“Over the last few decades, the cost of a college degree has tripled, completely out of proportion to standard inflation”, said Paula Curtiss, Director for Healing Hands School of Holistic Health (Healing Hands). According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition for a 4-year college education in 2020-2021 was $37,650 at private colleges and $10,560 for public colleges. With the average college debt at $30,000 it’s easy to understand why many are turning to vocational training as a practical alternative”, added Paula.
The US college debt crisis has left many struggling to pay off their student loans. With Vocational schools, such as Healing Hands, costs for an education are substantially lower and the duration of the Program is usually under two years. At Healing Hands, for example, the 600-hour Massage Therapist Program takes about 10 months and costs approximately $7,800 and the 1000-hour Holistic Health Practitioner Program takes about 12 months and costs about $13,000. These tuition figures reduce student debt by an average of two thirds and get them into a new career in less than 1 year.
At a vocational school, like Healing Hands, students are engaged through contextual learning. Instructors focus on the specific knowledge and skills needed for students to pursue a chosen occupation or career field. In this way, they can complete a Program and get working fast. Instead of a bachelor’s degree, a Massage Therapist receives certifications that qualify them to pursue State Certification. The entire education to certification process takes less than a year allowing graduates to get working fast and reduce a manageable debt quickly, so they can move on with the joy of living.
The US Department of Labor reports the average annual income for Massage Therapists in 2020 was $43,620 with the highest 10 percent earning more than $79,150. The employment outlook and job growth potential for Massage Therapists is especially strong qualifying Massage Therapists as an “in-demand” profession. With employment expected to continue at a rate of 21 percent, the industry will be adding 34,000 new jobs before 2024.
According to US News, Massage Therapists rank #58 in The 100 Best Jobs and, #9 in Best Health Care Support Jobs based on 6 important measurements. These include Median Salary, Employment Rate, 10-Year Growth Volume & Percentage, Job Prospects, Stress Level and Work-Life Balance.
Healing Hands School of Holistic Health has been helping men and women satisfy their passion for learning and building a successful career in massage therapy for nearly 30 years. We have programs, including financial aid available for qualified students. To learn more visit us online at https://hhs.edu/ or call us at 800.355.6463. Healing Hands School of Holistic Health “Touching Lives, Touching Hearts” since 1992.
