How To Get Student Loans for Massage Therapy School in 2025

Completing a formal postsecondary massage therapy program might be required to earn your state license or certification to practice, but programs can be pricey. The American Institute of Alternative Medicine found that average massage school tuition ranges from $5,000 to $30,000 — not including books and supplies.

If you don't have the funds to pay for school out of pocket, you have options. Grants, scholarships, and student loans for massage therapy school are just a few financial aid resources that can help you earn your massage therapy credentials.

Current private student loan rates

Can you get student loans for massage therapy school?

Students who enroll in an accredited massage therapy school that participates in the Title IV financial aid program can access Direct Loans through the Department of Education.

Applying for federal student loans is as simple as submitting one form, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible students who demonstrate financial need can also access need-based federal grants, like the Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG).

Students who go to a massage therapy school that isn't accredited aren't eligible for federal education loans, but might be eligible for private student loans.

Federal student loans for massage therapy school

Filling out the FAFSA is the first step in learning whether you qualify for fixed-rate federal student loans. You can mail a paper form or submit the FAFSA online for the academic year you're seeking financial aid.

If your school is accredited and participates in the Title IV financial aid program under the Higher Education Act, the school will determine your eligibility for federal loans, including:

• Direct Subsidized Loans: These are need-based loans for undergraduate students. The Department of Education pays the loan's interest while you're enrolled in school, during your grace period, and during periods of deferment.
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans: Unsubsidized loans are available to undergraduate and graduate students and aren't contingent on financial need. These loans have higher borrowing limits than Direct Subsidized Loans.
• Direct PLUS Loans: Direct PLUS Loans are available to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students. This federal loan type requires a credit check, but you can borrow up to your school's cost of attendance, minus other financial aid received.

Jack Wang, a college financial aid adviser at Innovative Advisory Group, highlights a valuable federal student loan protection that trade school students shouldn't overlook: Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge.

“Trade professions, such as food service or health care, tend to be more prone to disability due to things like repetitive motion injuries,” says Wang.

“Since trade work, by definition, involves some degree of manual labor, a total disability is more likely to prevent that person from working the same job,” he explains. “After all, if someone gets confined to a wheelchair, as an example, they may still be able to work as a writer, but they'll never work as a roofer again.”

This vital protection cancels borrowers' repayment obligation if they qualify and are approved for TPD, and is one of many reasons why federal student loans should be exhausted before turning to private student loans.

Private loans for massage therapy training programs

A few lenders offer private student loans for short-term programs, like massage therapy. Ascent and Sallie Mae are two lenders that offer loans for trade and certificate programs.

Unlike federal student loans, which have standardized loan terms, private student loan lenders have varying loan options and requirements. When shopping around for private student loans for massage therapy school, compare the following details:

• Fixed vs. variable interest rates
• Cosigner requirements, including the cosigner release feature
• Loan terms
• Repayment plans (common options include immediate, interest-only, and deferred)
• Any fees
• Grace periods and forbearance options
• Other borrower benefits, like a rate discount for enrolling in automatic payments

Other ways to pay for massage therapy school

Student loans for massage therapy school aren't the only funding solution for students. Consider the following alternatives that can help you avoid taking on student debt or reduce how much you borrow:

• Scholarships and grants: Explore local, state, and national scholarships for massage students. For example, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) offers the Bob King Student Scholarship, which awards $5,000 to the winner. Grants are another form of funding that doesn't have to be repaid. One example is Utah's Promise Grant, which is a need-based grant for state residents.
• Employer tuition reimbursement: Some wellness center and spa employers might offer tuition reimbursement benefits for existing employees who are interested in getting certified as a massage therapist.
• Workforce development grants: This funding is provided by local or state agencies to community colleges or technical schools to support the community workforce in upgrading their skills.
• School-based payment plans: Instead of paying for tuition and fees up front and in full, some schools offer installment plans with little to no interest to help make payments manageable.
• Military education benefits: Veterans and service members can potentially apply education benefits, like the GI Bill, toward a massage therapy program.

Smart borrowing tips for massage therapy school

If you're thinking about getting student loans for massage therapy school, here are a few pointers to make your repayment experience less burdensome:

• Prioritize free aid first: Because grants and scholarships don't need to be repaid, they can help you save money on student loans. Find merit- and need-based grants and scholarships through federal, state, local, and private organizations before resorting to loans.
• Estimate the profession's income potential: Assess your prospective post-certification income versus earning potential after establishing your career. This can help you gauge how much you can afford to repay right out of school.
• Avoid overborrowing: Borrow only what you need to cover tuition and mandatory expenses to avoid paying more in interest than you need to.
• Stay on top of your loan's repayment details: Pay attention to your lender's policies on grace periods, deferment, and interest accrual to ensure you know exactly when loan repayment begins and what's expected of you.

Adam Cardona, founder and licensed massage therapist at Elite Healers Sports Massage, also underscored a common mistake that massage students often make, and how to mitigate it.

“Some underestimate the time it takes to build a client base, assuming they'll earn top dollar immediately,” says Cardona, who encourages massage students to create and stick to a budget.

“They should apply for every scholarship available. Starting with part-time work while in school can help them enter the field without financial stress,” he adds.

Cost of massage therapy school

According to the American Institute of Alternative Medicine, massage therapy school tuition ranges from $5,000 to $30,000. How much you'll spend on massage therapy training is highly variable, depending on factors like your institution, program length, and location.

Keep in mind that this range doesn't include other miscellaneous expenses that you'll need for the job. Textbooks, licensing exam fees, insurance, uniforms, massage tables, laundry, and sanitation supplies are just a few additional costs.

Massage therapy programs are generally broken down by total training hours; the number of training hours you're required to complete for certification is defined by your state's regulations. According to the American Massage Therapy Association's 2024 Massage Profession Research Report, massage therapy students reported completing an average of 639 hours of initial training in 2023.

“In the past few years, I've seen that massage therapy graduates are taking on some loan debt. This debt is usually between $20,000 and $30,000 for a 24-month degree and their New York State license,” says Cardona.

“Other states require about $10,000 to $15,000 for training and certification. Vocational programs are shorter and cheaper than traditional degrees. However, job placement can vary,” he explains.

Salary for massage therapists

The median annual wage for massage therapists was $57,950 in May 2024, with the top 10% of therapists earning more than $97,450, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Income in this field is highly variable. Your years of experience, local market, and work setting — whether at a luxury wellness spa, medical office, or massage franchise, for example — all contribute to your earning potential.