Who knew there would be such a price difference

[go4gin1994]

In schools, the local community college massage program for tuition is just over 4 grand, as compared to a massage and alternative medicine school which is almost 10 grand. I could get an associates degree(around 9 grand) at the community college for the cost of a certificate at the alternative medicice place.

I was realy leaning towards the higher cost school until I seen the price difference, now i'm not sure. Why can't it be easier to figure out which place to get an education???lol

 

[tyson]

Klauss I hear you. When I was ready to attend MT school my choices were...
School 1.5 hours away cost $3500. Course was 500 hrs. (1 day per week for a year)
School recommended by a chiro I knew - 3 hrs away cost was $7000. And course was 500 hrs. (1 day per week for a year)
School my MT recommended was - 4 hrs away but I had a sister living in the same city... course was nights/Sat., 22 hrs per week, a total of 650 hrs and was $5000. Tuition included cost of table, bolster, table warmer, and carry case. (Course was done in 6.5 months.)

So, I took the course that was more hours, but finished in less time and included the table! It was middle of the road price wise, but there was so many other factors to figure in!

Ask other MTs in your area which schools they recommend! Find out who has the best reputation, and then go tour the school and get a feel for their staff.

 

[Pompal 09.]

LOL! I'm paying $14000. No that's not an extra 0 thats really how much it cost. I'm getting an associate degree and I have learned medical, DT, NMT, Swedish, TCM and lots of stuff. (like my technical term?) Our tuition includes our table, a chair and they pay for the national exam. Oh and our books. It's a 1200 hr course. Seems like a lot to me but for what I've gotten it doesn't bother me about the cost. There are a couple colleges and private institutions teaching massage here and they are similar courses. Most of them not as detailed but they still cost about $6000. Are we all getting ripped off? 8) I dunno. I have to get to class. :wink:

 

[Abbey loves Jesus]

Just before I signed up for MT school, the local private MT school merged/joined with the local community college. It meant the tuition was about half and that the community college science profs. taught the serious science classes (A&P, Pathology, Kinesiology, etc.) and did an excellent job of it. The massage instructors taught their strengths.

For new folks, shop around. Ask here on this board. Talk to grads of any school you are considering. Call MT's in your area and ask where they went and why.

 

[jayant]

LOL! I'm paying $14000. No that's not an extra 0 thats really how much it cost. I'm getting an associate degree and I have learned medical, DT, NMT, Swedish, TCM and lots of stuff. (like my technical term?) Our tuition includes our table, a chair and they pay for the national exam. Oh and our books. It's a 1200 hr course. Seems like a lot to me but for what I've gotten it doesn't bother me about the cost. There are a couple colleges and private institutions teaching massage here and they are similar courses. Most of them not as detailed but they still cost about $6000. Are we all getting ripped off? 8) I dunno. I have to get to class. :wink:

Wow I think you're getting your money's worth... assuming the teaching is competent and the curriculum is professional. My school is about $13,000 for 1.5 year program of 900 hours, and books are about $400 extra, plus $500 table, and plus national exam, whatever that costs. However I feel it is money well spent; the teachers are excellent, and the curriculum includes plenty of science, therapeutic relations and hands on technique.

 

[Becca :]]]

I got all you beat! (Sad to say) I'm in NY, and I am just finishing up my schooling- this Friday!!!!
Anyway, the total cost is about $20,000. This is strictly tuition only. I also had to purchase my books, table, supplies and I have to pay for the NYS Examination in August- $195
I want to become Nationally Certified (another $225) because my husband is constantly complaining about the cost of living in NY. I can see myself moving in the future and want to be prepared.
You know, take the Nat'ls while I'm in studying mode!

I just want to add -sorry so long- that I loved school and will really miss it. Looking forward to Comencement Ceremony in May

 

[Sam Y]

I'm looking at South Bay Massage College: http://www.southbaymassagecollege.com

About $1700 (corrected... see edit below) for a 325 hour program. They have a plan that is 2 weeknights + Sundays that goes about 6 weeks.

Their "advanced" electives cost around $9-10/clock hour. (corrected... see edit below).

This is pretty inexpensive, and I can do it piecemeal, saving up the money from my day job to get this education... no debt!

I plan on doing the basic course, then taking several electives to get my requisite 500-600 hours for the national exam. I should be done with that by September, I think.

Edit: I just got more details. The basic program is really only 175 hours, but the program includes 150 hours of internship at their spa. That totals 325 hours for $1595. Their "advanced" courses also are $12-15/hour.

 

[kyliexkryptonite]

It meant the tuition was about half and that the community college science profs. taught the serious science classes (A&P, Pathology, Kinesiology, etc.) and did an excellent job of it. The massage instructors taught their strengths.

Shouldn't a strength of an MT be A&P, Pathology, and Kinesiology? One thing I loved about the small private school I went to was that actual practitioners were teaching us everything. Learning the science of it all was fabulous because they tied it all in to the work of an MT. It's true that some schools do not have a strong science program, but the one I went to was outstanding because they valued the art/science marriage of good bodywork and they wanted to make sure that we understood that marriage.

I paid about $6000 for 525 hours. For me it came down to the quality of education and the environment for learning. I do not do well in traditional classrooms. I will pay more for my education to avoid those situations.

 

[fineprnt]

Massage schools are usually privately owned businesses. Community colleges are usually state owned institutions. The tuition is subsidized from tax revenue. Community colleges are not profit driven and have lower operating costs. For example, they will be exempt from property tax and may share in state run purchasing programs to obtain supplies at lower costs.

Fourteen years ago tuition was $10 per hour at one of the top schools in Massachusetts. Today tuition costs run about $15 to $20 per hour and up depending on your choice of schools. Programs are at least 500 hours.

 

[globeweasel]

Hmmmmmmmm in Australia the course i did was 1300 hours, diploma of remedial massage, and was classed at full time, 18 hrs week. the cost was $1080 per year. It was a good combinatin of practical and science based study

Tim

 

[HI everybody]

Not knowing the specific schools you're looking at, it's hard to say. But I spent about $20k on my school, just for a certificate, and I wouldn't trade it for an associates from any community college I've ever seen.

If you think you might want to complete a Bachelors at a state school at some point AND that Associates will help with that, then that might swing things a bit.

The associates really doesn't matter in terms of bodywork employment, IMO. What matters is the depth of your training, the quality of the learning environment, who the teachers are... all the little things that don't show up on paper.

Do more research in order to make a truly informed decision. Visit both schools more than once, talk to other students, sit in on classes, get a feel, dig.

 

[Dana1981]

There's more than just the cost value of selecting a school. In addition to the wise research suggestions list above, I'd also like to offer my .02 cents:

Does the school have a clinic?

Does the school offer volunteer experience?

Face it. The more hands-on experience you have during school, the better prepared you will be when you graduate and start the all important job hunting we all do.

Another thing you might want to do is check with the places that hire massage therapists in your area to determine where the MTs who work for them went to school. The reputation of school can sometimes be a door opener for the newly graduated. You're still going to have to be a good MT. Granted, some spaces may not want to divulge this information (for whatever reason), but some may tell you.

Regardless of the school you to decide to go to, it'll be wise to work on as many diverse people as you're able. Next to learning the how's to give a massage, actual experience at providing bodywork is of utmost importance.

Good luck to you all.

 

[Don H]

I just visited SouthBay Massage College today and talked with their business director, Brian.

I think this is the program for me. Here are my reasons...

1) Accessible. I don't have to come up with thousands of dollars out of pocket, or via student loans, and commit myself to a 8-12 month program. Their basic program is only $1600 (plus $25 for the anatomy book and $25 for a bolster, plus your own linens to bring with you), and it runs only about 6 weeks). I'll have saved about $1000 up front when classes begin, and I'll pay the rest a few weeks into the program. Not having to take out loans is important to me. I just declared bankruptcy last year, and even if I qualify for credit, it'll have a bad rate.

2) Experience. I'll get 150 hours of internship experience, plus about 50 hours of hands-on work in the classes. If I take their Deep Tissue courses early in my internship, I can do up to 50 (out of the 150) hours of DT massages at the spa.

3) Accessible. Again, the initial program is accessible like I said above, but I can also take advanced courses at my own pace, as fast as I can pay for them with money from my "day job".

4) Preparation for the National Exam. Not everyone at this school is looking for that, but they'll help tailor your personal program toward meeting the requirements, and do all the documentation you'll need.

5) Small classes. Basic classes are under 10-12 students max. Advanced classes are usually 8-10 students.

6) Job resource. I saw their job postings. They claim they get about 5 inquiries per week. Some of the jobs were advertising $30/hour. I don't know if that's W-2 or 1099, but even if 1099, it's more than I earn now at my computer tech support job ($17/hour W-2).

Apparently, they have many graduates working at spas in the area... so it sounds like they've got a decent reputation. Their focus seems to be on producing good quality MTs, and not just churning out program grads, raking in the Title IV funds, like some of the technical colleges do.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Small classes are good. My class had 10 in it... but my school averaged 8-12 as per class as well. You get lots of personal attention that way and I figured that's what I am paying them for! (One school I looked at had classes of 24!)

I think I'd ask for the names and contact # of some of those spas who employ their therapists and give them a call. That way you can REALLY know how well prepared they were for the "job market"... *shrug*