Somatic Bodywork at Lake Superior College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
At $16,331 in first-year earnings, this certificate falls well short of what bodywork practitioners typically earn in Minnesota, where the state median is $20,301. Even after four years, graduates reach only $18,873—still trailing the typical starting point for this field. The debt load is modest at $11,000, but when your income barely exceeds $18,000 annually, even that becomes a burden. Compare this to Saint Paul College's bodywork program, where graduates immediately earn $21,881, or Northwestern Health Sciences at $28,583.
The limited sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could swing significantly year-to-year, making it hard to gauge whether this represents a true pattern or just a particularly challenging cohort. That uncertainty is precisely the problem when you're asking your child to invest time and money.
If bodywork is the goal, other Minnesota programs deliver substantially better outcomes from day one. This certificate might work as a stepping stone to additional credentials, but as a standalone credential, it's leaving graduates at the bottom of the earnings scale for this field in the state.
Where Lake Superior College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all somatic bodywork certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Lake Superior College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Lake Superior College graduates earn $16k, placing them in the 12th percentile of all somatic bodywork certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Somatic Bodywork certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (13 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior College | $16,331 | $18,873 | $11,000 | 0.67 |
| Northwestern Health Sciences University | $28,583 | — | $19,500 | 0.68 |
| Saint Paul College | $21,881 | $26,868 | — | — |
| Nova Academy of Cosmetology Woodbury | $20,301 | — | $7,388 | 0.36 |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis | $19,427 | $25,981 | $7,266 | 0.37 |
| National Median | $20,079 | — | $8,792 | 0.44 |
Other Somatic Bodywork Programs in Minnesota
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington | $12,015 | $28,583 | $19,500 |
| Saint Paul College Saint Paul | $6,318 | $21,881 | — |
| Nova Academy of Cosmetology Woodbury WOODBURY | — | $20,301 | $7,388 |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis Minneapolis | — | $19,427 | $7,266 |
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 Lake Superior College, approximately 19% 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 20 graduates with reported earnings and 21 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.