Somatic Bodywork at Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln

Lincoln Technical Institute's somatic bodywork certificate produces earnings that land squarely in the middle of the pack nationally, but the debt load tells a less encouraging story. Graduates earn $20,737 in their first year—slightly above the national median—and see modest growth to $23,370 by year four. However, they're carrying nearly $8,000 in debt for what becomes, at best, a $23,000-a-year career. That's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38, meaning graduates owe roughly five months of their annual income.

The numbers improve slightly when looking at Rhode Island specifically, where this program performs at the 60th percentile statewide. But that advantage is largely due to limited competition—only two schools in the state offer this credential. More concerning is the national debt comparison: this program falls in the 75th percentile for debt, meaning graduates here borrow more than three-quarters of similar programs nationwide.

For families considering this path, particularly the 63% receiving Pell grants, understand that this certificate delivers near-poverty wages even with four years of experience. While the 13% earnings growth shows some career progression, you're still looking at less than $24,000 annually—barely above the federal poverty line for a family of three. This is a credential to pursue only if you're passionate about bodywork as a calling and have minimal financial obligations or strong family support.