California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Cal Poly Maritime Academy: which has better ROI?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,660 in 1.6 years versus 1.8 years at Cal Poly Maritime Academy, on median earnings of $90,768 vs $94,784 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | Cal Poly Maritime Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,665 | $20,555 |
| Total net cost | $66,660 | $82,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $90,768 | $94,784 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $24,965 |
| Payback | 1.6 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $781,500 | $846,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Cal Poly Maritime Academy?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, at $16,665 a year after aid versus $20,555 — a gap of $3,890 a year, or $15,560 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates earn more?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates report a median $94,784 ten years after entry, $4,016 more than the $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 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, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Cal Poly Maritime Academy?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $24,965 at Cal Poly Maritime Academy, a difference of $6,465. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
86% of students finish at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, 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.