2025-2026 Tuition
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Licensing Track
Tuition for our state-approved and nationally-accredited Diploma program is $11,600. Grants and Enrollment Incentives are available ate different times of the year - check with your admissions person. Tuition includes application/registration fee, cost of instruction, AMTA membership and student liability insurance, Polo shirt for clinic use, lotions and creams for classroom and clinic use, sheets for clinic use, free transcripts for FSMTB and the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. A massage table for personal use is recommended but not required. Outside of tuition paid to the school, the student should expect: • $75-100 in required books; there may also be some recommended books but those are optional, as most students use our online learning platform and instructor notes for their studies. • Licensing costs (exam: $265, fingerprinting: approx. $60, and licensing application: $175). These fees are outside of the program and are not included in the tuition. Introduction to Massage Therapy Tuition for our state-approved Introductory Massage Therapy Program is $1,495. It includes application/registration fee, cost of instruction, AMTA membership and student liability insurance, and lotions for classroom use. Tuition is payable in three monthly installments. Note: If a graduate of the Introductory program transfers to the Diploma program, the tuition paid in the Introductory Program is applied to the Diploma program. Payment Options Lump Sum/Early payment If tuition is paid in full prior to the first day of classes a 15% discount applies. Monthly Payment Plans These plans are a great way to get the training you want with monthly payments that fit your budget. Interest free and extended plans are available. 💰 Employer Tuition Plans The New School for Massage proudly partners with employers who invest in their employees' education. This program empowers employers to invest in their team’s development while allowing students to focus fully on their education. |
Making Massage School More Accessible
To be considered for the following grants, applicants must complete a school tour and submit an application for admission. 💰 The Thomas Mertes Institutional Grant Thomas Mertes was a beloved instructor who enriched our school with his knowledge, presence, and passion for teaching. In his memory, we are proud to offer a grant to support individuals transitioning from other professions into a career in massage therapy. This grant honors Tom’s belief in the transformative power of touch and his commitment to lifelong learning. To be considered for this grant, applicants must complete a school tour and submit an application for admission. 💰 The Mary Pat Payne Memorial Grant The family of the late Mary Pat Payne, a devoted licensed massage therapist with Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospice and a private practice in Schaumburg, is proud to support New School for Massage students through a generous donation, helping aspiring therapists pursue their passion for healing. Mary Pat’s sister and client, Jeanne Bowden, reflects on her legacy: "Mary Pat was determined to become a massage therapist, balancing a full-time job in downtown Chicago with part-time massage school. She was compassionate and truly loved her work, especially with hospice patients—a role she embraced even as she approached the end of her own life." Jeanne encourages prospective students: "If massage is what you want to do, do it with your whole being." This donation ensures Mary Pat’s compassion and dedication continue to inspire future massage therapists. 💰 River North Massage Therapy Center Grant Through its clinical arm, the New School for Massage is proud to offer the River North Clinical Grant—an institutional grant designed to support prospective students who demonstrate a strong commitment to client care and professional development. This grant is funded by the revenues of our Graduate and Professional Clinics, where students and licensed therapists provide massage services to the public. It reflects our belief that giving to the next generation of massage therapists is an extension of the healing work we do every day. To be considered, applicants must complete a tour and submit their application for admission. 💰 Allied Profession Discount This discount is available to individuals who hold licenses in the following areas: allied health professions regulated by the IDFPR (e.g., nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapist assistants), spa-related professions regulated by the IDFPR (e.g., cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology), and certified professionals in health and wellness fields such as personal trainers, yoga instructors, Pilates instructors, and movement specialists. |
Tuition Matching Promise
We believe in the value of our education—and we want to make it accessible. That’s why the New School for Massage will match any published tuition from another licensed massage therapy school in the surrounding area.
If you’ve found a lower price elsewhere, bring it to us—we’ll match it. It’s our way of ensuring you get exceptional training without compromise.
We believe in the value of our education—and we want to make it accessible. That’s why the New School for Massage will match any published tuition from another licensed massage therapy school in the surrounding area.
If you’ve found a lower price elsewhere, bring it to us—we’ll match it. It’s our way of ensuring you get exceptional training without compromise.