Dental Assisting at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Jose, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 2,844 students in San Jose, CA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,937/yr fall 21% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Assisting. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Some AI exposure exists in Dental Assisting's career paths, with 24% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

At $5,500 in median debt against $28,937 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #272 of 513 Dental Assisting programs, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Dental Assisting, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist) (median $47,300/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
46
Score
46
High End
Earnings $28,937/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$303K
1.0% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Assisting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Dental hygienists $94,260 +7.0% 81%
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310 -4.7% 96%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Dental hygienists
$94,260
+7.0% growth 81% AI-proof
Dental laboratory technicians
$48,310
-4.7% growth 96% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

Dental Assisting Career Guide

What can you do with a Dental Assisting credential from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Dental Assisting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Assisting Overview

Dental Assisting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts's Dental Assisting program score?
A score of 46/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Dental Assisting. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
What's the typical debt for Dental Assisting graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts?
At $5,500 in median debt, Dental Assisting graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts a good choice for Dental Assisting despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Dental Assisting through an apprenticeship instead of Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Dental Assisting career paths, including Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.
Will Dental Assisting graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts find jobs?
Job availability for Dental Assisting is strong — 99,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →