Southwest Institute of Healing Arts: 716 Students

716Students

69%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,544Earnings

Private forprofit2-yearData: 2023-24

About Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts trains students in massage therapy, life coaching, and well-rounded health practices in Tempe's urban environment. The specialized healing arts institute enrolls 716 students who focus on alternative wellness careers. Students learn hands-on healing techniques that blend ancient wisdom with modern therapeutic approaches.

The financial picture presents challenges for graduates entering the wellness field. Students pay an average net price of $58,490, which remains consistent across all income levels. Recent graduates earn a median of $29,544 ten years after completing their programs, creating a significant gap between education costs and earning potential. The typical graduate carries $9,500 in debt with monthly loan payments of $101, though the loan repayment rate sits at just 48%.

The student body reflects the demographics of alternative healing professions, with women comprising 95% of enrollment. About 77% of students come from Arizona, creating a tight-knit community focused on wellness careers. The 68% six-year graduation rate suggests many students need extra time to complete their programs, possibly due to the hands-on nature of healing arts training. With an employment rate of 83%, graduates typically find work in the growing wellness industry, though earnings remain modest compared to other healthcare fields.

Academics & Faculty

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts specializes in alternative and well-rounded health education, training students in massage therapy, life coaching, hypnotherapy, and spiritual counseling. The school operates with a 26:1 student-faculty ratio, which is higher than typical for specialized programs but reflects the hands-on, practical nature of healing arts education. About 68.6% of students complete their programs within six years, a solid rate for a vocational institution focused on career preparation rather than traditional academics. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning through clinical practice and apprenticeships. Students learn modalities like yoga therapy, nutrition counseling, and energy healing alongside business skills needed to launch private practices in the growing wellness industry.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 26:1
Graduation Rate (6-year): 68.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,544

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems.	Certificate	$21,166
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems.	Associate	$21,117
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	Certificate	$20,783
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services.	Certificate	$16,663

View all 10 programs →

Campus Life

Campus life at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts revolves around hands-on practice in a converted wellness center in Tempe, just minutes from Arizona State University. With 94.69% female enrollment, the student body creates a supportive community focused on well-rounded healing practices. Students spend their days in massage therapy labs, meditation spaces, and coaching workshops rather than traditional lecture halls.

The desert climate means year-round outdoor activities, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees in summer but mild winters perfect for hiking nearby Papago Park. Most of the 716 students commute since the school doesn't offer housing, with 77.27% coming from Arizona. The small student-to-faculty ratio of 26:1 allows for personalized instruction in specialized healing modalities. Weekends often involve wellness fairs, continuing education workshops, or practice sessions at local spas where students build client relationships. The campus attracts students seeking career changes into alternative health, reflected in the diverse age range and life experiences of the student body.

Setting: City-Midsize

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 39°–69°F
July Avg: 75°–104°F
Annual Precipitation: 9.3"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

The student body at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts is overwhelmingly female, with women making up 95% of enrollment. This gender split reflects the school's focus on alternative healing practices like massage therapy and well-rounded wellness, fields that traditionally attract more women. About three-quarters of students come from Arizona, showing the institute has built a strong local reputation in the Phoenix area. Nearly half receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many students from working-class backgrounds seeking career changes into the growing wellness industry.

Men: 5.3%
Women: 94.7%
White: 49.0%
Black: 14.4%
Hispanic: 18.0%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 77.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 43.3%

Location

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts sits in Tempe, Arizona, part of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The school draws 77% of its students from within Arizona, making it a regional center for alternative healing education. Tempe hosts Arizona State University and maintains a active college town atmosphere despite being integrated into Phoenix's sprawling urban landscape. The desert setting provides year-round sunshine and outdoor recreation opportunities in the Sonoran Desert. Students can access Phoenix's downtown core just 10 miles northwest, along with hiking trails in the nearby South Mountain ranges. Students considering colleges in Arizona may also compare Southwest Institute of Healing Arts with similar schools in the region.

Address: Tempe, Arizona 85282

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,544
Median Earnings (5 years): $28,672
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 48.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $101/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $9,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How selective is Southwest Institute of Healing Arts?

The school focuses on alternative healing arts training rather than traditional academic selectivity. With 716 students enrolled and a specialized curriculum in massage therapy and well-rounded health practices, SWIHA evaluates candidates based on their commitment to healing arts careers rather than standardized test scores.

What does Southwest Institute of Healing Arts cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $58,490 annually, making it one of the more expensive programs in alternative health education. Only 15.22% of students receive institutional grants averaging $3,051, while 56.04% take federal loans with manageable monthly payments of $101.

What academic programs is Southwest Institute of Healing Arts known for?

The institute specializes in alternative healing arts including massage therapy, life coaching, and well-rounded health practices. With a 26:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive hands-on training in specialized healing modalities that aren't available at traditional colleges.

How much do Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduates earn?

Graduates earn a median of $29,544 ten years after completing their programs, reflecting the specialized nature of healing arts careers. The 82.6% employment rate shows strong job placement in wellness and alternative health fields, though earnings are modest compared to traditional healthcare roles.

Where is Southwest Institute of Healing Arts located and who attends?

The Tempe campus serves 716 students in Arizona's mid-size city setting, with 77.27% coming from in-state. The student body is overwhelmingly female at 94.69%, reflecting the demographics typically drawn to healing arts and wellness professions.

What makes Southwest Institute of Healing Arts unique among colleges?

The school graduates students in just two years with a 68.60% completion rate, focusing entirely on alternative and complementary healing practices. Unlike traditional colleges, SWIHA trains practitioners in specialized fields like energy healing and spiritual counseling that blend ancient wisdom with modern wellness approaches.