Massage Therapy at Dr. Ida Rolf Institute

Boulder, CO · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services

A 100% acceptance rate means Dr. Ida Rolf Institute is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 24 in Boulder, CO.

Program Analysis

At $16,723 per year, Massage Therapy graduates from Dr. Ida Rolf Institute earn below the $20,587 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 31% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Massage Therapy career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $7,716 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #158 ranking among 224 Massage Therapy programs places Dr. Ida Rolf Institute in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 40% earnings increase from $16,723 to $23,450 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

One registered apprenticeship pathway (Certified Massage Therapist (Cmt) with a median wage of $57,950/yr) connects to Massage Therapy careers, offering a paid training alternative to the classroom model.

37 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
37
Score
37
High End
Earnings $16,723/yr (-19% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (73% shielded)
Job Market Large (52,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$252K
8.8% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$7,716
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$23,450
40% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Massage Therapy graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Massage therapists $57,950 +15.4% 93%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Massage therapists
$57,950
+15.4% growth 93% AI-proof

Massage Therapy Career Guide

Massage Therapy opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Massage Therapy career guide →

Compare & Explore

Massage Therapy Overview

Massage Therapy at Other Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Massage Therapy at Dr. Ida Rolf Institute?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Massage Therapy. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Why are Massage Therapy earnings lower at Dr. Ida Rolf Institute?
Starting salary is one data point. If Dr. Ida Rolf Institute's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
How could AI change the job market for Massage Therapy graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 31% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
How many job openings are there for Massage Therapy graduates?
At 52,100 annual openings, Massage Therapy has a large employment base. Dr. Ida Rolf Institute graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →