I decided to write a really detailed review because other people need to know the truth about this school so they can make an informed decision. I attended the massage therapy program at ICOHS College, and I’m extremely disappointed with the entire experience. If I had known what it would really be like, I would’ve chosen a different school.
ICOHS is one of the most expensive massage programs in San Diego — over $15,000, which is about $5,000 more than other local schools. When I asked why it costs so much more, I was told it’s because they provide a massage table, a laptop, books, and supplies. But none of that adds up. The massage table was a super basic $165 table from Amazon (narrower and cheaper than the ones we practiced on in class), the laptop was around $155, and the books were only digital copies — no hardbacks. They also gave us a silicone cupping set, some cheap oil and lotion, and thin sheets — maybe $60–$70 worth of materials total. No bolster, no massage chair. All together, everything they gave us was under $1,000. So where is the extra $4,000 going?
The main reason I chose ICOHS was the three-day-a-week schedule, which worked with my job. But halfway through the program, they added a required fourth day. That completely threw off the schedule I had planned for — and the worst part? The extra days were totally disorganized. Most of the time, there was no real lesson or structure. We just sat there while teachers tried to figure out what to do with us.
Some teachers were amazing, but others… not so much. One in particular, literally fell asleep in class — not once, but multiple times. He also spent more time talking about his personal life than teaching. And overall, there just wasn’t enough hands-on practice for an eight-month program. Way too many hours were wasted when they could’ve been used to actually make us better therapists.
What really frustrated me the most, though, is that they pass everyone. Even students who couldn’t name major muscle groups or pass basic tests were still given certificates. That’s not just frustrating — it’s concerning. These are people who will be working on clients’ bodies in a professional setting, and some weren’t ready for that responsibility.
I was genuinely excited to start massage school, but by the end, I just wanted to get out. Now I’m stuck paying off a very expensive education that didn’t live up to its promise. Honestly, I’m embarrassed to say I went to ICOHS, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. Please do your research and look into other schools in San Diego — there are better options out there.
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