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Massage therapy school in Iowa

13 massage therapy programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

12 schools offer these massage therapy programs, and Iowa has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Massage therapists press and work the body's soft tissues and joints to treat their clients. A diploma or certificate takes several months or more, and most states require a license or certification, usually an approved massage therapy program and a passed exam.1 In 46 of the 49 places that regulate massage, DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands among them, the licensing exam is the MBLEx from the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.2

In Iowa, all 13 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

All 13 are the same kind of program: massage therapy certificate or diploma.

See the 13 programs

How much does massage therapy school cost in Iowa?

$8,520 to $11,088 is what most massage therapy programs in Iowa cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $6,700 to $14,388

In the typical program

Finished the program
83%
Working 6 months later
73%
Earned a year, estimated
about $18,400
Length
31 to 37 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Iowa may also offer massage therapy school. How these figures are made

Is there free massage therapy school in Iowa?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 massage therapy programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding

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13 programs

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    Capri College

    Dubuque

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Capri College, DubuqueMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,500
    Price if you pay yourself$8,520
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Capri College
    More details about Massage Therapy at Capri College
    Finished
    80%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,125
    Length
    30 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,430
    Students counted
    137
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,520
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Capri College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy Program

    Carlson College of Massage Therapy

    Anamosa

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Carlson College of Massage Therapy, AnamosaMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$27,000
    Price if you pay yourself$9,000
    Program website, Massage Therapy Program at Carlson College of Massage Therapy
    More details about Massage Therapy Program at Carlson College of Massage Therapy
    Finished
    92%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,741
    Length
    23 weeks, 34 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,500
    Students counted
    106
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,000
    Program website, Massage Therapy Program at Carlson College of Massage Therapy

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    PCI Academy

    Ames

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    PCI Academy, AmesMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$23,300
    Price if you pay yourself$14,388
    Program website, Massage Therapy at PCI Academy
    More details about Massage Therapy at PCI Academy
    Finished
    86%
    Working at 6 months
    68%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,819
    Length
    31 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    80
    Earned a year, estimated
    $23,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $14,388
    Program website, Massage Therapy at PCI Academy

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage & Bodywork 1

    Bio-Chi Institute of Massage Therapy

    Sioux City

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Bio-Chi Institute of Massage Therapy, Sioux CityMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$16,300
    Price if you pay yourself$7,135
    Program website, Massage & Bodywork 1 at Bio-Chi Institute of Massage Therapy
    More details about Massage & Bodywork 1 at Bio-Chi Institute of Massage Therapy
    Finished
    76%
    Working at 6 months
    72%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,076
    Length
    38 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $615
    Students counted
    36
    Earned a year, estimated
    $16,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,135
    Program website, Massage & Bodywork 1 at Bio-Chi Institute of Massage Therapy

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    Orion Technical College

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Orion Technical College, DavenportMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$6,000
    Price if you pay yourself$11,088
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Orion Technical College
    More details about Massage Therapy at Orion Technical College
    Finished
    52%
    Working at 6 months
    63%
    Earned in a quarter
    $1,493
    Length
    40 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $900
    Students counted
    23
    Earned a year, estimated
    $6,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $11,088
    Program website, Massage Therapy at Orion Technical College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    La' James International College - Cedar Rapids / Davenport

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    La' James International College - Cedar Rapids / Davenport, DavenportMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$12,900
    Price if you pay yourself$10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College - Cedar Rapids / Davenport
    More details about Massage Therapy at La' James International College - Cedar Rapids / Davenport
    Finished
    73%
    Working at 6 months
    57%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,232
    Length
    33 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,133
    Students counted
    21
    Earned a year, estimated
    $12,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College - Cedar Rapids / Davenport

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    La'James College Of Hairstyling, Inc Of Mason City

    Mason City

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    La'James College Of Hairstyling, Inc Of Mason City, Mason CityMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$12,100
    Price if you pay yourself$12,350
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La'James College Of Hairstyling, Inc Of Mason City
    More details about Massage Therapy at La'James College Of Hairstyling, Inc Of Mason City
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $3,023
    Length
    37 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $600
    Students counted
    19
    Earned a year, estimated
    $12,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $12,350
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La'James College Of Hairstyling, Inc Of Mason City

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    La' James International College

    Johnston

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    La' James International College, JohnstonMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$42,000
    Price if you pay yourself$10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College
    More details about Massage Therapy at La' James International College
    Finished
    88%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,502
    Length
    33 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,133
    Students counted
    18
    Earned a year, estimated
    $42,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Licensed Massage Therapist Training

    Mystic School of Massage and Healing Arts

    Burlington

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mystic School of Massage and Healing Arts, BurlingtonMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,700
    Program website, Licensed Massage Therapist Training at Mystic School of Massage and Healing Arts
    More details about Licensed Massage Therapist Training at Mystic School of Massage and Healing Arts
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $300
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,700
    Program website, Licensed Massage Therapist Training at Mystic School of Massage and Healing Arts

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy Education and Reflexology training

    Institute of Therapeutic Massage

    Davenport

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Institute of Therapeutic Massage, DavenportMassage therapy certificate or diplomaIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$7,500
    More details about Massage Therapy Education and Reflexology training at Institute of Therapeutic Massage
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    27 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,500

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    La' James International College

    Cedar Falls

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    La' James International College, Cedar FallsMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College
    More details about Massage Therapy at La' James International College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    33 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,133
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Massage Therapy

    La' James International College

    Fort Dodge

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    La' James International College, Fort DodgeMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College
    More details about Massage Therapy at La' James International College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    33 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,133
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,983
    Program website, Massage Therapy at La' James International College

  • Massage therapy certificate or diplomaHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Medical Massage Therapy

    Orion Technical College

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Orion Technical College, DavenportMassage therapy certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$13,860
    Program website, Medical Massage Therapy at Orion Technical College
    More details about Medical Massage Therapy at Orion Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    50 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,125
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,860
    Program website, Medical Massage Therapy at Orion Technical College

How to pay for massage therapy school in Iowa

WIOA funding can pay for massage therapy school in Iowa

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for massage therapy school

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for massage therapy school

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Massage therapy school in Iowa

programs with a price cost under $10,000
5 of 13
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
15th of 22
massage therapy programs here, against the typical state's 5
13 vs 5

State comparisons use the same figures as the massage therapy school by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Massage therapy school in Davenport, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and other Iowa cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 4 more programs are in 4 other areas.

Other training in Iowa

How massage therapy school compares with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Iowa

Where the Iowa massage therapy program numbers come from

Which Iowa massage therapy programs are on this list?

These are the massage therapy programs Iowa approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.

How the prices and results of Iowa massage therapy programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about massage therapy school in Iowa

Show the 10 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Massage Therapists
  2. Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards: Examination (MBLEx)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List