Somatic Bodywork at Spa Tech Institute-Westbrook

Spa Tech Institute's bodywork program outperforms most similar programs nationwide, with graduates earning $22,247 in their first year—higher than 68% of comparable certificate programs nationally. The debt load of $8,127 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, which means graduates could reasonably pay off their loans within the first year or two of work. This is notably better than the national median debt for bodywork programs, which sits above $8,700.

The earnings trajectory shows modest but steady growth, reaching $24,396 by year four. While these aren't high incomes in absolute terms, they're competitive for the bodywork field and come with relatively low educational debt. The fact that 34% of students receive Pell grants suggests the program serves a population that needs accessible career pathways, and the debt burden won't create crushing financial pressure for those starting at lower income levels.

For parents weighing this investment, the math works: low debt, earnings that exceed most competing programs, and a credential that can be completed quickly. The real question is whether your child is committed to bodywork as a career path, since this training leads to a specific professional trajectory with limited earnings growth potential beyond the mid-$20,000s.