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
Earnings Distribution
How Lake Superior College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior College | $16,331 | $18,873 | +16% |
| Boca Beauty Academy | $22,426 | $34,649 | +55% |
| Boca Beauty Academy-Parkland | $22,426 | $34,649 | +55% |
| Saint Paul College | $21,881 | $26,868 | +23% |
| Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis | $19,427 | $25,981 | +34% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Somatic Bodywork certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lake Superior CollegeDuluth | $5,786 | $16,331 | $18,873 | $11,000 | 0.67 |
 Northwestern Health Sciences UniversityBloomington | $12,015 | $28,583 | — | $19,500 | 0.68 |
 Saint Paul CollegeSaint Paul | $6,318 | $21,881 | $26,868 | — | — |
 Nova Academy of Cosmetology WoodburyWOODBURY | — | $20,301 | — | $7,388 | 0.36 |
 Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute MinneapolisMinneapolis | — | $19,427 | $25,981 | $7,266 | 0.37 |
| 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 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.