Analysis
The numbers here tell an uncomfortable story: graduates earn $21,252 in their first year but see that drop to just $16,152 by year four—a 24% decline that's hard to justify with any career credential. While Orion performs slightly above average among Ohio's somatic bodywork programs, that's relative to a field where even the top earners in the state barely clear $22,000.
The debt load of $10,545 is manageable compared to many programs, sitting below the 20th percentile nationally, and represents about half of first-year earnings. But that ratio deteriorates significantly by year four, when the debt exceeds annual earnings. With 65% of students receiving Pell grants, these are primarily students from low-income backgrounds who need pathways to financial stability—and this program doesn't reliably provide that.
Compare these outcomes to nearly any healthcare certificate at a community college, where you'd find first-year earnings in the $30,000-$40,000 range with better growth trajectories. Unless your child has independent financial support and treats this as personal enrichment rather than career preparation, this program represents a risky investment that's likely to leave them earning less than full-time minimum wage work within a few years of graduation.
Where Orion Institute Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all somatic bodywork certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Orion Institute 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orion Institute | $21,252 | $16,152 | -24% |
| Boca Beauty Academy | $22,426 | $34,649 | +55% |
| Stautzenberger College-Maumee | $22,170 | $23,083 | +4% |
| Dayton School of Medical Massage | $20,801 | $22,589 | +9% |
| American Institute of Alternative Medicine | $19,100 | $19,161 | +0% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio
Somatic Bodywork certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (18 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Orion InstitutePerrysburg | — | $21,252 | $16,152 | $10,545 | 0.50 |
 Stautzenberger College-MaumeeMaumee | $16,699 | $22,170 | $23,083 | — | — |
 Dayton School of Medical MassageDayton | $18,122 | $20,801 | $22,589 | $13,458 | 0.65 |
 American Institute of Alternative MedicineColumbus | $17,291 | $19,100 | $19,161 | $9,678 | 0.51 |
 Raphael's School of Beauty Culture Inc-BoardmanBoardman | — | $13,336 | — | — | — |
| 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 Orion Institute, approximately 65% 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 75 graduates with reported earnings and 80 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.