Best institutions to study Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being to clients through the application of manual techniques for manipulating skin, muscles, and connective tissues.
352 U.S. institutions graduated 10,675 Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3501, a specialization of Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35), and leads most directly to the Massage Therapists occupation (BLS SOC 31-9011).
About Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage programs
A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being to clients through the application of manual techniques for manipulating skin, muscles, and connective tissues. Includes instruction in Western (Swedish) massage, sports massage, myotherapy/trigger point massage, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology, massage safety and emergency management, client counseling, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage program prepares individuals to enhance client health and well-being through various manual techniques. This program is ideal for those interested in a career focused on providing relief from stress and pain, utilizing methods such as Swedish massage, sports massage, and myofascial release. Students will gain hands-on experience and knowledge in a supportive learning environment.
Core coursework includes instruction in massage techniques, client counseling, practice management, and applicable regulations. Students will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the needs of their clients.
Credentials awarded
What Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year6,948 graduates / yr · 232 institutions65%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years3,332 graduates / yr · 128 institutions31%
- Associate's degree394 graduates / yr · 44 institutions3.7%
- Bachelor's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 28,243 |
| 2013 | 24,510 |
| 2014 | 22,907 |
| 2015 | 19,910 |
| 2016 | 18,163 |
| 2017 | 16,555 |
| 2018 | 15,179 |
| 2019 | 11,729 |
| 2020 | 10,636 |
| 2021 | 10,595 |
| 2022 | 10,445 |
| 2023 | 10,352 |
| 2024 | 11,028 |
| 2025 | 10,675 |
Top 50 institutions for Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Holistic Institute Emeryville, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1,113 | 80% | $31,040 | $18,613 |
| 2 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 472 | 54% | $9,377 | $12,865 |
| 3 | Praxis Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 405 | 78% | $9,092 | $21,968 |
| 4 | Dayton School of Medical Massage Dayton, OHPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 336 | 73% | $31,074 | $20,801 |
| 5 | Northwest Career College Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 198 | 68% | $15,787 | $19,242 |
| 6 | Healing Mountain Massage School Salt Lake City, UTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 185 | 92% | $23,966 | $22,176 |
| 7 | Soma Institute - The National School of Clinical Massage Therapy Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 171 | — | — | $23,044 |
| 8 | East West College of the Healing Arts Portland, ORPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 159 | — | — | $22,734 |
| 9 | Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage Falls Church, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 133 | — | — | $27,082 |
| 10 | Arizona School of Integrative Studies Mesa, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 115 | 83% | $16,834 | $18,503 |
| 11 | Healing Hands School of Holistic Health Escondido, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 114 | 58% | $55,936 | $15,667 |
| 12 | Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences New York, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 113 | 57% | $32,384 | $25,015 |
| 13 | Irene's Myomassology Institute Southfield, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 109 | 22% | $30,843 | $19,951 |
| 14 | Lee Professional Institute Fort Myers, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 109 | 77% | $16,308 | $24,586 |
| 15 | Florida Professional Institute Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 93 | 100% | $31,630 | — |
| 16 | San Francisco School of Massage & Bodywork San Francisco, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 84 | — | $22,464 | — |
| 17 | European Massage Therapy School - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 78 | — | — | $17,673 |
| 18 | WellSpring School of Allied Health - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 77 | 67% | $13,425 | $24,575 |
| 19 | Southern California Health Institute North Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 75 | 87% | $26,692 | $17,997 |
| 20 | Downey Adult School Downey, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 71 | 31% | — | $19,464 |
| 21 | CalCopa Massage School Huntington Beach, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 71 | — | $37,598 | — |
| 22 | GateWay Community College - Central City Phoenix, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 70 | 55% | — | — |
| 23 | Lexington Healing Arts Academy Lexington, KYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 70 | — | — | $21,766 |
| 24 | International School of Skin Nailcare & Massage Therapy Sandy Springs, GAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 69 | 100% | $36,205 | $17,629 |
| 25 | Intellitec College - Grand Junction Grand Junction, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 67 | 63% | $17,515 | $23,916 |
| 26 | Gwinnett College Raleigh, NCPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 67 | 63% | $31,703 | $23,077 |
| 27 | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 67 | 67% | $58,427 | $21,070 |
| 28 | Cortiva Institute - Arlington Arlington, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 67 | 82% | $34,684 | $23,843 |
| 29 | American Institute - Clifton CLIFTON, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 65 | 57% | $19,722 | $18,889 |
| 30 | Florida School of Massage Gainesville, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 63 | 45% | $13,166 | $18,231 |
| 31 | American Institute of Massage Therapy Santa Ana, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 61 | 98% | $15,087 | — |
| 32 | Estelle Medical Academy Skokie, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 86% | $9,765 | $17,673 |
| 33 | ICOHS College San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 59 | 80% | $58,478 | — |
| 34 | Cortiva Institute Cromwell, CTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 57 | 85% | $34,368 | $22,731 |
| 35 | Columbia College Vienna, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 57 | 80% | $10,583 | $17,237 |
| 36 | Jupiter Beauty Academy Boston, MAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 57 | 84% | $11,861 | — |
| 37 | Sarasota School of Massage Therapy Sarasota, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 76% | $19,825 | $21,270 |
| 38 | Center for Massage Asheville, NCPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 56 | 90% | $17,461 | $15,452 |
| 39 | Indiana Wellness College Carmel, INPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | — | — | $29,979 |
| 40 | Carrington College - Boise Boise, IDPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 55 | 62% | — | $34,434 |
| 41 | Elaine Sterling Institute Atlanta, GAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 55 | 67% | $24,973 | — |
| 42 | Zion Massage College St. George, UTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 54 | 91% | $19,942 | — |
| 43 | Colorado School of Healing Arts Lakewood, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 100% | — | $27,724 |
| 44 | Arizona College - Glendale Glendale, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 85% | $28,686 | $20,414 |
| 45 | Midwest Technical Institute - Illinois Springfield, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 51 | 69% | $28,377 | $23,708 |
| 46 | California Healing Arts College Carson, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 70% | $21,375 | $11,231 |
| 47 | Parker University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 50 | 74% | $27,144 | $32,172 |
| 48 | Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MNPrivate not-for-profitAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 49 | 0% | $29,794 | $28,583 |
| 49 | Mind Body Institute Madison, TNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 75% | $24,387 | $22,826 |
| 50 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 46 | 40% | — | $21,614 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field (CIP 51.35) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 50 states & territories
Where Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage graduates come from. Each state links to all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-9011, Massage Therapists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program typically pursue careers as Massage Therapists, with a much faster than average job growth outlook of 15.4%. The field anticipates approximately 24,700 annual openings, offering a median wage of $57,950. Most positions require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3501
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Massage Therapistsprimary SOC 31-9011 | $58,450 | +15.4% Much faster than average | ~24,700 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Confer with clients about their medical histories and problems with stress or pain to determine how massage will be most helpful.
- Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance.
- Maintain massage areas by restocking supplies or sanitizing equipment.
- Apply finger and hand pressure to specific points of the body.
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used.
- Maintain treatment records.
Tools and technology used
Other Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35).
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically lasts at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What types of massage techniques will I learn?+
You will learn various techniques, including Swedish massage, sports massage, and myofascial release.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Massage Therapists or in related health specialties.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and client counseling.
What is the CIP code for Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage?+
Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage is CIP 51.3501 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services (CIP 51.35). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to provide relief and improved health and well-being to clients through the application of manual techniques for manipulating skin, muscles, and connective tissues. Includes instruction in Western (Swedish) massage, sports massage, myotherapy/trigger point massage, myofascial release, deep tissue massage, cranio-sacral therapy, reflexology, massage safety and emergency management, client counseling, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
How many institutions offer Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage programs?+
352 U.S. institutions reported Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 10,675 credentials in the year. That is 98.6% of all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates.
How much do Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Massage Therapists occupation, which Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage most directly leads to, pays a median of $58,450 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services field report median earnings of $20,132 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services graduates, so its figures match the Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services program page.
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