Somatic Bodywork at Jones Technical Institute

Jones Technical Institute's Somatic Bodywork program produces concerning results compared to other Florida options. First-year earnings of $19,815 land in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of Florida's massage therapy programs deliver better outcomes. The top programs in the state, like Miami Dade College, generate starting salaries 45% higher.

The modest $7,962 debt load offers one silver lining, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.40. However, earning just under $20,000 annually makes even this relatively small debt burden feel heavier than it appears on paper. Four years out, graduates see minimal income growth to $20,582, suggesting limited career advancement in this field. For a program serving primarily lower-income students (63% receive Pell grants), these constrained earnings create genuine financial pressure.

Florida's competitive massage therapy market means alternatives exist at every level—from community colleges to specialized institutes—that consistently outperform this program. Unless location or schedule flexibility make Jones particularly accessible, parents should explore higher-ranked Florida programs that could improve their child's starting salary by $4,000-$9,000 annually. That difference matters tremendously when base earnings barely clear $20,000.