Massage Therapy Schools cost

Curious what the average cost of massage therapy school is? Find out the answers and other facts on paying for school.

If you’ve considered starting a career as a massage therapist, you’ve probably wondered what massage therapy schools cost and how you’ll pay the tuition. Luckily, there’s plenty of options to help finance your education.

Learn why accreditation matters to your financial aid eligibility and get a few tips on borrowing money.

Below you’ll find information on financial aid and other tuition concerns.

How much does massage therapy school cost?

The cost of massage therapy school ranges between $6 to $17 per hour of education, with the average cost* around $9 to $10 per hour. This means if your state has no—or minimal—requirements, you can choose to take a shorter program, which will cost you less in massage therapy tuition.

However, most states with massage licensing criteria commonly require between 500 to 600 hours of massage therapy training. This equates to a tuition range of between $6, 000 and $10, 000 for your certificate, depending upon the school and its location. For example, Berkana Institute of Massage Therapy charges $10, 750 for a 600 hour certification program. While some programs include the cost of a massage table—around $500—in their tuition prices, not all do. If you enroll in a program that requires you to buy your own table, you’ll want to budget this into your massage therapy school cost.

*Cost of tuition only. Prices do not reflect other fees.

Is financial aid available?

When you begin researching massage therapy schools, you can also inquire about financial aid options as well. Some programs will offer various forms of aid, ranging from federal assistance to scholarships.

Financial aid is based on different eligibility factors and a financial aid officer can walk you through the options available to cover the massage therapy tuition.

How can I pay for massage therapy school?

Many massage therapy schools offer financing options including:

• Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• No-interest Payment Plans
• Veterans Assistance
• Private Loan Financing

Once you’ve been accepted to a massage therapy school, you’ll have access to a financial aid officer who can guide you through the options you have to pay for massage therapy school.

A few tips to consider before borrowing money for school:

• Don’t borrow more than necessary, even if you’re offered more than you need to cover costs
• Ask about interest rates and fees