Somatic Bodywork at Bene's Career Academy

At first glance, the numbers look manageable—$6,333 in debt against $20,132 in first-year earnings seems workable. But peel back one layer and the picture shifts: graduates actually earn less four years out than they do right after completing the program, dropping to $17,211. That's unusual and worth understanding before committing.

The bigger concern is relative performance. Among Florida's 66 somatic bodywork programs, this one sits at the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten alternatives deliver better outcomes. The state's top programs—Miami Dade College and several others—produce graduates earning $24,000 to $28,000 annually, roughly 40% more than Bene's graduates. With such a crowded market in Florida, choosing a middle-of-the-pack program means potentially leaving thousands of dollars on the table each year.

That said, the debt burden here is genuinely low, lower than 95% of similar programs nationally. For someone committed to bodywork and perhaps planning to supplement this training with other credentials or entrepreneurial work, minimal debt preserves flexibility. Just recognize that most Florida programs deliver both lower debt *and* higher earnings—a combination worth seeking out. The small sample size adds uncertainty, but the earnings decline and below-median state performance suggest caution.