California State Polytechnic University-Pomona vs Cal Poly Maritime Academy: which has better ROI?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,220 in 1.8 years versus 2 years at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, on median earnings of $94,784 vs $71,902 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | Cal Poly Maritime Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,531 | $20,555 |
| Total net cost | $46,124 | $82,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,902 | $94,784 |
| Median debt | $16,000 | $24,965 |
| Payback | 2 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $424,716 | $846,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Cal Poly Maritime Academy?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, at $11,531 a year after aid versus $20,555 — a gap of $9,024 a year, or $36,096 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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates earn more?
Cal Poly Maritime Academy graduates report a median $94,784 ten years after entry, $22,882 more than the $71,902 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. 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 State Polytechnic University-Pomona or Cal Poly Maritime Academy?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona: its completers carry a median $16,000 in federal loans versus $24,965 at Cal Poly Maritime Academy, a difference of $8,965. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, 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.