Somatic Bodywork at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis

A first-year salary under $20,000 becomes nearly $26,000 by year four—that 34% growth trajectory is the real story here, and it's substantially better than what most massage therapy programs deliver. With debt at just $7,266, graduates reach a manageable debt-to-earnings position quickly, and the upward earnings trend suggests practitioners build sustainable practices over time.

The catch is that this program sits below median for Minnesota, ranking 40th percentile statewide. You'll notice Northwestern Health Sciences graduates earn $28,583—over $8,000 more by year four than Aveda Arts grads. That gap matters when you're building a client base in the same market. The relatively low debt helps offset the earnings disadvantage, but parents should understand their child will likely start behind peers from higher-performing Minnesota programs.

This works as an affordable entry point into bodywork if your child is committed to the field and willing to hustle through those early low-earning years. The debt won't crush them, and the growth pattern shows that dedicated practitioners can build toward livable income. Just don't expect this program to give them a competitive edge in the Minneapolis market—they'll need to create that advantage themselves through additional training or exceptional client relationship skills.