Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

At under $8,000 in debt, Gurnick Academy delivers medical assistant training at roughly half the typical program cost while producing graduates who out-earn the national median by nearly $5,000. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio is exceptional—graduates earn back their total debt in just three months of work. With robust enrollment data backing these numbers, this represents genuine value, not a statistical fluke.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates start at $32,143 and grow to nearly $37,000 within four years, a 15% increase that suggests this credential opens doors rather than trapping workers in dead-end roles. While Gurnick doesn't crack California's top tier for medical assisting programs (it sits at the 60th percentile statewide), it comfortably beats both state and national medians. The top programs in California do push earnings $4,000-$8,000 higher, but they often come with significantly steeper debt loads.

For families watching budgets carefully—and nearly half of Gurnick's students receive Pell grants—this program offers a practical entry point into healthcare without the financial burden that derails so many certificate seekers. You're looking at a sub-$8,000 investment that typically pays for itself before the first winter holidays, in a field with steady demand and room for wage growth.