Analysis
Estelle Medical Academy's somatic bodywork certificate presents a concerning combination: graduates earn about $5,000 less annually than Illinois peers and $2,400 below the national median, placing this program in the bottom quarter of similar offerings statewide. While starting earnings of $17,673 climb 32% by year four, that still only reaches $23,312—barely matching what top Illinois programs deliver in year one.
The good news is relatively low debt at $5,272, well under both state and national averages. However, even this manageable burden represents nearly four months of first-year income, and those initial earnings barely exceed minimum wage. Among the 33 Illinois massage therapy programs, competitors like Midwest Technical Institute and Soma Institute consistently produce graduates earning 25-30% more right out of the gate, suggesting better training or stronger employer connections.
For parents funding this certificate, the math is straightforward: your child would start thousands behind peers from nearby programs and would need several years of earnings growth just to catch up to where others begin. With robust enrollment data confirming these patterns, this isn't a sample size issue—it's a program that genuinely underperforms its local market. Unless there are compelling non-financial reasons to choose Estelle specifically, the stronger Illinois programs offer better career launching pads at similar or lower cost.
Where Estelle Medical Academy Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all somatic bodywork certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Estelle Medical Academy graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estelle Medical Academy | $17,673 | $23,312 | +32% |
| Soma Institute-The National School of Clinical Massage Therapy | $23,044 | $25,738 | +12% |
| Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College | $22,170 | $23,083 | +4% |
| Universal Spa Training Academy | $19,205 | $20,179 | +5% |
| Midwest Technical Institute-Illinois | $23,708 | $19,528 | -18% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Somatic Bodywork certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (33 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Estelle Medical AcademySkokie | $9,180 | $17,673 | $23,312 | $5,272 | 0.30 |
 Midwest Technical Institute-IllinoisSpringfield | — | $23,708 | $19,528 | $7,521 | 0.32 |
 Soma Institute-The National School of Clinical Massage TherapyChicago | — | $23,044 | $25,738 | $9,093 | 0.39 |
 Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career CollegeRockford | $16,699 | $22,170 | $23,083 | — | — |
 Pacific College of Health and ScienceChicago | $7,508 | $21,955 | — | $12,271 | 0.56 |
 Universal Spa Training AcademyDowners Grove | — | $19,205 | $20,179 | $6,861 | 0.36 |
| National Median | — | $20,079 | — | $8,792 | 0.44 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with somatic bodywork graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Estelle Medical Academy, approximately 38% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 117 graduates with reported earnings and 163 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.