Somatic Bodywork at Chattanooga State Community College

Graduates of this somatic bodywork certificate earn just $16,517 one year out—about $8,500 below the national median and nearly $1,600 below Tennessee's typical program. Among the state's eight massage therapy schools, this lands right at the 40th percentile, meaning most alternatives deliver better outcomes. The debt burden is relatively low at $6,367, but that's misleading when you're earning less than full-time minimum wage would provide ($15,080 at federal rates).

The real concern isn't the manageable debt—it's whether these earnings represent viable career entry. A 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable on paper, but annual earnings under $17,000 leave little room for loan payments, living expenses, or emergency savings. Compare this to Mind Body Institute in the same state, where graduates earn $22,826, or nearly 40% more for similar training.

If your student is serious about massage therapy as a career in Tennessee, the data suggests looking elsewhere. Three other programs in the state deliver substantially better first-year earnings, and even the state median sits nearly $1,600 higher. This certificate might work as supplemental training for someone already established in wellness work, but as a standalone credential for launching a career, it's underperforming both local and national alternatives.