Somatic Bodywork at Dr. Ida Rolf Institute

Earning less than $17,000 a year after completing a certificate program should make any parent think twice, regardless of the modest debt load. While Dr. Ida Rolf Institute keeps borrowing relatively low at $11,702—well below the national average for somatic bodywork programs—the first-year earnings fall short of even basic living expenses in Boulder, one of Colorado's most expensive cities. This program ranks in just the 15th percentile nationally and barely reaches the state's 40th percentile, meaning most comparable programs produce significantly better outcomes.

The numbers reveal a troubling reality: graduates earn about $10,000 less annually than peers from Colorado's top-performing programs like Colorado School of Healing Arts. Even if your child plans to build a private practice over time, starting at poverty-level wages with student debt creates an extremely challenging foundation. The low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 sounds reasonable until you consider that the actual dollar figures mean struggling to cover rent, food, and loan payments simultaneously.

If your child is committed to somatic bodywork, look closely at Colorado's stronger programs first. This certificate might make sense only as supplemental training for someone already established in a related field, not as a primary credential for launching a career.