Somatic Bodywork at Unitech Training Academy-Lafayette

Unitech Training Academy-Lafayette's somatic bodywork certificate costs just under $10,000 but leads to earnings of only $16,634 in the first year—roughly what you'd make working full-time at minimum wage. While that places this program at the Louisiana median for similar certificates, it falls well below the national average of $20,000. More troubling: Louisiana's top programs in this field produce graduates earning $21,000+, showing there are notably better options within driving distance.

The program does keep debt relatively modest, and with 74% of students receiving Pell grants, many may graduate with minimal or no borrowing. Earnings do grow slightly to $17,671 by year four, though that modest 6% increase still leaves graduates earning less than $18,000 annually. The state percentile of 60th might seem encouraging, but it primarily reflects how weak the Louisiana market is for this field overall—being "above average" here means outperforming other low-earning programs rather than achieving strong outcomes.

For a parent considering this investment, the question is stark: can your child build a sustainable career on $16,000-$18,000 annually? Unless they have guaranteed part-time hours or plan to use this as a supplementary credential, you should examine whether Blue Cliff's Lafayette campus—with its $21,000 median earnings—might offer a more viable path into this profession.