degree. Having a steady income is more important than having a large income. Having a low-stress job that i don’t tire of is important. I used to be a machinist, and could work overtime until i made $ 50k per year, but i hate everything about that job too much to return to it anymore, and my back has developed issues keeping me from doing that as well. I’m a 22 year old male in good health and physical condition, with a fiance abroad in college for the next 4 years, and have enjoyed doing massage all my life. I figure find a job doing what you enjoy, and you’ll never work another day in your life.

Any advice, opinions, etc? Thanks for input on this.

Best answer:

Answer by Jay D
Well, whenever going to schools, think of their accredidations. For non-LMT-related schools, I’ve noticed that a regional accredidation is better (opposed to only a national), meaning you could transfer credits to a State Univ easier, for example.

Then, you want to consider that back of yours. Mine is messed up big-time from a car wreck, but you can develop painful and dehabilitating back problems……but the good news is that lifetime mbrship, right?
So, also the newest massage techniques involve machinery, that vibrate and jiggle. So, maybe it would be cool and not so painful on your back. And since you prolly won’t be transferring any credits to another school/University, then maybe accreditation doesn’t matter, just check the reputation.
Can you get grants?
Loans/Interest rates?
Co-signers?
How long do you have to pay the loans back?
How does the job market in terms of ppl looking for natural medicine or the like look like in that area? How many massage therapists reside there already?

I had a friend while I was at UCF, and he went to a good school in FL, the Wood Inst, and he started his practice, and then ended it abruptly a year later. I doubt he even made enough to pay back the tuition- he went back to yet another (State) school for something else. I’d be cautious, and be SURE is all.
$ 10k? Sure, but what about the “other” place down the road??

Answer by bgibbslmt
That’s a reasonable amount for a good school, not for one of these business schools that decide to throw in massage because it’s popular now. The free job placement is good and so is the free continuing ed. You will want to address your back issues before making a decision, massage is a physically demanding job. Also discuss it fully with your fiance, she may have problems with you touching other women for a living. You might be better off going straight into PT.
Good luck whatever you choose to do.

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