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Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts vs Smith Chason College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, San Jose CA · vs · Private for-profit, Los Angeles CA

The verdict

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $129,708 in 7 years versus 7.1 years at Smith Chason College, on median earnings of $66,844 vs $58,004 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGurnick Academy of Medical ArtsSmith Chason College
Net price / yr$32,427$34,367
Total net cost$129,708$68,734
Median earnings, 10 yrs$66,844$58,004
Median debt$17,317$21,397
Payback7 yrs7.1 yrs
20-year net return$239,972$124,146

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or Smith Chason College?

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, at $32,427 a year after aid versus $34,367 — a gap of $1,940 a year, or $60,974 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or Smith Chason College graduates earn more?

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts graduates report a median $66,844 ten years after entry, $8,840 more than the $58,004 at Smith Chason College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or Smith Chason College?

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts: its completers carry a median $17,317 in federal loans versus $21,397 at Smith Chason College, a difference of $4,080. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at Smith Chason College, against 64% at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts vs Smith Chason College: frequently asked questions

Is Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or Smith Chason College a better value?
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. It clears its $129,708 net cost in about 7 years versus 7.1 years at Smith Chason College, on median earnings of $66,844 vs $58,004 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or Smith Chason College?
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts: $32,427/yr net price after aid versus $34,367/yr at Smith Chason College — a difference of $1,940 a year, or about $60,974 over four years.
Do Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts or Smith Chason College graduates earn more?
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts graduates earn a median $66,844 ten years after entry, versus $58,004 at Smith Chason College — a $8,840 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.