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Cal Poly Maritime Academy vs Unitek College: which has better ROI?

Public, Vallejo CA · vs · Private for-profit, Hayward CA

The verdict

Cal Poly Maritime Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,220 in 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Unitek College, on median earnings of $94,784 vs $87,877 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCal Poly Maritime AcademyUnitek College
Net price / yr$20,555$19,130
Total net cost$82,220$76,520
Median earnings, 10 yrs$94,784$87,877
Median debt$24,965$10,700
Payback1.8 yrs1.9 yrs
20-year net return$846,260$713,820

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

Which is cheaper, Cal Poly Maritime Academy or Unitek College?

Unitek College, at $19,130 a year after aid versus $20,555 — a gap of $1,425 a year, or $5,700 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cal Poly Maritime Academy or Unitek College graduates earn more?

Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates report a median $94,784 ten years after entry, $6,907 more than the $87,877 at Unitek 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, Cal Poly Maritime Academy or Unitek College?

Unitek College: its completers carry a median $10,700 in federal loans versus $24,965 at Cal Poly Maritime Academy, a difference of $14,265. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at Unitek College, against 60% at Cal Poly Maritime Academy. 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.

Cal Poly Maritime Academy vs Unitek College: frequently asked questions

Is Cal Poly Maritime Academy or Unitek College a better value?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy. It clears its $82,220 net cost in about 1.8 years versus 1.9 years at Unitek College, on median earnings of $94,784 vs $87,877 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cal Poly Maritime Academy or Unitek College?
Unitek College: $19,130/yr net price after aid versus $20,555/yr at Cal Poly Maritime Academy — a difference of $1,425 a year, or about $5,700 over four years.
Do Cal Poly Maritime Academy or Unitek College graduates earn more?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates earn a median $94,784 ten years after entry, versus $87,877 at Unitek College — a $6,907 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.