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Reputable Massage Schools

May 5
3 min read

Going to an accredited massage school is a pathway towards having strong technique, job opportunities/experiences, among other skills that strengthen your career as a massage therapist. 

Keep in mind that these are only a FEW of several incredible massage schools in the United States. These options were provided in no particular order by recommendation or extensive research. It is advised to not judge a school based on 'prestigiousness' but if a school is the right fit for your needs (in addition to being accredited). 


Checking if a massage school is accredited

Always confirm both national accreditation and state approval before enrolling, as one without the other may not meet licensure requirements.

  • Requires significant clinical hours

  • Check your state’s massage therapy board website (e.g., Washington DOH, California Board of Massage Therapy)

  • Prepares students for the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEX)

  • State/National level approval 



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Well-Known Accredited Massage Schools


  • “Help people have work they love”

  • Has connections to locations in the Bay Area for holistic healthcare 

  • Known for strong job accessibility

  • Western and Eastern massage techniques

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 (1,134 students)

  • 720‑hour massage therapy program with accommodations for working students

  • Classes for massage Therapy, anatomy and physiology, pathology, maternity massage, and Infant massage training, marketing and business.

Learn More: https://nhi.edu/


  • “Enhance the quality of life through the vehicles of touch and awareness” 

  • The curriculum emphasizes both practical skills and theoretical knowledge

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 4:1 (25 students)

  • Opportunities for students to practice in a student clinic. FSM also offers weekend workshops on specialized techniques like Thai massage

  • Programs consist of Introduction to awareness-based massage & orientation, Massage Therapy, sports medicine, connective tissue therapy, polarity therapy, neuromuscular therapy, swedish massage 

Learn More: https://floridaschoolofmassage.com/

  • Students gain real‑world experience through clinics, labs, and the Human Performance Center, where they work directly with athletes and patients

  • Student‑to-faculty ratio of 4:1 and many classes under 20 students

  • Programs in chiropractic, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, nutrition, and sports rehabilitation

  • Western medicine with holistic and alternative therapies

Learn More:https://www.nwhealth.edu/

  • Diploma programs that can be completed in as little as 7.5 months

  • Programs in massage therapy, esthetics, paramedical esthetics, makeup artistry, and cosmetology

  • Provides job fairs, career seminars, resume building, mock interviews, and networking opportunities with over 2,800 industry employer

  • Range of 16 – 22:1 faculty ratio across campus’

  • Dermalogica partnership school (access to industry skincare and products)

  • ABMP membership upon graduation

Learn More: https://www.cortiva.edu/ 

  • Student faculty ratio of 15:1 (885 students) 

  • Largest school of Chinese medicine in the United States

  • Holistic health certificates and integrative medicine degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels

  • Can obtain certifications in holistic nursing, and massage therapy

  • College awarded 447 degrees across various programs, with a significant focus on Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

  • Known for its strong connections to local wellness centers and healthcare partners

Learn More: https://www.pacificcollege.edu/about/why

  • Oldest currently operating massage therapy school in the U.S.

  • Known for academic rigor and thorough preparation

  •  Western and Eastern massage theories and techniques, integrating anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, kinesiology, patient care, ethics, business practices, and professional development

  • Offers 5-, 6-, or 8-semester schedules (20–32 months) with classes in mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays, so you can start working quickly

  • Graduates earn an Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS) in Massage Therapy 

Learn More: https://www.swedishinstitute.edu/massage-therapy/


  • COE-accredited, hands-on-focused massage therapy program

  • 750-hour program covers anatomy, somatic bodywork, touch skills, and client care

  • Provides practical labs, treatment rooms, an on-campus clinic, and a resource library, plus career advising, tutoring, and licensure prep

  • Real-world practice over traditional lectures. 

  • Students spend 200+ hours in supervised clinical settings

Learn More: https://sarasotaschoolofmassagetherapy.edu/


  • Student-to-faculty ratio 9:1 (1,176 students)

  • Community-oriented approach to education, focusing on personal and spiritual growth alongside professional training

  • Training in massage therapy, hypnotherapy, health and wellness coaching, spiritual coaching, herbal medicine 

  • 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training with modalities like Polarity, Yoga Nidra, Sound Healing, and Breath Therapy

  • Non-traditional, practitioner-led education in holistic wellness


 
 
 

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